My brother is currently running a Skater 30 w/twin Opti 300's. Well, not currently, because one is severly damaged, and needs replacement. Estimated cost to repair exceeds the cost of a new 300!

Anyway, my brother hear a rumor, just a rumor, about Merc Racing upgrading their 350 Verado, maybe to a 400, and have it offered with the Sport Master lower unit. Does anyone have any input on that? It might be an option for him to swap out the pair of Opti 300's for a pair of Verado's, but only if they will be offering more power. He already ran a 350 Verado on a 26' RIB that he had, and it ran real well.

Appreciate any info. Even though he's got all winter to make a decision, he wants to prepare for this.......

Thanks!

Nobody has heard anything? Any other options for big outboard power?

July '05 Trailer Boats Magazine had an article related to Mercury Racing and a rumor of a 400hp Verado... Fast forward to '07ish when the 350SCi came out, and I thought that was the end of the rumor.
My last 4 boats have been Merc powered, and I love 'em. That being said, after the Optibomb debacles, even if the rumor became fact, I wouldn't want to be a beta tester for their new motor with my hard earned money.

There's always Seven Marine for big outboard power. 557hp, and 1000+lbs... No better way to turn a sunpad into a swim platform! Just the thought makes my (transom) knees buckle.

How big do you want to go? http://www.seven-marine.com/media

Whos he gettin prices from//////////////1 885-9811T71 CYLINDER BLOCK ASSEMBLY 5 $4,858.32 Plus Labor

Lightspeed is right. The short block comes with a 1yr warranty. I also would love to see a 400hp motor. Problem is a couple of things.
1) Motor will more than likely be heavy. Upsetting the CG
2) Mercury cannot keep the sportmaster together with 300hp so how in the world is it going to hold 400hp.
3) I have had 350 verados on a fountain and they wiggle some even with good tie bars. Not sure how they would work surfacing the propellor on a cat.
I wish the goverment would ease the EPA requirements and Mercury could bring back a real 400hp race motor in a modified 8000rpm 300x!

Wouldn't that breathe new life into a lot of older 32 cats!

.

http://www.offshoreonly.com/forums/g...-outboard.html

Mercury is clearly working towards adapting the verado to sportmaster for high performance use.
They are just not commenting on it right now

What I have heard from reliable sources is the the now current 350 Verado that falls into the Mercury Hi Perf division will move to the production Verado engine family & be available as a detuned 350 that doesn't req prem fuel & will be avail w/ the 3yr warranty.

Replacing the 350 will be a 400 out of the Hi Perf division requiring premium fuel & carrying the much more limited warranty.

Don't hold me too it but that's what I'm hearing w/ announcements at the Miami show so everyone w/ a boat on order is hesitant to move forward fearing they miss out on the opportunity.