YAMAHA ON DISPLAY AT SBS BOATLIFE

There was an extensive line-up of Yamaha outboards and marine products, exhibited by Yamaha’s boat partners, SBS BoatLife.

Yamaha boat partner and European distributor for the aluminium boats from New Zealand, Extreme Boats debuted two new models, the 646 Game King and 616 Game King powered by a Yamaha 200hp and 150hp respectively. They are fully recyclable and are substantially lighter than fibreglass boats of the same size.

Staying with aluminium, CDT Marine showcased a range of craft from Buster Boats and AB RIBs under its Aluminium Boat Co. brand, all rigged with Yamaha outboards.

MCC Marine displayed the Swedish Rupert R8 RIB. Fitted with a Yamaha Premium 300hp V6 outboard, it has a top speed of 48 knots.Also on show was the SUR Marine ST 310 luxury console tender, with a Yamaha Versatile 20hp outboard.

Other craft on display, and featuring Yamaha engines, were the Finnmaster T8, T7 and T6, while Wills Marine showcased Yamaha outboards across five models from its Grand RIBs range. Making its show debut was the 818 Titanium from Balt Yachts. Pre-rigged with a Yamaha CL5 digital dash and packaged with a Yamaha 50hp outboard, this cabin cruiser is perfectly proportioned for cruising the UK’s inland waterways.

Lastly, having secured a new British National Record (84.33mph over one kilometre) on a Yamaha GP1800R WaveRunner, Dale Williams for MES Racing displayed the record-breaking model alongside the Yamaha FX SVHO.

“To be able to win, you have to be able to finish the race,” said Dale. “A Yamaha WaveRunner is the most reliable craft on the market and the solution to getting you on the podium.”

“Initially we suspected sugar in the fuel, but sugar stays crystalline instead of dissolving.

Power Shorts

Yamaha Marine has partnered with VETUS to incorporate a bow thruster to offer fully integrated, joystick controlled boat handling. Designed for twin engine boats, the bow thruster is connected to the joystick steering system by Helm Master EX to ensure its power level matches that of the engines, creating “an on-water experience equivalent to four-wheel drive”. It will enable boat owners to manoeuvre with confidence, even in the most confined areas.

We are now considering it may be related to a change in fuel and fuel treatment additives. This is not contamination in the traditional sense (all the samples sent away for analysis are clear); it is only the smell of turps that alerts us to a problem.”

Following discussions with several leading fuel analysis companies, RCR is working with a university lab to use IR spectrum analysers and a range of samples/treatments to see if the cause of sticky fuel can be identified.

Stephanie concluded: “Although there are some trends and patterns developing in the cases we see, it is important to have scientific evidence to back-up our theories. As an industry we must work together to find a solution.”

At February’s RYA Dinghy and Watersports Showthe ePropulsion stand featured a live tank demo comparing a Spirit 1.0 Plus electric outboard motor with a typical 4-stroke and 2-stroke engine. It demonstrated how, after just 30 minutes run time, by switching to electric, we can all significantly reduce our impact on water quality and pollution. On show, too, were the Navy 3.0 and 6.0 longrange electric outboards as well as the highly portable Spirit outboard.

Digital Yacht’s new ENGINELink is a NMEA 2000 wireless gizmo that allows mobile phones and tablets to display engine data as well as providing a feed of boat AIS and GPS data to popular apps like Navionics, NavLink, iNavX, AquaMaps and more.ENGINELink has preset dashboards for manufacturers including Honda, Suzuki, Tohatsu, Mercury, Yamaha, Yanmar and Volvo. In addition, ENGINELink has a dashboard for the new generation of electric engines that displays current consumption, range optimisation and battery capacity.