Will the yamaha 350 V8 O/B ever be sporty?
 

The yamaha comes with a 1.73 gear ratio, merc 300 has 1.75 or 1.62. Both can be had with 25" shafts. Yamaha spins between 5-6k rpms (max hp at 5500rpms.) The merc will spin 5400-5800 rpms with the 25" shaft. Merc weight is 517, and yamaha is 804. Without a sportmaster lower will companies like skater put a pair of the 350s on a 30? Single 350 on a glasstream or concept 27?

We pushed Yamaha very, very hard about putting 3 or 4 F350 engines on both the Deep Impact and the Hydra-Sports new 41. Both boats can handle the weight and would fit many of our customers (we are one of the largest Yamaha package dealers in the world).

The word from corporate is that it was never designed as a high speed (read go-fast) style outboard. It was designed for big heavy slow cruisers that were slated for diesel power. That is the reason for the non high speed gearcase, limited prop selection, and no provision for quad controls. They have zero interest right now.

We fight with them weekly so keep your fingers crossed.

I think it might be cool to have twin exhausts, above water, coming from each motor!! They were not as entertained and mentioned something about millions invested to make them quiet.

It must be a tall order to keep them on the transom, and the transom on, in rough water. Plus the boat would need to be designed with that motor in mind. Good luck repowering with it.