R&D costs??? there's already product out there. IMCO? Konrad? engine of your choice? Teague? Eddie Young?......be interesting to compare a set up like this cost wise compared to a Merc package. Getting OT though, that question deserves its own thread

Merc has economies of scale, motor/drive package units and it is STILL expensive but has warranty.

Start buying everything individually and it will get really expensive!

Yes outboards! Particularly in salt water. Get used to the look. I got hateful stares when I started running my 1998 35' Marlago w twin Mercury 250 EFI 2-cycle outboards in poker runs in salt water, while I kept the 42 Fountain at our freshwater lake house. Most of those guys have now been through engines, blowers, valve jobs, outdrives and props and I have had -0- engine work, only been through filter changes and well, some props also....

Ilmor tried, failed.
Mercury Racing/Mercruiser/Brunswick parts will be in 99% of I/O go-fast boats, period.

Custom power would never make it, regardless if it's Young, Teague, Sterling. Although I agree that they can build a super reliable 700-1000hp engines, Merc is household name with warranty. Used boats always tend to sell first and bring more than others with custom power

Merc is a world wide house hold name with a decent warranty/ parts availability within a few business day. No different than a vehicle - you are paying for their warranty program and the calculated cost of claims incurred in in base price.

Good Luck to whom ever takes on this endeavor - its a good product if quality is maintained.

If OB performance V's would sell great, why didn't AT sell more? They did 1 33? How many 29's?

Off topic but how in the world is a open cooler OB better in salt then a closed cooled I/O?

When these current outboards start to fail most do it your selfers will not be able to fix them period. And one can not go down to the local auto store and buy parts. 99 percent outboard parts are OEM specific only and that is going to kill the do it yourselfer. 10 years from now - outboards will be selling alot less engines plus the cost is going to be out of hand more than it is currently. 400 hp outboard is like 35 k per one engine currently. 400 hp for I/O's is nothing and can be done by the do it yourselfer for alot cheaper on a budget. Not much in the way for hop up parts for outboards plus most are all vanilla including the the hulls they rest on. White hull with color band on most hulls. Not all but most CC boats are built color combo that way. Super boring and outdated looking by far.

Also when the EPA mandates the Catalyst for all outboards inwhich will add 4 to 7 K higher cost to the outboard engine plus all the added systems surely will kill outboard sales. The cat is coming for outboards - its the manu s can not make the Cat last currently even to cover warranty issues.

Another issue is certain lakes and more down the road will require the higher star level rating for emissions to boat on. If I stand corrected I think --- Volvo and Ilmor current direct injections with VVT engines are the cleanest burning engines for mass production stock apps. The direct injections engines with CATS are reducing start up emissions up to 70 percent. VVT also adds to cleaner emissions. Start up emissions are a main concern especially for the next EPA emission requirements. Volvo and Ilmor will pass those emissions. Not sure about any outboards passing those emissions without cats. My guess is they won t. Just saying

They started out with two unknowns, a V10 and their own drive. I always thought it was a weird combo.....a BBC would have been a safer platform to start with especially if they could have beat Merc on price for the package ....introduce the V10 later once you have some consumer confidence.

I prefer my Young Performance. Three + years since Eddie rebuilt it I can call him and Eddie or Travis answers the phone and talks me through whatever problem I may have. WHO NEEDS Mercruiser.

Padraig