Yamaha V8

The world’s biggest outboard, the Yamaha F350 V8 four stroke, has made its debut in New Zealand with the first engine in a long line being installed on a Stabicraft 859.

The boat’s owner is Murray Conder, owner of the Powerboat Services Ltd in Tauranga, who plans to use it for blue water game fishing, including the big tournaments in Tauranga and Whangaraoa. A fishing trip to the Three Kings is also planned.

Murray says his first experience with the motor gave him great confidence. After being thoroughly checked out by Yamaha’s technical specialists, it was driven from Half Moon Bay in Auckland to Tauaranga.

Murray says the engine was impressive.

“It was so quiet that it was easy to hold a conversation with the other people on the boat and it was incredibly smooth,” he says. “It seemed to have unlimited power and torque but we also found it economical, averaging 1.94 litres per mile despite some messy water around the top of Coromandel and Whitianga.”

“The large 8.95 metre displaces towards four tonnes, we had 750 litres of fuel our long range tank and four big guys on board.

“We found the outboard very responsive particularly with the new Digital Electronic Throttle Control.”

“The overall distance travelled was 127 nautical miles, or 146 statute miles and the fuel used was 284 litres – 1.94 litres per mile. An excellent result.

“Overall I am extremely impressed and our crew agreed this is the best boat we have ever set up. This is an ocean going engine and will certainly be a seller to the bigger boat market who are contemplating putting stern drive diesels in their boats.”

Yamaha introduced the world’s first V8 engined four stroke outboard motor at the Miami Boat Show earlier this year. With a displacement of 5330cc, the F350 delivers massive power and torque but also outstanding durability and reliability along with an extremely comfortable operating performance.

The model also brings a totally new look to Yamaha’s range with a streamlined new design.

Environmentally, the Yamaha F350 gains a 3-star rating under the 2008 emissions standards of the California Air Resource Board (CARB), which are said to be the world’s most stringent.

The new model is expected to be a significant boost for the New Zealand boating market, offering a realistic alternative to sterndrive, inboard and multi outboard power units, while retaining the benefits of space, safety and reliability of a modern four stroke outboard motor.