The Yamaha outboard has proved its reliability and quality by donating parts to non-Yamaha products

The Yamaha outboard was the second Japanese Outboard to enter the North American market.

Genichi Kawakami was the first son of Kaichi Kawakami, the third-generation president of Nippon Gakki (presently the Yamaha Corporation). Genichi studied and graduated from Takachiho Higher Commercial School in March of 1934. In July of 1937, he was the second Kawakami to join the Nippon Gakki Company.

He quickly rose to positions of manager of the company's Tenryu Factory Company and then Senior General Manager, before assuming to the positions of fourth-generation President in 1950 at the young age of 38.

In 1953, Genichi was looking for a way to make use of idle machining equipment that had previously been used to make aircraft propellers. Looking back on the founding of Yamaha Motor Company, Genichi had this to say. "While the company was performing well and had some financial leeway, I felt the need to look for our next area of business. So, I did some research."

He explored producing many products, including, scooters, three-wheeled utility vehicles, outboard motors and… motorcycles. Market and competitive factors led him to focus on the outboard motor market. Genichi actually visited the United States many times during this period.

When asked about this decision, he said, "I had my research division chief and other managers visit leading factories around the world. They came back and told me there was still plenty of opportunity, even if we were entering the market late. I didn't want to be completely unprepared in this unfamiliar business, so we toured American factories before setting out to build our first Yamaha outboard motor. I joined in this tour around the United States, during which my chief engineers learned how to build outboard motors. We did as much research as possible to insure that we could build an outboard as good as any out there. Once we had that confidence, we started going." 

In 1960 Yamaha Outboard Motors released its first P-7 model outboard. The history of Yamaha outboards has been a history of revolutionary developments in marine engine technology.

Yamaha's industry-leading developments, like their anti-corrosion system, fuel injection system, microcomputer control system, high pressure direct injection system and in-bank exhaust system, have given Yamaha customers the kind of durability and performance they want.

Today, Yamaha outboard motors can be found painted of variety of colours and Yamaha out board parts are found on a few non-Yamaha name brand products. Curious eh! Quality counts! 

Yamaha engineering analyzed the North American Market and developed specific outboards with special features for special boating requirements.

Today the Yamaha is known for high thrust and high horsepower.