Yamaha Marine Group launched a four-stroke outboard that can outperform the VMAX® Series 2 and promises to revolutionize power in the bass and flats fishing realm. Called the Yamaha VMAX SHO, the family of outboards comprises 250, 225 and 200 horsepower versions.“With the VMAX SHO, Yamaha has done what everyone said couldn’t be done,” said Ben Speciale, Yamaha Marine Group President. “We have a four-stroke that out performs two strokes in many ways and provides best-in-class acceleration.”
Acceleration/Performance/Speed
The VMAX SHO is noticeably faster out of the hole and to plane than the Yamaha VMAX® Series 2, and it has a broader power curve for smoother acceleration and performance. It also achieves higher speed over a measured distance than its predecessor and provides the best acceleration of the outboards in its class. *
“One of the most impressive things about the VMAX SHO is its midrange punch,” said Speciale. “Whenever you push the throttle forward, there’s power to spare.”
At the heart of the VMAX SHO is an all-new four-stroke 4.2-liter V6 powerhead that provides the best power-to-weight ratio in its class. With considerably more displacement than its competitors, the 4.2-liter employs new materials and processes that help make it lighter, more efficient and powerful.
The big-bore 4.2-liter uses a throttle valve that is 13 percent larger than that of the previous 3.3-liter four-stroke Yamaha V6. Inside the engine, Yamaha employed large intake and exhaust valves and variable camshaft timing. In addition, the new V6 powerhead uses long, tuned intake tracks.
To help ensure the powerhead stays cool, the VMAX SHO’s high-performance lower unit has water pickups that are 81 percent larger than those used on the VMAX Series 2.Weight
Very seldom in engineering does adding one material to another result in a decrease in weight and an increase in efficiency, but that’s what one innovative new process does in the Yamaha VMAX SHO. Its powerhead uses plasma fused sleeveless cylinders instead of steel sleeves to provide a durable surface for the piston rings.
Very seldom in engineering does adding one material to another result in a decrease in weight and an increase in efficiency, but that’s what one innovative new process does in the Yamaha VMAX SHO. Its powerhead uses plasma fused sleeveless cylinders instead of steel sleeves to provide a durable surface for the piston rings.
Not only does the process reduce the overall amount of powerhead weight, the resulting material – which measures about 0.1 mm thick — takes up less space in the engine block than a conventional steel sleeve, which means there’s more room for the pistons themselves. It is in this way that displacement has been optimized in the new 4.2-liter powerhead.
The process has allowed Yamaha engineers to gain the greatest displacement from the least amount of mass in the engine block, which also reduces overall weight. At the same time, it yields a surface that is 60 percent stronger than a steel liner for greater durability. In addition, the sleeveless cylinders result in better heat transfer between the cylinder walls and the cooling system, which means cooling is more efficient.
The VMAX SHO is 34 pounds lighter than its two-stoke predecessor. In fact, no production V6 fishing outboard of equivalent horsepower, four stroke or two-stroke, is lighter.
The VMAX SHO models all use a lightweight cowl. Made of an advanced composite, it is 14.6 percent lighter than a cowl made of more typical fiberglass.
In addition, the VMAX SHO uses a lightweight composite engine pan. Made of sheet molded compound (SMC), it is 59 percent lighter than an aluminum counterpart. SMC also provides greater protection against corrosion.
The VMAX SHO models all use a lightweight cowl. Made of an advanced composite, it is 14.6 percent lighter than a cowl made of more typical fiberglass.
In addition, the VMAX SHO uses a lightweight composite engine pan. Made of sheet molded compound (SMC), it is 59 percent lighter than an aluminum counterpart. SMC also provides greater protection against corrosion.
Its mounting bracket is designed to be strong yet light. Specifically designed for the rigors of bass and flats applications, it is 29 percent lighter than the bracket used on the VMAX®
Series 2.
Finally, compared to its predecessor, the new outboard has a lighter exhaust system, lower unit and alternator.Feel
The new outboards not only offer better performance, they deliver that performance with the same clean, quiet smooth demeanor four-strokes are famous for and bass enthusiast, until now, only dreamed about.
Whether at idle, part throttle or wide open throttle, the VMAX SHO is smoother and quieter than the VMAX Series 2. Because it’s a four stroke, there is minimal smoke or odor.
Finally, compared to its predecessor, the new outboard has a lighter exhaust system, lower unit and alternator.Feel
The new outboards not only offer better performance, they deliver that performance with the same clean, quiet smooth demeanor four-strokes are famous for and bass enthusiast, until now, only dreamed about.
Whether at idle, part throttle or wide open throttle, the VMAX SHO is smoother and quieter than the VMAX Series 2. Because it’s a four stroke, there is minimal smoke or odor.
Fuel
What bass fisherman will also appreciate is that there is no need to carry oil. While it may go without saying for those familiar with four strokes, the fuel benefits of using a four stroke are many. Fuel fill ups are simpler, and equipping a bass boat with a VMAX SHO means there is no longer a need to have an oil tank in the boat. In fact, the reserve oil tank necessary with a two-stroke can now be removed to make room for batteries or storage, either of which will serve the angler better than a tank of oil.
Apart from that, VMAX SHO burns less fuel than the VMAX Series 2, about 12 percent less on average. That makes longer runs possible between fill ups, and that could mean the difference between getting to the fish or not. Overall, fuel efficiency is best in class.
In addition, the VMAX SHO’s micro textured cylinder walls that result from the plasma coating process help to “trap” oil and thus create less friction. This also saves on fuel. The VMAX SHO 200 uses 87 octane fuel, while the 225 and 250 require 89 octane for best performance.
The VMAX SHO uses the same mechanical rigging components as the VMAX Series 2 and is covered by Yamaha’s three-year limited warranty, for pleasure use.
VMAX SHO outboards have earned a three-star rating for ultra-low emissions from California Air Resources board (C.A.R.B.) They also meet or exceed all Federal emissions requirements.Yamaha Marine products are marketed throughout the United States and around the world. Yamaha Marine Group, based in Kennesaw, Ga., supports its 2,000 U.S. dealers and OEM partners with marketing, training and parts for Yamaha’s full line of products and strives to be the industry leader in reliability, technology and customer service. Yamaha Marine is the only outboard brand to have earned NMMA®’s C.S.I. Customer Satisfaction Index award every year since its inception. Visit HYPERLINK “http://www.yamaha.com” www.yamahaoutboards.com.
VMAX SHO outboards have earned a three-star rating for ultra-low emissions from California Air Resources board (C.A.R.B.) They also meet or exceed all Federal emissions requirements.Yamaha Marine products are marketed throughout the United States and around the world. Yamaha Marine Group, based in Kennesaw, Ga., supports its 2,000 U.S. dealers and OEM partners with marketing, training and parts for Yamaha’s full line of products and strives to be the industry leader in reliability, technology and customer service. Yamaha Marine is the only outboard brand to have earned NMMA®’s C.S.I. Customer Satisfaction Index award every year since its inception. Visit HYPERLINK “http://www.yamaha.com” www.yamahaoutboards.com.