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"HammerheadFistpunch" (hammerheadfistpunch) 09/26/2013 at 12:49 • Filed to: Boatolopnik

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Does anyone remember when Toyota, High on late 90's success, decided to get into the tow sports arena? They made several models...well not really, they made 2 lengths, 21 and 22 feet and several trims. The X22 was the wakeboard pro model. The hulls were designed and manufactured by a third party, but the engine was pure Toyota...and it was a good one.

Specifically a marine modified version of the 1UZ-FE found in the Lexus LS400 called, confusingly, the VT300i. It produced 300 hp and 310 ft-lbs, albeit on premium fuel. It was pretty great for the time considering the big player on the block then was the mercury marine black scorpion 350, and that produced 315 hp and 350 ft-lbs and still required premium fuel but it was 1.7 liters larger.

Unfortunately, the ski boat community is a fickle thing and people generally didn't care that it was a very advanced and refined thing, it simply wasn't the most; most weight, most power, most boat and due to lackluster sales Toyota left the market after just a few short years.

They are highly regarded boats to this day despite a hull that wasn't really all that great for shape and performance. Just check out !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! for proof of that.

From 1997 to 2011 Toyota Marine actually produced several boats including the Epic line and sport boats, ponam 27 and 35 with modified Toyota Inline 6 and V8 turbodiesel engines. But since then has shifted its focus away from these ventures other than providing powerplants to JDM boat builders.

The question that lingers for me is; is now the right time for another Toyota powered boat? I mean, the Tow sports industry is suffering under the weight of tightening emissions regs, and carbon monoxide concerns as well as operating costs not to mention a much needed re-invention of the boat in general to generate interest....now that Toyota has a very grunty powertrain in the 3ur-fe, would a Toyota powered boat be just what the doctor ordered? it would be the most powerful, and it would have lower operating cost and it would certainly be different...did Toyota pull out too soon? or at just the right time?

FJ80WaitinForaLSV8 > HammerheadFistpunch 09/26/2013 at 12:57

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I think they have enough issues with their cars to worry about. Start building an excellent collection of cars first then maybe think about boats.

HammerheadFistpunch > FJ80WaitinForaLSV8 09/26/2013 at 12:59

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Given that its a separate division, I don't think it would be hard or costly to prep a single engine for marine use...but yeah, probably not the best use of time and money right now.

cbell04 > HammerheadFistpunch 09/26/2013 at 13:02

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Very cool I had no idea about yotaboats. Thanks

bourgeoisie > HammerheadFistpunch 09/26/2013 at 13:45

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The windshield on the flybridge of that last photo is pretty awesome looking, I don't think I've every seen something like that.

HammerheadFistpunch > bourgeoisie 09/26/2013 at 13:47

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I know! I think these boats are sexy as hell. I have always pined for more automotive design in boats.

bourgeoisie > HammerheadFistpunch 09/26/2013 at 13:51

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I'm curious if the aerodynamics are such that rain would wrap around the windshield and come in through the sides. If so, shitty design. But I would hope that if they went to the trouble of putting the windshield, that they considered that possibility and designed accordingly.