Yamaha links up with Haines Hunter’s 680 Patriot

by Bob Wonders on 18 May 2008 First of the 300hp Yamaha V8 outboard engines has been installed aboard a 680 Haines Hunter Patriot, already proving itself as an ‘excellent platform’ for the new engine.

The F300 arrived in Australia hot on the heels of the release of the world-first F350, which was well received by dealer and consumers Australia-wide.

Yamaha Motor claims the new V8 engines, the F300 and F350 are offering trailer boat owners additional power options and many are find acceptance by replacing stern drive engines due to their greater fuel economy, power-to-weight ratio and ease of operation and servicing.

Close inspection of the two engines reveal only minor overall differences; the key change, of course, is the power output, 300hp versus 350hp.

Of course, producing such engines is no easy task and for the smaller 300hp model, engineering a 5.3-litre V8 into a sophisticated marine outboard was a credit to Yamaha’s R and D team.

By offering two horsepower variants on the V8 package, Yamaha believes it has opened up new markets for offshore owners looking for brisk performance without sacrificing deck space, fuel use and the environmental issues associated with stern drive power.

The F300 has proven to be an exceptional match to the Haines Hunter Patriot, which has a maximum horsepower rating of 320hp and a transom weight 500kg.

Although dual installations can offer the advantage of a ‘back up engine’ they come at a cost in weight with, for example, twin 150hp four-stroke engines tipping the scales at 460kg against the F300 V8 at 364kg.

“When the F300 is compared with inboard power alternatives, the power to weight savings are hard to overlook,” Brett Hampson, national sales and marketing manager, Marine Products, for Yamaha Motor Australia, declared.


“We are finding that owners of larger offshore powerboats are demanding greater performance and power than conventional stern drives can offer.


“Our new V8 engines provide more sophisticated power with loads of torque without the bulk and weight of stern drive engines.

“It is hard to compete against the V8.

“And, of course the simplicity of a single engine installation adds to the appeal,” he added.

For those really seeking eye-watering performance, the weight savings with the F300 are amplified even further when installed with a twin, triple or even a quad rig.

A true blue water offshore boat could support four F300 V8 engines, with Yamaha’s high-tech Local Area Network (LAN) engine management system synchronising the operation of each engine.

The all-new Haines Hunter Patriot – Yamaha F300 partnership is destined for North Queensland waters.

With Cairns and surrounding regions being a ‘hot spot’ for blue water angling, all eyes will be on the big Haines Hunter as it cruises northern waterways.


For further information contact Yamaha Motor Australia, telephone (07) 3906-7000 or visit the website, www.yamaha-motor.com.au