Mercury Unveils New Outboards

Mercury Marine added three V-6 outboards to its FourStroke series at this year’s Miami International Boat Show. The 175-, 200- and 225- hp engines are based on a 3.4liter powerhead. Mercury also introduced a 200- hp SeaPro outboard aimed at the commercial market.

The large-bore, naturally aspirated engines are lighter and more fuel efficient than other 4-strokes in their class, according to the manufacturer. Mercury says the 200-hp model is the lightest in its class at 475 pounds — 35 pounds less than its closest competitor. The company also says fuel efficiency in the 200-hp model is unmatched, yielding an advantage of up to 15 percent compared to other engines.

The outboards sport an angular look and can be customized using prepaint- ed and ready- for- paint panels. A service door integrated into the cowling permits oil checks without removing the entire covering. The 200-hp SeaPro V-6 outboard has the largest displacement in its class and is 25 percent lighter than the model it replaces, Mercury states. Calibrated for commercial use, the engine is designed to be durable and reliable.

“These outboards set a new benchmark in the marine industry,” says Mercury Marine president John Pfeifer. “They are the quietest, lightest, smoothest, quickest and most fuelefficient engines we have produced in this range.”

The 175 FourStroke retails for $16,225, the 200 is $17,175, and the 225 is $18,620. SeaPro pricing was unavailable.

Mercury Marine, Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, (920) 9295040. mercurymarine.com

— Gary Reich