Yamaha's electric boat testing begins
The Japanese engine manufacturer Yamaha caught the eye in 2016 at METS Trade in Amsterdam by exhibiting its first prototype of an electric propeller for pleasure boats. He then kept a low profile on the progress of the program until a new presentation at the Boot Dusseldorf in 2020. The project named Harmo now takes a concrete turn with the announcement by Yamaha of the first tests from August 7th, 2020 on the Otaru canal in Hokkaido in the north of Japan of boats equipped with the solution.
A propulsion solution integrated around an electric base plate
The heart of the Harmo solution is a base to be mounted on the transom of the boat. It integrates a propeller under a nozzle. The transmission by magnets offers the possibility of high thrust at low speed and limits noise and vibrations.
Complemented by a joystick system, the azimuth bases in double installation guarantee an easy and instinctive piloting during manoeuvres. Harmo is according to Yamaha "the next generation platform control system".
European yachting in the spotlight
While Yamaha refrains from announcing a marketing schedule, the Japanese engine manufacturer has geographical ambitions. Harmo has been developed "with European markets in mind, where there is a great environmental awareness," says the engine manufacturer. Regulations excluding internal combustion engines, particularly on inland waterways, have encouraged the development of electric motor brands such as Torqeedo, on small power ranges where Yamaha was historically strong with its internal combustion outboards. An electric offer could enable it to make a comeback.
