Yamaha unveils its new V6 outboard engines

by Bob Wonders on 24 Jun 2010 Lighter, more fuel efficient and boasting enhanced performance, Yamaha Motor Australia expects solid consumer interest in its new range of four-stroke V6 engines in the Offshore series.

Three models comprise the range, 225hp, 250hp and 300hp and all were made available on a variety of craft for media to evaluate over a two-day ‘educational session' staged by the company on the Queensland Gold Coast.

Brett Hampson, Brisbane-based, national sales and marketing manager for the company, said stock of the new models had already arrived for distribution to dealers and public launches of the models would be staged at both the Melbourne (July 1-5) and Sydney (July 29-August 2) International Boat Shows.

Yamaha invited key media representatives from across Australia and New Zealand for the launch of the new engines, and virtually took over the Sea World Resort at Main Beach for the two-day extravaganza.

A range of vessels from Cruise Craft, Barcrusher, Noosa Cat and Yellow Fin and Vindicator, all with the new engines installed, were provided for the media. Organisation of the launch was a credit to the entire Yamaha team.

Have the engines got ‘the right stuff'?

Only sales at the dealers will confirm or deny that, but have been introduced to the new breed I am certainly able to state that I was impressed.

Numerous features in all three engines stood out, particularly the innovations introduced by the manufacturer to reduce weight, improve fuel economy and enhance performance.

All three engines have been purpose designed for offshore use and all are built on a 4.2-litre engine block.

One improvement introduced to the engines by Yamaha could certainly be termed innovative.

These new engines have no conventional steel cylinder sleeves!

Instead, a thermally-applied plasma fusion process is used on the cylinder walls, a process which is claimed to be 60 percent harder than steel.

This has allowed for larger cylinder bores for increased displacement and additional power and torque.

That has been achieved without increasing outer cylinder dimensions and reduces weight, while also offering better cooling, a decrease in friction loss and a further increase in performance and reliability.

Weight reduction has been a sought after aim of the company and has been very cleverly achieved.

One noticeable feature on all three engines is a polymer composite lower engine pan that not only lowers weight, but also increases corrosion resistance.

Yamaha claims it now boasts engines that are the lightest in their class, 'from the top of the cowling to the tip of the propeller shaft', it claims weight savings have been made to maximise performance without sacrificing durability.

Throttle response and acceleration have been dramatically improved with Yamaha's Variable Camshaft Timing system, which advances the angle of the intake camshaft to increase power and throttle response in the low and mid- rpm ranges.

Having been involved with offshore racing and spent quite a deal of time offshore in turbulent conditions, there was another feature that I found very worthwhile.

Being purpose designed for offshore use, Yamaha has implemented a proven cowling drain system that easily and efficiently drains away any water that may enter the cowling during normal engine operation.

Incoming air is routed through a labyrinth of passages to trap and drain any water before it enters the engine intake.

Really, there is so much more to these new engines; the innovations and features introduced really do add to the company's reputation for producing ‘engines that work.'

A unique video presentation prepared by the company featured dramatic images of everybody's ‘nightmare' the great white shark.

The video rightly pointed out that this ‘nautical beast' was 'top of the food chain.'

'And that's the very place our engines will be,' says Brett Hampson.

For further information contact your nearest Yamaha dealer or visit the website,
www.yamaha-motor.com.au