Suzuki, as the first one once again in pioneering cutting edge outboard motor technology has introduced its new Suzuki Selective Rotation. Suzuki has an outboard for every application and all Suzuki four stroke outboards provide quiet, fuel-efficient technology without sacrificing on power and performance.
When installing two or more outboards to the transom of a yacht a combination of regular rotation and counter rotation units is normally used, which currently means using two separate outboard models – a regular rotation model and a counter rotation model.
Now, in a move that will please dealers and yacht builders alike Suzuki has announced the introduction of Suzuki Selective Rotation, which means that one outboard model can operate in either regular or counter rotation modes.
This technology will first be introduced on the new DF300AP. In its standard form, this new model will operate in regular clockwise rotation, using the forward gear. Now, by changing the gear-shift mode and adding a counter rotational propeller, the same outboard can operate in counter rotation mode (anti-clockwise).
In counter rotation mode the power is transmitted through the reverse gear, which has been upgraded and improved to give it the same characteristics as the forward gears. In fact, the specifications and materials used for forward and reverse gears have both been optimised, as well as improving the layout of the bearings.
In order to accommodate the new gear system and taking the opportunity to add even more new features to the new DF300AP, the Suzuki engineers have also re-designed the gear case.
By using accumulated fluid analysis technology the new gear case has been designed to provide reduced resistance and improved durability. At the same time, a structural analysis was carried out in order to optimise each and every component.
However, the Suzuki engineers did not stop there with the improvements. The new DF300AP has been designed with two water intakes on each side of the gear case – the current DF300 has just one on each side. The additional water intakes ensure stable cooling performance at high speeds and also during operation in shallow water.
Ultimately, by eliminating the differences in specification between regular and counter rotation models, Suzuki has achieved something no other outboard manufacturer has been able to do – unification of both regular rotation and counter rotation operations into a single outboard model.
Yasuharu Osawa, Group Manager for Suzuki’s Marine Division in Europe said, “We are always looking to enhance our range of outboard motors, whether it be with new models or technical innovations such as the new Suzuki Selective Rotation. We are very proud to announce this new feature, which we believe is a world first for an outboard manufacturer. Its introduction will certainly help us to improve product availability to dealers and boat builders fitting twin, triple or even quadruple rigs.”