Yamaha Motor Corporation, U.S.A. introduced the world’s premier hydrogen-powered outboard for recreational boats at the Miami Boat Show. They also revealed a prototype fuel system integrated into a vessel, which they intend to improve for testing later this year.
This initiative aligns with Yamaha’s strategy to attain carbon neutrality by using various technology solutions.
Yamaha teamed up with Roush to create the fuel system for the new outboard engine. They also worked with Regulator Marine, their long-standing boat-building partner, to construct a boat fit for testing the prototype outboard.
Together, they aim to start testing the prototype’s viability on the water in the summer of 2024.
Regulator Marine adapted the 26XO hull to fit the hydrogen tanks needed for the new outboard engine. Yamaha, Regulator, and Roush displayed the boat hull, fuel system, and outboard to illustrate hydrogen’s potential as a marine fuel.
This technology uses hydrogen as a fuel to run the outboard motor, offering an alternative to regular gasoline or diesel engines. The hydrogen fuel system includes tanks and infrastructure needed for storing and delivering hydrogen to the outboard motor.
This effort also begins the exploration of setting marine standards for using hydrogen in boats by engineers.
This innovation aims to cut down on the carbon emissions produced by recreational boating, helping Yamaha move closer to its goal of reaching carbon neutrality.
Yamaha aims to achieve carbon neutrality across all its operations by 2035 and for all its products by 2050.
Ben Speciale, President of Yamaha US Marine Business Unit, recognizes hydrogen as the most feasible path to reach these targets, especially in the marine sector.
The partnership with Roush is crucial because of their broad expertise in hydrogen, ranging from land speed record vehicles to spacecraft.
Roush shared its expertise in hydrogen systems with Yamaha, drawing from over two decades of experience in integration and research in the field.
Regulator Marine built a hull based on the 26XO model and modified it to accommodate the hydrogen tanks needed for the new outboard, as mentioned by Yamaha.
The three companies together showcased the boat’s hull, fuel system, and outboard to highlight the potential of hydrogen as a practical fuel choice for boats.
Also, this effort marks the start of considering marine standards for mixing hydrogen into vessels, allowing engineers to begin this important process.
Speciale also mentioned that Yamaha’s partnership with Regulator Marine enables them to test the prototype in a high-quality boating setting that aligns with Yamaha’s brand image.
“In the future, as we design boats, if this proves what we think it will, it could be very possible that we are designing hulls around these hydrogen fuel tanks.” Joan Maxwell, Regulator Marine President.