Mercury’s owner launches Veer, an electric-friendly boat brand

The Veer range, at the moment only likely for the US market and to be built by alloy boat specialist Lund, will feature light but robust rotomoulded shallow-draft plastic hulls. Of note, Brunswick says that Veer will target first-time boaters, who are most likely to be the early adopters of Mercury’s newly launched Avator electric motor technology.

A conventional petrol-fuelled outboard engine will be offered on the Veer range by default, with Mercury’s new Avator 7.5e electric engine launched last week available as an option.

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Veer’s first model is the 4.0-metre Veer X13. The boat features a 1.2-metre beam, a forward gunwale-level flat deck, and a hull that extends aft on either side of the outboard engine/electric motor pod. 

The boat is designed to carry no more than two people. Under-floor storage is built into the hull.

“Recreational boating and fishing are enjoying increasing popularity with younger and more diverse consumers,” Veer strategy director Matt Atilano said. 

“We identified a gap in the marketplace and a need to create a more targeted and modern experience for these new boaters, which inspired the design and development of the Veer brand.” 

The Veer X13 will sell for less than $US12,000 ($A17,500) including a galvanised trailer and a 9.9hp Mercury four-stroke outboard engine. 

It will include removable navigation lights and a rubber-look MarineMat soft floor cover. As an alternative to an anchor, the boat will feature an optional two-piece 3.0-metre pole that fits through a special hole in the X13’s bow that can hold the boat.

The hull weighs only 173kg but has a maximum weight capacity of 250kg. The entire Veer X13 package, sitting on its trailer, will weigh less than 400kg, meaning it can easily be towed behind even a small car.

It is not known if the Veer brand is being considered for the Australian market.