Yamaha Motor Corporation, U.S.A. has purchased Fort George Island Marina in Duval County, FL, intending to convert the facility into the Yamaha Offshore Endurance Center (YOEC) to serve as a testing center for Yamaha Marine products, including outboards, sport boats and WaveRunners. The YOEC includes a 36,500-square-foot warehouse, marina building, and 7,200-square-foot office and event space.
“The YOEC complements our test centers in Alabama and Kennesaw while adding greater capacity and capability. It also supports Yamaha Marine’s global testing plans by expanding opportunities to develop products,” said Ben Speciale, president of Yamaha U.S. Marine Business Unit. “The environment provided by this location will allow us to focus on durability and reliability testing for larger engines, systems and boat hull designs in an offshore environment. It will also include an immersive team center to inspire future engineering talent.”
Earlier this year, Yamaha completed the expansion of its freshwater testing facility in Bridgeport, AL, adding 5,900 square feet of office space and 8,000 square feet of labs and storage. Yamaha recently finalized the construction of a new Marine Innovation Center in Kennesaw, GA, a 75,280-square-foot facility housing the Yamaha Marine Connected Division, Yamaha U.S. Marine Development, Yamaha Marine Product Management, and Yamaha Marine Technical Marketing.
Yamaha plans to start renovating the saltwater testing facility in Duval County in the third quarter of 2023.
Yamaha’s WaterCraft Group, based in Kennesaw, GA, is responsible for the sales, marketing and distribution of Yamaha boats and WaveRunner watercraft in the U.S., supporting over 800 marine and powersports dealers nationwide.
Photo courtesy Yamaha Motor Corporation
