Seawork Debut for Yamaha Commercial Diesel
The first new commercially rated 285hp Yamaha inboard dieselstern drive units, designated the ME432Sti P2, made their debut at the Seawork2007 exhibition in Southampton this summer. Yamaha Motor (UK) this brought theirtotal available inboard range up to five models and eight variants, includingTwin Rotating Propeller (TRP) versions.
The new model is based on an existing Yamaha 24 valve diesel engine and coupled with the latest Yamaha TRP Hydra-Drive unit, gives excellent performance and fuel consumption, allowing commercial craft to travel at reasonable speeds whilst maintaining good range with economy.
User reports on the 315hp version indicate that at a 25 to 30 knot cruising speed the engine uses less fuel than the 245hp model, so it is expected the 285hp commercial rating will give equivalent performance and range, making it a good choice for offshore wind farm, fisheries, fast patrol, leisure charter and other markets.
An example of the new model was on static display at Seawork 2007 for the first time. Pro Charter, the Cornwall based fishing boat builder, is taking the first commercial ME432Sti P2 unit to be installed in a 35′ charter boat destined for Ireland.
A Redbay Stormforce 11 Cabin RIB powered by twin 245hp Yamaha ME422 HO versions was a popular boat this summer on the Seawork floating pontoon. Following the show it was delivered to Arramore Charters in Ireland, which is operating it as a passenger ferry between the island of Arramore and Donegal. With the units driving Yamaha Hydra-Drive stern drives, the Redbay RIB has a top speed of 40 knots and will cruise at 28 knots.
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