Enlarge Photo

Courtesy Yamaha

Yamaha introduced its four-cylinder F200 in late October at the same time it rolled out the new joystick/Helm Master system to fishing and boating writers. While the Helm Master dominated the presentation, the new F200 certainly deserves mention.

Yamaha says the new outboard is the lightest 200 hp four-stroke on the market at 487 pounds. It’s 119 pounds lighter than Yamaha’s six-cylinder F200.

The 2.8-liter dual-overhead camshaft powerhead comes with Yamaha’s Variable Camshaft Timing System for quick acceleration and midrange punch. It also features a 50-amp alternator and the Shift Dampener System propeller hardware for no-clunk shifting.

The F200 will come with a 20- or 25-inch shaft and digital-electronic (compatible with Command Link Plus) or mechanical controls. The mechanical version debuts in March, the digital in May. Pricing is not yet available.