// MARKET TRENDS
The Yamaha F350 can be used for wide range of offshore boating applications , including larger center consoles , multi-species fishing boats and pontoons .
Smarter , smoother sailing
Integrating systems and using digital architecture to connect the outboard engine to other onboard systems is a growing demand according to Yamaha Marine consumer research .
Stevens said that large companies like Brunswick lock other OEMs out of certain businesses , so Honda is focused on partnerships with digital integration suppliers . “ That ’ s Honda ’ s greatest opportunity – to find those partnerships ,” Stevens said . “ We ’ ve got good resources and it ’ s a part of the job that I most enjoy .”
Yamaha also views connectivity as an important area of growth in the segment and is focused on increasing integrated products in the next few years .
“ We see Siren [ Marine ] products , connected products , moving way down the product line ,” Speciale said . “ Over the next year , we ’ ll be rolling out more of those solutions because we find that even though the big boat likes it , the people on the smaller boats have just as much passion , or more passion , in their products . They want those big boat products moving forward .”
This year , Yamaha introduced tiller handles on its larger 150 and 200 horsepower platforms . This Spring , Siren Marine ' s Siren 3 , based on the flagship Siren 3 Pro , will be available for all outboard powered boats , including small to mid-sized , allowing boaters to monitor , track , control and maintain their boats through the connected app .
A Wireless Control for the Helm Master Ex boat control system was released at the Miami International Boat Show , offering full joystick control when away from the helm . Anchoring , autopilot , depth monitoring and other functions are now possible anywhere on the boat .
Honda is also moving digital integrations down its lineup . First introduced in 2014 , the Honda Marine Intelligent Shift & Throttle ( iST ) plug-and-play system is now available on the BF350 flagship motor all the way down to the BF115 model .
At the Miami International Boat Show , Honda showcased a new iST Concealed Side Mount Control on the BF350 engine and L4 and V6 outboards , offering features like cruise control , auto tilt , and trim support . The OEM has also released a larger seven-inch display that allows for expanded monitoring of Honda engines and includes features such as setting trim / tilt limits , cruise control , and trim support profiles .
“ Digital integration is one of the biggest opportunities for growth in the industry ,” said Ryan Martin , product planning director of Honda Marine . “ The increasing adoption of drive-by-wire , steer-by-wire technologies , the convenience , the enhanced safety , all the different advantages that it brings to the customer , these operations allow the customer to enjoy their time out on the water and spend more time interacting with friends and family because the boats are easier to use .”
The OEM seeks partnerships to increase the integration of technology and to advance this , Honda outboards are NMEA 2000 certified , which Martin explained is the communication backbone infrastructure that many integration systems use .
“ From a consumer standpoint and from a boatbuilder standpoint , ease of installation , fewer switches to install , having everything controlled through a single device … it ’ s a huge selling point ,” Stevens added .
Power solutions emerging
The electrification of marine products is underway , but adoption barriers like battery range and power are directing the market .
“ Electric has a lot of really good things going for it ,” said Martin . “ In general , they ’ re quiet , they ’ re environmentally friendly , and they ’ re pretty easy to take care of .” But he addressed that electric power density does not yet compete with internal combustion engines . The cost and weight of batteries are also pressing factors .
Stevens stated that the industry is “ a massive technology development away ” from the electric solution powering larger boats due to range , horsepower and battery weight restrictions .
“ Right now , the strongest [ consumer ] for electric is in the smaller stuff ,” Martin agreed . “ The 2Kw size engines are where the most potential is at this point .”
As boaters requiring smaller engines continue to adopt electric outboards , the power solution may be increasingly considered by larger boat owners , for certain application uses , setting the industry up for success as it approaches the electric technological advance on its way .
Speciale addressed that the industry must invest in multiple technologies as it works to increase sustainability .
“ There ’ s no one solution for power plants in our industry because boats need to run nearly wide open throttle for long periods ,” he said . “ We ’ re looking at a number of solutions . One , sustainable fuels could be dropped in to reduce the carbon footprint . The other , we ’ re doing a lot of work
34 march / april 2025 www . boatingindustry . com