Yamaha has taken a broad approach to this year's Hutchwilco Boat Show, filling its stand with product across multiple categories. The display stretches from outboards covering the full horsepower range through to Torqeedo electric motors, the latest Helm Master EX developments, and YAM inflatable RIBs making their first appearance in New Zealand.
The centrepiece of the stand is the wireless controller for Helm Master EX. Yamaha was the first manufacturer to offer joystick control on a single engine, and the company has now extended that lead by removing the cable entirely. The handheld unit features a joystick at the top and a set of controls beneath it, providing the same functionality as the fixed joystick already mounted at the helm. The wireless controller works in addition to the fixed unit rather than as a replacement, meaning the fixed joystick must be installed before the wireless option becomes available. With both in place, the skipper can control the boat from any position onboard.
The system ships with man overboard fobs, and if the skipper ends up in the water the engine cuts out automatically. Multiple fobs can be programmed into the system. For anyone running a boat solo or with minimal crew, pairing remote joystick control with automatic engine cutoff addresses some of the genuine risks involved in handling lines at the bow or stern without backup.
Torqeedo is the other major story at the Yamaha stand. The brand came under Yamaha ownership in 2024, and from this year it is being distributed through Yamaha's dealer network across New Zealand. The Torqeedo name continues unchanged, now sitting within the broader Yamaha Motor Group.
The model on display carries a removable battery that accepts charge through a standard plug or via a direct solar panel connection, with compatibility across various solar controllers. Boaters who spend long stretches at anchor, or those living aboard, can detach the battery entirely and charge it wherever a power source exists, including a café. The system also connects to rooftop solar panels, making independence from marina power a realistic prospect.
YAM inflatable RIBs have been a familiar product in Europe for several years, but New Zealand buyers are encountering them for the first time at this show. The range uses a fully inflatable construction, with floor inserts providing the rigidity that a hard hull would otherwise supply. Four sizes are available, from 2.7 metres up to approximately four metres. The smallest model suits compact tenders for smaller vessels, while the largest is aimed at bigger boats moving more people.
Show specials are directed at the repower market, with special pricing on the F60 and F130 four-strokes giving owners of older engines a reason to act. Finance across the full Yamaha range is fixed at 5.99% for terms of up to eight years, and that rate covers boat, motor and trailer packages in their entirety rather than the Yamaha component alone. One member of the team described it as dangerous and impressive. Hard to argue.
The focus on repowering is deliberate. Yamaha's view is that its dealer network carries the knowledge required to evaluate and complete engine swaps, and that most contemporary boat manufacturers are open to engine choice. The Fin Chaser team at the adjacent stand offered confirmation of that flexibility. With finance sitting at 5.99% across eight years, the numbers are easier to make work than they have been for a while.
