To test the new season’s novelties, we have attended the Mercury Power Days, hosted at the Marina d’Arechi in Salerno
by Daniele Carnevali – photo by Andrea Muscatello
During Mercury Power Days, we tested a variety of boats and RIHBs from shipyards that have collaborated with Mercury for several years. We tried out a range of engines to test the quality of USA-made outboard motors in almost every possible configuration.
Mercury Marine remains the leader in the outboard motor segment in Italy, with a market share of 30.5%. The American manufacturer’s range is impressive. It covers every need. This is from the small 2.5 hp single-cylinder to the innovative 600 hp V12 with steering foot. Let’s take a closer look at an overview of each segment.
Mercury ProKicker
This is a range of outboards dedicated to trolling with power ratings between 9.9 and 25 hp. They feature four-blade propellers for powerful thrust from low revs, developed to exploit these engines’ torque fully.
Mercury SeaPro
Mercury’s work range consists of engines ranging in power from the 15 hp of the SeaPro 15, an inline twin-cylinder, to the 500 hp of the SeaPro 500, a 7.6-litre V12.
The Joystick Piloting for Outboards (JPO) is a manoeuvring joystick that makes mooring operations much easier, thanks to the combined action of engine thrust and manoeuvring propellers. JPO is offered in a standard configuration for the FourStroke, Pro XS, and SeaPro series, which are equipped with DTS and a premium version featuring integrated electric steering for the Verado series.
When we talk about engines, we refer to integrated systems that include the propulsion unit and the onboard electronics needed to manage it. Mercury has a wide range of technologies that can be applied to almost all of its engines, enabling customers to customise them to their specific requirements.
Mercury Pro XS
Mercury has developed a range of high-performance outboards, particularly suited to racing fishing boats, which require an excellent compromise between acceleration, top speed and fuel consumption. On these units we find Transient Spark technology, which, through ignition timing, electronically adjusts torque distribution for superior acceleration; Adaptive Speed Control (ASC) technology which keeps the speed unchanged regardless of external conditions; Advanced Range Optimisation (ARO) which increases efficiency and range and, on some V8 models, the TorqueMaster foot designed for those hulls that sail above water. The Pro XS range goes from 175 hp on the 3.4 l V6 to 300 hp on the 4.6 l V8.
Mercury FourStroke
This recreational range offers the widest range, from the small 2.5 hp single-cylinder to the top 300 hp 4.6 l V8. These units are designed to provide the best ratio between weight and power, guaranteeing superior performance with low fuel consumption.
When you talk about Verado, you’re talking about the top of the top: a range that represents the highest expression achieved by Mercury in the technology sector. From the first model, in which the volumetric compressor was introduced in a standard outboard engine, to the 600 hp V12, the first with a rotating foot.
Mercury Verado
The range consists of the 4.6-litre V8 with 250 or 300 hp, the 7.6-litre V12 with 600 hp, and the 5.7-litre V10 with 350, 400 or 425 hp since last September. These models feature the same Advanced MidSection (AMS) technology as the rest of the range, making driving smoother and quieter. The manufacturer claims the 350 hp model is 40% quieter than its competitors. They also feature a design with a door in the grille to simplify routine maintenance, adaptive speed control (ASC), advanced sound control and a large-diameter Revolution X propeller. The new 350 hp and 425 hp models are characterised by their lightness, which delivers excellent acceleration and performance and better fuel consumption.
Mercury Serie R
The high-performance outboard engines in the Mercury Racing R Series are designed for competition. They are available in 150, 200 and 300 hp versions, with V6 architecture for the first two and V8 for the latter.
Fifteen shipyards have provided their vessels, powered by Mercury engines with up to 600 horsepower, for sea trials
at Marina d’Arechi.
Mercury Avator
In an increasingly ‘green’ world, Mercury has unveiled its Avator line of electric motors. These motors have a transverse flow design that delivers high torque with reduced effort. A range of accessories, including batteries of different capacities and a Power Centre Hub, allow the system to be customised for various needs. The range includes the Avator 7.5e, comparable to a 3.5 hp combustion engine, and the Avator 20e and 35e, equivalent to 5 hp and 9.9 hp engines, respectively. The Avator 75e and 110e can be fitted with up to 5,400 Wh batteries.
MerCruiser
This is Mercury’s line of inboard and outboard engines. The range consists of three inboard and outboard engine blocks. A 4.5-litre V6, a 6.2-litre V8 and an 8.2-litre V8. These have power outputs ranging from 200 to 350 hp. The inboard range only includes 6.2-litre and 8.2-litre V8 engines, with power outputs ranging from 300 to 425 hp. Mercury also offers a wide selection of transoms to complete the outboard range. The Alpha One is designed for lower power outputs, while the Bravo One, One X and One R are designed for big-block engines and feature increased cooling capacity and a deeper skeg for greater control at high speeds. The Bravo Two, Two X and Two XR are designed to use 20” propellers, making them suitable for houseboats and heavy boats. The Bravo Three, Three X and Three XR have twin counter-rotating propellers to eliminate propeller spin and improve manoeuvrability in confined spaces. Finally, the Bravo Four S has twin pulling propellers for wakesurfing and other towed sports.
Mercury Power Days
| Shipyard/Dealer | Model | Power |
| Nuova Jolly | Prince 50CC | 4×400 V10 |
| Master Gommoni | Master 775 | 2×225 V6 |
| Master Gommoni | Master 996 | 2×300 V8 CF |
| SACS | Strider 11 | 2×300 V8 CF |
| SACS | Strider 13 | 3×400 V10 CF |
| MV Marine | Mito 45 | 2×600 V12 |
| MV Marine | Mito 40 | 3×300 V8 |
| Italiamarine | Ponza 36 Cabin | 2×300 V8 |
| Saver/Bottino | Saver 330 | 2×350 V10 |
| Nautica Salpa | Soleil 52 | 3×600 V12 |
| Nautica Salpa | Soleil 40 | 2×425 V10 |
| 2BAR | 2BAR 82 | 2x150R |
| SPX | 38 | 2×400 V10 |
| Fiart | Fiart 35 Seawalker | 2×350 V10 |
| Novamares | Novamares 31 XTREME | 2×300 V8 |
| KOA/Coastal | Coastal 12 Rada | 3×300 V8 |
| Nautica Vela | NV 2.6 | Avator 7.5e |
| Nautica Vela | NV 3.0 | Avator 35e |
| Nassima | N34 | 2×300 V8 CF |
| Nautica Gaglione | G 92.5 | 2×200 V6 CMS |
(Mercury Marine – The Power Days – Barchemagazine.com – Excerpted from Barche, December 2025)
