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The Yamaha Marine Group opened its two-day summer media event with the introduction of an upgraded version of its largest outboard engine, the F350C.
“We’ve made so many improvements to the F350 over the past few years, mainly involving maintenance and durability, that it was time to present them as a package in a new next-generation engine,” Yamaha product information manager David Meeler said. “So we have a new engine with a freshened-up look, and we’re now covering it with a 5-year warranty.”
Yamaha introduced the V8 350, which has a displacement of 5.3 liters, in 2007. “The F350 allowed outboard power to be used in places it had never been used before,” said Meeler. “These were never intended to be lightweight engines. They were designed to push large outboard-powered boats. The engine has great torque — that low-speed and mid-range ‘grunt.’ ”
The improvements include the addition to the F350C of Yamaha’s Shift Dampener System, which virtually removes “clunking” noises and vibration during shifting and low-speed operation. Since the F350 hit the market nearly a decade ago it has been slimmed down, with an incremental weight reduction from 804 to 763 pounds.
The engine is also smarter, using a better electronic control unit (ECU), which alerts owners when the engine is due for selective maintenance points. Yamaha also has improved the engine’s corrosion resistance in areas near the waterline.
With all of these upgrades, it made sense for Yamaha to increase warranty coverage from three to five years, Meeler said. “We want to let the world know we thoroughly stand behind this trendsetter of a product.”
Yamaha also introduced a new Talon propeller designed for its 4-strokes from 70 to 115 hp, as well as its 50- and 60-hp high-thrust 4-strokes and any older 2-strokes from 60 to 130 hp.
Within the Talon range is the new Talon Pontoon SDS propeller, which is designed to move large loads with extra control and thrust without shift noise or vibration, said Meeler.
Originally published here.