Research, design not spared on new Yamaha outboard lineup

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. - If there ever seemed a time to tighten the financial belt, rock along with the flow and wait for brighter days, given the status of the economy many companies would easily say now is that time.

Yamaha Marine Group apparently thought differently, based on the presentation of its new outboard lineup at the stately Chattanoogan hotel Monday evening. More than 40 members of the national fishing and boating media, along with a handful of Yamaha pro anglers and virtually all of its upper brass were in attendance to witness the company's largest product rollout in history.

YMG president Phil Dyskow opened with a brief economic update about the industry and forecasts for the next three years. Optimism rules, based on their indicators of national Gross Domestic Product percentages and future sales. Dyskow believes the GDP will increase "modestly" in 2010, followed by more uptick in 2011 and 2012.

"With growth above the 2 percent level (of the GDP)," he said, "we typically see growth in the marine industry. For 2010, 2011 and 2012 we predict growth but not to the levels of 2007 ... the makeup of those sales will be significantly different."

2007 was, by most accounts, the last year of solid sales before the economy started falling. Dyskow said sales this year and last mostly have been from the "distressed" market of closeouts, overstock and get-'em-out-the-door pricing. He believes that will change in the coming year. We'll get a glimpse of whether he's right in the next few months as boat shows are held across the nation and retail orders start coming in for boats and engines.

YMG didn't putter around in the last year, Dyskow said, and increased the size of its facility in Kennesaw, Ga. It purchased Precision Propeller Inc. in 2008 and ramped up research and development along with upgrades on prop polishing machines, which has resulted in four new offshore propellers. The R&D didn't stop for its freshwater engine category, either, as exhibited by the array of 4-stroke engines from the "portable" line up to the mid-range and larger V-MAX SHO 200-, 225- and 250-hp engines for bass and inshore rigs.

Here's a quick rundown of the new engines, based on the presentation Monday evening, which are in production or will be by the end of the 2010 first quarter:

Offshore V-6

This brutish 300-hp 4-stroke is 246 pounds lighter than its class competitors and 51 pounds lighter than the previous Yamaha F250.

Dyskow said performance is enhanced by larger intake and exhaust valves and larger intake tracks. More air to the guts results in improved performance and fuel economy. Redesigned engine mounts reduce vibration. A 5-inch color LCD display enhances visibility with day or night options and is easier to customize.

An optional security system also reduces the chance of theft by preventing ner' do wells from starting the engine without the waterproof security fob that has a starting code.

Mid-range F70

For flatbottoms or run-around rigs, possibly ideal for waterfowl boats as well, the F70 is 109 pounds lighter than the previous F75.

The F70 comes with a newly-designed anti-knock sensor that adjusts to changes in fuel makeup. With ethanol in today's gasolines and federal officials wanting a higher percentage of it in the future, this could be quite a feature.

F6 and F4 Portables

Smaller boats get a boost in the 4-stroke category with these redesigned engines that offer several neat features for easier use.

The F6 has built-in handles to make lifting a cinch. A primer pump is built in, and the fuel system is angled "so you get fuel in the tank and not on your shoes," Dyskow said. There's also a newly-designed "oil leak prevention system" that keeps oil in the pan instead of your vehicle or garage floor when you lay the engine on its side.


V-MAX SHO

The redesigned 200-, 225- and 250-hp 4-strokes have had Yamaha's pros quivering with excitement for the last few months before they got to wrap their mitts around a steering wheel on a boat with these hanging on the back.

Yamaha shaved about 31 pounds from the engine from the cowling, pan and mount, and with a new powerhead and lower unit that bit of weight helps translate into more top-end speed and holeshot efficiency. Yamaha's testing resulted in 14 percent better holeshot than the V-MAX 2-stroke and 12 percent better fuel usage.

About 2 mph may not sound like much, but on the long end that translates into arrival at a fishing hole quicker than your competitor. When he's coming off plane you're making another cast.


Dyskow said Yamaha also used plasma fused sleeveless cylinders to gain larger bores with the same size block. The technology is used in aircraft engines and high performance automobiles. Plasma fusion results in harder surfaces with less friction, again leading to more efficiency and performance.

The dang things just look cool, too. We'll see them today on the new Skeeter 20FX and 21FX bass rigs, along with a Ranger Z520 and BassCat Puma FTD.

We'll get some time at the Yamaha testing facility today on the Tennessee River, barring rain showers that may provide interruptions, and offer some more insight on the new outboards this week.

- Alan Clemons, courtesy of The Fishing Wire