Mercury 7.6L V12 600HP Verado Outboard

Some cool tech that hopefully will make it to the normal outboards. 2 speed transmission, fixed motor with articulating lower units, dual prop, built in power steering pumps, service hood. My area doesn’t support the 40-50 footers this motor was designed for, but it would be cool if this technology gets down to the 300-400 hp range.
 
Any chance the new Sundancer 370 outboard cruiser comes with a pair of these? At least as an option....
 
I wouldn't be surprised to see this as an option (twins) anywhere trips normally would be. It's tentatively scheduled to be offered on the 400SLX - possibly others, but I didn't check. And, before anyone asks... no, I do not know what the price is going to be, yet! But you know what they say about price... :)

I think it's about time that an outboard gets dual props! That, in and of itself, will make a huge difference around the dock and for hole shot.
 
Last edited:
I’m curious how the 2 speed transmission will hold up over time. Seems like they are relatively bulletproof proof on cars, but cars are like 2k rpm 99% of the time, and boats are 4-5k rpm, constantly, under load. Tesla tried a 2 speed transmission in their initial roadster, but the torque of the electric motor killed it, so they locked it in first (or second gear, I don’t recall).
 
You notice the second gear only results in a 20% drop in rpm but would only occur once up on plane and the engine load would become reduced at that point. I think some inboards could benefit from similar technology.
 
I love everything about this engine except the moveable lower units. That just seems like a failure point to me.
 
They are 1260lbs per engine. almost double the 600 lb 400s Merc makes. Yikes.
 
Chip S said:
I love everything about this engine except the moveable lower units. That just seems like a failure point to me.
Click to expand...
I agree, you are taking a relatively simple design and adding moving parts. I am not sure of the benefit of not having the whole engines move. Seems like a lot of moving parts and seals that are under water that are not on a traditional outboard.
 
One of the biggest benefits is that the new engines can be mounted much closer to each other. They are wider than the 450s and would consume more transom space and maybe even limit the number of units that could be fitted to a given boat. They also eliminate the swing area necessary on the outsides of the engine well allowing the swim platform to hug them more closely giving more boarding room on either side.

Regarding additional mechanicals you have to consider you're also losing the heavy mechanicals that are necessary to swing great big heavy outboards. Now your only swinging a much smaller and lighter lower unit. Personally I hope Mercury really vetted out the solution because I love the concept.
 
Jeremygavin said:
I agree, you are taking a relatively simple design and adding moving parts. I am not sure of the benefit of not having the whole engines move. Seems like a lot of moving parts and seals that are under water that are not on a traditional outboard.
Click to expand...
No differnt than pods.......but these can tilt out of the water when not in use! Will work really good with the joystick controls most of the multi outboard boats have now
 
Ididntdoit said:
No differnt than pods.......but these can tilt out of the water when not in use! Will work really good with the joystick controls most of the multi outboard boats have now
Click to expand...
Good point Mike, but Merc pods suck so I will be interested to see how these play out. I guess you never have progress without change.
 
Jeremygavin said:
Good point Mike, but Merc pods suck so I will be interested to see how these play out.
Click to expand...

Yeah, that's exactly why I mentioned I hope they vetted them out and didn't rush them to market. If they're robust then it's a great improvement that I hope moves down their engine lines in the future.
 
Lazy Daze said:
I wouldn't be surprised to see this as an option anywhere trips normally would be. It's tentatively scheduled to be offered on the 400SLX - possibly others, but I didn't check. And, before anyone asks... no, I do not know what the price is going to be, yet! But you know what they say about price... :)

I think it's about time that an outboard gets dual props! That, in and of itself, will make a huge difference around the dock and for hole shot.
Click to expand...
According to Boattest, the retail is $77,000 per engine. And they are going to release a 500 hp version too, but geared toward commercial operators.

I think this is a great idea. I hate the look of a big line of outboards across a transom. I always think of all the additional maintenance.

I have a little bit of comfort about the transmission because ZF did the design work for Mercury.

This link as some additional information and initial reviews of the engines.

https://boattest.com/article/new-me...om-newsletter&utm_content=Mercury+600+Release
 
Last edited:
Not sure how I feel about sleeping on a boat with 500 gallons of gasoline in the tanks. Yeah, I know 5 gallons is just as dangerous as 500, but then I'm no longer ok with that...

More seriously I do think besides the poor visual appeal of tri, or quad outboard setups, having two large engines on a large transom will allow the prop forces to be wider apart. The one big failing I've experienced driving big multi OB engined boats is that the ability to steer by varying engine speed is limited. In particular I've got a friend with a 38' Whaler with triples. Trying to maneuver into a slip is like having a giant single engined boat.
 
Jeremygavin said:
I agree, you are taking a relatively simple design and adding moving parts. I am not sure of the benefit of not having the whole engines move. Seems like a lot of moving parts and seals that are under water that are not on a traditional outboard.
Click to expand...
I guess no worse than IPS pods, but I agree its a risk point. Seems like an easy thing to seal though since there is not much movement and prop shafts on outboards not considered a huge risk and are subject to more wear.

Pretty amazing how far outboards have come though.
 
Ididntdoit said:
No differnt than pods.......but these can tilt out of the water when not in use! Will work really good with the joystick controls most of the multi outboard boats have now
Click to expand...

That's my whole point. I've never been a big fan of pods.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Forum statistics

Threads
113,118
Messages
1,426,555
Members
61,035
Latest member
Lukerney
Back
Top