What is the Speed of a Yamaha Outboard?

Yamaha outboards are renowned for their impressive speed and performance on the water. Whether you’re looking for a powerful engine for fishing, leisure cruising, or high-speed adventures, Yamaha offers a range of outboard motors that can meet your needs.

Speed can vary depending on the model and horsepower of the outboard, but Yamaha engines are designed to deliver exceptional acceleration and top speeds. Many users report thrilling experiences with their Yamaha outboards, making them a popular choice among boating enthusiasts.

When considering the speed of a Yamaha outboard, factors such as boat size, weight, and load capacity also play a crucial role. Choosing the right model can enhance your overall boating experience, ensuring you get the most out of your time on the water.

If you’re in the market for an outboard motor, exploring Yamaha’s offerings could lead you to find the perfect balance of speed, efficiency, and reliability for your boating adventures.

Generally, Yamaha outboards reach a top speed ranging from 5 to 90 mph. More specifically, the average maximum speed for each category is outlined below:

2.5-25 HP (Portable): 5-30 mph

30-115 HP (Midrange): 25-50 mph

150-450 HP (High-Performance): 35-90 mph

(The achievable speed with these engines significantly relies on the boat’s specifications and the surrounding environmental factors.)

If you’re looking to learn more about the typical top speed of Yamaha outboard motors, you’re in the ideal spot.

Factors That Affect the Top Speed of a Yamaha Outboard

The maximum speed of an outboard-powered vessel is influenced by various factors beyond just the engine’s power. In summary, the key elements to consider include the following:

– Specifications of the outboard (displacement, stroke, etc.)
– Characteristics of the boat (type, hull design, weight, dimensions)
– Load (passengers, fuel, gear, etc.)
– Propeller specifications
– Water and weather conditions

Because of these numerous factors, there are no definitive figures for top speed that apply universally. For instance, a 90 HP Yamaha outboard can drive a bass boat at speeds between 40-46 mph, while the same engine might only reach 20-22 mph on a pontoon boat. Nevertheless, the top speeds of most planing boats typically fall within a similar range when using comparable power levels.

In this article, we primarily concentrate on the top speeds of sport and fishing boats, such as bowriders, cabin cruisers, center console vessels, aluminum fishing boats, bass boats, and other fishing crafts. This means we’ve left out houseboats and other heavier models, which are considerably slower than the aforementioned boat categories.

Now, let’s dive into the details and explore how fast a boat equipped with a Yamaha outboard can actually go!

How Fast is a Yamaha Outboard?

How Fast is a 2.5 HP Yamaha Outboard?

You can anticipate that a compact 2.5 HP Yamaha outboard will achieve speeds between 5-8 mph on a small vessel. For instance, this little powerhouse can drive a small 9′ RIB with two adults aboard at speeds ranging from 5-7 mph. In the test shown below, a 2.5 HP Yamaha outboard pushes an Intex Mariner 4 RIB with a single individual (weighing 150 lbs.) on board, reaching a top speed of 8 mph:

How Fast is a 4 HP Yamaha Outboard?

Here’s a benchmark, showcasing a trial conducted on a 12.5’ fiberglass vessel under breezy circumstances: (maximum speed reaches approximately 5-6.5 mph)

How Fast is a 6 HP Yamaha Outboard?

The maximum speed of 6 HP Yamaha outboards ranges between 8-15 mph. For instance, a 6 HP Yamaha might drive a small fiberglass vessel to a peak speed of 16-18 mph. In a YouTube video, a Zodiac Cadet Fastroller 340, carrying one passenger, was evaluated with a 6 HP Yamaha outboard. This configuration achieved a top speed of 13 mph over light chop.

How Fast is an 8 HP Yamaha Outboard?

You can anticipate that an 8 HP Yamaha outboard will reach a maximum speed of 15-21 mph when operating under optimal conditions:

How Fast is a 10 HP Yamaha Outboard?

10 HP Yamaha outboards represent the more powerful iteration of the de-tuned 8 HP models. Since both categories utilize the same engine and attributes, they offer comparable performance levels. Generally speaking, a 10 HP Yamaha outboard can drive a lightweight vessel at maximum speeds ranging from 16 to 22 mph. For instance, a 9-10′ RIB equipped with a 10 HP Yamaha can reach speeds of 18 to 20 mph when carrying two adults.

How Fast is a 15 HP Yamaha Outboard?

The top speed of the majority of 15 HP Yamaha outboards typically falls between 17 and 25 mph; however, when paired with a 2-stroke engine and an exceptionally light hull, you can achieve speeds of 25-30 mph.

How Fast is a 20 HP Yamaha Outboard?

According to our findings, a compact vessel equipped with a 20 HP Yamaha outboard motor may reach a maximum speed of 20-28 mph.

How Fast is a 25 HP Yamaha Outboard?

The top speed of a 25 HP Yamaha outboard typically ranges from 22 to 30 mph.

How Fast is a 30 HP Yamaha Outboard?

A Yamaha 30 HP outboard motor can effortlessly drive a boat at peak speeds ranging from 24 to 35 mph.

How Fast is a 40 HP Yamaha Outboard?

You can anticipate a maximum speed ranging from 25 to 36 HP in a compact vessel equipped with a 40 HP Yamaha outboard motor.

Many of these engines share design elements and functionalities with their 30 HP versions, resulting in comparable performance levels. In the video provided below, a G3 V167 fishing boat was evaluated using a 40 HP, 2-stroke Yamaha outboard. This configuration achieved speeds of approximately 30 mph with a single occupant and around 25-26 mph when carrying 2-3 individuals along with equipment.

How Fast is a 50 HP Yamaha Outboard?

The top speed of a 50 HP Yamaha outboard varies significantly based on the size and weight of the boat it powers. For V-hull boats, the maximum speed typically ranges from 26 to 38 mph, while pontoon boats generally see speeds between 16 and 22 mph. For instance, an 18-foot pontoon equipped with a Yamaha 50 HP motor may only achieve around 20 mph. Conversely, a 17-foot aluminum fishing boat can speed up to 30-32 mph, maintaining a cruising speed of 22-24 mph.

Interestingly, a lightweight 15-foot center console boat can reach impressive speeds of 35-39 mph when powered by a 2-stroke 50 HP Yamaha. Other notable examples include the G3 Pro 175 with a 50 HP Yamaha 4-stroke, which hits 30-32 mph, and the Stratos 176 with a 50 HP Yamaha 2-stroke, achieving speeds of 35-37 mph.

How Fast is a 60 HP Yamaha Outboard?

The maximum velocity of a 60 HP Yamaha outboard typically ranges from 28 to 40 HP when used on a planing vessel.

Here are a few examples:

Bennington 18SX pontoon paired with a 60 HP Yamaha: 16-18 MPH

Lowe Skorpion 17’ equipped with a 60 HP Yamaha: 33-35 MPH

Triton TC17 Tin featuring a 60 HP Yamaha: 33-35 MPH

17’ center console vessel combined with a 60 HP Yamaha: 32-34 MPH

How Fast is a 90 HP Yamaha Outboard?

In general, a standard planning boat equipped with a 90 HP Yamaha outboard can reach speeds of 34-44 mph, varying based on the boat’s design and its cargo.

How Fast is a 115 HP Yamaha Outboard?

The Yamaha VF115 V MAX SHO is touted as the “fastest 4-stroke 115 HP outboard,” capable of achieving nearly 50-51 mph on a lightweight bass boat. When paired with standard Yamaha 115 HP outboards on heavier vessels, you can anticipate top speeds between 35-45 mph, while larger pontoons equipped with this engine typically reach only 20-22 mph.

For instance:
Key West 186DC + Yamaha F115: 33-35 mph
Dauntless 160 + Yamaha F115: 36-38 mph
Alumacraft Dominator 185 Sport + Yamaha F115: 38-40 mph
Skeeter SX180 + Yamaha F115: 38-40 mph
17′ Bass Boat + VF115 V MAX SHO: 50-51 mph

How Fast is a 150 HP Yamaha Outboard?

You can anticipate that a 150 HP Yamaha outboard will achieve speeds between 36 and 57 mph.

According to Yamaha Marine, a Skeeter ZX190 bass boat equipped with the high-performance Yamaha SHO Max Inline-4 175 HP outboard reaches a maximum speed of 57 mph.

Other noteworthy examples include the Parker 21 SE paired with a Yamaha F150, which runs at 40-42 mph; the Talon Eagle 19 DLX with a Yamaha F150, clocking in at 43-45 mph; and the Bar Crusher 560C coupled with a Yamaha F150, achieving 45-48 mph. Additionally, the Key West 2020DC with a 150 HP Yamaha 2-stroke hits 46-48 mph, while the Alumacraft Dominator 185 Sport with a Yamaha F150 also reaches 46-48 mph. Lastly, the Skeeter ZX190 powered by the Yamaha V MAX SHO 175 can go as fast as 55-57 mph.

How Fast is a 175 HP Yamaha Outboard?

When paired with a suitable hull, a 175 HP Yamaha outboard can achieve remarkable speeds ranging from 38 to 62 mph.

Yamaha asserts that its V MAX SHO 175 outboard boasts a leading top speed of 62 mph. (This was tested on a Skeeter ZX190 carrying two passengers.)

Here are a few additional examples: Sea Jay 6.2 Freedom with F150: 40-42 mph, Ocean Cat Offshore 26 with F175: 40-42 mph, Surtees 650 Game Fisher with F175XA: 40-42 mph, Sea Jay Trojan 650HT with F175: 41-43 mph, Baysport Sports 640 with F150XB: 42-45 mph, Bar Crusher 670c with F175: 44-46 mph, CruiseCraft Explorer 625HT with F175XA: 45-46 mph, Cruise Craft F360 with F175: 44-46 mph, Capelli Tempest 700 Sun with F175: 44-46 mph, and finally, Skeeter ZX190 paired with Vmax 175: 61-62 mph.

How Fast is a 200 HP Yamaha Outboard?