Who is the best Yamaha outboard technician in 2016?

The Yamaha Marine Technician Grand Prix on November 16, 2016, is a technical knowledge and skills based contest held at Yamaha’s National Marine Training facility in Brisbane.

The event brings together the very best Yamaha Marine Technicians from Yamaha dealerships all over Australia and New Zealand. These exceptionally skilled technicians represent their dealership, state, and country in a quest to be crowned the most outstanding marine technician in the Trans-Tasman region.

The competition, held biennially, is a major highlight for the Yamaha Technical Academy (YTA), who pride themselves on the skills Yamaha technicians develop through the extensive training the academy delivers.

YTA’s mission is to keep Yamaha’s Marine Technicians up to date with the cutting edge skills and knowledge required to support the ever developing range of Yamaha outboard engines.

QUALIFYING
Competitors must satisfy the following conditions before they are eligible to sit the initial qualification exam:
>> Participants must be nominated by their dealerships owner / manager.
>> Participants must be qualified technicians.
>> Participants must be a current Yamaha Technical Academy (YTA) members.
>> YTA members must have been in the Yamaha Dealer Network for 12 months or more.
>> YTA members must have attended Yamaha training.
>> YTA members must be an employee of a Yamaha dealership.
>> Previous Grand Prix Winners are ineligible to compete in future Technician Grand Prix competitions.

After all potential candidates have completed the online qualifying assessment, eight finalists from regions across Australia and New Zealand are selected to compete in the official event.

The event breeds ambition and healthy competition within Yamaha workshops, as technicians aspire to be selected to attend the Grand Prix, which is essentially a race day in Yamaha`s Technical Academy program. The event keeps skill levels for marine servicing in Yamaha dealerships throughout Australia and New Zealand at very high levels.

The personal development of Yamaha technicians in the market through this training and testing equates to excellence in aftersales service for Yamaha customers, who consequently are the real winners from the knowledge and skills gained by Yamaha Technicians who take part in YTA’s programs.

The Finalists included:
>> Mathew Barlow, Tristram Marine, NZ
>> Brendan Morrisby, Lewis Marine, VIC
>> Angus Short, Coast Road Motors, SA
>> Graham Coulter, Northside Marine, QLD
>> Chris Willson, Broadwater Boating Centre, QLD
>> Peter Sertis, Boat City, WA
>> Tony Powell, Telfer Marine, NZ
>> Brett Muller, Marina Bayside, NSW

Powell and Sertis both competed in 2014 and 2012, Willson in 2012 and 2011, and Muller in 2004. All others Finalists were new to the Yamaha Marine Technician Grand Prix.

THE TASKS
There are eight practical tasks with a 25-minute time limit and a 10-minute break between are set to test finalists’ knowledge, skills and composure under pressure. A number is pulled from a hat to determine each contenders starting task.
The practical tasks are designed as such to test the technician’s ability to:
>> Follow instruction.
>> Obtain relevant information from both questioning the customer (assessors can play the role of the customer also) and appropriate service literature.
>> Apply critical thinking to solve complex problems.
>>  Utilise Yamaha Special Service Tools and Yamaha Systems to help diagnose faults that have been pre-programmed into the engines.

The Finalists are presented with a scenario outlining what they are expected to complete during each of the tasks, a brief description of the tasks is outlined below.
1. Relay wiring: Wire in relays and a switch to operate a Power Trim and Tilt unit.
2. ECM reprogramming: Three ECM reprogramming stations laptops, YDIS kits and ECM reprogramming simulators are setup for reprogramming.
3. Water pump servicing: Demonstrate proficiency in removing lower unit, servicing water pump and refitting gearbox in an efficient manner.
4. V8 Timing belt installation: Remove a used timing belt and install a new belt using the correct reference material, procedure and tools available.
5. F200XCA No start: Demonstrate diagnostic skills using the available resources and tools to accurately determine the cause of fault(s) with the engine and explain the course of action for repair.
6. F40 Hard starting: Correctly find the cause of starting issue, checking engine systems using manuals, tools and YDIS if required.
7. F225XCA Poor performance: Engine exhibits a significant power loss and intermittently stalls when shifting. The technician is to demonstrate diagnostic skills using all available resources and is to determine the fault explaining the course of action for repair.
8. F115B Throttle valve adjustment: Check the throttle valve setting and adjust if required using YDIS. YDIS has a feature in the “Maintenance section” that enables the technician to check the throttle valve setting so that the ISC valve can effectively control the engines idle speed under all conditions.

Once all practical tasks have been completed, finalists then tackle a theory-based assessment containing both Yamaha specific and general knowledge technical questions.

THE WINNERS
From the outset Tony Powell of Telfer Marine in Rotorua New Zealand, was a standout performer and never looked like faltering. His enthusiasm, hunger and sheer determination allowed him to take out the event in a clear cut, concise manner. Powell is the champion.

Powell hardly broke a sweat as he appeared to breeze through the challenges and finished with a commanding lead in one of the most outstanding efforts ever seen in a Tech GP competition.

"The Tech GP is a fantastic event that really tests and pushes personal up-skilling. Yamaha staff out do themselves with excellent organization and hospitality of all technicians.

"The GP treats technicians to awesome benefits and acknowledgement of their learning to further develop their Yamaha product knowledge. I would highly recommend that all technicians regardless of experience try and achieve Tech GP involvement, you won’t be disappointed," declared Tony.

As part of his prize Tony will be given the opportunity to visit Yamaha’s outboard factory in Japan after a hard earnt and well-deserved victory.

Tech GP Rookie, Mathew Barlow, of Tristram Marine in Hamilton New Zealand took out second place. His excellent attitude and composure proved extremely valuable.

Mathew’s second place finish delivers a proud one-two result for the Kiwis, throwing down the gauntlet to the Aussie Technicians and taking yet another trophy back across the ditch.

All finalists represented their region admirably, with less than 12 per cent separating the remaining contenders.

More from your Yamaha dealer at www.yamaha-motor.com.au.