Yamaha OBM Technical Training in Mumbai concludes positively...

The Indian yachting industry seems to be undergoing a lot of maturity these days. With yacht management companies, distributors, dealers and the like spear-heading this maturity, and showing their esteemed customers a deep commitment by conducting technical training sessions and service-oriented programs.


In another FIRST-OF-ITS-KIND...Yamaha India's exclusive distributor George Maijo Industries (P) Ltd. of Chennai - conducted an extensive and elaborate training session for its Indian dealers and agents.

Shinsuke Fukuzumi of Yamaha Marine, specially flew down for this extensive, structured 3-day training, where technical staff from all over India including Mumbai, Chennai, Goa, Kochi, Karnataka, and other places.

Held between 25th-28th June at George Maijo's workyard in Mumbai, with engines and back-up support and engines provided by West Coast Marine - who have been covered on this blog only a couple of days back for another unique initiative.


Thanks to West Coast Marine and George Maijo Industries, GiiraYachts.com got a first-hand experience of the training...and an insightful chat with Fukuzumi-san.

GEORGE MAIJO - MR. KURIKESU

Mr. Kurikesu, General Manager (Operations), George Maijo Ind. (P) Ltd. was glad to share some interesting facts and the main objective behind such training sessions, and enlighten us about Yamaha and its future in India.

"The main purpose of this training is to show our dealers and our loyal customers, the commitment that we have towards after-sales and servicing for our products." says Mr. Kurikesu. "Training sessions such as these lay the path for technicians to service or repair Yamaha Marine engines effectively and efficiently, within a short span of time."

Stressing on the growth and changing trends seen in the market today, Mr. Kurikesu states that "Today a lot of customers are demanding Yamaha's four-stroke engines since there has been an understanding that this is superior and more environmentally-friendly. Today, thanks to Yamaha's reliability and simplicity, the market share has been a steady 70% based on a headcount at the harbours."

"With sales of more and bigger boats that can use OBMs, there is an increase in the sales of bigger engines. The Yamaha Marine F200 engines and higher capacity engines have a clear advantage in terms of power and performance too."

Emphasizing that judicial usage of engines would be the key element of longlasting life and performance he says "Yamaha has the right understanding about its engines and the extreme conditions they are prone to. In line with this they have specially developed YamaLube, which is the right engine oil for these engines, and have even made it mandatory to use for engines sizes larger of 200 and more..."

"We advise all our customers to use 95 Octane + grade petroleum, and at the same time, we are able to give them proper training about the breaking-in technique for engines." he added.

Speaking about George Maijo Industries, he mentions about their exclusive distributorship of Yamaha Marine - engines and products - such as their water-scooters (that have almost 100% of the Goa market), ATVs (Quads) and even Yamaha's vast range of speedboats. Their workyard in Mumbai is a facility that is fully-equipped with modern and specialised tools.

A look at their website, gives you an idea about the comprehensive list of products they promote.

FUKUZUMI-SAN SPEAKS

Shinsuke Fukuzumi, is a simple but calculated young guy. His demeanour would never whisper the deep knowledge and passion he has for his job - and his company. A look at his laptop and you realise that he is a die-hard fan of the Yamaha R1 Superbike with wallpapers and themes of it! He is fully immersed into the training in his Yamaha overalls, when GiiraYachts.com got to speak with him.


Fukuzumi-san informs "Indian technicians have a clear advantage over technicians from other Asian countries, since they are able to communicate in English. They can clearly read the manuals and follow instructions well."


He was happy to work with a well-qualified team of technicians, who understood and followed his instructions and suggestions well (in-line with Yamaha's philosophy of having interactive training sessions).

Below are some of the questions that were covered in our tete-a-tete :-

1) GiiraYachts.com - What is the main purpose of this training?
ANS : Fukuzumi-san - "This is a bare basic training keeping in mind the transition from 2-stroke to 4 stroke in the Indian market. It is very important since till now Indian technicians and repair-men have their own style of working - without manuals or instructions. But as parts and technologies get more complex, utmost care must be taken right from regular service that includes oiling and up-keep, to even more complex procedures such as overhauling or even a failure, if it happens."


2) GYdotcom - What do you plan to cover in terms of content?
ANS F-san : "This is a 3-day comprehensive training program for which we follow a structure. Day 1 is about theory and the team gets to know and clarify all their doubts before their get hands-on practical training on the engines that West Coast Marine have provided. On day 2, we get to open up the engine to its smallest nut, and explore all various parts and movement mechanisms such as driveshafts, induction systems and more. Day 3 - the team gets introduced to the YDIS - Yamaha Diagnostic Injection System."


3) GYdotcom - Are there certain parts or procedures that can be only handled by computers? How do the technicians contribute in that case?
ANS F-san : "Yes, of course. Yamaha engines have the latest induction, injection and other systems that optimally run the engine, and at the same time keep emissions in check. These are taken care of by the YDIS - Yamaha Diagnostic Injection System. - which allows them to connect any engine from the entire range of engines to a laptop and get to know all the parameters, stress, strain, performance, tolerance - you could say it is just like an ECG Scan for the engine, which after all is the heart of the boat. YDIS is easy to use and can be used by any of our trained technicians."


4) GYdotcom - With this training being imparted to the team of technicians, what level of repair or service can they undertake?
ANS F-san : "Until yet, technicians in India, were able to repair engines that had minor problems, such as replacement of parts and wiring. With this training they would be able to handle change of bigger more complex parts - overhauling, drivechain replacement and more. If there bigger issues a special team of Yamaha would fly-down to repair or replace for such incidents and issues.

What we hope for is that next time, we can have the Advanced Training session, which would be as good as having the Yamaha team here itself, and that can completely eradicate the need of any of our personnel flying down for complex technical service calls."

THE TRAINEE TEAM

Yamaha's stronghold on India in terms of OBM sales was proven by the number of technicians present. There were more than 20 technicians from all over India, with each dealer sending in 1 or 2 of their personnel.

GiiraYachts.com had a casual word with some of these technicians in order to gain an insight. It was nice to know that many of these technicians were specially employed by their companies for working on Yamaha Marine engines. They all were happy with the training that they were receiving - and felt it was an opportunity of a lifetime to be working with Fukuzumi-san himself.


They all were keenly paying attention to every word Fukuzumi-san spoke in his JANGLISH accent (as per what he calls it jokingly), and helping each other why following instructions.

YAMAHA MARINE & INDIA

Mr. Kurikesu is happy with the proceedings of the training. Keeping in mind their commitment to the Indian market he spoke of 3-monthly reviews of the training, that would help in knowing that the training has been effective and implemented. He foresees the Yamaha Marine team coming down to India once every 6 months in order to support the after-sales dealership network's quality with the ever increasing numbers.

Fukuzumi-san looks forward to coming back to India again...which was evident from his goodbye handshake with a gentle 'See You Soon...'
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Outboards - 2 Stroke or 4 Stroke?

There are two types of outboards available, 2 stroke and 4 stroke. Each has its good and bad points, depending on what you want the engine to do. Team Giira has put together a handy guide to help you decide which is the best outboard motor for your boat..


2 Stroke Outboards:
2 stroke engines are lighter and faster so when speed and acceleration are required, this would be the engine of choice. They are also more affordable and have a higher resale value. As 2 stroke engines have been around for almost 80 years, parts are readily available, making repairs easy. Also, the design on these engines is less complex than a 4 stroke, meaning problems are less likely to arise.

There are some disadvantages to the 2 stroke engine. 2 stroke outboards are not as environmentally friendly as 4 strokes as they produce far more pollution. Their engines are lubricated by the oil that is mixed into the gasoline, meaning the exhaust is smoky and contains unburned oil, which in turn pollutes the water.

With new regulations, outboard manufacturers are looking to find new ways of producing the same power with less pollution. Manufacturers of 2 stroke outboards include Evinrude, Yamaha, Nissan and Mercury.


4 Stroke Outboards:
4 stroke engines are quieter, smoother and more economical. Heavier with slower acceleration, they are normally chosen for lakes and rivers. With less pollution and smoke they are also kinder to the environment. You are more likely to use a 4 stroke engine if you are interested in a smoother and quieter ride.

4 stroke motors have more complex engines which could lead to more repairs. When a repair is required it is usually more expensive and parts are limited. 4 stroke outboards are generally heavier than 2 stroke outboards, so if you own a smaller boat it may not be able to hold the weight of a 4 stroke engine.

Because 4 stroke engines are newer, they are continually being improved to make purchase and repair easier. Manufacturers of 4 stroke outboards include Johnson, Honda, Mercury, Nissan, Suzuki, Tohatsu and Yamaha.


Environmentally Friendly Outboards:
If you're looking for a new outboard, it's worthwhile considering one of the newer, environmentally friendly models. As well as producing lower emissions, there are a number of other advantages such as better fuel economy, quieter running and reduced operating costs.

The Mechanical Differences Between 2 and 4 Stroke Outboards:
The terms "2 stroke" and "4 stroke" refer to the number of times the piston moves during one firing cycle of the engine.


In the 4 stroke engine, the four movements, or strokes, are:
1. Intake stroke: With the intake valve open, the piston moves down allowing a mixture of air and fuel to enter the combustion chamber.
2. Compression stroke: The piston moves up the cylinder with the valves closed, so that the air-fuel mixture is compressed.
3. Combustion stroke: With the valves still closed, the fuel is ignited by the spark plug. The explosion pushes the piston down again.
4. Exhaust stroke: The exhaust valve opens and the piston moves up to push the exhaust gasses out of the chamber so the process can be repeated.


In a 2 stroke engine, there are only two movements of the piston for each combustion, one up and one down:
1. Combustion stroke: Combustion of fuel drives the piston downwards. As the piston moves down, it exposes an exhaust vent and fuel inlet in the wall of the cylinder allowing exhaust gasses out, and new air and fuel is sucked in.
2. Compression stroke: As the piston moves back up, it blocks of the exhaust vent and fuel inlet and thus compresses the air/fuel mixture. The spark plug ignites the air and fuel causing the piston to move down again.

The fuel inlet and the exhaust vent in the wall of the cylinder eliminate the need for valves and the mechanism for opening and closing them which is why 2 stroke engines are much simpler in design.

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Anatomy of a Sail Boat - Part VIII : Outboard Motor (OBM)

To a thouroughbred sailor, the words 'motor' and 'sailing' in the same breath would be a big 'No-No'...but the Outboard Motor is nowadays a much required part of a sailboat nowadays, with most modern designs having one and many older ones accomodating one.


Why only sailboats, outboard motors are a much preferred option compared to stern-driven and shaft-driven engines on many smaller yachts and boats due to their ease in maintenance and flexibility in configuration.

Most of the world's best automobile and bike manufacturers lead the way in marine motors too, except for a few specialist like Mercury, Evinrude, Force etc.

When it comes to sailing, an outboard motor has become a must nowadays due to reasons such as safety and convenience. Also, due to pleasure being an important factor in sailing nowadays, at times sailors prefer to be motored back to shore if the winds are dead or conditions are not favoring them.

OUTBOARD MOTORS

Designed to be mounted at the stern (rear) of the craft, outboard motors for a boat are developed as a self-contained unit with engine and all related drive-train assembly, and a propeller. They are the most common motorized method of propelling small watercraft.

As well as providing propulsion, outboards provide steering control, as they are designed to pivot over their mountings and thus control the orientation of the propeller. The transmission leg in the water also acts as a rudder even when the propeller is not providing power.


When boats are out of service or being drawn through shallow waters, outboard motors can also be tipped forward over their mounts to elevate the propeller and transmission shaft out of the water to avoid accumulation of seaweed or hitting underwater hazards such as rocks.

HISTORY

One of the first practical outboard motors were designed and developed by Norwegian-American inventor Ole Evinrude in 1909.

Earlier, most of the outboard motors (OBMs) have used 2-stroke cycles with carburettor engines due to their simplicity, reliability, low-cost, high power-to-weight ratios (weight is obviously an important element to be considered at sea). The lightweight also helped as too much weight at the stern of the boats tends to impede their handling.

But due to the high specific fuel consumption and high emissions associated with traditional carburated two-stroke engines has led to the development of more sophisticated engines.

MODERN OBMs

Lately, manufacturers have marketed four-stroke cycle engines, at times with computer controls, fuel injection, variable camshaft timing, multiple valves per cylinder, and supercharging. Many others have made variations and modifications focused on developing computer controlled direct-injected two stroke engines. Both these designs can reduce fuel consumption and emissions markedly, especially at low engine speeds, albeit at the expense of greater cost and complexity.


Marine engines also benefit from the ability to draw an unlimited supply of cooling water from the environment; this eliminates the need for radiators and cooling fans, lowering complexity and weight.

A CONVENIENT OPTION

Most small OBMs are truly self-contained, with integral fuel tanks and controls mounted on the body of the motor and steered by a "tiller" directly connected to the motor. Such small motors are light and provide sufficient power to move a small dinghy at around 15 km/h. They are highly portable, able to be removed by simply loosening their mounting clamps on brackets.

At the same time, manufacturers have produced large outboard designs, with sufficient power to be used on boats as long as 9 metres or more. Manufacturers have also produced electric outboards. These are used for specialised applications, notably trolling for bass in the US, where their quietness and zero emissions outweigh the range deficiencies shared with electric cars. Diesel outboards are also available, but their weight and cost make them impractical for most purposes.

A few outboard motors have been produced with pump-jet propulsion replacing the conventional propeller. Like other types of pump-jet propulsion systems, they offer virtually no cavitation, giving the boat more maneuverability and the ability to operate in very shallow water. However, the low efficiency compared to propellers has seen them restricted to specialized applications.

OBM USE IN INDIA

In India, most of the manufacturers such as Yamaha, Suzuki, Evinrude have opened their shop since some time and have a good and reliable service network. At the current market maturity, OBMs are the preferred option due to their simplicity and costs. With the spurt in demand, most of the manufacturers are getting-in their international teams to train their Indian tie-ups with guidelines on optimum usage and maintenance.

At the same time, which OBM to go in for is always a debatable propostion. Obviously, purpose should be the key criteria for making a choice, but at times water conditions such as salinity and muddiness.

At GIIRA Yachts, our panel of advisors are able to provide the best option for your use, so do mail-in incase you have any technical queries or want to decide on the best OBM option for your purpose.
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Yamaha Marine Engines - When you Want the Best !

Yamaha...just the name is enough to get a huge smile of excitement on any biker’s face. The R1 & the R6 are the dream bikes of any bike enthusiast. Beautifully designed the bike is a show stopper. But what makes the bike truly perfect is the engine. Yamaha is one of the world’s best engine manufacturers.


When it comes to marine engines, Yamaha leaves all her competitor’s way behind. It manufactures the world’s best outboard engines. Yamaha has manufactured the worlds 1st V8 5.3 liter four stroke outboard engine.


Below there is information on the Massive Power and Torque Features and Benefits of the Four Stroke V8 5.3L :-


1) Single Electronic Throttle Control Valve: All air entering the F350 is routed through a single 81 millimeter intake that is controlled by the ECM to ensure the precise amount of air necessary for any given condition. This helps maintain optimum power and efficiency.


2) Multi-Point Electronic Fuel Injection: Seven different sensors constantly measure vital atmospheric conditions and engine functions to give the Engine Control Module (ECM) the information needed to precisely and instantly adjust the fuel/air mixture for optimum performance and economy.


3) Individual Pulse-Tuned Long Intake Tracks: Air enters each cylinder through individual long intake tracks, which are ‘pulse-tuned’ to provide air at the precise volume and timing for maximum density and power. The result is more low end and mid-range power and torque.


4) Enhanced Lower Unit Bearings: An engine with as much power and torques as the F350 needs lower unit bearings and bearing surfaces that stand up to the test. Yamaha has not only changed the type of bearings and/or increased their size, but also hardened the surfaces on which they ride, for increased reliability.


5) Dual In-Bank with Power Surge Chambers: Yamaha’s exclusive in-bank exhaust means it exits through the center of the engine between the "V" of the cylinders, rather than on the exterior side, to allow for a more compact shape. The F350 also features dual exhaust with power surge champers, which helps the engine more easily purge the exhaust for greater combustion efficiency and power.


6) Variable Camshaft Timing: This system advances and retards the angle of the intake camshaft to dramatically increase power and throttle response in the low- and mid- rpm ranges. This gives the engine substantially greater torque between 2,000-3,500 rpm to plane large offshore boats with authority.


7) V8 60° DOHC 32-Valve: The F350’s 5.3 liter V8 configuration is designed to easily produce 350 prop shaft horsepower, with less stress and strain on internal engine components than small displacement, high-output outboards. Four oversized valves per cylinder increase breathing efficiency and contribute significantly to this engine’s power and torque.


8) Saltwater Series XL™ Propellers: In order to harness the power and torque of Yamaha’s F350, Yamaha designed special Saltwater Series XL propellers specifically to move large, heavy offshore boats. With larger diameter and 21 percent more blade surface area than our Saltwater Series II propellers, they help enable the F350 to deliver up to 45 percent more thrust than 250 horsepower class outboards.

YAMAHA AND INDIA

In India, Yamaha marine outboard engines are widely used. It’s one of the top selling brands. West Coast Marine in Mumbai, India is the official distributor of Yamaha marine engines. Mr. Jitendra Rami from the West Coast Marine says “Yamaha marine engines are truly amazing. There has never been a single case of the engine seizing due to mechanical error. If ever needed the new engine can be shipped n delivered to the customer in just 72 hours!”


So next time when you look for an engine for your beautiful boat do consider Yamaha as one of the best and top-most option. And if you are still not satisfied then do visit the Samira Mumbai International Boat Show from the 28th of Feb to 2nd of March and have a look at the amazing Yamaha marine engines personally. Cause you need to see it to believe it!

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