High power, low weight for 60+ knots! The 500R is the latest outboard in Mercury’s Racing range
by Niccolò Volpati
Sixty knots is no longer a revolutionary speed, but I still find it hard to regard it as normal. It seemed unreal a few years ago when I first hit over 100km/h on a jet ski. It’s more common now, but usually with three or four outboards on boats built to go fast. But in the case of the Mercury 500R, I have done over sixty knots with just two engines on the transom of the Nuova Jolly Prince 38 CC. The 500R is Mercury’s Racing range’s latest and most powerful model, replacing the 450hp unit. But it is more than just an extra 50hp: there are a lot of changes. The first thing you notice is the power-to-weight ratio because 500 horsepower in a machine that weighs only 329 kilos is a record.
The 500R is the latest and most powerful in Mercury’s Racing range. A range that has existed for over 50 years.
IT IS DIFFERENT FROM THE VERADO 500, BUT ALSO FROM THE 450R. IT IS A 64° V8 CYLINDER WITH A DISPLACEMENT OF 4.6 LITRES.
What does the 500R look like
The Mercury 500R has a V8 that is angled at 64 degrees and supercharged, which makes it very different from the recent ten-cylinder Verado 500. The supercharger also has 26% more boost than the 450 Racing, while torque has increased by 10%. And then there are the many innovations, all aimed at improving performance. For the first time on a marine engine, the technology required to compensate for humidity is used, with a sensor that constantly measures it and varies the ignition timing according to the conditions. What does this mean? You can always get full power, even in difficult conditions, with an extra 30 hp compared to an engine without the sensor. The intake system has also been modified and is now handled by a throttle body with a 15% larger diameter and a shape that optimises airflow into the supercharger. To improve acceleration, a low-inertia flywheel has been fitted to increase the revs more quickly when the throttle is opened.
Pistons, connecting rods and bushings have been reinforced to cope with up to 6600 rpm, the crankshaft has an updated lubrication system and the water pump capacity has been increased by 57%. The power of the trim control has been increased through the use of two main pistons and two auxiliary pistons. This means that even when fully loaded and travelling at high speeds, trim is more precise and manoeuvrability is improved – especially when cruising at over fifty knots.
IT IS COMPATIBLE WITH ALL MERCURY SMARTCRAFT TECHNOLOGIES AND VESSELVIEW MULTIFUNCTION DISPLAYS.
Features of the Mercury 500R
Innovation on the 500R doesn’t stop under the grille, but also on the outside. The stern plate has been redesigned and strengthened, and the seven mounting holes allow it to be raised by an extra 3 inches. In addition, when several units are installed, the distance between one engine and another is less, so that the engine can be used as a replacement or on new boats. Finally, there is the drive, which has been specially designed for this model. The R-Drive is available in two versions, one specifically for powerboats and the other for recreational craft. Both have a crescent leading edge and a long aspect torpedo to optimise hydrodynamic resistance. The gear ratio is 1.60:1, the water intakes have been lowered and the new gear case can take five-blade propellers from 14.5 up to 17 inches in diameter.
Nuova Jolly Prince 38 CC
LOA 11.3m • Maximum beam 3.8m • Length 10.00m • Beam 2.30m • Tube’s diameter 0.68m • 6 compartments • Displacement 3,000 kg • Fuel tank volume 620 l • Water tank volume 150 l
www.nuovajolly.it
Beyond technological and technical explanations, there is the feel of the boat. At the helm of the Prince 38 CCmade by Nuova Jolly, the most impressive feature is the amount of power that the 500R can put out. I got in at 14 knots and 2750 rpm, which is quite normal when you take everything into account. Then I started to accelerate and what struck me was the last thousand rpm. At 5500 I was doing just under 50 knots and it felt like it was going to be top speed. It makes you feel like that’s it, but actually, there’s more to come. When you open the throttle, you wonder when you will reach the end, because the engine always feels like it can give a little more. And indeed, between the increase from 5500 to 6400 rpm, you get another 14 knots. On paper, this outboard can go up to 6600 rpm, but we were happy with the 61 knots we got at 6400rpm.
Engine data
Mercury R • Outlet mechanical power 372 kW (500 hp) • 8 64° V-shaped cylinders • Swept volume 4.6 l • Compression ratio 1.60:1 • Maximal rotational speed 6000-6600/min • Dry weight 329 kg
www.mercuryracing.com
The other thing that feels excellent is how safe it is, in terms of manoeuvrability and reliability. You can do fifty to sixty knots without fear of having to change course. The trim is perfect and you know that it’s not impossible to turn, provided you take a few precautions. The Mercury 500R isn’t just a powerful engine, it has the technology to make the most of the power it has. It is perfect for boats and fast inflatables, not necessarily those built for racing because it offers a genuinely wide range of uses.
(Mercury 500R – Max out with a Superlight – Barchemagazine.com – Excerpted from Barche, July 2024)
