Today’s big outboard engines offer more than just ample horsepower. Many now feature ramped charging power from the engine alternator. This ensures plenty of juice for the growing number of electrical ­accessories such as livewell pumps, marine electronics, electric trolling motors, air-conditioning systems, and gyrostabilizers. Yamaha’s big outboards, including the 450 hp XTO Offshore V-8, deliver ­significant charging power thanks to a three-phase, simultaneous charging system. The XTO 450 produces up to 96 net amps per engine (at 12 volts). With multiple outboards, amp output is multiplied by the number of engines. In the case of quintuple XTO 450s, that’s 480 amps.

Mercury Marine has also made strides in delivering improved outboard charging capabilities with the new 350 and 400 hp V-10 Verado series, as well as the 600 hp V-12 Verado. The ­standard alternator on these outboards will deliver 150 amps (at 12 volts) of charging power at an rpm as low as 1,500.

New alternator systems prove so powerful that they can eliminate the need for onboard generators. Ancillary systems redirect charging power to a “house” battery bank to power accessories once the engine is turned off. Yamaha’s Smart Charging system redirects charging power to the house bank once the engine-starting bank reaches 100 percent.

While nearly all outboard alternators generate amps at 12 volts (direct current), one outboard alternator system generates amps at 48 volts. It’s optional for the Merc V-10 and V-12 outboards to complement Navico’s Fathom e-power system that uses a marine lithium-iron-phosphate house battery bank to replace an internal combustion generator.  

Fathom can bypass the house bank and direct alternator power to 12-volt accessories through a voltage converter. It can also directly power 48-volt appliances and accessories, thus preserving the energy stored in the batteries. What’s more, the system will seamlessly maintain the house bank, which in turn can charge the starting-battery bank. 

Boating anglers can also use the Mercury outboard alternators to recharge the house bank while the boat is at rest. If the house batteries discharge too low, Fathom will send an alert on the boat’s multifunction display or through the Fathom app. You can then engage Power+ mode through the MFD touchscreen. This will throttle up the outboards to 2,500 rpm in neutral so that the 48-volt alternator charges the house batteries. 

Today’s outboards provide boating anglers with a number of ways to charge ahead. 

The post The Benefits of Improved Outboard Charging Capabilities appeared first on Sport Fishing Mag.

It was a rough ­wintertime crossing of the Gulf Stream as we powered to the fabled fishing grounds of the Bahamas aboard a pair of Sōlace 41-foot center-­consoles. The 41 CS was powered by four Mercury 400 outboards. The 415 CS featured twin Volvo Penta D6 DPI diesel ­sterndrives. One boat made a better time of it. 

This trip was the latest in a string of “Outboard Versus Sterndrive” stories I’d produced over my decades working as a boating and fishing journalist. As in the past, we had planned to compare, out on the water, the different power choices available to boat buyers so that a better-informed purchasing decision could be made. The biggest challenge in producing these “versus” stories is getting access to two of the same-model boat powered by different engines. In Sōlace Boats, we had a great common denominator: These 41-foot hulls are designed and built to the highest standards and can be had with your choice of gas outboard or diesel sterndrive power. Giddyap!

Most of you will recognize that beyond propulsion type, this story also compares fuel type. The outboard Sōlace 41 CS burned gasoline, while diesel fueled the sterndrive-powered 415 CS. Here’s what we discovered regarding seakeeping, fishability, and ownership issues such as maintenance, fuel ­economy, and price.

Speed and Acceleration

We loaded both boats to the hilt with people, gear, camera equipment, and provisions for a week among the islands. The DPI-powered 415 CS hit 50.6 mph at wide-open throttle. Accelerating to 30 mph took 12.2 seconds. Each DPI turns a stainless-steel H8 Duoprop propset (Volvo Penta does not reveal Duoprop prop pitch) consisting of two ­contra-rotating propellers spinning through a 1.69-to-1 reduction. So this Volvo Penta D6 DPI diesel propulsion package spins four propellers—two inline pairs.

The outboard-powered Sōlace 41 CS hit 62.7 mph at wide-open throttle and reached 30 mph in 14.5 seconds. Each of the four outboards spins a 14.6-by-21-inch four-blade prop through a 1.75-to-1 reduction. That’s four individual propellers for this outboard-propulsion package.

“Exhilarating” describes the outboard-powered boat’s top speed, a result of more power and more available bow trim. “Surprising” describes our initial reaction regarding the superior acceleration of the boat powered by the Volvo Penta DPI diesels. We attributed this off-the-line performance to the D6’s high torque at low rpm and the Duoprop’s ability to transmit that diesel torque to the water better than conventional props. Finally, the reduced drag of two versus four gear cases helped. Still, if the need for top speed is strong with you, then the outboards win. 

Efficiency and Range

Because the power and torque characteristics of gas and diesel engines—as well as inboards and outboards—vary, it is helpful to make efficiency comparisons using boatspeed as well as rpm.

At 25 mph, the outboard boat netted 0.53 mpg and the ­Volvo Penta boat netted 1.13 mpg. At 30 mpg, the gas boat netted 0.6 mpg and the diesel boat 1.28 mpg. At 40 mph, we recorded 0.63 mpg and 1.2 mpg, respectively. ­Basically, the ­diesel boat featured twice the efficiency.

Note that the outboard-­powered 41CS carries 681 gallons of fuel, and the 415 CS carries 457 gallons. Also note that each D6 engine with a DPI drive weighs about 1,760 pounds dry, whereas each Mercury 400 Verado weighs in at 670 pounds dry. Bear in mind that an outboard’s power rating describes prop-shaft power, and an inboard’s power rating describes crankshaft power. Each Volvo Penta D6 DPI ­delivers 422 hp at the prop.

It became apparent the ­minute we arrived at Abaco Harbor Resort that the Volvo Penta 415 CS offered much more range than the Verado-­powered 41CS. The 415 CS still possessed plenty of fuel after making the ­215-mile run from Palm Beach. The gas-powered 41CS needed to fuel up so as to have enough fuel to safely conduct our tests over a ­couple of days. Diesel power lends this boat some 40 ­percent more range.

Seakeeping

We headed offshore from the Florida coast into the teeth of a stiff headwind that generated 4- to 6-foot seas right on our nose. Both Sōlace models handled the waves safely and with confidence. But our test teams agreed that the Aquamatic-powered 415 CS made easier work of it. Unlike its outboard-powered counterpart with the engine weight aft, the D6 diesel engines turn the DPI drives using jack shafts, which allows installing the engines forward of the transom, under the cockpit sole. Moving the center of gravity results in the 415 CS running more level and with less pitching. The 415 CS handled rough water better.

On balance, we also discovered that the outboard-powered boat offered more bow trim for those times when one wants to optimize the ride for running in a following sea or ­trying to maximize speed. And the outboard-powered boat proved quieter (65 versus 68 decibels), especially at trolling speeds, though the Volvo Penta boat was by no means loud.

We test for minimum planing speed because the ability to slow down while retaining the maneuverability and dynamic stability provided by planing allows for better control and more comfort in rough conditions than having to slow to trolling speed. The Volvo Penta-powered boat netted a slight edge here, holding plane at 15 mph versus the Mercury boat, which held plane as slow as 17 mph. Know that both are excellent numbers.

Docking

Both Volvo Penta and Mercury offer joystick systems for slow-speed close-quarters operation of the boats they power. Both systems worked well in gusty, tidal Bahamian winter conditions. Do note that as we went to press, Volvo Penta introduced Assisted Docking for DPI, an updated version of its joystick system that uses DPS and special software. I sea-trialed the system (aboard the exact same 415 CS detailed in this story). The big ­takeaway? It takes the “drift” out of joystick maneuvering and sets a new bar in close-quarters-­maneuvering systems. 

The Mercury outboards tilt completely clear of the water. Additionally, the outboards are made from a corrosion-resistant aluminum alloy, bonded to control the electrical potential, and feature a multistep coating process called MerCathode. Their successful operation in salt water is long-proven.

“These are not your daddy’s marine engines,” Volvo Penta’s Arjen Steegstra states. The DPI drives are made from a special alloy, bonded to control electrical potential and fitted with sacrificial anodes. The stainless-steel propsets are isolated to prevent corrosion, and a special coating protects the drive. Furthermore, an impressed current anti-corrosion system, the same one that has protected Volvo Penta IPS for years, thwarts the ravages on water-stored boats.

The D6 diesel engines are freshwater-cooled, made from a corrosion-resistant alloy, protected by sacrificial anodes, and specially painted. Volvo Penta D6 diesel engines boast a long history of saltwater service.

Effect on Layout

From the console forward, both of these Sōlace boats are the same, offering private overnight accommodations for a couple, and a comfortable head and shower belowdecks. A large multipurpose bow cockpit forward combines seating with stowage, and functionality for fishing, anchoring and docking is as good as can be found. Aft is where the layout changes. With four outboards mounted on the transom, the cockpit of the 41CS affords a tremendous 83-square-foot unobstructed cockpit. Highlights include twin livewells in the aft corners, and a huge transom fish box to complement those in the aft cockpit sole and the bow space. There is mezzanine seating atop the tackle station/entertainment center, with its stowage, sink and optional grill. There’s hideaway bench seating for three at the transom, and with the huge cockpit and stowage space below the sole—which swallowed provisions for six for a week—the 41CS boasts plenty of room to stow folding chairs and beanbags. The solid transom provides great security for fighting a fish in rough seas. Water access for crew or hauling aboard a big fish is through a generous portside door. This is a fishing cockpit. 

The Volvo Penta-powered 415 CS sports twin D6 diesel engines installed in the cockpit, leaving two broad walkways to a transom that is wide open for water access or easy dockside boarding and entertaining. The actual engine box is a plush convertible lounge that allows guests to recline, sit facing forward or aft, or lie completely prone. Unobstructed cockpit space is smaller than that aboard the 41CS—about half the size between the entertainment center and the base of the lounge. You must add in the walkways, though, because they provide another 24 or so square feet of usable space on both sides of the lounge; we had no trouble working rods in the aft corner’s rod holders while trolling. 

I will say that the doors that close off each ­walkway on the 415 CS are less ­secure compared with the solid bulwark found aboard the 41CS. ­Excepting the transom livewells and fish box, the fishing ­accoutrements are the same. The in-sole stowage is smaller aboard the 415 CS, but still plenty big. In short, this is a multiuse cockpit optimized for entertaining and ease of water access that can fish too.

Key Takeaways

There’s little question that the gasoline-fueled outboard engine currently ranks as the most popular power choice for large center-consoles. They run quietly and virtually smoke-free. They deliver outstanding power for their weight, along with low drag and trimmable thrust, all of which contribute to their great efficiency. 

That said, I not only fished the Volvo Penta D6 DPI diesel-­powered Sōlace in the ­Bahamas, but also fished it during another multiday trip to the boisterous waters of Nantucket Shoals, Massachusetts. (We absolutely slammed the striped bass!) From these experiences, I can say that diesel sterndrive power is an option that offshore anglers seeking more range and improved seakeeping should seriously consider.

A Tale of Two CCs: Sōlace 41CS and 415 CS

Sōlace is a company founded on open-minded adoption of new materials and processes, many of which have set new industry benchmarks. This is tempered by decades of experience in fiberglass boatbuilding, what the company calls “The Dougherty Difference,” a reference to the current -president, Stephen Dougherty, and his late father, Bob Dougherty. In short, a Dougherty has helmed four different award-winning and iconic boat companies.

With the 41CS and the 415 CS, all of that imagination, vision, experience and expertise is wrought in molded fiberglass. These boats ride a twin-stepped hull that we have experienced to be seakindly, efficient, fun to run, and free from quirks—from New England to South Florida and beyond.

• LOA: 44’3″
• Beam: 12’3″
• Transom Deadrise: 22 degrees

The post Outboard vs. Sterndrive appeared first on Sport Fishing Mag.

Yamaha has released a new 350-hp outboard that promises big power in a lightweight container. To get even more ponies out of the company’s popular V6 block, Yamaha engineers harnessed a variety of technologies that make the new powerplant more powerful, efficient, and easy to use.

The F350 has a slightly longer stroke than the F300, squeezing 4.3 liters of displacement out of the block. Yamaha designed a new camshaft to get the extra travel out of the pistons, which provides more torque at lower speeds. One takeaway here is greater hole shot potential. Despite the added power, the compression ratio is 11:1 which should allow the motor live a long life.

Larger intake and exhaust valves contribute to the added power, letting the motor breath more freely. Yamaha says the intake manifolds offer 40 percent larger surge tanks than the F300, and the electronic throttle valve is 8 percent larger, which enhances airflow through the motor. Iridium spark plugs were utilized for more efficient spark, adding to the power equation. New fuel injection control mapping, which produces a longer injector duration than the F300, completes the air + fuel + spark equation and results in more power.

Yamaha’s sleeveless, plasma-fused cylinder technology reduces friction and enhances heat distribution. Oil cooler capacity was increased from the F300 to keep everything running smoothly. To protect the outboard, Yamaha incorporated the same water sensor found on the XTO 450 for overheat control.

A redesigned cowling includes an air duct designed to drain any water that might make its way in. Plus, the new cowling exhaust port, combined with a new stator fan, keeps everything under the hood cool. Speaking of stators, Yamaha says the electrical power output on the F350 is also enhanced. This should allow anglers to recharge batteries even at lower RPMs, so accessories and trolling motors should stay strong all day long.

Added power was necessary in the lower unit, so Yamaha came up with a beefier model that can handle the added torque. Despite the stronger internals, they were able to keep the exterior dimensions the same as others in the company’s line. Of note is the new Thrust Enhancing Reverse Exhaust that provides more response when backing down. In this system, the exhaust is directed away from the prop to provide clean water so the blades get more bite.

Control of the motor is effortless, thanks to Yamaha’s Digital Electric Steering (DES). Used in concert with Helm Master EX boat control system, the F350’s DES provides cleaner rigging and more room in the bilge, according to Yamaha. The F350 also incorporates the same TotalTilt technology used throughout Helm Master EX capable DEC outboards.

The F350 is available in 25-, 30- and 35-inch shaft lengths. The 25-inch shaft version of the F350 weighs 629 pounds; 642 pounds for the 30-inch; and 653 pounds for the 35-inch model. The bigger gear case uses the same propellers as the F300. The new outboard is offered in Yamaha’s pearlescent white, traditional gray, or the new classic white.

“Boaters asked for it, and we delivered,” said Ben Speciale, president of the Yamaha U.S. Marine Business Unit. “The F350 is the perfect big power, light-weight option for a wide variety of applications.”

The Yamaha F350 will be available in Spring of 2024. To learn more, visit yamahaoutboards.com.

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In this informative video aboard a Jupiter 34 center-console at the 2023 Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show with staff editor Jim Hendricks, you’ll learn about the advanced engineering, innovation features and practical advantages of Cox Marine’s 300 hp diesel outboard motors. Product expert Chuck Gould of Ring Power, a key US distributor for Cox Marine, explains how and why the 4.4-liter CXO300 diesel V-8 delivers impressive torque, powerful performance, and exceptional fuel efficiency, while also eliminating the noise, smell and smoke traditionally associated with diesel engines.

The post 2023 Cox Marine Diesel Outboards appeared first on Sport Fishing Mag.

Yamaha Marine has debuted an updated XTO Offshore V-8 outboard that delivers 450 hp, as well as enhanced technology and greater conveniences. It features the same 5.6-liter big-block powerhead and mounting bolt pattern as the original XTO 425. The 450 is designed to move big, heavy saltwater fishing boats, and it will eventually replace the 425 in the Yamaha outboard lineup.

“The XTO 450 allows boaters to enjoy the convenience and ease of operation associated with the XTO line—in addition to more torque and power,” says Ben Speciale, president, Yamaha U.S. Marine Business Unit.

The extra 25 horses is delivered in part thanks to an increase in intake and exhaust volume. At the same time, Yamaha has toned down the loud operating noise associated with the 425 by incorporating an intake silencer, according the outboard brand.

A Host of New Features

In addition to increased horsepower, the Yamaha XTO Offshore 450 boasts more charging power, featuring a three-phase, simultaneous charging system. Using Phase Angle Control (PAC) componentry to create a super-strong magnetic field, XTO Offshore 450 produces up to 96 net amps per engine in neutral to power high-demand devices such as gyro stabilizers, air conditioning and sound systems. The system is so powerful that it can even eliminate the need for an on-board generator, according to Yamaha. The system also prioritizes charging to the starting batteries, keeping them charged and ready for action at all times.

The 450 comes features Yamaha’s TotalTilt feature for faster, easier engine tilting. When enabled, it allows complete tilt up from any position with a simple double-push of the “UP” trim/tilt button, or full tilt down (until trim ram contact) by the same double push of the “DOWN” trim/tilt button. A warning horn sounds just before and during these operations. Movement and the horn can be stopped anywhere in between by pressing the tilt button again.

New raised chrome graphics on the sides, a re-styled panel in back, a new flush-mounted manual flush connection up front and hidden external wiring near the bracket add to the premium look of this powerful outboard. There’s also an optional built-in propeller light (rather than transom mount) that illuminates when using Helm Master EX SetPoint features.

New Props Too

New XTO EC® propellers are now available for applications where propeller ventilation may be an issue due to the power and torque of XTO Offshore outboards. Yamaha also adds a 27-inch pitch to its XTO OS® line of propellers for lighter weight XTO applications that have the available wide-open throttle rpm to potentially drive more top speed.

The new Yamaha XTO Offshore 450 will become available starting in the spring of 2023 with MSRPs ranging from $49,500 to $54,250. To learn more, visit yamahaoutboards.com.

The post Yamaha Introduces 450 hp V-8 Outboard appeared first on Sport Fishing Mag.

When Lucy Berg was in her early 20s and enlisted in the U.S. Air Force, she chose a job working on heavy equipment and vehicles. Despite the fact that she scored well in the aptitude test, the male peers in charge of the shop made it a little tough for her to fit in.

“In my 20s, when I first entered the career field, there were some stereotypes, and I had to work 10 times harder to prove that I belonged in the same shop as the guys,” Berg recalls. She overcame the challenges, moving up through the ranks before moving on from the Air Force. Today, Berg is a respected product specialist with Yamaha Motor Corporation, U.S.A. where she has taught courses and trained master technicians.

Looking back, Berg, now 47, said her break came in the form of another mechanic in the Air Force shop that took her under his wing. “He was active duty, working on vehicles like the rest of us, and he used the slow time to train me,” she says. “It built up my confidence, and then he started to give more complicated jobs.”

When she moved on to a new shop at a new base, Berg’s gender wasn’t an issue. “I just grabbed the job I wanted and did the work,” she says. From the shop, she moved into instructing other mechanics and that was a game-changer.

“The best confidence booster was becoming a teacher, and once they saw what I could do, people knew me and they said, ‘She’s one of the females we have who could do it,’” Berg says.

She spent the first three years teaching engines and hydraulic and electrical systems on cargo loaders for newly enlisted students — some of whom had never touched an engine. From there, she taught advanced electrical and hydraulic classes.

When her enlistment expired in 2005, Berg went back home to Tennessee, where she attended the University of Tennessee and earned a degree in English literature. After graduating in 2008, she wrote for marketing agencies until a position opened for her to work on a project management team for the Air Force in Warner Robins, Georgia, for a civilian contractor. She worked on Mine-Resistance Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicles for three years. She started a family and raised two boys, Nathan and Sean, who are now 10 and 7, respectively.

In 2018, Berg saw an ad for an instructor position at Yamaha Marine’s U.S. headquarters in Kennesaw, Georgia, and applied. “I had to learn real quick about this motor that was turned on its end and had a propeller coming out of its driveshaft,” she explains. “But I do know how motors work, and I’m a good teacher.”

She taught mechanics for two full seasons on in-line four cylinder and smaller four-stroke outboards and was promoted to instructional supervisor. “I feel like I helped a lot of people,” she says of her time as an instructor.

Read Next: 50 Greatest Women’s World-Record Catches

The promotion put more managerial responsibilities on her plate, and she helped refine the training programs before she moved on to the Product Specialist position that Berg says is the best of all worlds for her skillset. She became a subject-matter expert on the product and can share that knowledge with original equipment manufacturers and consumers at events like boat shows and dealer meetings.

“We do a lot of relaying engineering data and translate engineering speak into regular lay-person language for marketing and sales collateral,” she says. “I get to teach again, which I love, and I get to help people understand what I know about products.”

Today, Berg is a single mom raising her sons and letting them see that gender isn’t an indicator of ability. “We go boating together and they see mom drive the boat,” she says.

Looking toward the future, she sees more women coming into the technician career field. “I have had the pleasure of witnessing an influx of a number of younger women coming into the career field,” she says.

The post Spotlight: Yamaha Product Specialist Looks at the Progression of Women in her Technical Field appeared first on Sport Fishing Mag.

Suzuki Marine announced this week the new DF250ATSS V6 outboard, adding to and updating the company’s Sport Series of high-performance engines for freshwater bass and shallow saltwater applications. Designed to deliver a powerful hole shot, strong mid-range and fuel economy, the DF250ATSS will also feature compatibility with Suzuki Precision Control electronic shift-and-throttle system.

A new lower-unit gear case with an asymmetric skeg slices through the water to improve performance and enhance steering stability. The case delivers powerful gears for low-end torque with the ability to swing a large prop such as the new Watergrip propellers. Other features include an updated intake system and thrust-mount system to reduce vibration.

Available in 20- and 25-inch shaft lengths and in matte black or new white, the DF250ATSS will be available this summer; pricing has not been announced. Suzuki will also add a new 4-cylinder DF115SS this fall.

The post Suzuki Debuts New 250 Sport Series V6 Outboard appeared first on Sport Fishing Mag.

If you’re boating to saltwater fish, Yamaha offers motors perfect for your way of fishing.

Yamaha—known worldwide for building powerful, reliable outboards—has a lineup of outboards richer than ever, with models matched to all saltwater anglers.

It has perfected superior ­corrosion-resistant finishes and watertight connections for installation or re-powering. Plus, operation and navigation are easier, smoother and more precise—especially with the digital controls available in 150 to 425 hp outboards.

No wonder you see the Yamaha brand on the transoms of so many boats.

For the Flats: Light and Fast

To get to the hotspot swiftly and efficiently on one of these skinny-water boats, you can’t beat these 90 to 115 hp, four-stroke Yamaha “Midrange Rock Stars.”

At just 377 pounds, the 1.8-liter, inline four-cylinder F115 is a lightweight powerhouse in its class. And that means everything in the light, swift skiffs that prowl the skinny water.

The F115’s powerful design means fast acceleration needed for the flats.

The F90 is 24 pounds lighter yet. The F115 and F90 share 1.8-liter displacement and four-valves-per-cylinder designs, with a single, on the F90, or double, on the F115, overhead cam.

They have 35-amp alternators to power gear and maintain batteries, are available with mechanical remote or tiller control, and can be equipped with 20- or 25-inch shafts. You can even access variable trolling revolutions per minute via the CommandLink® tachometer.

Inshore, Big Bays and Coastal

These waters call for more power. Maybe a lightweight, efficient Yamaha inline-four between 150 and 200 hp is perfect for you?

The “fours” provide light, efficient, versatile power, with your choice of mechanical or ­digital control—or even Yamaha’s next-gen Helm Master® EX boat-control system. 

With several different models of 150, 175, and 200 horsepower, Yamaha’s proven 16-valve, DOHC inline-four design maximizes power and fuel efficiency with features like precision multipoint fuel injection and long-track intake systems. There’s even variable camshaft timing on the F200 and V MAX SHO® 150 models, for added acceleration and midrange punch.

Shifting is quiet, thanks to Yamaha ­propellers available with Shift Dampener System. All but one—the 2.7-liter, 150 hp mechanical 35-amp—of the inline-fours have 50-amp alternators to keep electronics, including digital controls, well-fed.

Offshore? For Sure!

When the land drops out of sight—especially if the seas build—the outboard seems even more important, with the goal being safe and reliable fishing. Here, the bigger Yamahas (V6 4.2-liter Offshore outboards, from 225 to 300 hp) do more than just step up to the plate.

These award-winning outboards, now in both mechanical and digital control ­versions, have been offshore favorites for more than a decade, prized for power, ­efficiency and ­reliability.

With a fresh new look, the 250 and 300 boast digital controls and electric steering to make them incredibly responsive and simpler to install, lacking hydraulic pumps and lines.
The Yamaha 4.2-liter V6s feature harder-than-steel plasma-fused, sleeveless cylinder walls, producing larger cylinder bores without decreasing weight and outer-cylinder dimensions. This means more displacement and torque from the same-dimension powerplant.

Electronically controlled throttle valves work in concert with precision multipoint fuel injection to ensure a precise mix of air and fuel, while six sensors monitor vital ­atmospheric and engine conditions so the engine-control module can make adjustments for best ­performance. Variable camshaft ­timing increases power and throttle response.

And Now: The Ultimate Offshore Yamaha

The crown jewel, the state-of-the-outboard-art, the pinnacle of Yamaha engineering: The 425-horsepower XTO Offshore® has integrated electric power steering, electronic digital controls and integrated autopilot systems.

Purpose-built from the ground up to ­withstand the rigors of offshore boating, the XTO Offshore introduces a new class of extreme offshore power and reliability. Boatbuilders often replace three 300 hp outboards with two 425s, saving maintenance.

Boating’s first direct-injection four-strokes adopt the proven fuel-delivery system of the automotive industry. Idle speed and reverse thrusting are improved by the automatic diversion of exhaust above the cavitation plate. For efficiency at high speeds, it is diverted to the prop hub at 2,500 rpm. 

Originally thought to be the exclusive domain of multioutboard boats, the Yamaha XTO Offshore has found a home on large single engine craft as well.

Never content, Yamaha engineers have added to the XTO Offshore a new charging system with the highest net amps: 96 amps of net charging power in neutral. Called the Phase Angle Control Charging System, it won one of the International Boatbuilders’ Exhibition and Conference’s Innovation Award honors in 2020.

At the Helm, an Improved Master

Yamaha’s Helm Master EX integrated boat-control system is the conduit for all anglers’ needs and abilities.

From a single engine—an industry first—to quintuple installations, the Helm Master EX expands on the functionality, ease of ­maneuvering, single-button fishing and positioning functions within the SetPoint® suite (including StayPoint®, FishPoint® and TrackPoint®). Helm Master EX further broadens inmode joystick adjustability for the autopilot and SetPoint; offers more automated essential boat operations; and in most Yamaha outboards from the 2.8-liter F150 and up, allows the addition of fully electric steering. (The XTO Offshore 425, of course, already boasts built-in electric steering.) 

You can even add digital electric steering to most existing Yamaha outboards with digital controls. With the Helm Master EX, boating and fishing are simply easier.

Maintenance Matters

Even maintenance is easier with Yamaha: The MyYamahaOutboards app tracks both dealer-completed service and do-it-yourself ­maintenance. Your complete maintenance history is at your fingertips, along with ­custom trip logs and checklists, service requests, and more.

For many—if not most—saltwater anglers, there’s more than one species to seek, perhaps more than one perfect boat to do it in, and maybe even a choice among a handful of powerplants. But on that last detail, there’s just one brand: Yamaha.

If you’re a saltwater angler, it won’t be a tough decision. This company’s got you ­covered.

The post Saltwater Anglers: Yamaha’s Got You Covered appeared first on Sport Fishing Mag.

The annual International Boatbuilders Exposition and Conference—IBEX for short—serves as a meeting place between the companies that design and build boats and the companies that supply the accessories, electronics, materials, power and tools required to build a boat. While it’s strictly a trade show, it’s also a great place to see some of the latest and greatest engines and gear. Here’s just a glance at some of the products I saw during the 2021 IBEX show, held September 28-30 in Tampa, Florida.

OXE Marine from Sweden offers diesel outboards in five horsepower classes: 125, 150, 175, 200 and 300, but this is first time I ran a pair of the 300 hp models, which feature horizontally mounted diesel engines. To transfer its 600 foot/pounds of torque to the prop shaft, OXE outboards employ a heavy-duty carbon-fiber pulley belt system that isolates the gearbox from shock loading. The 25-inch version of the 300 tips the scales at a hefty 871 pounds, but there’s power aplenty. In my demo, we achieved a top speed of more than 50 mph at 4,300 rpm.

Honda Marine debuted an all new 140 hp outboard at the 2021 IBEX show to replace the company’s venerable 135 hp model. Honda also showcased updated versions of its BF115 and BF150 outboards. All three feature multiple rigging options including both Intelligent Shift and Throttle and mechanical-control choices. Plus, all can interface with the newly introduced HondaLink Marine smartphone app that provides boat owners with remote monitoring capability anytime from anywhere.

Dometic Marine debuted its new Mega Plate electric jack plate, which is designed for outboards rated at 400 hp and up. It comes with 6-, 8- and 10-inch setbacks in two versions: A standard bolt pattern for Yamaha XTO 425 and Mercury 450R engines, as well as a wide bolt pattern for Merc’s 500 and 600 hp V-12 outboards. A Smartstick linear position sensor and the ability to integrate with compatible multifunction displays lets boaters adjust multiple engine heights via touchscreen control. Mega Plate offers the ability to mount Power-Pole shallow-water anchor systems directly to the sides of the plate, eliminating the need for an extra bracket.

Vision Marine Technologies’ E-Motion 180E outboard received plenty of attention at IBEX 2021. The motor is powered by a 60 kW lithium battery and generates power equivalent to a 180 hp gas outboard, making it the world’s most powerful electric outboard, according to the company. Using a gear case from a Tohatsu 140 hp outboard, the 180E is designed for boats in the 18- to 30-foot range (with a single motor) and can cruise for 3 to 4 hours before needing a re-charge. The battery requires 8 to 10 hours to fully charge once drained.

Suzuki Marine used the 2021 IBEX show as an opportunity to demonstrate its unique microplastic filter on the Suzuki-powered L’Lattitude Lindsay water taxi that serves downtown Tampa. Once installed, the device becomes a simple solution in the effort to clean up local environmental micro-pollutants, according to Suzuki. Fitted on a hose for the cooling water intake, the filter collects particles less that 5 mm in size when the engine is running.

Raymarine YachtSense is a scalable and customizable marine digital-control system suitable for boats 35 feet and up. Available rigging on a new boat, it can interface with onboard devices and systems such as lighting, pumps, windlasses, entertainment systems, air conditioning and generators. A Raymarine Axiom touchscreen multifunction display serves as a user interface, and the master module features an integrated keypad for manual override and system diagnostics.

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Yamaha owners now have a new tool in their box to keep their engines healthy, track ownership, log trips, and more — the MyYamahaOutboards app (available free in iOS and Android app stores). The app’s companion website, myyamahaoutboards.com, provides the same interface on a laptop.

Once owners register their outboards — whether purchased new or used — through an authorized dealer, they have access to the full suite of features. The system provides the outboard’s history and maintenance requirements and reminds owners of recommended service. Owners who prefer DIY can create maintenance charts in the system and add notes, photos and receipts.

“There’s a great deal of benefit in having all completed outboard service intervals recorded in one succinct platform with an authorized Yamaha outboard dealer,” says Frank Wilhelm, advertising and digital marketing manager, Yamaha Marine Engine Systems. “In addition, owners can use this important maintenance history report to enhance confidence and potentially increase value when they are ready to resell their current boat and buy a new one.”

Other features include a library of content — including owner’s manuals, video tutorials and performance bulletins — a dealer-locater feature, convenient checklists for trip preparation as well as trip logging.

Read Next: More Yamaha Coverage

The system can store information, including accumulated engine hours, and photos for multiple boats and outboards per user. Owners can select preferred dealerships and marinas and initiate calls through the app. For boats with multiple outboards, owners can set specific positions for each.

When the owner sells the boat or outboard, the information stays with the engine. A new owner can create a MyYamahaOutboards account and access the records (minus any personally identifiable information added by the previous owner.)

Visit yamahaoutboards.com/app to learn more. View the video below to get started with the app.

Courtesy Yamaha Marine

Yamaha says its owners set the tone and the need for the new app. This video helps explain the available features.

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