The engineers at Yamaha Marine sure know how to get the new year started with a bang. Not wanting to sit back and rest on its past achievements, the outboard manufacturer has been busy, to say the least.
Last fall PDB magazine got a sneak peek at its 2013 lineup when we were invited to the Yamaha Test Facility in Alabama. This was the company’s largest new-product introduction since the 2009 debut of its F70 and V6 series of four-strokes. The new lineup includes two great outboards that are perfect for the pontoon and deck boat segment of the boating industry—the F200 and the V MAX SHO 150.
F200
It’s one thing to see these great engines at work; it’s another to actually test drive them and get a feel for the power. We took the Aqua Patio 220SL that was powered by the new light-weight, compact and powerful Yamaha F200 and put the throttle down. We reached a top speed of over 40 miles per hour on this 23-foot pontoon. And at a comfortable cruising rpm of 3000, we scooted across the Tennessee River at 18 miles per hour using, on an average, just 4 gallons of gas per hour.
We also got a chance to try this new engine on the SouthWind 229 LC, which is considered a hybrid boat with a fiberglass hull and a pontoon-like top. On this 22-footer we actually flirted near the 50 mph mark and at the 3000 rpm mark we recorded 24.2 milers per hour, using 5.2 gallons on average per hour. But what surprised us the most on both of these boats was just how quiet this new engine truly is. Based on these two boats alone, it’s clear to see just how versatile the new F200 is and how popular it will be for all boat types in the industry.
“The 200 makes tremendous sense because there are so many boats that can take that kind of power and benefit from a lightweight 200, as opposed to a heavier V6,” Yamaha communications manager Martin Peters says. “It is also a great motor for repowering because it fits on 26-inch centers. It is a narrow motor and easily could replace a lot of two-strokes in the marketplace right now.”
At 487 pounds, the F200 is 119 pounds lighter than Yamaha’s V6 F200 and only 14 pounds heavier than Yamaha’s two-stroke Z200 HPDI outboard. The F200 is built around a four-cylinder, 2.8-liter, 16-valve dual overhead camshaft powerhead “that breathes easily and responds quickly,” Peters adds.
The new F200 complements the V6 version of Yamaha’s 200hp four-stroke. Like its larger-displacement sibling, the four-cylinder F200 is equipped with Yamaha’s Variable Camshaft Timing System for quick acceleration and mid-range punch.
Yamaha calls the F200 “the lightest 200hp four-stroke on the market.” It’s a logical replacement for lower-horsepower or larger V6 outboards on mid-sized boats and in twin applications the F200 can reduce overall weight on the transom.
V MAX SHO 150
With the new 150hp performance-driven engine, Yamaha gives boaters the kind of acceleration out of the hole and torque associated with two-stroke engines. The engine will do a standout job of propelling performance pontoons as well as deck boats.
“It’s a brilliant alternative to a two-stroke,” Peters says. “If you look at the typical two-stroke, it is lighter and has arguably better hole-shot, compared to most four-strokes. What the V MAX SHOW brings is the benefits of a four-stroke, along with two-stroke performance.”
The V MAX SHO 150 with a 2.8-liter four-cylinder powerhead employs double overhead cams, four valves per cylinder and counterbalance shafts for smooth performance, according to the company. At 480 pounds, the four-stroke V MAX SHO 150 weighs only 12 pounds more than Yamaha's two-stroke VZ150.
We did get a chance to test this 150, but not on a pontoon or deck boat. But even on two different types of bass boats, it’s clear how much fun our segment is going to have with this new engine. We expect to see at least one at our next McKainer Pontoon Barrel Race.
The V MAX SHO 150 not only looks fast with a special paint scheme and exhaust that give it a unique look, but it is fast as well. In Yamaha hole-shot tests, the V MAX SHO 150 was within a tenth of a second of Yamaha’s two-stroke VZ150. It was much quicker than the Yamaha F150 and considerably quicker than a competitor's new, two-valve-per-cylinder, four-stroke 150.
In speed tests, the four-stroke V MAX SHO 150 produced a top speed better than that of the two-stroke Yamaha VZ150. It was also faster than the Yamaha F150 and beat a competitor's new two-valve-per-cylinder four-stroke 150.
F50/F60
Yamaha Marine Group is also launching redesigned versions of its popular F50, F60, T50, T60 and F60 Jet models, which now have the shape and looks to match Yamaha’s larger outboards.
“As the economy improves, certain types of boats have gained popularity faster than others,” says Ben Speciale, Yamaha Marine Group president. “Pontoon and deck boats fit this niche, as do light flats and bay skiffs and aluminum fishing boats, so the midrange is very important.”
With the cowls comes a new redesigned lower engine pan for better drainage and all-new graphics. The incredible durability, fuel efficiency and quiet performance of these light-weight mid-range outboards haven't changed in the slightest. After all, these features are what made them so popular in the first place.
Helm Master
The much anticipated joystick-equipped helm control system from Yamaha—called Helm Master—has arrived, although it could be awhile before we see this on any pontoon boats. But as neat as this new system is, just be sure not to just focus on the joystick part.
“We want to emphasize that it is more than just a joystick controller,” Peters says. “Components include Helm Master Digital Steering Helm, Electronic Key Switch, digital remote control, control units, steering cylinders and pumps, joystick and Command Link Plus 6Y9 gauge.”
Helm Master incorporates automatic trim control, speed control and steering friction control. The latter technology allows the operator to control the steering friction (the number of turns lock to lock) from the helm.
The system can be setup at the boat manufacturer’s facility, but owners can then adjust that setting to their liking, based on the conditions and the types of waterways they are piloting their boat in.
“We’ll be working with the boat manufacturers to make sure the system fits their boats perfectly so the consumer is left with total satisfaction,” adds Peters.
Using twin or triple outboard setups, the feature that is receiving the most attention is the joystick steering that allows you to easily dock the boat, while the computer and the engines do all the thinking.
The Helm Master will be showcased on demo boats at the Miami International Boat Show this month and will then hit the market the following month in March. The new engines for Yamaha will also make their début at the Miami show. For more information visit www.yamahaoutboards.com.
