SCIBS 2023: Yanmar to show its VX30B fishing boat

Yanmar has confirmed to boatsales that it will have a version of its 9.6-metre VX30B walkaround enclosed cabin on display featuring something that’s common in Yanmar’s Japanese home market but new to recreational boating here – a ‘spanker’ sail, also known as a ‘pusher’ or ‘driver’ sail more often used only on sailboats.

The sail is used to change the attitude of the boat at anchor, meaning if the swell is coming from a different direction to the wind, the spanker can point the bow into the waves, making for a smoother experience at rest.

The deep-vee Yanmar VX30B – the smallest boat in the VX series – uses a 350hp 4.5-litre twin-turbo 8LV350 V8 engine pushing a shallow-angle shaft. It features a walkaround deck and comes with the option of a second helm mounted in the cockpit.

The boat features storage lockers built into the forward and aft cockpit floors, as well as a large live well. 

The Yanmar VX30B’s enclosed wheelhouse has a single captain’s chair for the skipper and a folding bench seat for the crew. Forward and below is a large cabin.

Yanmar has built fishing boats for the Japanese market for around 50 years, starting out with commercial boats but evolving them over time to also appeal to recreational fishers in need of a capable offshore fishing platform.

Yanmar’s model range now spans 17 different boats ranging from 7.0 metres to 14.0 metres in length, and in console, walkaround, cabin, flybridge, and sedan fit-outs.

The brand also has a range of more premium sports cruisers including the triple-engined Yanmar X47 Express Cruiser that can hit a top speed of around 40 knots.

According to Yanmar, the X47 Express Cruiser’s smaller sterndrive units allow them to be fitted in a smaller space compared with normal engines, helping to maximise the living space in the boat.