Yamaha 275SD (2019-)

Brief Summary

Yamaha is stepping it up, both in size and in luxury appointments on their new 275SD. She represents several firsts for Yamaha -- first 27' (8.23 m) model, first model to have dual 1.8-liter SVHO supercharged marine jet-drive engines and the first with Yamaha’s new advanced technology -- the Yamaha DRiVE Control system.

Key Features

• Yamaha’s first luxury 27' (8.23 m) runabout category
• First Yamaha boats powered by twin, supercharged Yamaha marine engines
• Yamaha DRiVE technology for enhanced low speed maneuverability
• 12.3'' (31.24 cm) Connext touchscreen with 16 million colors and 1000 nits brightness
• Comes standard with patent pending swim-up seating that attaches to stern and sits just below the waterline
• Enclosed head compartment

Test Results

Specifications

Length Overall	27' (8.23 m)
Beam	9' (2.74 m)
Dry Weight	5,466 lbs. (2,951 kg)
Tested Weight	6,507 lbs. (2,951 kg)
Draft	22" (0.56 m)
Draft Up	N/A
Draft Down	N/A
Air Draft	N/A
Deadrise/Transom	20-deg.
Max Headroom	open
Bridge Clearance	8.5' (2.59 m)
Weight Capacity	N/A
Person Capacity	N/A
Fuel Capacity	90 gal. (341 L)
Water Capacity	14 gal. (53 L)
Length on Trailer	N/A
Height on Trailer	N/A
Trailer Weight	N/A
Total Weight	6,507 lbs. (2,951 kg)

Acceleration Times & Conditions

Time to Plane	2.4 sec.
0 to 30	8.4 sec
Ratio	N/A
Props	3-blade, stainless-steel
Load	3 persons, 3/5 fuel, full water, 50 lbs. of gear
Climate	89 deg., 100 humid; wind: 0-5 mph; seas: 0

Engine Options

Tested Engine	2 x 1.8L 1812cc supercharged Yamaha SVHO marine
Std. Power	2 x 1.8L 1812cc supercharged Yamaha SVHO marine
Opt. Power	Not Available

Captain's Report Learn More
Watch Our Video

Captain’s Report by Capt. Mark Kellum

 

 

Mission

The Yamaha 275SD was introduced by Yamaha to fulfill the demand from its owners of smaller models to move up into a larger, more luxurious vessel while still maintaining brand loyalty.

 

Distinguishing Features

• Yamaha DRiVE technology for enhanced low speed maneuverability
• Industry-first patent pending swim-up seating that attaches to stern and sits just below the waterline
• Multifunction Touch Screen. A 12.3” (31.24 cm) Connext touchscreen with trackpad makes dialing in the fun simple.

Major Features

• Low-Speed Maneuvering System. Yamaha’s new DRiVE technology makes docking and low-speed maneuvering simple.
• Dual 1.8L Supercharged Marine Engines. Twin Yamaha 1.8L SVHO engines.
• Convertible Stern Sunpad. The forward-facing aft bench seats have flip-flop backrests. When in the forward position, they convert to aft-facing lounge sun pads.
• Galley. Yamaha has added a galley with premium countertop, storage drawer, storage for a 30-quart (28.39 L) cooler and freshwater sink.
• Hardtop with Skylight. The Yamaha 275SD comes standard with a hardtop with two integrated skylights.
• Wide Beam. The beam on the Yamaha 275SD is 9’ (2.74 m), rather than the more standard 8’6” (2.59 m).
• Yacht Certification. The National Marine Manufacturing Association (NMMA) has certified the Yamaha 275SD complies with all applicable American Boat and Yacht Council (ABYC) standards.

Design

Patents for design features such as the articulating keels and the jet intake cleanout system are just a few of the innovations Yamaha is becoming known for.  The new DRiVE system and the Connext technologies are indicators that Yamaha will continue to innovate.

Construction

Performance

The Yamaha 275SD test boat was powered by dual 1.8-liter Super Vortex High Output marine engines. With the hull design and construction, the Yamaha 275SD that was tested was able to get to plane in less than 3 seconds.

The Yamaha 275SD has a length overall of 27’ (8.23 m) and a beam of 9’ (2.74 m). With an empty weight of 5,466 lbs. (2,479 kg), 60-percent fuel, three people, and 50 lbs. of test gear, we had an estimated test weight of 6,507 lbs. (3,952 kg).

Top Speed. With the dual supercharged 1.8-liter Yamaha SVHO marine engines turning the 3-blade stainless steel impellers, Yamaha 275SD reached a top speed of 50.2 mph (80.8 KPH) at 7400 rpm.

Best Cruise. The best economic cruise came in at 5500 rpm and 31.0 mph (49.8 KPH). At that speed, the 17.1 gph (64.73 lph) fuel burn translated into 1.8 mpg (2.9 kph) and a range of 147 statute miles (236.47 km). This was calculated while holding back a 10-percent reserve of the Yamaha 275SD’s 90-gallon (341 L) total fuel capacity.

Acceleration. She reached planing speed in an average 2.4 seconds, accelerated to 20 mph in 5.9, and 30 mph came and went in 8.4 seconds.

Handling

As for her handling characteristics, when she was put into a hard turn there was a noticeable power bleed caused when the boat carves into the turn. This is accompanied by a typical decrease in RPMs. When the wheel is straightened out, the speed comes right back, and there’s a noticeable up-shift as the engine performance returns.

Close-in Maneuvering. The Yamaha DRiVE system operates by engaging two paddles located just behind the steering wheel, much like the shift paddles on a high-performance car, easily reached without the operator having to move the hands off the wheel. 

To engage the DRiVE system, simply touch the control button on the Connext touchscreen. Then the paddles are used for controlling the boat, and NOT the engine control lever. Squeeze the right paddle, to move forward, the left to move in reverse (Think “go RIGHT ahead”).  Squeeze either paddle further to add power. The paddles are pressure-sensitive, so a light squeeze adds light power, a firmer squeeze adds more power… limited by the low speed of docking mode. Most importantly, the steering wheel can be manipulated along with the paddles to provide full maneuverability. And this can be done from the standing position, without ever touching the throttle lever.

Operational Mode Shift. When in neutral, choose between dual lever mode, single lever mode, or DRiVE mode for close-in maneuvering… all selectable from the Connext touchscreen. Automatically engaging DRiVE mode when shifting into neutral would be a convenient feature. 

Features Inspection

Stern

One characteristic of Yamaha boats that distinguishes them from all others is the innovative stern patio. It’s actually a functional part of the boat’s entertainment capabilities. The platform is covered in rubberized non-skid. Seatbacks are integrated into the transom. Armrests to the sides double as steps for boarding. Beverage holders are to both sides, while a stereo remote is to starboard. 

The reboarding ladder is in the center of the platform, something that is not possible with outdrive powered boats. But the real innovation with this model is the seating that Yamaha has created that drops into position at the trailing edge of the platform.  Mounted one way, it’s seating below the waterline. Mounted the other way, and it’s a waterfront table. Most importantly, these seat/table combination devices float. So no worries about losing them when installing or removing. 

One caveat to keep in mind is to be sure to remove the seats from the water before driving off. It might be a good idea for Yamaha to add an engine kill switch to these seats that activates while the seats are installed. 

Forward Seating

The forward seating is laid out in the typical bow rider fashion with two lounge seats and a forward aft-facing seat. Storage is under both lounge cushions.

The three-tone upholstery and details such as the insert designator in the foredeck riser gives the forward cockpit a more sophisticated look and feel.

We’d like to see gas-assist struts on opening seats, especially on this luxury-oriented sportboat.

The windshield opens to offer access to the helm and aft cockpit.

Most manufacturers of sportboats with walkthrough windshields use single support rods that often look like afterthoughts. Yamaha uses substantial looking, brushed aluminum triangular supports that are integrated into the consoles design giving a more integrated, upscale look.

Helm Console

The helm console is a very contemporary design with a 12.3” (31.24 cm) “floating” multifunction touch display that serves as the hub for managing the Yamaha 275SD systems and advanced technology which includes entertainment functions, performance curves for watersports, navigation, and all critical boat data. These functions can all be controlled by the touchscreen itself, or via the mouse-like joystick alongside. 

Display Running Mode. When the boat is running, the display automatically switches to running mode with the engine data and status where the Bluetooth status and water temperature were displayed in the float mode. The fuel and depth finder information remains on display. The Yamaha Connext display comes with a GPS function and maps.

The Head Compartment has 3’8” (1.12 m) headroom from the deck to the overhead and 2’8” (0.81 m) from the Porta-Potti to the overhead.

Cockpit

Yamaha created a very social area in the cockpit with a galley and L-shaped bench seating on both the starboard and port side. They wrap to forward-facing bench seating with a transom walkthrough between. Throughout the entire cockpit is upgraded snap-in marine carpeting.

The Hardtop

The Yamaha 275 Series models vary available tops. The Yamaha 275S comes standard with a Bimini top, the Yamaha 275SE has a standard aluminum folding wakeboard tower with Bimini top. The Yamaha 275SD has a hardtop with two tinted skylights. The hardtop has an 8’6” bridge clearance.

The Galley

The Yamaha 275 Series are the first boats that Yamaha has included a galley for entertaining. These galleys don’t have a cooktop but they serve as a welcome entertainment console. The Yamaha 275S and 275SE have a truncated galley. The Yamaha 275 SD has an extended version with a larger countertop for preparing repasts.

The Foredeck

The foredeck on the Yamaha 275SD houses the ground tackle locker under a non-skid hatch. There is a pull-up 6” (15.24 cm) cleat forward of the forepeak hatch and the navigation light is mounted on the hatch.

Engines

The supercharged water-jet engines are derived from Yamaha’s popular Waverunner PWC. With a combined 500-hp they have plenty of get-up-and-go and tow capacity for watersports.

Not often mentioned but of importance is the corrosion resistant driveline and freshwater flush capability built into these engines.

Warranty

The hull and deck on any new Yamaha Sport Boat purchased for pleasure use from an authorized Yamaha Sport Boat dealer in the United States will be warranted against major structural defects for a period of five (5) years in pleasure use, or for one (1) year in commercial applications. All other Yamaha Sport Boat components will be warranted against defects in material or workmanship, subject to exclusions for a period of one (1) year from date of purchase in commercial applications.

Options to Consider

Yamaha does not list options for the Yamaha 275SD. The Yamaha 275 Series models are packaged boats with different levels of features. A side by side comparison of the three 275 series boats and those features is available by visiting the Yamaha website for available packages. The top-of-the line 275SD stands above by including a hardtop, extended galley, and the new Yamaha DRiVE system.

The 275SD is available in 2 colors: Yacht Blue or White hulls

Trailer

Yamaha does not offer a trailer. Yamaha Boats dealers may offer a matched trailer as an option.

Price

The Yamaha 275SD has a starting price of $129,999.

Observations

Yamaha set out to make its first 27' offering to be the gold-standard for luxury jet boats. As far as luxury appointments and quality in construction and innovations, they are dead-on. The performance, as far as power and speed, is also on the mark. In those respects, the Yamaha 275SD is the standard that all other manufacturers will be shooting for.

However, if Yamaha wants to step-it-up it will need to work on dialing-in the Yamaha 275SD performance to be a little more exhilarating when making safe hard turns. Also, adding gas assist struts in several places would up the mark on this already sumptuously appointed jet-boat. All-in, if boaters want a high-end, quality oriented, feature packed recreational sport jet boat they will be hard pressed to do better than the Yamaha 275SD.