Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/231507
/// Market Trends /// The project included acquiring more land, a new R&D building and a new hull and deck assembly line that increased production capability by 25 percent. As part of its expansion release last August, Scott Watkins, the company's product planning manager, said, "Our unique approach to boat building, which includes our boats being Yamaha all the way through — the engine, the manufacturing and the dealer base, has really taken hold with customers and propelled us to the top of every size range we compete in. As a result our jet drive systems have risen to become the standard for performance, reliability and functionality from which all other family recreational boats are now measured." Two years ago, the company unleashed another jet investment: the Thrust Directional Enhancer [TDE], which was designed to improve www.BoatingIndustry.com P32x38-BI14JAN-MarketTrends.indd 35 Yamaha sees its competition as all OEMs that focus on family fun products, not just jet-powered boats. the low-speed maneuverability of its boats — a frequent knock against jet boats. "It effectively works kind of like a hydraulic steering device, almost like a hydraulic rudder in the water. The water thrust is diverted in a downward direction where it gets more traction, and it has a remarkable impact on the ability to steer a boat at low speed without having to apply more throttle," Speaks said. "Any jet boat is very maneuverable if you're willing to apply more throttle, but for a first-time operator we can make the whole experience better, and if we can January 2014 | Boating Industry | 35 12/18/13 10:06 AM