Sure is impressive numbers. Im sure with what Merc charges they have a awesome warranty........Lol.

Yeah, you're right but you get my drift...It has to be a shaft drive

302sport- why would mercury put the $, R&D, and man hours into developing a drive for the extremely limited market that the 1700 would be in when there are already a few out there with experience in that market that are perfectly capable? Doesn't make sense. And why is that a problem?

Cheers to Merc for expanding there motor offerings for racers

yeah very true, they're prolly too busy working on a bravo derivative that can handle the 525.........My point is that Merc has never liked to sell anything thats not packaged with a drive.

Are there any real numbers on the M8 yet? Have there been (numerous) failures?

http://www.offshoreonly.com/forums/g...d-1350-q4.html

I agree- I think a more reliable drive should be mated to the 565, the XR has come up short (at least from the info here)... Although we do not know how the drives that were problematic were treated/maintained.

What boats are running these on the race circuit?

Gasse I would think..........

Bob Bull's MTI that ran 180 at the shoot out has these...that was the basis for the development. Gasse' I believe doesn't have larger turbos just turned up to 1650 , believe stockers max out at that. Don't quote me, but I believe that's the case. Fastboats.com probably as well..

And that thread really says no real information on the #8 Failing. The #6 is a serious drive if you keep the gears in check and do regular maintenance. They've put all kinds of power through it. I don't see any basis for needing a shaft drive. Just my humble opinion.

and think about it, race, 1700, same sentence, 0 warranty, who cares what drive you run it with, you grenade one it's going to be a very expensive day but anyone buying these already knew that. This isn't exactly for a pleasure boater. I'm sure plenty will jump on the band wagon in the far and few between and buy em, throw em in a poker run boat...but let's be serious...the 1350 is pretty much 90% of the power you'd ever need unless you're trying to go after something. Be it bragging rights, a record or something along those lines...The hull's are so efficient now you don't need the huge power to push them fast..

Unless it's an Apache, then you might....