Yamaha Adds New Features for Helm Master, Expands Offshore Products

KENNESAW, Ga.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Yamaha Marine announced new features for Helm Master^® and the
CL7™ Display, and added new Performance 3 SDS™ Propellers and a
35-inch-shaft model of the 4.2-liter V6 F300 (with Digital Electronic
Control).

“Today’s boaters want to customize their boating applications to make
their experiences on the water even more enjoyable,” said Ben Speciale,
Yamaha Marine Group President. “These new feature-rich offshore products
give boaters more options and versatility when it comes to boat control,
maneuverability and propulsion.”

Helm Master Upgrades

The latest generation of Yamaha’s fully integrated boat control system
has new features that allow greater convenience and movement while in
Helm Master’s SetPoint™ modes. These new features are perfect for those
who need more precise control of boat position. The latest version of
Helm Master includes the following updates:

• In StayPoint™ or FishPoint™ modes, one forward, rearward or sideward
  bump of the joystick will move the boat’s position 10 feet; additional
  bumps within three seconds of each other will move it up to 100 feet
  total
• In StayPoint™ or DriftPoint™ modes, one twist of the joystick will
  move the boat’s bow heading angle by 5 degrees; additional twists
  within three seconds of each other will rotate the boat by up to 50
  degrees total
• A new feature called Pattern Shift allows the operator to troll below
  standard in-gear trolling speed by shifting into or out of gear to
  meet a desired target speed. In calm water, resulting minimum speed
  can be less than 0.5 mph
• Thanks to joystick fine tuning, boaters can now adjust position and
  heading directly with the joystick
• Prior versions required leaving a SetPoint™ mode, then adjusting, then
  re-activating the mode
• The FishPoint™ High Mode RPM setting remains adjustable for fine
  tuning the power requirements for each individual vessel’s needs or to
  match conditions
• The FishPoint™ center mode for quad engines now allows for quieter
  operation by using the center engines only for thrust and the outer
  for increased electrical charge output. The result is efficient, quiet
  charging.

CL7™ Display Upgrades

The CL7 Display is more versatile than ever before, thanks to new
functionality and software upgrades including:

• Command Link® capability added to the CL7 protocol. Boaters can now
  enjoy the features of the CL7 like gauge integration, mapping, and
  NMEA 2000^® networking on Command Link controlled boats. The
  CL7 is a complete solution for both Command Link Plus and Command Link
  systems, which means it is also now compatible with mechanical
  outboards.
• The Variable Lock to Lock steering setting on DEC models now offers
  four phases for RPM. The number of turns Lock to Lock (and the
  effective steering ratio) can be set at four different rpm levels.
  That means boaters can have fewer turns Lock to Lock at low rpm and a
  greater number at high RPM.
• Updates integrate the new Yamaha V8 XTO Offshore. (Installers must use
  the updated version of the CL7 Display on boats equipped with the V8
  XTO Offshore)

New CL7 displays will be shipped with these upgrades. As before, the CL7
Display features an integrated gateway and comes in two models; one with
detailed fresh and saltwater maps, the other without maps, which can be
added later. Both models include fuel flow and other monitor functions.

New Performance 3 SDS™ Propellers

The Yamaha Performance 3 propeller has long been a versatile general
purpose propeller line, with both fresh water and salt water
applications. More durable than aluminum, the stainless steel
Performance Propeller offers value along with versatility.

Last year, Yamaha launched an improved Shift Dampener System, SDS. This
year, Yamaha brought the two together for the M-T series 4.25” diameter
gearcase sizes. These propellers are appropriate for 150 through 300
horsepower Yamaha outboards (four-stroke or two-stroke). They come in
right and select left-hand rotation.

35-inch Shaft Model for the F300

This year, Yamaha will offer a 35-inch shaft length model of the F300
4.2-liter Offshore V6 outboards, Digital Electronic Control models only.
That means the industry’s favorite family of offshore outboards are
available in configurations to meet most every need.

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 boat builders 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 Customer
Satisfaction Index (C.S.I.) Award every year since its inception. Visit YamahaOutboards.com.

Contacts

Yamaha Marine Group
Melissa Boudoux, 770-420-3269
Manager,
Communications
Mobile: 404-381-7593
Melissa_boudoux@yamaha-motor.com
or
Wilder+Wheaton
for
Yamaha Marine Group
Neal Wheaton, 404-317-0698
neal.wheaton@gmail.com