The primary design goal for the 40z was to create a 40 foot powerboat that would handle like a 30-footer at idle speeds in tricky docking situations. The Volvo-Penta IPS technology makes this goal a reality. The IPS system works with twin pod drives under the hull. When conventional twin-engine controls are in neutral, a single joystick takes over with fingertip control.

There are no thrusters, each drive unit is independently operated in terms of direction, rpm and forward-reverse gear. This system works far more intuitively than conventional twin shaft drives or joystick/thruster operated jet drives