It seems to me that years ago I saw an add that advertised an "automatic transmission" built by Mercruiser. If memory serves me the add compared a performance boat with a Ferrari.
Does anyone know
1. Is this correct
2. Did it ever make it to the market
3. Does anyone have any experience using one

Just Curious!!!


Safe Boating

3pointstar

merctrans and velvet drives are both automatic transmissions. only 1 speed trans though. people have messed around with 2 speed trans before, but prop slip allows boats to start in essentially high gear, so it doesn't help much for the size-weight penalty involved. a couple of drag boats used powerglides back in the day, but they are all about acceleration, not cruise.

HP Diesels also use two speed transmissions to covert the huge Tq to prop speed.
One example is Sunseeker Superhawk 50, with 3 Yanmars and surface props, factory fitted with two speed transmission.