The New Mercury Marine Lightweight Outboard Range

The lightest 3-cylinder outboard in production offers class-leading features …

Considering this company’s drive to stay at the forefront in terms of outboard technology, this new 3-cylinder engine platform does not come as too much of a surprise. These ‘next-generation 25hp and 30hp 4-stroke outboards’ are ‘engineered from the ground up’, and it is claimed that they are lighter, faster and easier to operate and maintain than their rivals.

They feature a 3-cylinder, 500cc powerhead with electronic fuel injection, which is what gives this motor the edge. The nearest competitor is Yamaha’s 2-cylinder 432cc F25, which launched just a few years back and set the benchmark for power to weight in this power category. At 56kg (lightest version), the Yamaha is still the lightest in class, but for an extra 4kg the new Mercury offers another 68cc in capacity, and a 3-cylinder engine block. Though neither Mercury nor Yamaha publish torque figures for their outboard engines, it will be a safe bet that the larger-capacity 3-cylinder Mercury will produce more torque, and likely a broader spread of power.

However, the 64kg 30hp Mercury is comfortably the lightest 30hp engine in production. Being just a touch heavier than its 25hp sibling, it is ideal for those lighter boats that would otherwise be stern-heavy with a 30hp outboard hanging on the transom. Its nearest competitor is the 71kg 490cc 3-cylinder Suzuki DF30, so it is relatively sprightly.

For the first time, this company’s electric-start 25hp and 30hp outboards come with Mercury’s SmartCraft technology. This enables connection to a wide range of digital gauges, and mobile devices, through the VesselView mobile app. SmartCraft gauges provide vital engine data at the push of a button, and fishermen can dial in their trolling speed in 10rpm increments with the Troll Control function. For those that do not want remote steering, tiller models are fitted with a 23in ergonomically designed tiller handle that is adjustable for right- or left-handed operation and is equipped with tiller-mounted gear change.

Out of the water, routine maintenance has been made easier, as a ‘no-spill oil-change system’ features a drip tray under the oil filter to catch any drips, and water can be quickly drained from the fuel filter without tools.

Starting at 60kg, these engines are 16% lighter than the previous generation of 3-cylinder 526cc Mercury 25/30hp outboards that they replace – while offering better fuel economy. These outboards come in 25hp and 30hp FourStroke versions, as well as 25hp SeaPro and 25hp ProKicker models. The 25hp and 30hp FourStroke versions and newly introduced 25hp SeaPro models are ideal for planing boats up to 16ft. The introduction of the 25hp ProKicker outboard addresses the demand for better trolling control for fishing craft, as well as serving as a backup auxiliary outboard that can be locked securely in a fully raised position.

This range is available with electric or manual start, tiller or remote controls, manual or power trim and even jet propulsion.

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