You need a part. You go to order it online. Then you realise — you don’t actually know what model your Yamaha outboard is.
It happens more than you’d think. Second-hand motors, boats that changed hands without paperwork, or engines that’ve been running for 15 years without anyone caring what generation they were. The problem is, “115hp Yamaha four-stroke” isn’t enough to order parts with confidence. The wrong generation can mean the wrong impeller, the wrong water pump kit, or a service kit that technically fits but wasn’t designed for your powerhead.
This guide covers everything you need to identify your Yamaha outboard correctly — where to find the serial number, how to decode the full model code, how to determine the year, and what to do when the sticker is gone.
Where Is the Serial Number on a Yamaha Outboard?
Your Yamaha outboard serial number is located on the port side (left side) of the motor, on the bracket that mounts the engine to your boat’s transom. Yamaha calls this the identification plate, or ID placard.
It’s a sticker or decal — not engraved on most models — and it contains three key pieces of information:
- Line 1: The model code (e.g. F115BETLX)
- Line 2: A prefix code, shaft length, and a 6–7 digit serial number
- Line 3 (older motors only): A single letter in the bottom-right corner that corresponds to the production year
Tip: The plate can be awkward to access, especially on motors installed with tight rigging. Use your phone torch and camera in close — it’s much easier than trying to read it by eye.
On older models, Yamaha also stamps or engraves the serial number directly into the engine block as a backup. If the sticker is gone or unreadable, that’s your fallback — more on that below.
How to Read a Yamaha Outboard Model Code
This is where most guides fall short. They’ll tell you the year letter, but not how to decode the full model code string — which is what actually determines parts compatibility.
Here’s how to break it down using a worked example: F115BETLX
Prefix (Before the HP Number)
The letter or letters before the horsepower number tell you the engine type.
| Code | Meaning |
| F | 4-stroke |
| E | Enduro (different powerhead and gearbox to standard equivalent HP) |
| Z | High-pressure direct injection 2-stroke |
| VF | VMAX SHO |
| T | High thrust |
| L | Left-hand / counter-rotating gearbox |
| (blank) | Standard 2-stroke, right-hand rotation |
In our example, F = 4-stroke.
Horsepower Number
Straightforward — this is the prop shaft horsepower. 115 = 115hp.
Model Generation Letter
The letter immediately after the HP number (B in our example) indicates which design generation this motor is within that horsepower range. A is the first generation, B the second, and so on.
This matters more than most people realise. An F115A and an F115B are both 115hp 4-stroke Yamahas, but they may share very few internal components. Always confirm the generation letter before ordering service parts like gaskets, pistons, or rebuild kits.
Feature Codes
The letters following the generation code describe how the motor is set up.
| Code | Meaning |
| E | Electric start |
| T | Power trim and tilt |
| O | Oil injection (2-stroke models) |
| R | Remote control |
| L | Long shaft (when appearing after feature codes) |
In our example: ETL = electric start, power trim and tilt, long shaft.
Shaft Length Codes
Shaft length affects more parts than you’d expect — including water pump kits, drive shafts, and impeller housings. Always confirm this before ordering.
| Code | Shaft Length |
| S | Short (15”) |
| L | Long (20”) |
| X | Extra long (25”) |
| XX or UL | Ultra long (30”) |
In our example, the final X = extra long shaft.
So F115BETLX breaks down as: 4-stroke, 115hp, second generation, electric start, power trim and tilt, extra long shaft.
Once you can read the model code, you can identify exactly what you have — and order parts with confidence.
What Year Is My Yamaha Outboard?
Pre-2019 Motors — The Year Letter System
On motors manufactured before 2019, the production year is indicated by a single letter in the bottom-right corner of the ID plate (Line 3).
The letters cycle through in reverse alphabetical order, which means the same letter can correspond to multiple years — use your judgement based on the motor’s condition and history to narrow it down.
| Letter | Years |
| W | 1976 / 1997 / 2018 |
| X | 1975 / 1996 / 2017 |
| Y | 1974 / 1995 / 2016 |
| Z | 1973 / 1994 / 2015 |
| A | 1993 / 2014 |
| B | 1992 / 2013 |
| C | 1991 / 2012 |
| D | 1990 / 2011 |
| F | 1989 / 2010 |
| G | 1988 / 2009 |
| H | 1987 / 2008 |
| J | 1986 / 2007 |
| K | 1985 / 2006 |
| N | 1984 / 2005 |
| P | 1983 / 2004 |
| Q | 1982 / 2003 |
| R | 1981 / 2002 |
| S | 1980 / 2001 |
| T | 1979 / 2000 |
| U | 1978 / 1999 |
| V | 1977 / 1998 |
Post-2019 Motors — No Year Letter
From 2019 onwards, Yamaha phased out the year letter system entirely. These motors don’t have a production year letter on the ID plate.
Instead, look under the engine cowl on the powerhead for a small sticker — roughly 25mm square — showing the year of manufacture directly. It’s easy to miss if you don’t know to look for it.
Important Note for Australian Buyers
The year letter chart above applies to Asia Pacific specification engines only — which covers the vast majority of motors sold through Australian Yamaha dealers.
If you’re working on a grey import (brought in from the US, Japan, or Europe), the coding system may differ. US and European spec motors use different model suffix conventions, so the letters may not match the chart above. If you’re unsure, check with your local Yamaha dealer or contact Yamaha Motor Australia directly before ordering parts.
What If the Serial Number Sticker Is Missing or Unreadable?
This is one of the most common problems when working on older or second-hand motors, and it’s a scenario that most guides ignore completely. Here’s what to do.
- Check for the stamped serial on the block. Yamaha stamps or engraves a 6–7 digit code directly into the engine block on most models. It’s usually on the port side of the powerhead or lower on the block near the gearbox housing. Get a torch in there — it can be hard to see but it’s often still legible when the sticker isn’t.
- Use the partial information you do have. If you can see the model code but not the serial, or vice versa, that’s often still enough to identify the correct parts. The model code + approximate age narrows it down considerably.
- Contact Yamaha Motor Australia. With a partial model code, approximate HP, and a rough age estimate, Yamaha AU can often confirm motor details for you. It’s worth a call before guessing on parts.
- Send us a photo. The team at Victory Parts has extensive experience identifying Yamaha outboards from partial information. Email us at online@victoryparts.com.au with a photo of the motor and any numbers you can make out — we can usually help track down the right parts even without a complete serial.
- Check the Ausfish forums. For older or unusual motors, the Australian fishing community is a surprisingly useful resource. Someone has likely seen your motor before.
Australia/Asia Pacific Spec vs. Grey Import Yamahas
Most Yamahas on Australian waterways are Asia Pacific spec, sold through the authorised Yamaha dealer network. But grey imports — motors originally sold in the US, Japan, or Europe and later brought to Australia — do exist, and they can cause headaches when ordering parts.
The problem is they often look identical on the outside. Same HP, same body, same cowl colour. But the internals can differ between regional specs, particularly in components like:
- Water pump kits and impeller housings
- Service and maintenance kits
- Gasket sets
- Fuel system components
If you bought your motor privately or through a non-Yamaha channel and aren’t sure of its origin, it’s worth checking before ordering. Signs of an AU spec motor include Australian dealer stickers, local compliance labels, and model codes that match the Asia Pacific format.
When in doubt, our team can help confirm specs if you provide the full model code and serial number.
Found Your Model? Now Get the Right Yamaha Parts.
Once you know exactly what motor you have — the model code, generation, and year — ordering parts correctly is straightforward. No guesswork, no returns, no delays waiting on the water.
Victory Parts stocks a wide range of aftermarket Yamaha outboard parts across the full model range, from water pump kits and impellers to gaskets, fuel system components, service kits, and more. Parts are stocked at our Kunda Park facility on the Sunshine Coast, with next-day delivery available locally and fast Australia-wide shipping.
Not sure if a part is right for your model? Email us at online@victoryparts.com.au with your model code and we’ll confirm the right match before you order.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the serial number on a Yamaha outboard?
On the port (left) side of the motor, on the identification plate mounted to the transom bracket. It’s a sticker displaying the model code, serial number, and — on older motors — a year letter in the bottom-right corner.
How do I find out what year my Yamaha outboard is?
On pre-2019 motors, look for a single letter in the bottom-right corner of the ID plate and match it to the year chart above. On 2019 and later motors, the year letter system was removed — check under the engine cowl for a small sticker showing the manufacture year directly.
What does the F mean in a Yamaha model code?
F indicates a 4-stroke engine. A blank prefix means a standard 2-stroke. Other prefixes include E (Enduro), Z (high-pressure direct injection 2-stroke), VF (VMAX SHO), T (high thrust), and L (counter-rotating gearbox).
What is the difference between model generation letters (A, B, C)?
The generation letter after the HP number indicates which design iteration of that motor you have. A is the first generation, B the second, and so on. Different generations can have significantly different internal components — always confirm the generation before ordering parts like gaskets, pistons, or service kits.
My Yamaha serial number sticker is missing — what do I do?
Look for the serial number stamped directly into the engine block on the port side. If it’s not visible, contact Yamaha Motor Australia with whatever information you have (HP, approximate age, physical description), or email the team at Victory Parts — we can often identify motors from partial information and photos.
Does the year letter chart work for American or European Yamaha outboards?
No — the year letter chart applies to Asia Pacific specification engines only. US and European spec motors use a different coding convention. If you have a grey import, verify the model details directly with Yamaha or your parts supplier before ordering.
