Yanmar Marine and the first 50 years of life

Yanmar is celebrating the first 50 years and is doing so in style. On the one hand it launches a campaign to promote the brand, and on the other with a number of commercial operations, including the repowering of the Magnum 40 motorboat Adriana and that of the 47 tender owned by Norberto Ferretti.

Yanmar celebrated 50 years with Magnum 40

Yanmar Marine International has commenced installations of its new high horsepower 6LF diesel engines, with outstanding results reported from the first project completed in Europe. In the milestone installation, certified Yanmar master dealer Motonáutica Balear, in Mallorca, repowered Magnum 40 motorboat Adriana with two Yanmar 6LF530 models and upgraded the electronics and controls. The electronically-managed, common rail 530 mhp output engines, rated at 3000 rpm / 390 kW, replaced two 20-year-old mechanical 420 hp / 2800 rpm units. Testing and sea trials show the technologically-advanced Yanmar system has improved the vessel’s speed, increased fuel-efficiency and decreased noise, achieving a smoother, more pleasurable onboard experience and lowering environmental impact.

Andreu Martínez, Motonáutica Balear, said: “The installation of the new Yanmar 6LF engines in the Adriana has been an industry first for Europe. The Adriana had two 20-year-old diesel engines and their combined performance and fuel consumption were poor by today’s standards. By replacing the engine and accessories entirely with the new Yanmar motor, the vessel now has efficient, reliable power for any task required.”

What kind of applications?

As Yanmar steps up the supply and customization of the common rail marine engine at its Italy facility, further deliveries in Europe are underway. Suitable for large superyacht tenders, planing and semi-planing motoryachts up to 55ft and light-duty commercial vessels, the new compact and powerful 6LF range (6 cylinders diesel engine with a 1.1 liters cylinder displacement – BxS 104×132 mm) expands YANMAR’s product line-up with higher power solutions. The three output models – 485, 530 and 550 mhp – are controlled by the next-generation Yanmar VC20 system, for three engines with up to four stations, and feature Yanmar’s proprietary fuel mapping and a larger mixing elbow for reliable and consistent output performance. The 3000 rpm engines are custom engineered to offer direct connectivity to NMEA and J1939 CAN-bus networks.

Happy birthday, Yanmar Marine

The half-century celebrations starting in September 2021, in which all Yanmar owners are encouraged to participate, feature the development of Yanmar’s first purpose-built engine for recreational marine use, the PMX 1 cylinder, with 6-8 hp models, in 1971, in response to an increasing interest in pleasure boating and sailing. This milestone launch was shortly followed by the introduction of the YSE (Yacht Series Engine) in 1972, built specifically for sailing yachts.

After bringing the first marine engine for fishing boats to the market nearly 75 years ago and becoming the first diesel engine manufacturer to receive the Deming Prize for Total Quality Management in 1968, the ground-breaking launch of a dedicated solution for recreational marine use highlights Yanmar’s focus on customers. It also portrays how Yanmar simultaneously delivers best-in-class quality, technology, and sustainable solutions – key philosophies driving the diesel technology development at the company since its founding in 1912.

Yanmar continues to set new standards up to the present day, becoming the first recipient of the marine diesel engine NOx certification by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) in 1994. It far exceeded EPA Tier III emissions regulations with the introduction of the 4JH-CR Series in 2014, bringing the benefits of common rail technology to sailing and smaller vessels. YANMAR’s complete line-up of class-leading, efficient and quiet sailboat and powerboat engines is expanding with the recent launches of the 6LF and 6LT series.