750 HP of Yamaha Wild Thing

Sit down and get ready to see the shores of Hobart’s Derwent River flash by as tour operator Glen Shackcloth fires up the Yamaha F250 triple rig.

This ride on the ragged edge is based on a custom built Naiad 11.3m RIB hull. The aluminium hull has a big rubber inflatable bolster and is topped off with a striking targa top. The hull tips the scales at 5 tonnes.

At the transom, three Yamaha F250hp outboards provide the power to lift the 5 tonne hull with a full load of 26 passengers onto the plane and propel it down the Derwent at 100kmh.  The boat cruises at a more sedate and economical speed of 50kmh with the engines ticking over at a leisurely 3700rpm and consuming just 28lt/h per engine.

Having spent a lifetime on the water as a pro and abalone diver, Shackcloth was adamant that Yamaha was the only brand of outboard to consider for his business venture.

“I’ve owned and operated Yamaha outboards throughout my fishing and diving career,” Shackcloth said.  “The first Yamaha I purchased was a 60hp Enduro in 1986 when I had a commercial contract with fish farmers in Tassie. I put over 8000 hours on that engine in eight years. “It was so good that I have bought Yamaha ever since and have never been let down,” he said.

On a daily basis, throughout Hobart’s tourist season, Wild Thing runs a variety of tours down the Derwent River. The longest and most demanding run takes Wild Thing from the centre of Hobart on a 100nm circumnavigation of Bruny Island.

“The weather can be quite rugged as we actually enter the Southern Ocean for part of the run. We regularly experience extreme tidal currents and vicious swirls but the Yamaha’s are just great,” said Shackcloth.  “Even though we back off on the throttles the hull still sits up nicely and punches comfortably into the seas,” he said.

For more info, phone (07) 3906 7000, or visit www.yamaha-motor.com.au