Trial F225C Sports Model from Yamaha blasts into Australia

by Bob Carter on 17 Jul 2009
The very first of Yamaha’s new sports model outboard, the F225C is up and running hard with a Gold Coast ski race team. Yamaha’s F225C is a new release from Yamaha and targets the sports and performance boat market.

Based on Yamaha’s successful four stroke V-6 225 hp model, the initial variant is the F225C suits outboard hulls with a long 20' transom height. This places the powerhead lower on hull for a lower centre of gravity and better handling at high speed.

The first of these new units brought into Australia for trial has been fitted to the transom of a 2009 model Bullet 1850 ski race boat, owned and raced by ski race veteran, Chris Williams. Chris is also the Parts and Service Manager at Broadwater Boating Centre on the Gold Coast.

'We are running the Yamaha F225C stock standard, straight out of the box,' Chris said.

'This is truly effortless ski racing. Since fitting the new engine we have had zero issues. The reliability is fantastic and the fuel consumption on race day is very low.'

The F225C is a variant based around Yamaha’s F225 model. The engine is designed as a long shaft to suit a 20' transom. Under the sports engine cowling there are a host of changes to the standard 225 model including an exclusive ECM unit to match the operational characteristics of this outboard.

In addition to changes in the area of engine management, the F225C has longer intake manifolds, a new design of uppercase for the L driveshaft and a new piston design to deliver even better throttle response.

The Yamaha F225C also has key components more commonly fitted to the F250 model. The lower unit with stock 30:15 ratio is off the F250 as is the single inlet throttle body fuel induction system and the variable camshaft system.

'My previous Bullet 1850 had a Yamaha 225hp two stroke engine on the transom,' Chris Williams said. 'With the new F225C on my boat, there is absolutely no doubt that this new engine from Yamaha is more powerful.'

'I am currently running a 29' pitch propeller and the GPS is showing 79.6 mph (128 km/h) with the engine bouncing off the 6100 rpm rev limiter. With the right prop, maybe a 32' or 34' pitch, we’ll easily see speeds in the mid ‘80s. And at 276kgs, this is the heaviest of the three Bullet hulls that I have raced, although the manufacturer rates this as a semi light weight hull.'

Like any high-speed ski race boat the Yamaha powered Bullet 1850 ski race boat is rigged with a standard inventory of performance gear. There is a hydraulic jacking plate, foot throttle, foot operated trim buttons and hydraulic steering.

Running the East Coast Ski Race series, Chris Williams is towing amongst others his 11 year old son Bradley and 9 year old daughter Emma.

'We are running in a class that is very competitive with engines from a number of different outboard manufacturers. The Yamaha F225C is highly competitive and fast.'

Yamaha outboards are available through an Australia-wide network of authorised Yamaha outboard dealers. All Yamaha 4-stroke outboards are supported with a full 4-year manufacturer’s warranty and all 2-stroke outboards are backed by a 3-year warranty – standard conditions apply.

Specifications
Model F225C
Cylinders 60° - V6
Bore x stroke (mm) 94 x 80.5
Displacement 3352 cm³
Weight with prop 265 kgs
Transom height L 508 mm 20'
Induction EFI
Oil pan capacity 5.6 litres
Lubrication wet sump
Ignition/advance system TCI/Computer
Lighting coil/alternator 12v – 46A
Gear ratio 30:15
Starting Electric
Steering Remote control
Throttle & shift control Remote control
Trim & Tilt Power Trim & Tilt