Re: Mercury 850SC Pricing WTF???
 

I know a little more about that Skater. When pitched for top speed the boat went 160 with the Merc 850s/#6 drives. The hull is a custom wide tunnel. Just for yuks they put on a lot less pitch; boat hits the rev limiters at 120 but goes from planing speed to 100 in 11 seconds. Now tell me why they don't put 2 speed transmissions in these boats so you can have the best of both worlds.

The other pricing issue is the #6 drive that comes with the 850. It's a great drive but surely it's way overkill for 850 HP. So for 100K you get 850 HP and a drive that is way overkill.

This hole in the market from 600 to 1000 HP is where the custom engine builders and upgraded Bravo builders live. It is relatively easy to make 850 HP on a supercharged 502-540 engine. Someone needs to offer an engine/drive package with 850 HP and a drive good enough to hold it.

Re: Mercury 850SC Pricing WTF???
 

Well said...

Re: Mercury 850SC Pricing WTF???
 

I hear ya Tom! I know of several well known marine engine builders that could put together a strong foundation and your R-tech Supercooler/Vortech blower and make 850 WARRANTIED hp no problem.

Team this motor combo with a Konrad 540 drive, Super Cyborg transmission by BAM, and still be able to price the entire package for less than 50k.

How many people would be interested in an 850 hp engine/drive package that would last 350-400 hrs between overhauls and be offered with a one year warranty for under 50k?

I'm serious.

Re: Mercury 850SC Pricing WTF???
 

There are lots of builders and lots of ways to make the HP. Big intercoolers, conservative valvetrain and good head gaskets are part of the reliability equation.

What is the torque capacity of the Konrad? We are seeing 800 ft-lbs from 4200 - 5500 RPM on a stock 500EFI with 7 psi boost.

Re: Mercury 850SC Pricing WTF???
 

I agree Biggus. Also you can use less expensive propellers on the Konrad than the Speedmasters. I'm waiting for the shiftable Bravo replacement.

Re: Mercury 850SC Pricing WTF???
 

PatriYacht,

Yes, the Konrad 540 has the same propshaft spline as the XR drive. I'm heading to the airport this afternoon for a trip to the Konrad plant. I'm currently sworn to secrecy about thier shiftable prototype but I'll see what info they'll let me loose with. :evilb: :D

Kurt

Re: Mercury 850SC Pricing WTF???
 

SSMIIIA

Re: Mercury 850SC Pricing WTF???
 

Pricing on the 850 w/#6 is 127k. Ouch!

They raised the 1075 price to 150k(from 133k) just because they could!!!

Re: Mercury 850SC Pricing WTF???
 

What's the maintenance schedule like for the 850's?

Re: Mercury 850SC Pricing WTF???
 

I have a pair of the merc 800SC's with wet sump #6's. Very reliable engine and drive. The wet sump #6 would have been a good in between drive for the higher powered engines at a price well below the dry sumps.