What's Powering The Open 212? || Yamaha Engine Options

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What's Powering The Open 212? || Yamaha Engine Options

The Open 212 offers a range of Yamaha engine options tailored for diverse boating needs, from casual cruising with fewer passengers to high-performance activities like towing skiers or speeding between fishing spots. Explore the 200 and 250 engine variants, including models with mechanical or digital controls, integrated steering, and advanced compatibility with Yamaha’s Autopilot and Helm Master EX.

January 27, 2025
Cover image for the post What's Powering The Open 212? || Yamaha Engine Options

Chase Schelble
Technical Sales Representative

The Open 212 is the first in the line of the Open series and has a handful of power options to consider if this boat is the one for you. Starting with the 2.8L inline 4 cylinder 200 from Yamaha. There are two options the XC which is offered with mechanical controls along with Yamahas built in hydraulic steering. This is a great cost-effective option with plenty of power without all of the frills. The second option is the XSA2 model which is offered with digital controls along with Yamahas built in elctro-hydrualic steering giving you full capability with Yamahas autopilot and helm master EX. The 200 is a great power option for someone who will be mainly utilizing the boat with a handful of people predominantly operating the boat at cruising rpm (4000 or less) with little desire to pull skiers or tubers.

The next option is the 4.2L V6 250 from Yamaha. This option also comes in various forms including XB, again mechanical everything, the XCB which gives you digital controls but 3rd party hydraulic steering from Sea Star, as steering is not integrated on this model. Lastly the XSB which includes digital controls and Yamahas integrated fully electric steering. The XSB option is the pinnacle of the 250 format and like the XSA2 200 is fully compatible with Yamaha’s autopilot and helm master EX. The last power option of the 250 is in a category of its own, the VF250XB Super High Output is geared for high end performance. The option is fully mechanical but offers incredible acceleration and is designed to be ran hard at high RPMs. This option is ideal for someone who is looking to predominately pull skiers or run hard from fishing spot to fishing spot. Overall, the 250 power option is geared for someone who will often have a lot of people on board, pulling skiers/tubers regularly like to get up to speed and run hard from location to location.

Yamaha 200 Engine Options

Yamaha 2.8L Inline 4-Cylinder 200

XC Model:
 Controls: Mechanical
 Steering: Yamaha's built-in hydraulic steering
 Best For: Cost-effective solution with sufficient power for casual cruising. Ideal for users who do not need to pull skiers or tubes and operate the boat at cruising RPM (around 4000 or less).
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XSA2 Model
 Controls: Digital
 Steering: Yamaha's built-in electro-hydraulic steering
 Best For: Users who want full control, including compatibility with Yamaha's Autopilot and Helm Master EX for smoother handling and more advanced features.
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Yamaha 250 Engine Options

Yamaha 4.2L V6 250

XB Model
 Controls: Mechanical
 Steering: 3rd party hydraulic (Sea Star)
 Best For: A straightforward mechanical option, offering power but with limited additional features.
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XCB Model
 Controls: Digital
 Steering: 3rd party hydraulic (Sea Star)
 Best For: Digital control for a more refined experience but lacking integrated steering from Yamaha.
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XSB Model
 Controls: Digital
 Steering: Yamaha’s fully integrated electric steering
 Best For: The top-tier choice for 250, compatible with Autopilot and Helm Master EX for seamless operation.
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Yamaha VF250XB Super High Output

 Controls: Mechanical
 Steering: 3rd party hydraulic (Sea Star)
 Best For: High-performance boating, geared towards users who require maximum acceleration. Ideal for pulling skiers or running hard between fishing spots at high RPMs. This engine is for those looking to push their boat to its limits.
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Summary

  • 200 Models: Best suited for casual cruising with fewer passengers and no frequent need to pull skiers or tubers. The XSA2 is ideal for those who want more advanced features, including compatibility with Yamaha's Autopilot and Helm Master EX. This setup offers greater control and more precision, making it a good choice for boaters who value ease of use and advanced functionality, especially for longer trips and more demanding conditions.

  • 250 Models: These are more powerful engines designed for heavier loads, faster speeds, and towing. The XSB offers the pinnacle in technology with digital controls and integrated steering. The VF250XB is made for high-performance, ideal for those who find themselves operating the boat at higher RPMs and are pulling skiers/tubers more frequently.

Choosing between these engines depends on how you intend to use the Open 212 — whether you need a cost-effective option for light use, a more high-powered option for heavier loads, or a high-performance engine for intense boating activities, Yamaha has you covered.