Yamaha has released a new 350-hp outboard that promises big power in a lightweight container. To get even more ponies out of the company’s popular V6 block, Yamaha engineers harnessed a variety of technologies that make the new powerplant more powerful, efficient, and easy to use.

The F350 has a slightly longer stroke than the F300, squeezing 4.3 liters of displacement out of the block. Yamaha designed a new camshaft to get the extra travel out of the pistons, which provides more torque at lower speeds. One takeaway here is greater hole shot potential. Despite the added power, the compression ratio is 11:1 which should allow the motor live a long life.

Larger intake and exhaust valves contribute to the added power, letting the motor breath more freely. Yamaha says the intake manifolds offer 40 percent larger surge tanks than the F300, and the electronic throttle valve is 8 percent larger, which enhances airflow through the motor. Iridium spark plugs were utilized for more efficient spark, adding to the power equation. New fuel injection control mapping, which produces a longer injector duration than the F300, completes the air + fuel + spark equation and results in more power.

Yamaha’s sleeveless, plasma-fused cylinder technology reduces friction and enhances heat distribution. Oil cooler capacity was increased from the F300 to keep everything running smoothly. To protect the outboard, Yamaha incorporated the same water sensor found on the XTO 450 for overheat control.

A redesigned cowling includes an air duct designed to drain any water that might make its way in. Plus, the new cowling exhaust port, combined with a new stator fan, keeps everything under the hood cool. Speaking of stators, Yamaha says the electrical power output on the F350 is also enhanced. This should allow anglers to recharge batteries even at lower RPMs, so accessories and trolling motors should stay strong all day long.

Added power was necessary in the lower unit, so Yamaha came up with a beefier model that can handle the added torque. Despite the stronger internals, they were able to keep the exterior dimensions the same as others in the company’s line. Of note is the new Thrust Enhancing Reverse Exhaust that provides more response when backing down. In this system, the exhaust is directed away from the prop to provide clean water so the blades get more bite.

Control of the motor is effortless, thanks to Yamaha’s Digital Electric Steering (DES). Used in concert with Helm Master EX boat control system, the F350’s DES provides cleaner rigging and more room in the bilge, according to Yamaha. The F350 also incorporates the same TotalTilt technology used throughout Helm Master EX capable DEC outboards.

The F350 is available in 25-, 30- and 35-inch shaft lengths. The 25-inch shaft version of the F350 weighs 629 pounds; 642 pounds for the 30-inch; and 653 pounds for the 35-inch model. The bigger gear case uses the same propellers as the F300. The new outboard is offered in Yamaha’s pearlescent white, traditional gray, or the new classic white.

“Boaters asked for it, and we delivered,” said Ben Speciale, president of the Yamaha U.S. Marine Business Unit. “The F350 is the perfect big power, light-weight option for a wide variety of applications.”

The Yamaha F350 will be available in Spring of 2024. To learn more, visit yamahaoutboards.com.

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In this informative video aboard a Jupiter 34 center-console at the 2023 Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show with staff editor Jim Hendricks, you’ll learn about the advanced engineering, innovation features and practical advantages of Cox Marine’s 300 hp diesel outboard motors. Product expert Chuck Gould of Ring Power, a key US distributor for Cox Marine, explains how and why the 4.4-liter CXO300 diesel V-8 delivers impressive torque, powerful performance, and exceptional fuel efficiency, while also eliminating the noise, smell and smoke traditionally associated with diesel engines.

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Yamaha Marine has debuted an updated XTO Offshore V-8 outboard that delivers 450 hp, as well as enhanced technology and greater conveniences. It features the same 5.6-liter big-block powerhead and mounting bolt pattern as the original XTO 425. The 450 is designed to move big, heavy saltwater fishing boats, and it will eventually replace the 425 in the Yamaha outboard lineup.

“The XTO 450 allows boaters to enjoy the convenience and ease of operation associated with the XTO line—in addition to more torque and power,” says Ben Speciale, president, Yamaha U.S. Marine Business Unit.

The extra 25 horses is delivered in part thanks to an increase in intake and exhaust volume. At the same time, Yamaha has toned down the loud operating noise associated with the 425 by incorporating an intake silencer, according the outboard brand.

A Host of New Features

In addition to increased horsepower, the Yamaha XTO Offshore 450 boasts more charging power, featuring a three-phase, simultaneous charging system. Using Phase Angle Control (PAC) componentry to create a super-strong magnetic field, XTO Offshore 450 produces up to 96 net amps per engine in neutral to power high-demand devices such as gyro stabilizers, air conditioning and sound systems. The system is so powerful that it can even eliminate the need for an on-board generator, according to Yamaha. The system also prioritizes charging to the starting batteries, keeping them charged and ready for action at all times.

The 450 comes features Yamaha’s TotalTilt feature for faster, easier engine tilting. When enabled, it allows complete tilt up from any position with a simple double-push of the “UP” trim/tilt button, or full tilt down (until trim ram contact) by the same double push of the “DOWN” trim/tilt button. A warning horn sounds just before and during these operations. Movement and the horn can be stopped anywhere in between by pressing the tilt button again.

New raised chrome graphics on the sides, a re-styled panel in back, a new flush-mounted manual flush connection up front and hidden external wiring near the bracket add to the premium look of this powerful outboard. There’s also an optional built-in propeller light (rather than transom mount) that illuminates when using Helm Master EX SetPoint features.

New Props Too

New XTO EC® propellers are now available for applications where propeller ventilation may be an issue due to the power and torque of XTO Offshore outboards. Yamaha also adds a 27-inch pitch to its XTO OS® line of propellers for lighter weight XTO applications that have the available wide-open throttle rpm to potentially drive more top speed.

The new Yamaha XTO Offshore 450 will become available starting in the spring of 2023 with MSRPs ranging from $49,500 to $54,250. To learn more, visit yamahaoutboards.com.

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When Lucy Berg was in her early 20s and enlisted in the U.S. Air Force, she chose a job working on heavy equipment and vehicles. Despite the fact that she scored well in the aptitude test, the male peers in charge of the shop made it a little tough for her to fit in.

“In my 20s, when I first entered the career field, there were some stereotypes, and I had to work 10 times harder to prove that I belonged in the same shop as the guys,” Berg recalls. She overcame the challenges, moving up through the ranks before moving on from the Air Force. Today, Berg is a respected product specialist with Yamaha Motor Corporation, U.S.A. where she has taught courses and trained master technicians.

Looking back, Berg, now 47, said her break came in the form of another mechanic in the Air Force shop that took her under his wing. “He was active duty, working on vehicles like the rest of us, and he used the slow time to train me,” she says. “It built up my confidence, and then he started to give more complicated jobs.”

When she moved on to a new shop at a new base, Berg’s gender wasn’t an issue. “I just grabbed the job I wanted and did the work,” she says. From the shop, she moved into instructing other mechanics and that was a game-changer.

“The best confidence booster was becoming a teacher, and once they saw what I could do, people knew me and they said, ‘She’s one of the females we have who could do it,’” Berg says.

She spent the first three years teaching engines and hydraulic and electrical systems on cargo loaders for newly enlisted students — some of whom had never touched an engine. From there, she taught advanced electrical and hydraulic classes.

When her enlistment expired in 2005, Berg went back home to Tennessee, where she attended the University of Tennessee and earned a degree in English literature. After graduating in 2008, she wrote for marketing agencies until a position opened for her to work on a project management team for the Air Force in Warner Robins, Georgia, for a civilian contractor. She worked on Mine-Resistance Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicles for three years. She started a family and raised two boys, Nathan and Sean, who are now 10 and 7, respectively.

In 2018, Berg saw an ad for an instructor position at Yamaha Marine’s U.S. headquarters in Kennesaw, Georgia, and applied. “I had to learn real quick about this motor that was turned on its end and had a propeller coming out of its driveshaft,” she explains. “But I do know how motors work, and I’m a good teacher.”

She taught mechanics for two full seasons on in-line four cylinder and smaller four-stroke outboards and was promoted to instructional supervisor. “I feel like I helped a lot of people,” she says of her time as an instructor.

Read Next: 50 Greatest Women’s World-Record Catches

The promotion put more managerial responsibilities on her plate, and she helped refine the training programs before she moved on to the Product Specialist position that Berg says is the best of all worlds for her skillset. She became a subject-matter expert on the product and can share that knowledge with original equipment manufacturers and consumers at events like boat shows and dealer meetings.

“We do a lot of relaying engineering data and translate engineering speak into regular lay-person language for marketing and sales collateral,” she says. “I get to teach again, which I love, and I get to help people understand what I know about products.”

Today, Berg is a single mom raising her sons and letting them see that gender isn’t an indicator of ability. “We go boating together and they see mom drive the boat,” she says.

Looking toward the future, she sees more women coming into the technician career field. “I have had the pleasure of witnessing an influx of a number of younger women coming into the career field,” she says.

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Suzuki Marine announced this week the new DF250ATSS V6 outboard, adding to and updating the company’s Sport Series of high-performance engines for freshwater bass and shallow saltwater applications. Designed to deliver a powerful hole shot, strong mid-range and fuel economy, the DF250ATSS will also feature compatibility with Suzuki Precision Control electronic shift-and-throttle system.

A new lower-unit gear case with an asymmetric skeg slices through the water to improve performance and enhance steering stability. The case delivers powerful gears for low-end torque with the ability to swing a large prop such as the new Watergrip propellers. Other features include an updated intake system and thrust-mount system to reduce vibration.

Available in 20- and 25-inch shaft lengths and in matte black or new white, the DF250ATSS will be available this summer; pricing has not been announced. Suzuki will also add a new 4-cylinder DF115SS this fall.

The post Suzuki Debuts New 250 Sport Series V6 Outboard appeared first on Sport Fishing Mag.

If you’re boating to saltwater fish, Yamaha offers motors perfect for your way of fishing.

Yamaha—known worldwide for building powerful, reliable outboards—has a lineup of outboards richer than ever, with models matched to all saltwater anglers.

It has perfected superior ­corrosion-resistant finishes and watertight connections for installation or re-powering. Plus, operation and navigation are easier, smoother and more precise—especially with the digital controls available in 150 to 425 hp outboards.

No wonder you see the Yamaha brand on the transoms of so many boats.

For the Flats: Light and Fast

To get to the hotspot swiftly and efficiently on one of these skinny-water boats, you can’t beat these 90 to 115 hp, four-stroke Yamaha “Midrange Rock Stars.”

At just 377 pounds, the 1.8-liter, inline four-cylinder F115 is a lightweight powerhouse in its class. And that means everything in the light, swift skiffs that prowl the skinny water.

The F115’s powerful design means fast acceleration needed for the flats.

The F90 is 24 pounds lighter yet. The F115 and F90 share 1.8-liter displacement and four-valves-per-cylinder designs, with a single, on the F90, or double, on the F115, overhead cam.

They have 35-amp alternators to power gear and maintain batteries, are available with mechanical remote or tiller control, and can be equipped with 20- or 25-inch shafts. You can even access variable trolling revolutions per minute via the CommandLink® tachometer.

Inshore, Big Bays and Coastal

These waters call for more power. Maybe a lightweight, efficient Yamaha inline-four between 150 and 200 hp is perfect for you?

The “fours” provide light, efficient, versatile power, with your choice of mechanical or ­digital control—or even Yamaha’s next-gen Helm Master® EX boat-control system. 

With several different models of 150, 175, and 200 horsepower, Yamaha’s proven 16-valve, DOHC inline-four design maximizes power and fuel efficiency with features like precision multipoint fuel injection and long-track intake systems. There’s even variable camshaft timing on the F200 and V MAX SHO® 150 models, for added acceleration and midrange punch.

Shifting is quiet, thanks to Yamaha ­propellers available with Shift Dampener System. All but one—the 2.7-liter, 150 hp mechanical 35-amp—of the inline-fours have 50-amp alternators to keep electronics, including digital controls, well-fed.

Offshore? For Sure!

When the land drops out of sight—especially if the seas build—the outboard seems even more important, with the goal being safe and reliable fishing. Here, the bigger Yamahas (V6 4.2-liter Offshore outboards, from 225 to 300 hp) do more than just step up to the plate.

These award-winning outboards, now in both mechanical and digital control ­versions, have been offshore favorites for more than a decade, prized for power, ­efficiency and ­reliability.

With a fresh new look, the 250 and 300 boast digital controls and electric steering to make them incredibly responsive and simpler to install, lacking hydraulic pumps and lines.
The Yamaha 4.2-liter V6s feature harder-than-steel plasma-fused, sleeveless cylinder walls, producing larger cylinder bores without decreasing weight and outer-cylinder dimensions. This means more displacement and torque from the same-dimension powerplant.

Electronically controlled throttle valves work in concert with precision multipoint fuel injection to ensure a precise mix of air and fuel, while six sensors monitor vital ­atmospheric and engine conditions so the engine-control module can make adjustments for best ­performance. Variable camshaft ­timing increases power and throttle response.

And Now: The Ultimate Offshore Yamaha

The crown jewel, the state-of-the-outboard-art, the pinnacle of Yamaha engineering: The 425-horsepower XTO Offshore® has integrated electric power steering, electronic digital controls and integrated autopilot systems.

Purpose-built from the ground up to ­withstand the rigors of offshore boating, the XTO Offshore introduces a new class of extreme offshore power and reliability. Boatbuilders often replace three 300 hp outboards with two 425s, saving maintenance.

Boating’s first direct-injection four-strokes adopt the proven fuel-delivery system of the automotive industry. Idle speed and reverse thrusting are improved by the automatic diversion of exhaust above the cavitation plate. For efficiency at high speeds, it is diverted to the prop hub at 2,500 rpm. 

Originally thought to be the exclusive domain of multioutboard boats, the Yamaha XTO Offshore has found a home on large single engine craft as well.

Never content, Yamaha engineers have added to the XTO Offshore a new charging system with the highest net amps: 96 amps of net charging power in neutral. Called the Phase Angle Control Charging System, it won one of the International Boatbuilders’ Exhibition and Conference’s Innovation Award honors in 2020.

At the Helm, an Improved Master

Yamaha’s Helm Master EX integrated boat-control system is the conduit for all anglers’ needs and abilities.

From a single engine—an industry first—to quintuple installations, the Helm Master EX expands on the functionality, ease of ­maneuvering, single-button fishing and positioning functions within the SetPoint® suite (including StayPoint®, FishPoint® and TrackPoint®). Helm Master EX further broadens inmode joystick adjustability for the autopilot and SetPoint; offers more automated essential boat operations; and in most Yamaha outboards from the 2.8-liter F150 and up, allows the addition of fully electric steering. (The XTO Offshore 425, of course, already boasts built-in electric steering.) 

You can even add digital electric steering to most existing Yamaha outboards with digital controls. With the Helm Master EX, boating and fishing are simply easier.

Maintenance Matters

Even maintenance is easier with Yamaha: The MyYamahaOutboards app tracks both dealer-completed service and do-it-yourself ­maintenance. Your complete maintenance history is at your fingertips, along with ­custom trip logs and checklists, service requests, and more.

For many—if not most—saltwater anglers, there’s more than one species to seek, perhaps more than one perfect boat to do it in, and maybe even a choice among a handful of powerplants. But on that last detail, there’s just one brand: Yamaha.

If you’re a saltwater angler, it won’t be a tough decision. This company’s got you ­covered.

The post Saltwater Anglers: Yamaha’s Got You Covered appeared first on Sport Fishing Mag.

The annual International Boatbuilders Exposition and Conference—IBEX for short—serves as a meeting place between the companies that design and build boats and the companies that supply the accessories, electronics, materials, power and tools required to build a boat. While it’s strictly a trade show, it’s also a great place to see some of the latest and greatest engines and gear. Here’s just a glance at some of the products I saw during the 2021 IBEX show, held September 28-30 in Tampa, Florida.

OXE Marine from Sweden offers diesel outboards in five horsepower classes: 125, 150, 175, 200 and 300, but this is first time I ran a pair of the 300 hp models, which feature horizontally mounted diesel engines. To transfer its 600 foot/pounds of torque to the prop shaft, OXE outboards employ a heavy-duty carbon-fiber pulley belt system that isolates the gearbox from shock loading. The 25-inch version of the 300 tips the scales at a hefty 871 pounds, but there’s power aplenty. In my demo, we achieved a top speed of more than 50 mph at 4,300 rpm.

Honda Marine debuted an all new 140 hp outboard at the 2021 IBEX show to replace the company’s venerable 135 hp model. Honda also showcased updated versions of its BF115 and BF150 outboards. All three feature multiple rigging options including both Intelligent Shift and Throttle and mechanical-control choices. Plus, all can interface with the newly introduced HondaLink Marine smartphone app that provides boat owners with remote monitoring capability anytime from anywhere.

Dometic Marine debuted its new Mega Plate electric jack plate, which is designed for outboards rated at 400 hp and up. It comes with 6-, 8- and 10-inch setbacks in two versions: A standard bolt pattern for Yamaha XTO 425 and Mercury 450R engines, as well as a wide bolt pattern for Merc’s 500 and 600 hp V-12 outboards. A Smartstick linear position sensor and the ability to integrate with compatible multifunction displays lets boaters adjust multiple engine heights via touchscreen control. Mega Plate offers the ability to mount Power-Pole shallow-water anchor systems directly to the sides of the plate, eliminating the need for an extra bracket.

Vision Marine Technologies’ E-Motion 180E outboard received plenty of attention at IBEX 2021. The motor is powered by a 60 kW lithium battery and generates power equivalent to a 180 hp gas outboard, making it the world’s most powerful electric outboard, according to the company. Using a gear case from a Tohatsu 140 hp outboard, the 180E is designed for boats in the 18- to 30-foot range (with a single motor) and can cruise for 3 to 4 hours before needing a re-charge. The battery requires 8 to 10 hours to fully charge once drained.

Suzuki Marine used the 2021 IBEX show as an opportunity to demonstrate its unique microplastic filter on the Suzuki-powered L’Lattitude Lindsay water taxi that serves downtown Tampa. Once installed, the device becomes a simple solution in the effort to clean up local environmental micro-pollutants, according to Suzuki. Fitted on a hose for the cooling water intake, the filter collects particles less that 5 mm in size when the engine is running.

Raymarine YachtSense is a scalable and customizable marine digital-control system suitable for boats 35 feet and up. Available rigging on a new boat, it can interface with onboard devices and systems such as lighting, pumps, windlasses, entertainment systems, air conditioning and generators. A Raymarine Axiom touchscreen multifunction display serves as a user interface, and the master module features an integrated keypad for manual override and system diagnostics.

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Yamaha owners now have a new tool in their box to keep their engines healthy, track ownership, log trips, and more — the MyYamahaOutboards app (available free in iOS and Android app stores). The app’s companion website, myyamahaoutboards.com, provides the same interface on a laptop.

Once owners register their outboards — whether purchased new or used — through an authorized dealer, they have access to the full suite of features. The system provides the outboard’s history and maintenance requirements and reminds owners of recommended service. Owners who prefer DIY can create maintenance charts in the system and add notes, photos and receipts.

“There’s a great deal of benefit in having all completed outboard service intervals recorded in one succinct platform with an authorized Yamaha outboard dealer,” says Frank Wilhelm, advertising and digital marketing manager, Yamaha Marine Engine Systems. “In addition, owners can use this important maintenance history report to enhance confidence and potentially increase value when they are ready to resell their current boat and buy a new one.”

Other features include a library of content — including owner’s manuals, video tutorials and performance bulletins — a dealer-locater feature, convenient checklists for trip preparation as well as trip logging.

Read Next: More Yamaha Coverage

The system can store information, including accumulated engine hours, and photos for multiple boats and outboards per user. Owners can select preferred dealerships and marinas and initiate calls through the app. For boats with multiple outboards, owners can set specific positions for each.

When the owner sells the boat or outboard, the information stays with the engine. A new owner can create a MyYamahaOutboards account and access the records (minus any personally identifiable information added by the previous owner.)

Visit yamahaoutboards.com/app to learn more. View the video below to get started with the app.

Courtesy Yamaha Marine

Yamaha says its owners set the tone and the need for the new app. This video helps explain the available features.

The post Yamaha Releases New App and Website for Outboard Owners appeared first on Sport Fishing Mag.

The day had finally arrived when I could test the new CXO300 diesel outboard motor from Cox Powertrain Ltd., a sea trial I had anticipated for 32 months, since attending the public debut of this landmark engine at the 2018 Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show. Developmental delays had led to postponements of this test until June 2021.

As I met Lance Henrichsen and Rayden King from Boatswain’s Locker in Alamitos Bay, California, the single CXO300 was already idling. I sniffed the air and detected no diesel exhaust odor, just the scent of briny ocean.

Noise Level Test

Engine noise proved very low—just 66 decibels on the A-scale at idle when measured at the helm. Absent was the typical diesel “knock.” As a point of comparison, the CXO300 emits about the same sound level at idle as I recorded when testing the Pursuit DC 326 with twin Yamaha F300 gas outboard motors. On the other hand, during my recent test of Mag Bay 42 with twin Volvo Penta D-13 turbo-diesel inboards, the sound level rumbled at 83 decibels on the A-scale at idle.

Boatswain’s Locker is the Southern California distributor for Cox Powertrain, and it rigged the CXO300 on a S25 Safe Boat, an aluminum boat with a foam collar which served as a patrol boat for the United States Coast Guard in a previous life. It weighs approximately 8,000 pounds with the engine, 55 gallons of fuel and the three-man crew. Though no longer available from Safe Boat and certainly not a typical fishing machine, this model served as an able platform for my test. Standard rigging for the CXO300 includes Dometic electronic throttle and shift controls and Optimus electric steering. The 30-inch-shaft test engine was also rigged on a SeaStar jackplate, but we left it in the full down position while gathering performance data and putting the boat and motor through its paces.

Cox Diesel Design

Cox Powertrain is a British diesel-engine company that has invested more than a decade of development in the CXO300. The twin-turbo-charged four-stroke V-8 powerhead displaces 4.4 liters and is served by a common-rail fuel injection system. Featuring a vertical orientation similar to most gas outboards, the CXO300 is built for marine applications. Another major diesel outboard brand—Swedish-built OXE—uses horizontally mounted, automotive-based diesel powerheads. Its 300 hp model, for example, sports an inline-six-cylinder 3.0-liter turbocharged diesel powerplant from BMW, which drives the propeller via a series of heavy-duty belts and pulleys.

The Cox 300 employs a conventional outboard drivetrain with a vertical drive shaft connecting the motor to the lower unit, which houses the forward and reverse gear system similar to most gas outboards. That said, drivetrain components are specially designed for commercial applications and oversized to handle the CXO300′s maximum torque of 480 foot-pounds. For perspective, peak torque for a 300 hp gas outboard is around 380 foot-pounds, which is reached at 2,500 to 3,000 rpm, according to test data from Cox.

Cox says that its engine is designed to last up to three times longer than comparable gas outboards, but only time will tell if that claim holds water.

By way of background, diesels operate at a lower engine speed (rpm). The CXO300 diesel outboard, for instance, tops out at about 4,000 rpm versus about 6,000 rpm or higher for many of today’s gas outboards. Despite the lower engine speed, diesels have greater torque so they can turn a higher gear ratio and/or larger diameter propeller to convert their torque into boat speed. There’s also the safety factor in diesel fuel, which has a much higher flash point than gasoline, and so is less prone to ignite, if there is a fuel system leak.

By the Numbers

We ran the CXO300 in the protected waters inside the breakwater of Long Beach Harbor to gather speed and sound levels, but S25′s PV780 Murphy engine display (part of the CXO300 rigging package) had not yet been set up to read gallons per hour, so I used data supplied by Boatswain’s Locker for the fuel consumption data and extrapolate miles per gallon.

The engine turned a 16-inch-diameter by 19-inch-pitch stainless-steel four-blade propeller from PowerTech. The Safe Boat accelerated from zero to 30 mph in an average time of 11.7 seconds, and bolted like a wahoo on the attack once the twin turbos spooled up. Time to plane was 4.5 seconds. We achieved a top speed of 40.9 mph at 4,000 rpm, where the diesel outboard burned 18.8 gallons per hour for 2.2 mpg, according to supplied fuel data.

Cox says the CXO300 offers at least a 25 percent better range than a comparable gasoline outboard. That claim is hard to confirm without a direct comparison on the same boat under the same conditions. However, CXO300 achieved its best fuel economy at 3,000 rpm and 29.7 mph with a burn rate of 8.9 gph, resulting in 3.3 mpg. That equates to a cruising range of 297 miles, based on 90 percent of the S25′s 100-gallon fuel capacity.

For boating anglers, slow-trolling with the CXO300 will be an issue, as the slowest speed I could achieve was 5 mph with the 1.46-to-1 gear ratio. The outboard is also available with a 1.23-to-1 gear ratio, but this ratio will only exacerbate the issue by increasing the speed at idle in gear. The Cox diesel outboard cannot be fitted with trolling valves, as can inboard diesel transmission.

Sound levels at the helm of the S25 remain comparatively low, registering 83 and 87 decibels on the A-scale at optimum cruising speed and wide-open throttle, respectively.

Read Next: Mercury Racing Unveils Optimax Diesel Outboard

The CXO300 will be offered in three shaft lengths—25, 30 and 35 inches—in both black and white exterior paint schemes. It weighs 866 pounds and carries a suggested retail price of $55,000. It is available now. Approximately 150 motors have been delivered around the world.

Pricing and Specs

Performance*

• Load: 55 gal. fuel, three crew members aboard Safe Boat S25
• Time to 30 mph: 11.7 sec.
• Top Speed: 40.9 mph @ 4,000 rpm
• Best MPG: 3.3 mpg @ 29.7 mph (3,000 rpm)

Notable Features

• Carbon fiber engine hood reduces weight
• Dometic Optimus electric steering system
• Electronic throttle and shift
• Keyless fob offers remote starting and serves as an engine cut-off switch
• Thermostatically controlled raw-water cooling
• NMEA 2000 compatible

Cox Powertrain Ltd.

coxpowertrain.com

Shoreham-by-Sea, United Kingdom

+44(0)1273 454 424

The post Cox Powertrain 300 hp Diesel Outboard Motor Test appeared first on Sport Fishing Mag.

The new Mercury V-12 Verado 600 outboard draws attention, of course, for its jaw-dropping size. If the engine’s 12 cylinders, 7.6 liters, 1,260 pounds and 600 horsepower don’t impress, perhaps racking four of these majestic beauties across a transom might induce you to walk down the dock to take a look.

Mercury designed the Verado 600 to efficiently move the largest outboard-powered dayboats and center-consoles currently available, and even larger boats in the future. It seems that creating horsepower was the easy part of this project because the V-12 engine is essentially, if not exactly, the Mercury 4.6-liter V-8 with four additional cylinders.

Two elements of technological magic that make the Verado 600 compelling lie below the powerhead. A two-speed automatic transmission amplifies torque and boosts economy, while a steerable gear case adds agility and keeps the transom spacing tight.

“Everything from the powerhead down is an invention,” says David Waldvogel, drive systems engineering manager at Mercury, part of a team that spent five years developing these patented designs, the first for any outboard.

Two-Speed Automatic

The two-speed automatic transmission located below the powerhead offers a number of benefits. Placing forward, neutral and reverse gears in the transmission keeps the gear case as small as possible (6 inches in diameter), for a significant reduction in drag. The engine’s smooth hydraulic shifting becomes especially apparent when operating in joystick mode.

The Verado 600 features dual contra-rotating propellers, with four blades on the lead prop and three blades following. The maximum prop diameter measures 18 1/4 inches—ideal blade area for lifting a heavy boat on plane and holding it there at lower cruising speeds.

But it takes a lot of muscle to turn those big props. A low gear ratio—think about your car starting in first gear—amplifies torque to give the engine more leverage on the propellers, for an effective hole shot with minimal bow rise. The gear ratios in the transmission, combined with a 1.75-to-1 ratio in the gear case, result in a very low 2.97-to-1 final ratio in first gear.

As the boat gains speed, the transmission automatically upshifts to the taller second gear, with a 2.5-to-1 ratio, which is 43 percent lower than that of a Verado 400, so engine power is still being amplified. This allows the Verado 600 to run props with a lot of pitch and to cruise at a much higher speed. For example, a Boston Whaler 420 Outrage with quad Verado 400 motors and 17-pitch props runs 32.5 mph at 4,500 rpm, while the same boat with triple Verado 600 motors and 31-pitch props runs 43.5 mph at 4,500 rpm. Both boats get 0.06 to 0.07 mpg fuel economy at that speed. More speed at the same rpm equals better economy.

The engine controller manages shifting based on torque demand. Similar to how an automobile shifts as it accelerates to pass, the Verado 600 will downshift in some situations, such as accelerating smartly from a slow cruise speed.

Novel Steering

Narrow engine spacing was a key design goal for the Verado 600 so the V-12 outboard could fit on the same transoms as V-8 and L6 Verado models. The Verado 600 features 27-inch center-to-center spacing, an inch wider than that of other Mercury models, but narrower than the 28.5 inches required for Yamaha XTO 425s or the 32-inch spacing between multiple Seven Marine 627 motors. Mercury accomplished this, in part, by keeping the powerhead stationary and steering only the gear case.

The gear case bolts to a hollow steering column extending into the midsection of the motor. A hydraulic rack-and-pinion steers it in response to a signal from the digital helm. This design eliminates all external steering hardware. Exhaust and cooling water routes through ring-shaped channels in the steering housing, which mate to channels in the gear case.

Because only the gear case steers, it can move up to 45 degrees port and starboard, compared with about 30 degrees each direction for a traditional outboard. This gives the V-12 more authority at low speeds and in joystick mode—which is essential to control large boats—without swinging those giant powerheads back and forth while docking. As boat speed increases, the steering range decreases electronically, as determined by the boatbuilder.

The transmission and steerable gear case combine to deliver key elements that enable the application of tremendous power from this refined, sophisticated outboard motor.

About the author: Charles Plueddeman has been writing about boats and marine propulsion since 1987. You might spot him on Big Green Lake at the wheel of a 1951 Dunphy.

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