Yamaha 2012 F50LA vs. Yamaha 2015 F50 What are the differences in these two models?

[hershey2014]

I have a chance to buy a Yamaha 2012 F50LA outboard that has never been used. What are the differences in these two models, the 2012 F50LA and 2015 F50? Advantages? Disadvantages? What does the LA in F50LA stand for? Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks.

Bill

 

[jfm]

I have a chance to buy a Yamaha 2012 F50LA outboard that has never been used. What are the differences in these two models, the 2012 F50LA and 2015 F50? Advantages? Disadvantages? What does the LA in F50LA stand for? Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks.

Bill

I believe there are exactly the same except the 2012 has the old box shaped cowl and the 2015 has the new swooshy curved design of cowl that looks much nicer. But underneath they are the same substantially. Both are the efi 4 cylinder engine with 2 valve head. A very nice engine indeed (I've had 2).

F50LA doesn't ring true. Can you check? F means Fourstroke, 50=50hp, the next letter is the generation series which should be either F or G in 2012, the L means Longshaft (20 inch) but it needs a generation letter before it. Basically I just don't believe the LA. I had a 2010/11 engine bought new and it was F50FETL, ie F series of the basic engine design, A to E being earlier generations. They're currently on H. So "LA" is completely implausible.

The 2015 F50 will also be followed by some letters, and currently you'd expect I think F50HETL. H series which is the current generation, Elec start, power Trim, Longshaft 20 inches

 

[MYAG]

Hmm, I don't disagree with the above and I think JFM is correct with the full coding for the Yam's to describe the engine package but iirc and going back some years, Yamaha used a short descriptor which denoted the horsepower/shaft length/model year only. So could be F50LA = fourstroke-50hp-20inch-2013/14 model year. F50LB = fourstroke-50hp-20inch-2014/15 model etc etc..... Maybe?

 

[jfm]

Hmm, I don't disagree with the above and I think JFM is correct with the full coding for the Yam's to describe the engine package but iirc and going back some years, Yamaha used a short descriptor which denoted the horsepower/shaft length/model year only. So could be F50LA = fourstroke-50hp-20inch-2013/14 model year. F50LB = fourstroke-50hp-20inch-2014/15 model etc etc..... Maybe?

That WAS correct, but they haven't used the system where a particular letter = a particular year for quite some time, maybe nearly 10 years. OP is talking about 2012 and 2015, and in that time period Yam did not (and still do not) use model years at all. They just add a letter when they revise the design, which can be at 3 years or 3 months.

So for example, the 70hp that I currently have was launched as F70Axxx and still is F70A (mine is F70AETL), because they haven't changed anything in the 3 years since the model was launched hence we are still on "generation A". A most certainly doesn't mean any of 2012, 2013, 2014 or 2015, the years in which the F70A has been available

The 50 has been around >10 years and that's why it is now on generation H

I guess this system helps dealers carry stock over year end without it becoming "old stock" when the new year comes around

EDIT: see this from yam's own website http://www.yamaha-motor.eu/uk/information/ob-model-codes.aspx and this that explains the "letter=year" system ended in 2005 http://www.maxrules.com/fixyamahamodels.html. I rest my case guv'

 

[MYAG]

That WAS correct, but they haven't used the system where a particular letter = a particular year for quite some time, maybe nearly 10 years. OP is talking about 2012 and 2015, and in that time period Yam did not (and still do not) use model years at all. They just add a letter when they revise the design, which can be at 3 years or 3 months.

So for example, the 70hp that I currently have was launched as F70Axxx and still is F70A (mine is F70AETL), because they haven't changed anything in the 3 years since the model was launched hence we are still on "generation A". A most certainly doesn't mean any of 2012, 2013, 2014 or 2015, the years in which the F70A has been available

The 50 has been around >10 years and that's why it is now on generation H

I guess this system helps dealers carry stock over year end without it becoming "old stock" when the new year comes around

EDIT: see this from yam's own website http://www.yamaha-motor.eu/uk/information/ob-model-codes.aspx and this that explains the "letter=year" system ended in 2005 http://www.maxrules.com/fixyamahamodels.html. I rest my case guv'

Yes all agreed. It was merely an enquiry.

To the OP question though and doing a search for Yamaha F50LA brings up many for sale so it must mean something (LA) but what? The Yamaha parts catalogue also shows F50LA as 2006 onwards but says little else.....