Jeanneau Cap Camarat 12.5 WA (11.9 m). The test/comparison of two versions (900 hp)

We tested the latest generation of 300-horsepower Japanese outboards, both Yamaha and Suzuki, in triple configuration, on a Jeanneau Cap Camarat 12.5 WA.

What we talk about:

• The boat
• The test with 3x300hp Yamaha
• The test with 3x300hp Suzuki
• Navigation data: 3x300hp Yamaha
• Navigation data: 3x300hp Suzuki

The boat: Jeanneau Cap Camarat 12.5 WA

The 300-horsepower outboard segment is one of the most competitive segments in the market. These are engines that combine power and technology and often involve multiple installations. Aboard the Jeanneau Cap Camarat 12.5, we saw a comparison of outboards from two brands, equal in total horsepower, 900 hp given by three engines.

On the one hand the
Yamaha V6 (read the article here)
, launched in 2021 and part of the company’s premium segment with a DNA that echoes that of the XTOs, i.e., Yamaha Marine’s top of the line. On the other the
DF300B from Suzuki
, also V6s, featuring the twin counter-rotating propeller (the only 300-horsepower on the market that has it) that enhances the boat’s grip on the water. Let’s take a look at the main features of the Jeanneau and then move on to navigation.

Jeanneau Cap Camarat 12.5 WA – Exterior and interior layouts

The design is by the Sarrazin studio, which had a clear goal with this model: to raise the bar. Starting from the stern, the large platform is mostly occupied by the outboards. Not to give up deck space, Jeanneau has designed a very large cockpit where there is room for open-air cooking. To take advantage of as much surface area as possible, the boat has a fold-down broadside that increases the footprint area.

In the middle of the boat to catalyze all the attention is the outdoor kitchen as a true American-style “party boat,” where one can indulge in aperitifs and dinners for friends and guests, with no limits other than the desire to cook. Going toward the bow we find the console with three seats, protected by a large, very wraparound windshield. Walking to either side of the console leads to another cockpit with three sunbeds. The interior is bright, thanks to windows on the hull. Forward is a large dinette with a galley to the left of the stairs leading below deck; a full-beam aft cabin with its own king-size bed and separate shower stall.

Sailing – General considerations

After looking at the general appearance of the boat, let’s see how it performs under sail depending on the engines. For the hull the signature is that of Michael Peters, who in his career has created many successful designs from recreational to racing. The deep-V hull, 11.90 meters long and 3.58 meters wide, is designed for major top speeds in excess of 50 knots. In general, the top speed in standard conditions is around 45 knots, with the cruising speed at 22-25 knots.

The hull proves comfortable on the wave, especially in the aft cockpit, where one can talk in peace. The dashboard is large and allows you to accommodate all the instrumentation you need. You are also quite high on the water, although the bulky bow (to give space for the interior), combined with the T-Top struts and still beyond the windshield the stanchion, do not always allow for optimal visibility, especially in the phase before glide-in. However, this can be obviated with a pair of flaps, such as ZipWakes(read the full article here), as we experienced on the version with Suzuki outboards that had them.

The test with 3x300hp Yamaha

New to Yamaha 2021-2022 are the new V6 outboards. We had a chance to try them out in Mandelieu, at Yamaha Marine Europe’s official press event. The new design, inspired by the XTOs, complements a modern boat like this Jeanneau beautifully. It is not only the aesthetics that come from the “big boys,” but also the functionality. This is, in fact, the most feature-rich premium V6 engine ever made by Yamaha. Thanks to the DES (digital electric steering) system built into the engines with Steer by Wire system, the feeling at the helm is of a maneuverable boat. With three 300 HP V6s, the Jeanneau takes about 14 seconds to reach 30 knots, attesting to its cruising speed around 26 knots with an average consumption of 140 liters per hour and a maximum of 41.5 knots with 297 liters per hour of consumption.

It should be noted that during this test the fuel tank (800 liters) was full. The strength of this triple-drive boat is the ability to install and manage everything with Helm Master EX, which is compatible with all drive-by-wire engines. Ideal for fishing, but not only, the Helm Master is a system from Yamaha that allows for simplified maneuvering and management of various aspects of navigation. An example? With the track point, marking points on the map, we navigated without touching the rudder. Turns even if tight are made independently by the boat. This does not preclude constant monitoring of the boat’s surroundings, but it does allow for the possibility of being able to do multiple activities at once, easily and accurately.

The test with 3x300hp Suzuki

The grip on the water, course keeping, total control in turning even at 40 knots, and torque. These are the points that impressed us most during the testing of this boat. With a triple engine of this type any yachtsman can feel comfortable even on a nearly 50-knot 12-meter. The secret? A double counter-rotating propeller that makes Suzuki DF300Bs unique in the market. In both forward and reverse gears, the thrust is therefore neutral, favoring precision and ease of maneuvering. Another plus point of this engine combined with the Jeanneau is that, despite a significant tonnage, the boat proves agile, for example by being able to turn ever so tightly on itself.

If we think about the recovery of a man overboard, this feature certainly makes the maneuver easier. The top speed on the Cap Camarat tested by us was 45.8 knots at 6200 rpm with an average consumption of 300 liters per hour. Important numbers certainly, but what matters most in a practical sense is the cruising speed. The ideal one on this model so set up is around 23-24 knots, with the engines just above 3500 rpm and an hourly consumption of about 100 liters per hour. Interestingly, if we should suddenly seize the need to go faster, or perhaps just for the sake of speed, the boat behaves like a 4×4. How do you mean? By pushing on the throttles thanks to the double propeller, the regress is greatly reduced, and thus there is a feeling that the boat does not “slip,” but is always at full throttle.

Boat data sheet – Cap Camarat 12.5 WA

Jeanneau Cap Camarat 12.5 WA. Navigation data: 3x300hp Suzuki

This outboard is based on the 4.4-liter six-cylinder engine block of the DF350A, Suzuki’s most powerful. It is among the highest-cube thermal units among the 300 HP V6s on the market and, by virtue of its displacement, offers impressive torque values. The compression ratio of 10.5:1 then provides significant fuel economy and more reliability. The main feature of this 300-horsepower machine remains the double counter-rotating propeller. The individual propellers have a special geometry that maximizes grip. It is no coincidence that boats powered by the DF300Bs are prized for great course keeping and maximum maneuverability, aided by Suzuki Precision Control, which is based on drive-by-wire technology, whereby both gearing and throttle are managed electronically and no longer by cables, eliminating friction and drag in the controls.

Navigation data: 3x300hp Yamaha

New 2022, already unveiled since May, the new 4.6-liter V6s are Yamaha’s most technologically advanced outboards in this segment. The new V6s use variable camshaft timing technology as standard. This ensures attractive performance for every power range (the new V6s range from 225 to 300 horsepower) and also to optimize the mixture of fuel and air in the cylinders for consistent torque. Digital electric power steering (DES), TotalTilt function, and Thrust Enhancing Reverse Exhaust (TERE) make it a concentration of state-of-the-art features, including those that the Helm Master EX can also offer.

Article from
Motor Boats No.22

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