Components for a Volvo Penta EVC upgrade.

EVC Upgrade: Modernising the Riviera Esmerelda

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Here at Aqua Power Marine we’ve had the pleasure of maintaining the Riviera vessel Esmerelda for several years now. Recently, the boat had a series of electrical component failures—unsurprising given the age of some of the onboard systems – so an upgrade was a good idea. Over the past 12 months alone, issues arose with the transducer, Raymarine autopilot, Raymarine chart plotter, and the Volvo Penta joystick control.

With so many aging components reaching end-of-life, we proposed a comprehensive modernisation through a Volvo Penta EVC (Electronic Vessel Control) upgrade. Volvo Penta is offering “trade in deals” on any EVC A to D system.  This solution not only addressed the faults in the Volvo Penta system but also gave us an opportunity to overhaul outdated navigation, sonar, and control interfaces.

To help the owner visualise the transformation, we photographed the current dashboard and mocked up several layout options using Photoshop. Since an EVC upgrade significantly changes both the function and aesthetic of a vessel’s helm, these visuals helped the client make confident decisions about screen sizes, layouts, and features.

After careful planning and consultation, we finalised a package that included:

  • Three Volvo Penta Glass Cockpit displays (two 7-inch and one 16-inch)

  • A mid-range thru-hull transducer offering excellent performance for its price

  • A Volvo Penta reactor autopilot system with Shadow Drive

  • GHC autopilot control display

  • Garmin NMEA 2000 network components

  • GPS map card

  • Garmin network expander

Once all components arrived, we began by removing the outdated systems. On the Volvo Penta side, this meant removing the old joystick, IPS SUS motors, PCUs, and HCUs. We also replaced the traditional ignition system with a new key fob and start/stop button panel.

To accommodate the new displays, we modified the dash and installed new wiring looms throughout the vessel. After the onboard installations were complete, we lifted the boat to install the new transducer. Despite being a budget-friendly option, the new transducer delivered impressive image quality and detail.

Upon handover, the customer was thrilled with the result. During the sea trial, we walked through the new systems. One standout feature was the autopilot’s Auto Guidance—allowing the owner to simply select a destination and let the vessel safely navigate itself. This upgrade has not only modernised Esmerelda but also significantly boosted its resale value.