Yamaha's history of boats and outboard motors dates back to the release of their first 4-stroke motor in 1984. This gave Yamaha an advantage when emissions regulations began to be implemented in the 1990s, as they had already been developing cleaner 4-stroke models for over a decade. In contrast, competitors like Mercury and Johnson/Evinrude did not have a single 4-stroke model in their line-up at the time. Yamaha reached a milestone in 1998 with the creation of the 100hp F100A, which offered the highest horsepower and environmental performance in its class.
The company's dedication to innovation further led to the development of the groundbreaking 225hp F225A, which boasted the highest horsepower rating of any 4-stroke outboard at the time. Today, Yamaha offers a range of 4-stroke outboard motors from 2.5hp to 350hp.
In 2020, Yamaha celebrated 60 years since the birth of their first outboard motor and achieved a cumulative production milestone of 12 million units in 2019. Yamaha has established a strong reputation as a globally recognized outboard motor brand, although the early years of their outboard operations were not without challenges. Despite these setbacks, the Yamaha staff involved in engineering, manufacturing, marketing, and service overcame every obstacle, embodying the "Spirit of Challenge" at the core of Yamaha Motor's corporate culture. Their perseverance and commitment to taking on new challenges have opened new horizons for the company.
Yamaha's boat designs have also evolved over the years, with the introduction of the HIFLEX design in 1962 and the Stripe design showcased at the 19th Tokyo Motor Show in 1965. Furthermore, Yamaha has been fine-tuning their jet boat technology since 1995, resulting in the creation of a worldwide hit that sets the gold standard for family fun on the water.