Yamaha F130A outboard motor

Yamaha F130A: Engine

Out of all the launches I’ve been to, the release of the new Yamaha F130A outboard motor has to be one of the most exciting for the industry.

The Yamaha F130A outboard engine is refined, hot looking, packs a healthy punch in the midrange, has a damn good top-end and is the lightest rated four-stroke engine in its class. This new Yamaha outboard will be a winner for anyone chasing good reliability, performance and economy.

NEW 130hp YAMAHA

The Yamaha F130A has the latest technology found in Yamaha’s latest generation F115B outboard motors, that being a 1.8lt motor with 16 valves and double overhead camshaft. The DOHC four-cylinder design features large intake and exhaust valves for efficient transfer of fuel and exhaust, more power and better midrange torque.

The Yamaha F130A is based around the Yamaha F115B, although to get the extra horsepower there still needs to be some significant changes rather than just a map upgrade as one might think. Adjustments are made to the fuel injection system, air intakes, camshaft and rpm to name a few. So again, it’s not just a rebadged 115hp Yamaha. Rather, it can be classed as a completely new marine engine.

The Yamaha F130A motor also inherits technology from Yamaha’s larger horsepower engines, namely the use of a single electronic throttle valve. Controlled by a microprocessor that interprets the operator’s instructions from the mechanical control at the helm, precise throttle movements are made according to engine temperature and atmospheric conditions.

NEW FEATURES

The electronic throttle valve system works in tune with the new fuel injection and ignition technology within the Yamaha F130A to deliver better response, overall power and very decent economy for a motor of this size.

Notable features include:

  • 35amp high-output alternator.
  • Compatibility to Yamaha Command Link digital gauge, including variable troll speed. This is definitely the way to go when selecting gauges as it’s slick looking, functional and easy to use.
  • Compatibility with Yamaha Y-COP (Yamaha Customer Outboard Protection) theft deterrent system that safely secures an outboard from unauthorised startups.

Also of note are the new SDS Talon high-thrust props that not only produce better performance but also have the new shift-damper system built-in for exceptionally smooth and quiet gear shifts. These are available in stainless steel and aluminium.

There is also a new revamped and good-looking side-mount control box replacing the original grey 703 box.

HANDLING AND PERFORMANCE

How did the Yamaha F130A perform? During the launch of this motor I put through its paces on four different styled and weighted boats.

They were:

  • Streaker Navigator 5700 weighing approx. 1185kg.
  • Cruise Craft Explorer 575 weighing approx. 1600kg.
  • Seajay 5.6 Striker centre console weighing approx. 1185kg.
  • Quintrex 530 Cruiseabout weighing approx. 1090kg.

Streaker, Cruise Craft and Seajay all had 16in propellers while the Quintrex, being the lightest in weight of the bunch, had an 18in pitch prop. Across this range of boats holeshot was not dynamite but in saying that, it can be expected from four-stroke outboards. You also have to consider that on some of the larger trailerboats this would be the minimum horsepower rating.

Mid- and top-end rpm then produced something very different and in fact, this is where the wow-factor of this motor came to mind. Once planing on any of the boats the rev jump is very noticeable, with a sort of power-band kicking in and some excellent torque right through to wide open throttle.

Like anyone, I wanted to knock the hammer down to see what the Yamha F130A could do and that being a very impressive speed of around 37.8kts across the boat range – and bloody good in my opinion. In the midrange between 3500 and 4500rpm, depending on boat, the speeds varied between 19 and 24kts and again, that being the ideal cruise speed.

What really impressed me was the economy of the F130A and it was exceptionally low on all boats tested. I’m talking figures of around 20lt/h at speeds around 25ks, and that’s impressive. Even at wide open throttle where you can expect a motor to be hungry for fuel, the Yamaha F130A is still not bad at all, with 46lt/h being chewed.

THE VERDICT

Yamaha is definitely onto something with this outboard and as the filler between its 115 to 150hp range, it’s definitely going to be a motor commonly seen on the water in Australia. In particular it’s suited to most 5 to 6m boats and that size is one of the most registered in QLD alone. For more information, visit www.yamaha-motor.com.au

YAMAHA F130A OUTBOARD MOTOR SEA TRIALS

Yamaha F130XA outboard performance on 6.1m Cruise Craft Explorer 575

RPM

SPEED (KTS)

FUEL BURN (LT/H)

1000

3.5

2.25

2000

5.7

4.95

3000

9.7

11.85

3500

16

14.55

4000

20.55

17.2

4500

24.9

20.05

5000

28.8

27.7

6000

34.5

42.75

6200

36.3

46.25

* Data supplied by Yamaha.

Yamaha F130XA outboard performance on 5.96m Seajay 5.6 Striker

RPM

SPEED (KTS)

FUEL BURN (LT/H)

1000

3.5

2.05

2000

6.2

5.05

3000

12.2

10.1

3500

18.5

12.75

4000

22.9

16.25

5000

29.8

25.7

6000

35.8

42.2

6300

37.5

46.35

* Data supplied by Yamaha.

Yamaha F130XA outboard performance on 5.7m Streaker Navigator 5700

RPM

SPEED (KTS)

FUEL BURN (LT/H)

1000

3.4

2.1

2000

6.1

4.85

3000

9.5

12.2

3500

15.5

14.35

4000

20.6

18.35

4500

24.7

21.1

5000

29

27.75

6000

35.6

44.35

6300

37.7

46.8

*Data supplied by Yamaha.

See the full version of this story in Trade-A-Boat #463, March / April 2015.