Yanmar 3YM30AE | Yanmar SD25 Saildrive

The saying goes “if ain’t broke, don’t fix it” but popular marine engine brand Yanmar has taken its highly successful three-cylinder 3YM30 sailboat motor and given it the onceover for the better.

That marine diesel has been reengineered as the new Yanmar 3YM30AE and is now available locally. The release coincides with the Yanmar SD25 Saildrive, the combination aimed at monohull yachts and cruising catamarans.

Emissions regulations compliance

Yanmar says the 3YM30AE complies with current USA EPA Tier 3 emissions regulations and despite having the same outline, dimensions and footprint as the superseded Yanmar 3YM30, has significant enhancements. These include more torque, a bigger displacement block – 1.266lt versus 1.115lt – a higher output 125amp alternator and new belt system. All of these benefits are delivered with a weight gain of only 4kg, said Yanmar.

In terms of performance the Yanmar 3YM30AE’s power output has been beefed up to 29.1mhp at 3200rpm, that maximum rated speed a reduction from 3600rpm of the superseded 3YM30. As a result of the reduced rpm and new cylinder block design, Yanmar claims the noise and emission levels have been reduced and engine torque increased.

“Yanmar has taken a market-leading model and reengineered it to make it even better,” said Michael Blair, from Australia’s Yanmar distributor Power Equipment. “Significant changes have been incorporated into the new model giving real benefits to lower emissions and enhanced performance.”

Repowering with a Yanmar 3YM30AE 

Repowering older Yanmar-powered boats should be simple with the installation footprint of the new engine identical to the 3YM30. The 3YM30AE can be supplied with the Yanmar KM2P-1 transmission for shaftdrive installations or the new SD25 Saildrive unit.

The SD25 Saildrive has the same outline and dimensions as SD20, the new model identified by a light grey, non-metallic paint on the leg, while the head remains Yanmar grey metallic. We’re told s hard anodising process is applied to the SD25 to deliver an increase in corrosion resistance.

The Saildrive SD25 is purpose matched to Yanmar’s 1GM10C, 2YM15C, 3YM20C and 3YM30AE purpose-built marine diesel engines.