MERCURY’S NEW FOUR-STROKE OF GENIUS!
You saw it here first friends, fans, and followers! This new outboard from Mercury breaks new ground in performance, price and technology. Read our exclusive sneak peek at probably one of the most anticipated outboard motors of the year…
Mercury Marine’s new 150 HP 4-Stroke EFI outboard motor is designed for boaters seeking unprecedented, world-class durability and superb fuel efficiency and performance. The 150 HP Mercury is all that and more, and is currently the top choice for offshore and inshore boaters worldwide.
Despite the naturally aspirated engine’s remarkable small size and low weight, the new 150 HP outboard by Mercury boasts a 3.0-litre, four-cylinder in-line configuration that easily creates superior power for single or twin applications – from the lightest to the largest hulls.
In fact, it has more displacement than any other 150 HP 4-Stroke engine, yet it delivers fuel efficiency at cruising speed that no other engine can beat. “We listened to what boaters were asking for and then set out to build the ultimate 150 horsepower outboard,” said Nicolas Bauduin, director of the outboard product for the EMEA markets.
“The finished product is an engine that is incredibly durable – more durable, in fact, than any other 150 ever built – but is actually lighter than the less-durable engines of our competition. It delivers great fuel efficiency and tremendous performance. “I believe we accomplished exactly what we aimed for and this engine is a perfect addition to our wide range of 4-Stroke engines.”
The list of precedent-setting features and benefits of Mercury’s new 150 4-Stroke include a 125 mm gear case. Similar to the powerhead, the 125 mm gear case housing meets durability requirements for 300 HP-class outboard motors.
Gear housing hydrodynamics: To house its larger gear set and internal components, the 150 4-Stroke requires a larger gear case housing. In most cases, a larger housing equates to decreased boat speed and performance due to increased hydrodynamic drag.
The 150 4-Stroke’s gear case, however, challenges the rules of physics with its larger, yet ultra-efficient hydrodynamic profile. In fact, the 150 4-Stroke’s gear case housing, while significantly larger in diameter and longer in torpedo length, features better hydrodynamics than gear cases found on 90-115 HP class outboards.
Focus mount system: Situating the mounts farther from the powerhead significantly reduces mount temperature and significantly increases mount durability. Other upper mounts are tucked directly below the powerhead, which causes the mounts to constantly operate at the temperature of the powerhead.
Angling the mounts on the Mercury 150 HP 4-Stroke significantly reduces vibration transmitted to the boat at all points in the power band, especially at transient points from a fast idle to the point the boat is coming on plane. In addition, this configuration makes inspection and service easier without removing the powerhead (as is required with conventional mount configurations). Lightweight thermo-bonded SMC top cowl: Thermo-bonded SMC top cowl uses commercial-grade bonded composites to help produce smallest physical size of all 150 HP 4-Strokes on the market. Inside stabilizers ensure a watertight seal to protect the powerhead from the elements.
Stabilizers also incorporate resting points to prevent top cowl edges from scratching when top cowl is removed and set on docks, piers, concrete drives, etc. The powerhead features built-in alignment points to help guide proper cowl installation and avoid snagging electrical components such as harness wires. Single-point automotive style rear latch opens with a single pull and provides positive disengagement and engagement during removal and installation. High-grade stainless steel latch components ensure corrosion-free, reliable operation. Steel balance shaft gears: Mercury’s new 150 HP 4-Stroke uses a bulletproof high-grade steel to produce its balance shaft gears. Heavy-duty transom brackets: Mercury’s 150 4-Stroke transom brackets are of the very highest quality and are 22 percent heavier than those found on most 150 HP outboards. The Mercury 150 HP 4-Stroke is the lowest-weight 150 4-Stroke anywhere, yet no durability compromises were made to accomplish that.
Rig it and forget it: The 150 4-Stroke is one of the easiest 150 HP outboards to rig, with standard mechanical cables, dual cable or hydraulic steering compatibility, optional power steering on dual-engine setups, and the ability to run on either standard analog or full SmartCraft instrumentation straight from the factory. Repowering is also quick and easy. The new 150 HP will connect to any steering, Mercury rigging or instrumentation currently in the boat, or whatever the consumer wants to upgrade in the dash or console. Freshwater flush system: Routine engine flushing is easily accomplished from inside the boat or when the boat is on a trailer. To flush the engine, simply twist the flush cap and pull. The cap is attached to a length of hose that provides easy flushing access from the front, side or rear of the engine. Remove the flush cap and attach a standard garden hose. Sixty (60) amp alternator: The 150 HP 4-Stroke’s marine-hardened alternator is automotive-style, which means it’s an external unit driven by the crankshaft via the serpentine belt. This system – which is significantly lighter – is fully regulated and supplies only on demand.
The powerhead features built-in alignment points to help guide proper cowl installation. Therefore, when the system senses the battery voltage has dropped below 14.2 volts, the alternator will engage and re-charge the battery. The 150 HP 4-Stroke’s automotive-style alternator develops more than 67 percent of its 60 amp output at only 1 000 rpm. When the alternator isn’t charging, it spins freely, which minimizes power drain on the engine and unnecessary heat build-up. SmartCraft SmartStart: Instead of turning the ignition key to the “start” position and holding it until the engine starts, the operator simply turns the key and immediately releases it. SmartStart will automatically continue turning the engine until it starts. With the new 150 4-Stroke, it is impossible to re-engage the starter motor in the event the operator attempts to start the engine while the motor is already running.
Idle exhaust relief system: As part of its world-class sound-management technology, the 150 4-Stroke features a special idle exhaust relief system that uses a low pass acoustic filter to attenuate high frequency exhaust noise at idle speeds. For more information on the new 150 hp EFI 4-Stroke, which will be available for the 2012 boat show season, contact Rutherford Marine on (011) 878 2600 or visit www.rutherfordmarine.co.za
