Big horsepower V8s expand Mercury Sea-Pro line-up

Mercury has announced the addition of three V8 models to its Sea-Pro commercial outboard range.

The move echoes the arrival of a range of 4.6 litre V8 four-stroke outboards in the US brand’s recreational line-up.

The new 225hp, 250hp and 300hp V8 engines join the existing 200hp V-6 SeaPro announced in February (2018). The additions now see Mercury Sea-Pro able to offer an all-four-stroke commercial range form 15-300hp.

The Sea-Pro engines are tuned to deliver torque at lower RPMs to suit commercial applications, Mercury says. They also use heavier-duty components and, according to Mercury, are “validated at three times the lifespan of a recreational engines”.

Most of the new Sea-Pro V8s are compatible with mechanical or digital controls, hydraulic or power steering, and Mercury Big Tiller. The commercial outboards also get uprated alternators and feature Advance Range Optimization (ARO) closed-loop fuel control for better fuel economy.

“The commercial market is very important to us and these engines will now complete the full wide range of four-stroke commercial outboards that our customers have been asking for,” said Nic Webb, Mercury Marine ANZP’s engine products boss.

Mercury has also introduce a version of the Verado V8 300hp SeaPro equipped with the company’s Advanced MidSection (AMS). AMS moves the engine mounts aft and outward reducing vibration. Mercury claims the 300hp has 60 per cent less vibration its leading competitor.

“Models equipped with the AMS also feature electro-hydraulic power steering and are compatible with Mercury’s Joystick Piloting system which provides maximum control and manoeuvrability in multi-engine applications,” the company stated.