Tested | Yamaha 4.2L 300HP DES Outboard

Описание: We got to be one of the first to test the new, version of Yamaha’s proven 4.2L V6 platforms that’s had a digital makeover.

Swinging off the back of a Cruise Craft EX720 Hard Top, it’s an impressive test rig and it definitely takes advantage of the new, white colour available. Die hard Yamaha fans will be happy to know that it’s also available in standard Yamaha blue.

When we caught up with Yamaha’s Will Lee on the test day, he was pretty quick to point out that this new iteration is all about integration and that it borrows heavily from the 425HP Yamaha XTO that was released a couple of years earlier.

“We’ve stuck with the block that Australian boaties and fishermen have become oh so familiar with for its legendary reliability and then we’ve added a whole swag of features traditionally only found in our flagship model the XTO425,” Will said.

“If we really look at this model today that we’ve got here, one of the really big benefits that we’ve now got is DES. What does that stand for? It stands for Digital Electric Steering. It means that you don’t have hydraulic lines in your boat anymore for your steering, hydraulic pumps or even electric hydraulic assisted steering, this is pure electric steering which means it simpler to install and it gives the user a brand new experience with such fast and precise steering” he continued.

Looking back at the rigged motor, we could see what he meant. There were a couple of electrical cables and a fuel line rigged to the motor through the transom,. The install was clean and simple.

“Some of the feedback we’re getting through the workshops right now is that these engines are easier to install than a 50 horsepower, which means time saving through the workshop and boat builders and dealers are really loving it.”

At its most basic form, the boat builder bolts the engine on, rigs the fuel and wiring connections and does the pre-deliver checks. That’s it. Nathan Nagy from Cruise Craft says that it helps get everything right from the factory.

Will continued.

“The word that we hear a lot of is integration. It probably doesn’t mean a lot to many people, but when you actually step behind the helm of this boat, it offers the skipper so much more. I guess Yamaha has got to the point now where we have fantastic, fuel efficient, reliable engines, so the next step for us is to enhance customer experience by giving them a whole swag of new features behind the helm.”

At the helm, this means that the motor directly plugs into the Helm Master EX ecosystem, which includes Yamaha’s joystick and autopilot functions as well as the digital helm and gauge options. We particularly liked the ability for these engines to be set to either hold a speed or hold a set rpm without any driver input on the stick. This alone makes traversing rough water lass laborious for the skipper.

But the improvements borrowed from the XTO continue.

“We saw it first in the 425 and what it is is a reverse thrust enhancing exhaust. In reverse, up to 2500rpm, your bubbles and [exhaust] ventilation are now coming out above the cav plate,” Will said, “When we’re using our joystick and HelmMaster EX system, you now have super clean water. There’s no ventilation that the prop is trying to work its way through. You’ve got 100% clean water which gives you a much quicker response when you’re in reverse.”

Like most claims presented to us at Fishing Monthly we wanted to test this, so it was over the back of the transom with a camera to see it in action. The footage speaks for itself - you can see it in action in the Motor Test Video that you can watch by scanning the QR code hereby. You can also find it by searching for it on the Fishing Monthly YouTube channel (Fishing Monthly Magazines).

So … how did it go compared to the previous model? We had data from the F300 on the Cruise Craft 685 (same hull as the 720 … it’s a measurement standardisation thing). Top speeds were apples for apples and overall economy per revs were slightly lower than the older motor, though you’d need to pay keen attention to the gauges to notice this in a real world environment.

This platform is available to boaties in various horsepower classes.

“You have an option in our V6 range of a 200, a 225 and a 250HP and if you’re repowering your boat and you have it set up with hydraulic steering you’ll have that ability to strap the bullhorn to it,” Lee said.

“But if you’re looking at a new boat, I strongly recommend that you check out this range - the XSB range - that has the DES steering built in. It’s well worth the investment,” he concluded. And we agree.

Pricing for these outboards starts at $ xxx,xxx. Check out www.yamaha-motor.com.au for more details.


SPECIFICATIONS

4.2L 300HP XSB DES

24 valve DOHC 60° V6
4169cc
Max rpm - 5000-6000
Electronic Fuel Injection
Wet sump lubrication
70A alternator
1.75:1 gear ratio
Electric start
DES and Digital Electric Controls

More information: https://www.yamaha-motor.com.au/disco...