The Outboard Expert: More Muscle From Yamaha
Yamaha makes impressive product push.
May 10, 2007
Yamaha F225TLR is a four-stroke tuned to deliver two-stroke punch in the mid-range.
The big news at the Yamaha media intro last week was the on-water debut of the V8 F350 outboard. But Yamaha also unveiled three other new models for 2008. Read on for details:
New Yamaha F225TLR: A "Sport Model" Four Stroke
The first Yamaha (www.yamaha-motor.com) four-stroke V6 with a 20-inch shaft, the F225TLR is designed to appeal to owners of bass boats, bay and flats boats, and pontoons who'd prefer a four-stroke to the all-out performance of the Yamaha Vmax HPDI two-stroke models. But even the fish "˜n ski crowd wants some punch when they nail the throttle, so Yamaha re-tuned the powerhead of this 3.3-liter V6 to be stronger in the mid-range with two key features from its F250 V6 - electro-hydraulic variable camshaft timing on the intake valves, and a single throttle body feeding new, longer intake runners. The volume of the water-jacketed exhaust muffler in the mid-section was also increased. Everything is tuned to deliver a boost in torque between 2000 and 3500 rpm. I ran the F225TLR on a 20-foot Skeeter SL 210, and the motor performed as advertised. Hole-shot was excellent and there's a real kick in the mid-range. Top speed was about 64 mph. And even when compared to a contemporary DI two-stroke, this Yamaha four-stroke is super-quiet. At cruising speed the sound of water breaking off the hull is louder that the outboard.
A closer look at the F225LTR.
At 584 pounds, the F225TLR weighs 51 pounds less than a Mercury Verado 225, but 45 pounds more than a Vmax 225. Despite the weight handicap, according to a Yamaha rep I spoke with, in most applications the F225TLR matches the time-to-plane performance of a 225 Vmax but is about 1 mph slower in top speed. With a more-hydrodynamic, Vmax-style gearcase the four-stroke could erase that top-speed deficet. Slap an air scoop on the hood and it might make a Bubba Bass Boater consider a four-stroke. As it stands, the F225TLR delivers performance that should satisfy all but the most demanding customers in this market. No pricing is available at this time.
New Yamaha Vmax Series 2: Enhanced Reliability
The Yamaha Vmax line has been updated to enhance durability, and now comes with a three-year warranty.
All four models in the two-stroke Yamaha Vmax line receive updates for 2008 aimed at enhancing durability and reliability, according to Yamaha. These 3.3-liter V6 motors (rated at 200, 225, 250, and 300 hp) get new forged aluminum pistons with three rings designed to keep the cylinder walls lubricated but not allow oil to escape into the combustion chamber, which is bad for emissions and performance. The ECM (engine control module) has been re-programmed to help reduce combustion and exhaust temperatures. Finally, the oil injection pump is recalibrated. The Vmax models all use the Yamaha HPDI (High Pressure Direct Injection) fuel system. Aimed primarily at the bass market, these motors feature a high-performance nose-cone gearcase and are offered only with a 20-inch shaft. To back up its claim of improved durability, Yamaha gives the Vmax a new three-year warranty in 2008, the same as its four-stroke V6 models. The Vmax line previously had a two-year warranty.
New Yamaha 9.9: The Mini-Kicker
About the same size as a two-stroke 9.9, the new Yamaha F9.9 four-stroke weighs 91 pounds.
This all-new 212cc 9.9-hp four-stroke may be the lightest and most-compact four-stroke on the market today. It is about the same physical size as Yamaha's 9.9 two-stroke kicker, and at 91 pounds, it weighs 13 pounds less than the old Yamaha 9.9 four-stroke. That's still 12 pounds heavier than a Yamaha 9.9 two-stroke. The powerhead is based on the twin-cylinder, single over-head cam 197cc F8 model, with a slightly longer stroke to get the added displacement and power. The new portable will be offered in a standard version, the F9.9F with a 15- or 20-inch shaft, and as a high-thrust model, the T9.9G with a 20- or 25-inch shaft. Designed for use as a trolling kicker, the T9.9G has a lower 2.92:1 gear ratio and a Dual Thrust prop with lots of blade area. Both will be offered with tiller or remote controls, manual or electric starting, and manual or power tilt.
Mercury Wins World's Toughest Endurance Race
Team Vauban Humanis, running a Mercury Racing S3000 outboard-powered Molinari hull, won the 44th annual 24 Hours of Rouen.
The annual 24 Hours of Rouen is an endurance race for tunnel boats running stock outboard powerheads with racing lower units. Teams change drivers every two hours, make pit stops for fuel, run with lights at night and navigate a course on the Seine River that can become brutally rough. On May 1, the 44th edition of the race was won by Team Vauban Humanis, running a Mercury Racing S3000 outboard-powered Molinari hull. Pilots Christophe Boyard, Xavier Savin and Cedric Deguisne completed 851 laps (nobody could tell me the distance) for the win. This was a record-tying fourth Rouen victory for lead driver Boyard, and a first for teammates Cedric Deguisne and Xavier Savin. It was also the 15th time in 16 years that the winning boat was powered by a Mercury outboard (www.mercurymarine.com).
Editor's Note: Charlie Plueddeman is the editor at large for Boating, the nation's largest boating magazine.
