POWER, STYLE AND COLOUR TOO
Mercury’s new 4.6-litre V8 outboard range is light and powerful. Different variants suit a wide range of boating applications, from go-fast boats to commercial offshore operations, sports boats, rigid inflatables, inshore and offshore fishing boats and family cruisers. Engines suit single or multiple installations.
Crisp, bold styling is complemented by the ability to personalise each engine using colour. The new V8s are offered with a choice of four base colours and four accent panels.
when the telltale is all you can hear from the helm.
Of course, if you want to enjoy a real V8 soundtrack, you can opt for Mercury’s Advanced Sound Control. This allows users to toggle between ultra-quiet operation and, by opening an exhaust valve via Vessel View, a throatier-sounding sport mode. It’s a popular option, says Villis.
Mercury has gone to considerable trouble to ensure the V8 engine is quiet. In AMS versions, vibration is virtually eliminated, and like the new V6 engines, the V8 benefits from sharp, angular styling and robust cowlings. Verado models get extra sound insulation.
To a certain extent the distinctive cowl design is a result of having to accommodate the exhaust manifold between the cylinder banks. The exhaust is then routed from the top of the engine down the centerline of the powerhead. A narrow cowling means the V8, in multiple installations, can be mounted at class-leading 26-inch (66.1cm) centres.
LIGHT, FAST AND QUIET
The motors are so light, Mercury could afford to add extra sound deadening underneath the cowlings. Engine covers are lifted off from above using a single heavy-duty handle accessed
through the top cowl service door that allows engine fluid level monitoring without the need to remove the cowling. A red button on the handle releases all the latches around the cowl.
As noted, the Tristram 701 shines with this engine on the transom. The team at Tristram tested with several propellers going up in pitch each time before settling on a 19-inch-pitch Enertia stainless steel model. This propeller provides a good compromise between acceleration and top speed, but according to Tristram Marine’s Kingsley Fink, a 20-inch prop would result in an even higher top speed than the 44 knots we achieved.
The V8 benefits from Mercury’s Transient Spark technology, which optimises spark timing, resulting in additional torque during hole shots. The additional torque translates into quicker acceleration.
Another Mercury technology, Advanced Range Optimization, automatically adjusts fuel delivery for better cruise-speed fuel efficiency. Mercury’s version of lean-burn technology returned a fuel consumption figure
The V8 benefits from Mercury’s Transient Spark technology...
of 37 litres per hour at 26 knots/4000rpm, according to our instruments.
Also apparent during our run with the 701 Offshore was one of the effects of Mercury’s Adaptive Speed Control (ASC), which maintains the driver’s desired rpm regardless of load or sea conditions. Like Mercury’s new V6 engines, the V8 holds its revs without you having to adjust the throttle. Combined with the steering geometry afforded by the Advanced MidSection, ASC delivered awesome cornering performance, including full-throttle turns.
The Tristram is the sort of boat that loves a bit of power and it can easily accommodate the 300hp V8 Mercury because it’s so light. The deep-vee hull smooths out the bumps and the boat’s safe high-speed handling characteristics inspire confidence. Hole shots and acceleration in general are of course exceptional with all that torque on tap, most of it available at the lower end of the rev range, though the V8 happily revs to 6000rpm. POPULAR OPTION Tristram Marine is excited to be able to offer a lightweight V8 outboard option with the 701 and the new Mercury will find its way onto the transoms of other large trailer boats in the Tristram range as well, says Kingsley.
With Mercury Marine’s new V8 outboard engines – and the new V6 range – being snapped up by New Zealand boat manufacturers and importers as fast as Mercury’s local agents can land them, we can expect to see many more of these impressive engines on the water.