I've never owned an outboard before but they are the latest trend now. They seem to be pretty efficient but I will always love the sound of a roaring V8 I/O.

Why are outboard so quiet and do they make a switchable exhaust like a Captain's Call? Would a V8 outboard sound like an I/O? Does Merc design the blocks?

Yes, some merc v8's have a "sport" exhaust, but sound nothing like a big block. I'm in year 2 with a pair of whisper quiet outboards, last boat had twin HO's with dry exhaust. Miss the sound for sure, but the efficiency and ease of maintenance of the outboards is honestly really growing on me. Tho if the right sport boat comes along in the future it prolly wouldn't take much for me to go back to a pair of big blocks

https://www.instagram.com/sramey_/reel/DLZ6KExugIk/

All in what you want, you can make the v8 outboards sound pretty aggressive with a minor exhaust mod, see the video. But otherwise they are pretty tame, but when being ran hard they have their own sound that is very cool sounding. All the Merc twin turbo motors now are pretty quiet other then major turbo sounds though, which is also fun haha.

Yes.

They probably used some automotive design consultancy for help, but it is a Mercury design that blew the competitors away.

I am stunned how light they are for the displacement.

I remember talking about that when the 300s came out, wondering about durability with the light weight, but I guess that hasn't panned out to be a concern yet.

I ran beside this boat at the Tip Of The Spear Poker Run in Norfolk, VA......sounds absolutely amazing and makes a ton of HP....watching him accelerate was a trip.

There was most likely a lot of weight to take out from redesigning the mid-section.

The offshore mid design went back to the seventies, if I remember correctly.

But I have never seen any figures for the weight of the powerhead vs the rest of the engine.

I haven’t been able to hear it or see it run in person. But with the mods he has done and it being on a Performance 360. I bet it runs and accelerates hard. I would guess over 140 on top end.

At some point 5 outboards are obnoxious and has to have an effect on CG. The turbo whine is pretty awesome! This 41 Cigarette Nighthawk is Bad Ass and very balanced.