New engine releases for Mercury (July 2005)

2005 is shaping up to be another huge year for Mercury Marine, with the release of its four-cylinder Verados, some compact diesels for trailerboats and significant improvement to the '05 outboard range

The months leading up to Sanctuary Cove Boat Show prove to be a hectic time in the boating industry as manufacturers gear up to release next summer's boat and motor models. Not least among them is Mercury Marine, who took the opportunity to showcase a number of new petrol and diesel sterndrives and outboards including the exciting four-cylinder supercharged Verado range, which is now available between 135–275hp.

OUTBOARDS
The most anticipated release for Mercury this year has been the four-cylinder Verado. The company had a demo supercharged 150hp engine (the mid-range variant in the three-model inline four-cylinder DOHC 16-valve range) bolted to a new Trophy 2101 centre console.

Displacing 1700cc, the performance of these engines is breathtaking. The holeshot from the rig was stunning and engine noise would have to be one of the lowest around with vibration practically negligible. Acceleration is also very quick right through the range to more than 70kmh.

All Verado models feature Digital Throttle and Shift (DTS) units as well as SmartCraft digital engine management systems which also allow interfacing with some of Mercury's Navman navigation electronics.

Mercury has also some of its outboard range. In 2005, all outboards from 25–275hp will be EFI equipped and will feature a 14-pin plug to allow plug-and-play interface to Navman electronics for engine performance monitoring and problem diagnosis.

Also new for 2005 is 2.5–3.5hp four-strokes, of great interest to canoe enthusiasts, dinghy owners and for those in the market for an auxiliary.

As these models spend a lot of time stored on their sides, Mercury has done away with the dipstick and replaced it with a clear glass window for checking oil levels.

Its 4, 5 and 6hp four-stroke outboards all feature six trim positions as well as shallow drive. They have been revamped with a new flywheel, alternator kit and an integrated CD ignition that has done away with the CD box.

Mercury 25 and 30hp tiller-control engines feature manual starting, but with EFI for added benefits of ease of starting, smoothness, and economy. EFI has in the past been an integral function only for electric start engines.

The 75/90hp four-stroke outboards are now EFI equipped.

A move towards making the whole range "Saltwater" versions is another priority, to be achieved by including more stainless-steel components.

INBOARDS
MerCruiser and Cummins have teamed up to produce diesel engines from 120–670hp under the brand Cummins MerCruiser Diesel, or CMD, and will be available for trailerboats to offshore powerboats.

Of particular interest was the 2.8lt CMD 200hp four-cylinder diesel fitted to a Mustang Walkaround. Fitted with a 19in prop, at 3850rpm it had brilliant holeshot up to 40mph (65kmh). Noticeable was the incredible torque offered by this small inline engine as a result of a turbo generating more torque at low revs. With four adults on board, high- and low-speed turns were possible with no slowing of engine revs and the vessel remaining on the plane. This engine will find favour as a drop-in replacement for a petrol engine. It has been shortened by 101mm from the 2.8ES165, with petrol-to-diesel conversion in mind. With only a lick of sound insulation in the engine box, noise was on the high side but soundproofing would remedy this and put this powerplant a serious proposition for boatowners looking for the reliability and economy of a diesel. This engine may be coupled with the Bravo One X, Two X or Three X sterndrives.

A Maxum 2450 was rigged with a MerCruiser 300hp 350 MAG MPI Horizon. This engine generated buckets of power from its 5.7lt V8 block, and DTS was also fitted to this rig. At 3800rpm we loafed along at 35mph (56kmh).

You have to use this throttle system to truly appreciate how silky smooth and accurate it is. There is no mistaking the three shift positions as they engage smoothly, quietly and with no gnashing of teeth in the gearbox. Available for dual and single engine applications, all controls feature the start button on the shift. The dual installation will automatically match the rpm for each engine.

The fact there is no maintenance required on this system ever has to be a big bonus!

Another advantage of the DTS system is it accepts interfacing with Navman electronics for a premium of about $150. This offers the operator full engine diagnostics including trim tab levels on-screen in addition to, or instead of, conventional instrumentation or SmartCraft.

STERNDRIVE LEGS
MerCruiser has redesigned its 20 sterndrive leg models. Some improvements include a claimed one-third less force required to shift the gear lever on Alpha and Bravo models and a 30 per cent reduction in installation time for new drives, quick disconnect fittings plus larger propeller thrust bearings on the counter-rotating Bravo Three drive.

All multi-port fuel injection (MPI) Alpha models now feature a revised engine management program for reducing shift effort, noise, vibration and harshness.

According to Mercury, extensive tests show the refined Bravo clutch mechanism has achieved an 85 per cent reduction in shift-related vibration and harshness.

Surveys overseas have shown that problems with engine starting of carburetted inboard motors have been one of the biggest operator complaints. Mercury has addressed this with a Turn Key Starting system (TKS), which has a redesigned carburettor system with an automatic fuel-enrichment system instead of the traditional choke. This allows for consistent starts, even in cold weather. The TKS system will be available as an aftermarket kit and may be retrofitted to MerCruiser engines manufactured after 1997.

SPECS AND PRICES

MERCURY VERADO 150

Type: DOHC inline four-cylinder fuel-injected supercharged four-stroke

Displacement: 1.7lt

Weight: 231kg

Transom height: 20, 25, 30in

RRP: From $24,070

MERCRUISER 300HP 350 MAG MPI

Type: Fuel-injected V8 four-stroke inboard motor Displacement: 5.7lt

Weight: 433–463kg

Drive: Alpha 1, Bravo 1, 2 and 3

RRP: From $28,337

MERCRUISER 320HP 6.2 MAG MPI

Type: Fuel-injected V8 four-stroke inboard motor

Displacement: 6.2lt

Weight: 451–463kg

Drive: Bravo 1, 2 and 3

RRP: From $32,755

CUMMINS MERCRUISER 200HP 2.8 DIESEL

Type: Inline four-cylinder fuel-injected diesel

Displacement: 2.8lt

Weight: 488–497kg

Drive: Bravo 1, 2 and 3

RP: From $35,760

Published : Friday, 1 July 2005
Issue : July 2005

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Prices and specifications supplied are for the market in Australia only and were correct at time of first publication. BoatPoint Australia makes no warranty as to the accuracy of specifications or prices. Please check with manufacturer or local dealer for current pricing and specifications.