Yamaha powers up with V6 release

YAMAHA last week released its "next generation" range of V6 offshore four-stroke outboards - the F300B, F250D, and F225F.

The company hosted its official media launch at Sea World on Queensland's Gold Coast where the fresh line-up of engines, along with the recently released F70A, were tested on a range of locally built boats.

The next generation outboards are significantly lighter than the previous superseded models. The F300, at 253 kg is 112kg lighter than the V8 it replaces. While the other two models, the 250hp and 225hp weigh up to 23 kg less than the previous Yamaha V6 outboards. Much of the weight saving is attributed to the new advanced polymer composite lower engine pan, which according to Yamaha, lowers weight and increases corrosion resistance. Yamaha's F350 V8 will remain in production.

“This release sets the standard for any manufacturer … it's the first of a new generation of outboards,” said Yamaha national sales and marketing manager Brett Hampson.

“We believe we'll have very strong growth with the new releases. The recently released 70 will be a volume seller - they're proving to be a really sought after product.

“Now with the release of the Offshore V6 series, Yamaha has again reafirmed it is the leading outboard manufacturer,” said Hampson.

Based on a 60 degree V6 configured engine with the biggest displacement in its class - 4.2 litres or 254 cubic inches – the Offshore V6 Series F300B, F250D and F225F are aimed squarely at larger boats in the trailerboat sector. The predecessor was based on a 3.6 litre block.

A sleeveless cylinder facilitates the use of enlarged bores and delivers increased capacity for a lesser increase in overall dimension. The surface of the engine’s cylinders too have undergone a plasma fusing process that, according to Yamaha, ultimately delivers a cylinder wall that is 60 per cent harder than steel.

Other key features include claimed superior fuel economy, reportedly 17 per cent better than competing 300hp four-strokes, and Yamaha's patented Shift Damper System (SDS). The SDS removes the common “clunking” noise often associated with shifting gears. The shift dampening system uses a new washer in the propeller that allows more flex when the shift is engaged.

Above: Yamaha's Brett Hampson, Dan Power, Annie Nguyen, Iain MacLeod, Todd Nozaki and Grant Binskin.