Dubbed a game changer in the US, Yamaha’s much anticipated VMAX SHO outboard is a four-stroke engine designed specifically for the high-performance fishing boat market that outperforms direct-injected two-stroke competitors in an environment where four-stroke engines were once believed to be too heavy and lacking grunt.

The VMAX SHO range of outboards comprises 149, 168 and 186kW versions and is only available in long shaft (50.8 centimetres). The VMAX SHO shares its 4.2-litre power head with Yamaha’s 4.2L offshore range of outboards.

The use of plasma-fused sleeveless cylinders instead of conventional steel sleeves sets Yamaha VMAX SHO apart from other high-performance outboards on the market today. The plasma fusion process has allowed Yamaha engineers to gain the greatest displacement from the least amount of mass in the engine block, producing the best power-to-weight ratio in its class. At the same time, it yields a surface that is 60 percent stronger than a steel liner for greater durability, while the sleeveless cylinders result in better heat transfer between the cylinder walls.

Another big advantage is fuel economy. The VMAX SHO burns about 12 percent less fuel on average than the 3.3-litre Yamaha HPDI two stroke, Yamaha’s previous offering in this high-performance category. While specifically designed for high-performance fishing boats, the VMAX SHO also presents as a great power option for other applications.

For further information, contact: