Yanmar diesels – the ‘magic' remains

by Bob Wonders on 21 Apr 2010 Way back around 1996, I had my first experience with Yanmar diesel engines. I was doing a boat test, on a US-built Wellcraft Excalibur, a big and beefy 44' sportboat that had dual 350hp engines linked to MerCruiser drives.

Mark Chapman, at that time working out of Sydney's Birkenhead Point Marina, was the Wellcraft dealer and as a former ‘top gun' marine mechanic, was very familiar with the Yanmar engines. Simply put, he described them as 'magic engines.'

Sixteen years ago, to achieve the 40 knots that big Wellcraft clocked on dual diesel engines was, well, really something; diesels, after all, either boasted far more horsepower than the 350hp Yanmar engines or they were specifically for displacement or semi- displacement boats. Suffice to say, I came away from that boat test a definite fan of the Yanmar marque.

I'm pleased to report that visitors to the 2010 Sydney International Boat Show (July 29-August 2) will be able to inspect what the Japanese manufacturer has termed 'a new chapter in marine product development' with the unveiling of the Yanmar ZT350 stern drive.

Sydney will be the first public showing of the new unit, only released a few weeks ago in the Northern Hemisphere.

The ZT350 stern drive is designed to support Yanmar's proven BY2 and 6LPA series of marine diesel engines.

Designed to deliver refined performance, the hydrodynamic ZT350 boasts a new type of hydraulic clutch that delivers smooth and quiet operation. The inclusion of precision forged gears takes Yanmar's famed durability to a new level.

Two counter-rotating propellers are utilised and they maximise acceleration and enable tightly held tracking even in rough conditions.

Performance in both single and dual engine installations is enhanced thanks to the larger rudder dimensions employed which offer superior handing and manoeuvrability.

Michael Blair, national sales manager for Yanmar distributors, Power Equipment, rates the ZT350 as a 'breakthrough product' for Yanmar in Australia.

'We know that many of our valued boat owning clients would jump at the chance to have a Yanmar engineered and warranted stern drive unit matched to their Yanmar engines,' he said.

'The new stern drive suits both the new boat and repower markets, especially since the ZT350 unit shares similar installation dimensions as existing stern drive units on the market,' he added.

Designed for the existing Yanmar range in the BY2 and 6LPA series, the ZT350 can cover the power range from 150hp to 315hp. The unit has a steering angle of 30 degrees and a tilt angle of 51 degrees.

Maximum propeller diameter is 16' with the front propeller rotation counter clockwise and the rear propeller clockwise. Clutch system and trim/tilt system are both hydraulic while the power steering comprises mechanical cable with hydraulic power assist.

Power Equipment is the authorised Yanmar distributor for Australia, Papua New Guinea and the South Pacific Region.

For further information contact Power Equipment, telephone (03) 9709-8500 or e-mail to power.equipment@yanmar.com.au