Yamaha has shown the world’s first outboard motorboat with an outboard engine on water
Recently, at an exhibition in Miami, Yamaha showed the world’s first motorboat with an outboard internal combustion engine powered by hydrogen. This is not just a boat with a new motor. This is a test facility that was originally designed to integrate new carbon-free technologies. Field tests of the boat and motor will begin in the summer to identify the strengths and especially the weaknesses of the project.
The Japanese developer created a prototype of a motorboat with an outboard engine on the water in cooperation with Roush and Regulator Marine. As a specialist in power systems, engines and transportation systems from automobiles to aerospace, Roush has developed a storage unit, flow rates, refueling and safety regulations for handling compressed hydrogen. In fact, Roush proposed the design of the hydrogen cylinders and the fuel supply system to the engine.
The developer and manufacturer of motor boats, Regulator Marine, had to take into account the “cylinder” feature of hydrogen internal combustion engines and design the boat with the optimal placement of cylinders. The compressed hydrogen cylinders were placed in the center of the boat, removing a number of parts from there – boxes for fishing tackle and so on. In the future, it is likely that hydrogen-powered motor boats will have to be designed with a more rational placement of cylinders in mind, which could lead to interesting design options.
At the exhibition, Yamaha did not disclose the characteristics of the engine on water. It is known that the presented modification is based on the standard Offshore V8 gasoline engine with an output of 425 and 450 hp – the senior in the company’s line of outboard engines for boats. It will be interesting to learn about the prototype tests. The partners are confident that such engines are the future. The main thing is that their operation is safe.
