09Sep
Yamaha Outboard Model Numbers Explained: F, V, X, S, M, H, A Decoder
Yamaha Outboard Model Numbers Explained: Decoding F, V, X, S, M, H, A Suffixes
Yamaha serial plate decoded: model code, prefix, shaft letter, serial number, and production year letter
Buy a used outboard without reading its model code first, and you’re buying a mystery. A “Yamaha 150” could have a 20-inch or a 25-inch shaft, manual or electric start, tiller or remote control — four very different engines wearing the same badge. This guide decodes every letter of the Yamaha model numbering system, shows you exactly where to find the plate, and works through real examples from our own stock at Regal Boats Marine BV, from the 4 HP portable to the 350 HP V8.
Where to Find the Yamaha Outboard Model Plate
Every Yamaha outboard carries a metal identification plate riveted to the transom bracket — the clamp assembly that mounts the engine to the boat. Tilt the engine fully up and inspect the bracket arms; you’ll find a stamped label showing four pieces of information:
Serial plate location on the swivel bracket — the plate sits beside the trim/tilt mechanism
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Model code — e.g., F90LB or VF150XA (the subject of this guide)
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Prefix code — e.g., 6E5, 6FP, 69J — Yamaha’s internal engine-family identifier, critical for ordering the correct parts
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Serial number — unique to your unit
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Production year letter — a single letter stamped beside the serial number, denoting the model year
[EXTERNAL LINK: yamahaparts.au — How to identify the correct year and model for your Yamaha outboard]
Breaking Down the Model Code: The Formula
A Yamaha model code follows a consistent pattern:
[PREFIX][HORSEPOWER][SHAFT][START][CONTROL][PROP]Table
| Position | Letters | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Prefix | F, V, T, LF | Engine family |
| Horsepower | 4, 15, 20, 150, 350… | Rated output |
| Shaft | S, L, X, U | Transom length |
| Start | M, E | Starting system |
| Control | H, X | Steering / control type |
| Prop | A, B, C | Propeller fitment |
Prefix Letters: Which Engine Family?
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F = Standard four-stroke (the mainstream range: F4 through F350)
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VF = V MAX SHO high-performance four-stroke (VF90 through VF250)
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T / FT = High-thrust variant — larger gearcase, slower-turning prop for sailboats and heavy displacement hulls
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LF = Offshore high-thrust variant of the larger F engines
Shaft Letters: The Most Expensive Letter to Get Wrong
Table
| Letter | Shaft Length | Transom Height | Typical Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| S | 15″ (short) | ~432 mm | Small boats, inflatables |
| L | 20″ (long) | ~508 mm | Most runabouts, sailboat auxiliaries |
| X | 25″ (extra-long) | ~643 mm | Offshore consoles, deep transoms |
| U | 30″ (ultra-long) | ~762 mm | Big offshore hulls, commercial |
Start & Control Letters
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M = Manual pull-start | E = Electric start
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H = Tiller handle | X (or blank on older codes) = Remote control from the helm
Prop Letter
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A = Aluminum propeller fitted | B/C = Alternative factory fitments
Real Examples Decoded (From Our Stock)
F4LMHA — The Long-Shaft Portable
F four-stroke · 4 HP · L 20″ shaft · M manual start · H tiller · A aluminum prop
A 4 HP tiller engine for deeper transoms and sailboat auxiliaries. See the code in action on our 2017 Yamaha F4LMHA 4 HP outboard — and compare it with its short-shaft sibling format below.
F20SMHA — The Short-Shaft Portable
F four-stroke · 20 HP · S 15″ shaft · M manual start · H tiller · A aluminum prop
The classic 20 HP portable for inflatables and small runabouts. Full specs and photos on our 2017 Yamaha F20SMHA 20 HP outboard.
VF150 — The Performance 150
VF V MAX SHO · 150 HP
Note how high-horsepower engines compress the code — by 150 HP, electric start and remote control are assumed, so the shaft letter is the one that matters. Explore the 2017 Yamaha VF150 VMAX SHO in our catalog.
F200XCA — The Gen-2 Digital 200
F four-stroke · 200 HP · X 25″ shaft · C Digital Electronic Control (DEC) · A aluminum prop
The C position signals Yamaha’s digital throttle-and-shift generation — distinguishable from the first-gen mechanical F200XA. Read the full F200 3.3L XCA breakdown on its product page. (Editor: confirm this product URL in WooCommerce — it follows the live title pattern.)
F225XCA & F350UCC — Reading the Offshore Flagships
F225XCA: 225 HP · 25″ shaft · digital DEC · aluminum prop — see the 2017 Yamaha F225 4.2L V6. F350UCC: 350 HP · U 30″ shaft · digital DEC. The U is your giveaway that this is the flagship for the deepest transoms — the 2017 Yamaha F350 UCC 5.3L V8 in our offshore section.
Prefix Codes & Year Letters: The Parts-Ordering Layer
The three-digit prefix (6E5, 6FP, 6CE…) identifies the exact engine family and generation — two F150s from different years can share a badge but carry different prefixes and non-interchangeable parts. The single production-year letter beside the serial settles the eternal “what year is my Yamaha outboard” question:
Table
| Letter | G | H | J | K | L | M | N |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 |
Common Mistakes When Reading Yamaha Model Codes
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Confusing X-the-shaft with X-the-control. On offshore engines, X in the shaft position means 25 inches; X in the control position means remote. Context is everything — when in doubt, measure the transom.
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Assuming same badge = same engine. The F225 existed as both a 3.3L V6 (pre-2015) and a 4.2L V6 (2015+). The model code won’t reveal displacement — the prefix code and cowling badge will.
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Reading the cowling instead of the plate. Cowlings get swapped after impact damage. Always decode the riveted bracket plate, never the sticker on the hood.
Why This Matters When Buying a Used Outboard
The model code tells you whether the engine will physically mount to your boat (shaft letter), how it starts (M vs E), and how it’s controlled (H vs X) — before you spend a cent. It also protects you from mislabeled listings, one of the most common traps in the used outboard market.
Every Yamaha outboard we list is decoded from its serial plate, photographed, and published with the verified model code — so the engine you read about is the engine that arrives. Browse all Yamaha outboard motors in our shop (Editor: link this anchor to your “Yamaha Outboard Motors for Sale” category URL from Appearance → Menus).
Still unsure what your plate says? Call +31 970 050 30680 or email sales@regalboatsmarinebv.nl — we’ll decode your serial plate with you over the phone.
FAQ
How do I find the year of my Yamaha outboard?
Check the single production-year letter stamped beside the serial number on the transom-bracket plate (H = 2017, J = 2018, K = 2019…), or run the serial through Yamaha’s official dealer lookup.
What does the “A” at the end of a Yamaha model number mean?
The final letter designates the factory propeller fitment — A is the standard aluminum prop. It has no effect on engine internals.
Is the F200XA the same engine as the F200XCA?
No. Both are 200 HP 3.3L V6s with 25-inch shafts, but XA is the first-generation mechanical-control model while XCA is the second-generation Digital Electronic Control (DEC) version — different rigging, different parts.
What does the U in F350UCC stand for?
U designates the 30-inch ultra-long shaft, built for the deepest offshore transoms (~762 mm).
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