World first Aussie quad rig Yamaha F350

Yamaha said the F350 is the world’s first production four-stroke V8 outboard and produces 350hp at the prop totalling 1400hp for this quad configuration.

This world-first project presented ample opportunities and challenges for both Yamaha and the boatbuilder, said the outboard maker.

Woody Engineering has built a number of triple-rigged, maxi-powered outboard Naiad boats, but the arrival of the F350 presented a new opportunity to build an even bigger and faster RIB, said Yamaha.

"Make no mistake," said David Green of Woody Marine, "this is a high-performance boat and thanks to the power available from Yamaha, this is also the most powerful RIB that we have ever built."

Boasting an overall length of 14m and a beam of 4.1m, the Naiad designed-RIB has an impressive set of credentials.

On the water, without passengers, the boat weighs 9.5 tonnes and as a tourist boat, it has seating for 40 passengers plus two crew with up to four tonnes in extra weight.

"The partnership of the vessel design and the Yamaha F350 Quad has exceeded all our expectations" said Green.

"These engines are superb, unbelievably quiet throughout the rev range and at WOT - quieter than the two previous 12.5m Quad setups we have completed recently.

"The real bonus, however, has been fuel consumption results. These have fallen well inside the budgeted expectation" Green said.

On a recent test run in 20-plus knots of wind, the boat held a cruise speed of 23kts at 2800rpm and fuel flow was 94.2lt/h or 23.5 litres per engine.

An exceptional result for what amounts to more than 21 litres of V8 power pushing a hull of almost 10 tonnes, said Yamaha adding, that at WOT 53kts (98kmh) was achieved.

For more info, phone (07) 3906 7000.