Yanmar Signs On With Oracle Team USA

Yanmar has become the official technical partner of Oracle Team USA in their quest to defend the America’s Cup in 2013. Yanmar is providing engines and drive systems for the team’s chase boats, an essential aspect of the team’s America’s Cup defence campaign.

Having won the 33rd America’s Cup, Oracle Team USA know exactly what it takes to reach the pinnacle of world ocean racing. In defending their crown, Oracle Team USA demands the absolute best in every aspect of the defence campaign to be sailed on San Francisco Harbour.

Yanmar is providing marine engines (Yanmar 8LV) and drive systems (Yanmar ZT370Z) to two Oracle Team USA chase boats. The chase boats are not just limited to towing before and after the race. With the racing catamarans set to reach speeds in excess of 40 knots (74.1 km/h), the chase boats are also responsible for the important job of tracking the progress of the race, ready to provide immediate support for any eventuality.

By becoming Oracle Team USA’s Official Technical Partner, Yanmar has been entrusted with the enormous confidence placed in the speed, power and reliability of its engines by the team members who risk life and limb on the unpredictable waters of San Francisco, in this perilous race.

“We are fully committed to supporting Oracle Team USA in their bid to win the 34th America’s Cup,” said Yanmar President Takehito Yamaoka.

“Yanmar is proud to become the Official Technical Partner for ORACLE TEAM USA. It is a natural partnership in such a technically demanding field as high performance sailing. We believe their high standards and dedication to perfection complements the way Yanmar operates.”

The two chase boats are Naiad RIB hulls, measuring a substantial 12.9m LOA (42’) and weighing over 6 tonnes. Each chase boat is powered by a pair of Yanmar 8LV V8 diesel engines. The engines boast a displacement of 4.46 litres and develop 370 mhp. Yanmar ZT370Z drives round out the propulsion systems.

In their day to day operations the chase boats are required to spend a significant time at idle or low sub planning speeds, then instantly accelerate to wide open throttle to chase the fleet. At full speed the Yanmar 8LV recorded a top speed of 43 knots (50 mph) with the engines spinning at 4000 rpm. 

As the team’s AC72 yachts can reach speeds of up to 40 knots, the Yanmar engines deliver the world class performance that allow the chase boats to maintain the power, agility and endurance required to support the yachts through the variable conditions on the San Francisco Bay.

 “We are very excited to partner with Yanmar for this 34th America’s Cup campaign,” said Oracle Team USA CEO Russell Coutts. “Yanmar is recognised world-wide for their tremendous expertise in marine engines and technology. It is their precision engineering that will power our chase boats, allowing us to perform the many critical functions required both throughout training and on race day. Yanmar provides a vital component to our program, and it is fantastic to have them onboard.”

Yanmar is looking to enhance its brand exposure through its association with the world’s leading ocean racing team Oracle Team USA.