Yamaha announces new products for spring 2015

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. – Yamaha Marine Group announced several new products today, expanding their V MAX SHO outboard models, launching a new outboard motor, increasing propeller offerings and a new Helm Master boat control system.

The V MAS SHO 250 X-Shaft and the V MAS SHO 150 X-Shaft are new outboard models with 25-inch shaft lengths that will provide more choices for anglers and boaters, particularly those in Northern and Midwestern waters. The V MAX SHO 250 has 4.2-liter big-bore V6 displacement thanks to plasma-fused sleeveless cylinders. With it, displacement is increased without enlarging the outer diameter of the cylinder. That technology also contributes to a lighter weight and outstanding fuel economy.

The VMAX SHO 150 features a 2.8-liter inline four-cylinder powerhead, and uses Yamaha’s advanced four-valve-per-cylinder, 16-valve technology and the Variable Camshaft Timing (VCT) system. The V MAX SHO 150 also gets Yamaha’s variable trolling RPM switch (VTS), which allows anglers to adjust the trolling speed in 50 RPM increments from 650 to 900 RPM using a Yamaha Command Link gauge.

With the announcement of the new X-Shaft outboards also comes the announcement of the V MAX SHO 175, which offers outstanding top speed. In tests conducted by Yamaha (using a Skeeter ZX 190), the V MAX SHO 175 proved to be 5.1 MPH faster than Yamaha’s V MAX SHO 150. A multitude of advanced sensors constantly provide vital atmospheric and engine conditions to the Engine Control Module (ECM), which instantly makes precise adjustments for optimum performance.

The V MAX SHO 115 offers a more compact alternative, weighing in at just 377 pounds, and it has the added benefit of not needing two-stroke oil or an oil tank. The V MAX SHO 115 uses a lightweight composite lower pan and cowling, a single-ram power trim and tilt mechanism and a lightweight mounting bracket. It features Yamaha’s advanced 16-valve double-overhead cam (DOHC), four-cylinder design, which means better breathing for better performance.

Yamaha’s latest four-stroke F8 is a two-cylinder motor that brings more convenience and improved control to the lightweight portable outboard segment. For added convenience, the F8 tiller now offers improved handle-folding characteristics, which allow the stored motor to take up less space. It also has an improved carry handle. In addition, the F8 now features rear resting pads to allow the outboard to be stored with the rear side down, increasing storage options and improving storage stability.

Four new propellers were announced as a part of Yamaha’s Endless Propeller Solutions initiative: the Talon SS SDS, the Saltwater Series XL SDS, the Reliance SDS and the Performance 3, Performance 4 and Performance XT.

The Talon SS SDS, the Saltwater Series XL SDS and the Reliance Series propellers feature Yamaha’s Shift Dampener System allowing for quieter, clunk-free shifting and virtually noise-free in-gear operation.

Thanks to Yamaha’s exclusive Shift Dampener System (SDS), Talon SS SDS props provide smooth and quiet in-gear operation, even at very low speeds, as well as greatly reduced “clunk” that is sometimes associated with shifting larger in-line four-stroke midrange outboards into gear.

As an improvement on previous iterations, the updated hub system on the Saltwater Series XL SDS does not require special hardware on the propeller shaft in order to operate.

Reliance Series propellers are the go-to choice when using Yamaha’s high-power, four cylinder outboards, which now include the new 2.8L F200, F175, and the venerable 2.7L F150. The propellers now come in a 13-inch right-hand model and 14-inch right- and left-hand rotation models.

Performance 3 three-blade propellers are now available in 10-inch and 11-inch pitches for stronger acceleration and more exciting performance on F30 through F60 four-stroke models, as well as some applications using the High Thrust T25. Yamaha has added 14-inch and 16-inch pitch models of their Performance 4 four-blade propellers for F70 through F115 four-stroke customers. Yamaha’s Performance XT propellers are available in 17-inch, 19-inch, 21-inch, and 22-inch pitches to help modern boats with larger four-stroke outboards (F150-F300).

The new Helm Master fully integrated boat control system now supports both select quad outboard applications and inline four, 2.8-liter F200 outboard applications. Both systems incorporate all the latest updates developed for the Helm Master fully integrated boat control system, including boat handling, reliability and the new Helm Master remote control box.

“Helm Master not only makes docking easier, it also incorporates additional boat control functions such as automatic outboard trim, speed control and automatic steering friction,” said Ben Speciale, President, Yamaha Marine Group. “With Helm Master for quad outboard applications and 2.8-liter F200 applications, these features are now available for boats that exceed 40-feet in length* and smaller boats alike.”

Helm Master for quad applications is available now and all of Yamaha’s other new products are expected to be available in early spring 2015. For more information on product offerings, visit www.yamahaoutboards.com.

* Some restrictions apply. Helm Master is available on select new twin, triple and quad Yamaha outboards installed on new boat packages manufactured by participating boat builders and sold by authorized dealers only.