Yanmar Hunt 24 At Centre Of Yanmar ZT350 Sterndrive Program
A strikingly different powerboat has rolled into the Power Equipment’s Lynbrook warehouse in Victoria.
The 7.170m fibreglass hull has a walk-around cabin and a gunwale line similar to that of a classic US game boat.
The hull is a Hunt 24, built in Japan by Yanmar Marine Systems and part of their Domestic Japanese Yanmar Fishing Boat line up ranging from 23’ to 46’. But before the boating editors latch on to this as a new release hull, the reality is that the hull is simply a demonstration platform for Power Equipment to showcase the new Yanmar ZT350 stern drive package.
The Hunt 24 is a marketing tool, training boat and promotional vessel, all rolled into one package.
Yanmar officially released their in-house Japanese designed and built ZT350 stern drive recently, which is engineered for the Yanmar 4BY2, 6BY2 and 6LPA series of diesel engines ranging from 150mhp to 315mhp.
While Yanmar continues to actively use and promote the MerCruiser Bravo stern drive models, the Yanmar ZT350 stern drive represents a new era in stern drive propulsion for the discerning boat owner.
“The ZT350 represents an amazing breakthrough in sterndrive technology,” said Michael Blair, National Marine Sales Manager for Power Equipment, the national distributor of Yanmar diesel engines.
“The best way to communicate the advanced performance of the ZT350 and the new generation of Yanmar’s common rail diesels is to make a test boat available so our clients and dealers can experience it first-hand rather than relying on what can be interpreted from a brochure. The Hunt 24 is being rigged with a Yanmar 4-cylinder 2-litre common rail diesel model 4BY2-180Z coupled to the new Yanmar ZT350 stern drive for this very purpose.”
The key attribute of the ZT350 is the silky smooth gear shifting, low noise and low temperature operation. Gone forever is the dreaded heavy clunk of cone clutches and gears engaging in the conventional sterndrive leg. With the Yanmar ZT350, the gear shifting via a multi-plate hydraulic clutch is more like an automatic transmission in a car, with the transition from ‘Neutral’ to ‘Forward’ or ‘Reverse’ being a smooth transition.
“The Hunt 24 is to be used by our engineering and training department people to train our own staff and dealer personnel in the installation and rigging of the Yanmar ZT350,” Michael Blair said. “We will also be training our OEM boat manufacturers in the same way if requested.”
Once operational, the Hunt 24 will be made available to members of the boating press to demonstrate the on-water capability of the ZT350 without the usual time constraints associated when we are relying on the generosity of our clients to loan a vessel for this purpose. In a similar vein, Power Equipment staff will now have an excellent opportunity to freshen up their boat handling skills and get some valuable firsthand experience with the products being sold while at the helm of the Hunt 24.
And finally, as a promotional vessel for prospective new clients, the Hunt 24 will be on the water at key game fishing tournaments and the major boat shows throughout 2010.
“We have already ordered a heavy duty aluminium trailer and a comprehensive electronic package so our staff and dealers right across Australia will have every opportunity to see it well travelled and used as intended. The Hunt 24 with ZT350 Yanmar sterndrive is a major and multi-faceted program with benefits all round,” Michael Blair concluded.
“Many of our prospective clients will get to experience the new Yanmar diesel ZT350 stern drive benefits first hand with this boat over the coming year or so. I am confident that Allan Foster’s (Power Equipment’s Managing Director) support and enthusiasm towards this initiative will be rewarded with new business in 2010.”
Power Equipment is the exclusive and authorised Australian, NZ, PNG and South Pacific distributor of Yanmar Marine and Industrial diesel engines importing product from Yanmar plants in Japan, Asia, USA and Europe. With an extensive marine dealer and branch network, Power Equipment has the expertise and experience to assist boat owners and boat builders for both new installations and repowers. Power Equipment also distribute the Yanmar powered MASE diesel marine generators range and Gori high quality folding sailboat propellers.
For further information on this story contact:
Michael Blair
National Marine Sales Manager
Power Equipment Pty Ltd
Tel (03) 9709 8500
Fax (03) 9709 8544
Email michael.blair@yanmar.com.au
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