Yamaha Unveils 1.9L Engine for Boats and WaveRunners®, New 25′ Center Console with Helm Master® EX, and Expands DRiVE X® to 252SD and 255XD Models

Yamaha WaterCraft, a division of Yamaha U.S. Marine Business Unit, today unveiled a new 1.9L High Output Yamaha marine engine for WaveRunners and boats previously equipped with the Yamaha 1.8L HO motor and the new 25-foot 255 FSH Sport H center console boat — the first in the Yamaha boat line to come equipped with Helm Master EX for enhanced low-speed maneuverability. In addition to the new model, Yamaha also expanded its DRiVE X low-speed handling feature to include the 25-foot 252SD and 255XD boats.

“The introduction of Helm Master EX and the expansion of DRiVE X are excellent examples of how we’re leveraging developing technologies to appeal to next-gen, first-time boaters who are already familiar with these kinds of driver-assist features through the automobiles that they own”Tweet this

New 1.9L HO Yamaha Marine Engine

A new 1898cc, four-stroke, four-cylinder, 16-valve High Output marine engine replaces the Yamaha 1.8L High Output motor that powered select Yamaha boats and WaveRunners. This more powerful engine provides quicker and smoother acceleration and a higher top speed. This is achieved through the engine’s increased displacement, optimized intake, and exhaust paths, and a 10-percent larger throttle body for more power and torque. The engine cover is also one of the first Yamaha-manufactured parts to include plant-derived cellulose nanofiber (CNF) reinforced resin. In addition to being more than 25 percent lighter than existing resin materials, CNF-reinforced resin also has excellent material recyclability, leading to a reduction in plastics used and greenhouse gas emissions, mainly carbon dioxide.

New 255 FSH Sport H Center Console Boat with Helm Master EX

Yamaha’s new 255 FSH Sport H mirrors the 255 FSH Sport E in performance, comfort, and convenience and adds Yamaha’s Helm Master® EX and joystick control for smooth, precise low-speed maneuvering. Helm Master EX allows the driver to move the boat forward, reverse, laterally, and rotationally with just one hand on the joystick. The new feature is easy to use and can be mastered by new boaters quickly.

Helm Master EX independently controls each motor using a system called Dual Thrust Control. This system uses a pair of electronic throttle bodies, one for each motor, to control the amount of thrust each motor produces. The throttle bodies are connected to a control unit that receives input from the joystick control unit and then sends signals to the throttle bodies to adjust the amount of thrust each motor produces.

DRiVE X Low-Speed Handling Expanded to 252SD and 255XD Boats

DRiVE X, first introduced on the 2023 27-foot 275SD, is a combination of Yamaha’s DRiVE paddle control system that moves the boat forward and aft while always keeping the driver’s hands on the steering wheel, and adds functionality to the steering wheel that allows the driver to slowly move the boat starboard or port, rotate 360° on its axis, and holds the boat against the dock for quick loading and unloading of passengers.

“The introduction of Helm Master EX and the expansion of DRiVE X are excellent examples of how we’re leveraging developing technologies to appeal to next-gen, first-time boaters who are already familiar with these kinds of driver-assist features through the automobiles that they own,” said Yamaha WaterCraft General Manager Bryan Seti. “These new features are designed to keep people engaged in boating longer in their life, introduce new people to boating, speed up the time to become confident users, and give our current customers a reason to stay with the Yamaha brand.”

To see the entire line-up of 2024 Yamaha Boats and WaveRunners, visit www.yamahaboats.com or www.yamahawaverunners.com.

Award-Winning Customer Service

Yamaha WaterCraft has won more National Marine Manufacturers Association’s (NMMA®) Customer Service Index Awards in the Personal Watercraft and Jet Boat categories than any other brand in the 20-year history of the prestigious honor. This award is based on customer surveys and is a testament to Yamaha’s commitment to providing the best customer service in the powersports and marine industry.

About Yamaha WaterCraft

Yamaha’s WaterCraft Group, based in Kennesaw, GA, is responsible for the sales, marketing, and distribution of Yamaha boats and WaveRunner watercraft in the U.S. Supporting more than 800 marine and powersports dealers nationwide, Yamaha is the industry leader in reliability, performance, technology, and customer service.

This document contains many of Yamaha’s valuable trademarks. It may also include trademarks belonging to other companies. Any references to other companies or their products are for identification purposes only and are not intended to be an endorsement. Product and specifications are subject to change without notice. Some specifications and measurements may be approximate and subject to different factors and variables.

WaveRunner® is a Yamaha brand personal watercraft and not a generic term. © 2023 Yamaha Motor Corporation,

U.S.A. All rights reserved.