Early this year, Yamaha Marine introduced four new engines in its premium and high-power ranges.
Two of the new engines improve upon Yamaha's 425-hp premium XTO (Xtreme Thrust Output), with the XTO 450-hp V8 and 400-hp V8, Yamaha said, each promising to offer users increased acceleration and faster speeds. Additionally, Yamaha has introduced new versions of its 200-hp and 150-hp outboard engines, offering multiple options for each which include “top-end tech” that had previously only been included in the its premium engines, the company said.
The new XTO outboard engines are designed to be used with Yamaha’s Helm Master EX boat control system — with the company noting that link is simpler than with previous iterations — offering 300% more reverse thrust with higher levels of torque and speed as compared to previous models. With the V8 configuration, these engines have more capacity to power larger and heavier vessels than previously possible, Yamaha said.
“For the XTO it’s all about evolution of the innovation of technology, and ensuring the best possible user experience, making it easier to experience the thrill of the XTO,” Ed Stevens, an application engineer with Yamaha, told WorkBoat.com.
As for the high power 200- and 150-hp outboard engines, Yamaha said that each model includes three different versions, and the technical enhancements to the design optimize these engines for either single or twin installations. These models also address sustainability and environment concerns, with a fuel-efficient EFI system which makes “nanosecond calculations to ensure an optimum fuel and air mix are compressed for peak performance and efficiency,” Yamaha said.
Although the XTO outboard engines have the capacity to power larger and heavier vessels than previous models, Stevens said that these were not built with any specific type of boat or operator in mind. "It’s mainly about the improved power to weight ratio for better performance and efficiency.” Stevens added that it wasn’t about either performance or durability, but rather improving the performance while maintaining Yamaha’s “proven” durability.
In designing the new motors, one of the areas addressed was cowling damage (a cowling is a removable engine cover). Yamaha’s new XTO outboard engines offer a new cowling design. Stevens said that potential cowling damage is “always a design concern.”
“To ensure the engines fit both older and newer boat designs, the shape of the cowling sits in the same motor well, but the rest of the engine is now higher out of the water,” Stevens said.
Stevens also said that TotalTilt functionality was another change driven by customer feedback. It allows the operator to tilt the engine with just the push of a button, which also aids in the prevention of cowling damage and generally keeps engines in prime condition. Yamaha said that owners can set the full tilt position to ensure the engine is in the best position for their individual vessel with the integrated tilt limit option. The newly integrated digital electric steering, Stevens said, makes for “easier use and a more luxurious feeling.”
“We continuously strive to satisfy the needs of a wide variety of commercial and recreational users, and Yamaha’s new outboard engines represent another key step towards opening up outboard power for ever larger and heavier vessels and bringing cutting edge technology within reach for more customers,” Yamaha’s divisional manager, marketing, Matt Taylerson, said.
