Yamaha technology leads new wave of motor boat development - Nikkei Asian Review

TOKYO -- Japan's engine manufacturers are racing to develop advanced control systems for marine leisure craft, as buoyant stock markets worldwide encourage wealthy consumers to splash out on pleasure boats.

Yamaha Motor has rolled out an enhanced version of its SR320FB cruiser in April, equipped with its new Helm Master outboard control system, which allows the operator to hold the vessel in a fixed position, even in difficult conditions.

The technology, developed with Swedish marine power system maker Volvo Penta, uses GPS data to determine the boat's location and maintain its position and heading. 

The craft can be maneuvered sideways while facing the same direction, and even be rotated 360 degrees on the spot by using a joystick on the console.

Yamaha has already incorporated the system in a model that debuted in the U.S. in 2013.

At 32.1 million yen ($301,890) before tax, the revamped model is about 6% more expensive than previous versions, but the manufacturer is confident of selling 10 units over the next 12 months. 

The system is available globally, but needs to be incorporated into newly produced vessels by manufacturers that have existing relationships with Yamaha. 

Honda Motor's marine unit showed off its latest wares at the Japan International Boat Show in Yokohama in early March. Its improved BF250 outboard engine incorporates a newly developed electronic remote control system that can synchronize the movement of several outboard motors and remotely start and stop the vessel. 

The combined shipment volume of motor boats and outboard engines by Japanese makers has recovered to levels not seen since before the global financial crisis. The amount in 2017 came to 192 billion yen, up 4% from the year earlier, according to the Japan Marine Industry Association. 

Japanese companies account for 70% of global shipments of outboard motors for pleasure boats, or about 510,000 units. But with the competition having reached unprecedented levels, manufacturers are increasingly looking to make their products stand out with high-tech features. 

Electronically controlled engines that offer higher driving performance and easier operation are one of the key battlegrounds. The new smart engines are even being adopted for vessels of over 30 feet that would normally be diesel powered.

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