The way you read the identification on a Yamaha model will greatly depend on the year it was made. Initially Yamaha used letters from A to Z to mark the production year, but after the letters had run out they changed the system. But don’t worry the new system is very similar to the first. And it’s quite easy to differentiate the two of them.
In short on a Yamaha motor the first two letters of the number represent the model type, the numbers after represent the horsepower, the letter after represents the shaft length, and the letter at the end represents the year the motor was manufactured.
Now let’s take a closer look at those letters and numbers and see how you can identify them.
Table of Contents
The Old Identification Plates (From 1984 to 2005)
Here is a clear shot of the picture, which explains what each number means.
1-Serial Number
2-Model Name
3-Motor Transom Height
4-Approved Model Code
To decode the meaning of the serial we have to use this table. Which explains what every letter and number means.
| Model | HP | Shaft Length | Model Year |
| B – Inshore Series | 30 – 30 HP | S – 15” | N – 1984 |
| C – C Series | 50 – 50 HP | L – 20” | K – 1985 |
| CV – C Series | 100 – 100 HP | X – 25” | J – 1986 |
| D – Twin Rotating Propellers | 200 – 200 HP | U – 30” | H – 1987 |
| DX – Twin Rotating Propellers OX66 | 250 – 250 HP | G – 1988 | |
| E – Enduro Series | ……… | F – 1989 | |
| F – Four Stroke | ……… | D – 1990 | |
| LF – Left Hand Four Stroke | ……… | P – 1991 | |
| L – Left Hand | ……… | Q – 1992 | |
| LX – Left Hand OX66 | ……… | R – 1993 | |
| LZ – Left Hand HPDI | ……… | S – 1994 | |
| P – Pro Series | ……… | T – 1995 | |
| PX – Pro Series OX66 | ……… | U – 1996 | |
| S – Saltwater Series | ……… | V – 1997 | |
| SX – Saltwater Series OX66 | ……… | W – 1998 | |
| T – Four Stroke with High Trust | ……… | X – 1999 | |
| V – V Max Series | ……… | Y – 2000 | |
| VX – V Max OX66 | ……… | Z – 2001 | |
| VZ – V Max HPDI | ……… | A – 2002 | |
| Z – HPDI | ……… | B – 2003 | |
| ……… | C – 2004 | ||
| ……… | D – 2005 |
Example
Now let’s take our example and see how to apply the data from the table. Our spiral plate is this one.
We want to look at the medel name (nr. 2), which is the top number. In our case this is VF115XA. Which breaks down in 4 separate parts. VF – 115 – X -A.
The first thing that we want to look at is VF, in the first column of the table we find that VF means. V stands for max series, and F for four strokes. So now we know that this is a max series motor with 4 strokes.
115 stands for horsepower.
The X means that the shaft length is 25”.
And finally the letter A at the end stands for the year it was manufactured, in this case it’s 2002.
So to recap, VF115XA is a max series motor with 4 strokes, that has 115 HP, a shaft length of 25”, and it was made in 2002.
The New Identification Plates (From 2005 Until Present)
For the motors made after 2004, things will get a lot simpler. This is what you should find on a newer motor.
As you can see there is a new sticker that directly states the manufacturing date.
To find out the horsepower and model of the engine you still have to use the table, just like with older models.
Where You Can Find the Identification Numbers
The identification numbers can usually be found in two places on the motor, depending on the year it was manufactured, as well as the size.
The most common place where you can find the numbers is on the side, on the ransom bracket. Like you can see in this picture.
Here is a closer look.
But sometimes the number can be on top of the motor, like you can see here.
From my experience those are the only two places where you can expect to find them, but the second case with the numbers on top of the motor is quite rare.
Final Thoughts
So decoding the identification plates of a yamaha motor is not hard, you simply have to follow the table in order.
While the table might seem overwhelming at first, it’s actually quite easy to follow if you don’t rush things.
One final thing that I want to add is that you shouldn’t waste your time trying to remember the table, just download the picture below and save it on your phone. This way you will always have it ready when you need it.
