After making improvements to the original platform for over a decade, Yamaha felt the engine was worthy of a new tag: the F350C. Finally, Yamaha also changed the gearcase to improve the flow of lubricants. Since the vast majority of these motors live in saltwater, treatments were developed for metal pieces and parts to boost their longevity. Yamaha also improved the engine’s corrosion-resistance. And, just to give its customers peace of mind, Yamaha boosted the warranty from three years for the F350 to five years, for the F350C. This usually isn’t an issue since the average boater cruises at closer to 4500 rpm, but the ECU monitors rpm over the long haul, to make sure problems can be caught prior to any failures. This is particularly important because the engine does have one design issue which can lead to flywheel failure, if it’s run at between 35 rpm for extended periods.
The new brain monitors engine RPM and alerts the owner when service is due. A change in the exhaust manifold and the expanded use of composite materials is responsible for most of that weight savings. Through the years the Yamaha has trimmed down to the tune of 41 pounds, tipping the scales at 804-pounds upon its introduction and weighing 763 pounds in the “C” form. So, how does the F350C make things even better? And as we all know, massive multi-engine center consoles have become all the rage. In fact, it’s arguable to say that the F350 provided the impetus for boat-builders to try making larger and larger outboard-powered boats like that big Grady. The engine was designed to provide gobs of torque, swinging a 16.25-inch prop and providing endless oomph with 5.3 liters of displacement. The popularity of the F350 isn’t in question you’ll find it on everything from single-engine fishboats like the Nautic Star 265 XTS to quad-engine applications like the massive Grady-White 456 Canyon. The Yamaha F350 was originally designed to power larger boats than most outboards could handle at the time, like this Grady-White Express 330. The result? The Yamaha F350C, with the “C” indicating that this isn’t yesteryear’s outboard engine. And through that decade many tweaks and improvements have been made. But the F350 has been around for over a decade. The Yamaha V6 Offshore outboards, in the form of the F225, F250, and F300 engines, are topped in the line only by the Yamaha F350 V8 powerplant.