Yamaha Motor Europe has unveiled the HARMO 2.0 electric outboard, an upgraded version of its original HARMO propulsion system unveiled in 2021.
The upgraded HARMO 2.0 will be available in single or twin motor configurations. It will be suited for smaller craft like dayboats, fishing boats, houseboats, water taxis, and rental boats. It will be available in a 20" shaft length.
The announcement was made by Yamaha's European division. it is expected the HARMO will only be available in the European market to start, but is expected to have increased availability in the US in early 2025. There is no current timeline for a release in Canada.
The most standout feature will be its compatibility with Yamaha’s Helm Master EX system, which enables features like Autopilot and SetPoint for easier navigation and precise positioning. These features will be particularly appealing to anglers and boaters operating in environmentally sensitive areas. With Autopilot, boaters can use automated navigation, while SetPoint holds the boat in a fixed position, making angling from the boat a simple task.
HARMO 2.0 will also have a joystick-only control option available for both single and twin configurations. The joystick configuration simplifies handling and offers intuitive operation in tight or challenging conditions like docking or low speed maneuvering. The refined rim-drive motor and Digital Electric Steering (DES) will also improve maneuverability to ensure quiet, efficient operation.
Fabrice Lacoume, Marine Director at Yamaha Motor Europe, highlighted the company’s dedication to carbon neutrality, emphasizing the importance of electric engines like HARMO alongside sustainable fuels and hydrogen.
"We're really excited to bring HARMO 2.0 to Europe. It includes all the innovative engineering that made HARMO 1.0 such a breakthrough, and now offers incredible versatility with so many different possible boating applications, engine configurations, and control options."
“At Yamaha, we believe that electric engines will be a key part of achieving carbon neutrality in the marine industry, alongside alternative sustainable fuels and hydrogen power. With this in mind, the whole team is very proud to launch this new model which will see electric engines installed on a far wider range of watercraft than ever before."
While no power figures were released for HARMO 2.0, the 1.0 version released in 2021 used a 48-volt power supply connected to a 3.7-kW motor to generate 225 pounds of static thrust, or roughly equivalent to a 9.9 horsepower gas-powered engine. The original HARMO 1.0 motor weighed only 121 lbs.
With respect to the rim drive design, the unique appearance below the waterline is designed to provide more efficient propulsion compared to a typical hub propeller of equivalent size. The rim-drive is mounted to the outer edge of the propeller and generates more thrust at slower speeds than a gas-powered equivalent. The rim drive engine is fitted like a standard outboard via the transom bracket, with the usual tilt function for storage and transport, but offers a greater turning radius of roughly140 degrees, and a higher tilt angle of about 74 degrees, than most gas-powered alternatives.
You can see the HARMO 2.0 in action in the video below:
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