New Products & Services

Yamaha’s New Electric Outboard — Harmo

Harmo is available in single or twin installations.

Yamaha Marine has a new electric boat-control system that looks similar to an outboard above the water, but has a major difference below the surface. It’s propelled by a rim drive with an impeller spinning inside an aluminum housing. It’s called Harmo, which is short for “harmony that exists between a vessel, its propulsion system, the passengers and the environment.”

“Harmo is the perfect system for horsepower or internal-combustion restricted waterways,” said Ben Special, president of Yamaha Marine’s U.S. Business Unit. “Ultimately, it is up to our boatbuilder customers to decide how to integrate it into their boats and we are eager to see the result.”

Environmental Initiative

Harmo is the latest product to emerge from Yamaha’s CommandBlue advanced engineering and design philosophy. It focuses on developing new connected technologies intended to simplify boating and instill a feeling of confidence, satisfaction and excitement on the water.

Most electric outboards in this power range have much smaller propellers compared to Harmo’s aluminum four-blade impeller.

In addition to the aforementioned rim drive, Harmo features Yamaha’s Helm Master EX system controls including a joystick. Rim-drive systems have been used for thrusters and large-vessel applications, Harmo is the first outboard to use it.

The system couples a 48-volt power supply with a high-yield, low-drag 3.7-kilowatt motor. The rim drive and impeller produce 225 lbs. (102.06 kg) of thrust, which Yamaha says is the equivalent of a 9.9-hp gas-burning outboard. Run times depend on battery type, size configuration and other operating parameters.

Harmo has been designed to have as sleek of a hydrodynamic profile as possible.

Enhanced Maneuverability

Harmo features integrated digital electric steering and a 140-degree total steering angle. Only the lower unit turns while the powerhead remains straight. Yamaha says a single engine boat can rotate within its own length and can move a vessel laterally in a twin installation. A 74-degree tilt angle ensures that the entire engine including the impeller can be tilted out of the water.

Harmo is virtually silent underway and offers the quick response that electric motors are becoming known for. It weighs 121 lbs. (54.88 kg) and is available in single and twin configurations for boats up to 32’ (9.75 m) long. It’s only available in Europe at this point and availability in the United States is expected within 18 months. U.S. pricing has not been released.