We visited Lake Oconee, Georgia, last week to check out Yamaha’s newest entry into the small four-stroke segment, the F25.

This isn’t just a bored-out 20 or a scaled-down 40—it’s a completely new outboard utilizing a 2-cylinder, single-overhead camshaft, 498cc engine with micro-computer-controlled ignition. They did borrow a few parts, however: Pistons, connecting rods and valves are the same as used in the F60.

It’s a tough engine in a small package, but not quite what you’d call a portable. The high-thrust “T” model, with electric trim and tilt, weighs in at 203 pounds. The F series comes in around 180 pounds, depending on options, such as short (15 inches) or long (20 inches) shaft, tiller or steering. High thrust, in this case, means a 2.42:1 gear ratio instead of 2.08:1, with the goal of moving larger boats such as pontoons.

Yamaha had a suitable array of test boats on the lake for us to try, including saltwater skiffs ideal for the Florida backwaters.

Performance-wise, the F25 leaves Yamaha’s two-stroke 25 in the 20th century: The alternator is beefed up to 13 amps, from 6; fuel economy improves by about 30 percent; top-end speed even increases some, based on some Yamaha studies.

Manufacturer’s suggested retail price for the base mode F25 (tiller, short shaft, manual start) is $3,900. The T25, with long shaft; electric start, tilt and trim; and remote steering lists for $4,865. Several models fall in between that range.

Here’s the F25.

Our first look at a dandy new poling skiff. It’s a prototype Flicker, built by Sundance Boats out of Waycross, Georgia. Sundance is known as a builder of economical, common-sense boats from 14 to 24 feet. This one’s 17 feet, 1 inch, weighing in at 850 pounds, hull only.

Think of the F25 as a powerplant for small, shallow-draft vessels. In this case, it’s part of the entry-level package for the Flicker, a recession-busting $12,470 MSRP. That’s a totally rigged flats skiff and a 3-year warranty on the F25. Nice.

Okay, this was supposed to be mostly about the F25, but we’re going to have to run a bunch of pics of the Flicker. Why? ‘Cause that’s the kind of boat we like to run.

Another look.

And another.

The Flicker ran best with one angler at the helm, the other seated in front of the console (or, in the case of this photo, lying on the casting deck). This allowed us to get the rpm down to 4,400, picking up about an extra 2 miles per gallon while maintaining proper attitude. Not that the F25 is going to chug fuel at WOT (Wide Open Throttle), but a few summers of $3 per gallon gas have made us cringe when we see 5,000 rpm. (As a sidenote, we’re anxious to run the Flicker with a 40-horse and a pair of trim tabs.)

The business end of the Flicker is a rounded, raised casting deck with an integral toe rail and low-profile hardware—perfect for fly fishing.

The casting deck also comes with a mounting surface and pre-wired outlet for a trolling motor.

Seat cushion lifts to reveal cooler.