OptiMax jet-drive engines have no gear case or propeller extending below the hull, so they pass over obstructions that could stop or damage a conventional propeller-driven outboard engine making them ideal for river, lake, or in-shore activities, said Mercury Marine.
Compared to competitive four-stroke jet drives, the manufacturer said these new engines have excellent power-to-wait ratios thanks to the OptiMax Direct Injection technology.
The OptiMax Jet 80 and 110 also provide corrosion protection, thanks to the use of a patented XK 360 aluminum alloy with low copper content and a unique, multi-step painting process, said the company.
All exposed fasteners, shafts and impellers are stainless steel, and multiple self-sacrificing anodes are used to further protect the engine, with both models backed by a three-year corrosion failure warranty, said Mercury Marine.
The new Optimax Jet outboards are also covered by Mercury Marine's 3+2 warranty, which provides five years comprehensive factory-backed coverage, including labour, for failures caused by defects in material or workmanship.
The 1.5lt OptiMax Jet 80 engine is based on the standard 115hp OptiMax outboard, while the 2.5lt OptiMax Jet 110 is based on the 150hp OptiMax.
Mercury Marine said this is an ideal heritage, as the OptiMax engine has been ranked "Highest in Customer Satisfaction with Direct Injection Outboard Engines" by J.D. Power and Associates for the past three years.