Seismic shift for the world's largest marine engine builder, https://speedonthewater.com/new-boat...-outboard-line

Is it just me, or is that power level pretty disappointing for the displacement?

Matt, Get the scoop on the Merc Race 500. THAT will be a game changer for all these new outboard sportboat and cat builds.

There is no scoop at this time. It will not happen—if it happens (because I can't report what I can't confirm)—until Verado 400R sales cool off. And Verado 400R sales are showing no signs of cooling.

Right now, if a boat builder or dealer orders a 400R it will be 14 to 16 weeks before it arrives. Why would Mercury Racing want to compromise that kind of demand with a more-powerful option? The answer is, they wouldn't—and won't. Could they? Sure. But could and will are different words, right?

Love it or hate it, Mercury Racing is a very strategic company and one arm of a large publicly held (Brunswick). Product releases are carefully planned and timed, and at least from inside Mercury you'll never get a solid response (at least as a reporter) on what is coming one. (Check out the interview with new Mercury Racing head Stuart Halley, where he says as much in his answer to my fourth question, https://www.offshoreonly.com/article...eneral-manager.)

Speculation is fine—when people stop speculating about what Mercury Racing is doing next the people at Mercury Racing should start to worry. But at this point, there's no scoop to report. But if the new V-8 platform doesn't lead to some fantastic speculation, I'd be shocked.

"While a knowledgeable Mercury Marine official said that the naturally aspirated V-8 platform is easily capable of producing power well beyond its current maximum output of 300 hp, he also said buyers eager for something from Mercury more potent than the Mercury Racing Verado 400R outboard will have to wait until 400R sales peak and cool off. And those sales are showing no signs of doing either anytime soon."

PT Barnum said, "It doesn't matter what they're saying about you as long as they're saying it."

Yamaha just came out with a 425hp V8. So more powerful than the 400R and you get that sweet V8 sound. I predict a cooling off of sales just might be coming soon.

It is 900-1000lbs per motor.

One Mean Engine, The All New Yamaha 425HP V8 Has Arrived - Ocean Of News

1000 lbs but totally fly by wire, no hydraulics and 5 yrs of warranty.

Just curious what a 400R is? 600-700lb?

Also just pointing out that nobody cares about the 1100lb that a 525 and drive weighs . . .