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2010 New Engine Showcase

By Ben2

Updated: March 10, 2010

2010 New Engine Showcase

The easy way to describe the state of new power in the marine market would be to call this a time of downsizing, only without the negative connotations of the current economic climate. This could work since outboard manufacturers like Honda, Suzuki and Evinrude are focusing on small, with engines in the 15 to 60 hp range. But throw in an 8.2 liter V-8 engine block from MerCruiser and a revamped 300 hp outboard from Yamaha, and the description no longer holds water. Other companies, like Volvo and Cummins, are focusing on how the power is delivered – the drives. With engines big or small, companies are still pushing innovation and changing the way we view propulsion. Here’s a quick rundown of what’s new.

2010 New Engine Showcase

Mercury OptiMax115 Pro XS Despite the success of its Verado line over the past few years, Mercury is intent on keeping two-stroke technology viable in a four-stroke world. The OptiMax 115 Pro XS, latest in the family of new Merc two-strokes, benefits from Mercury Racing R&D; in the forms of improved torque and a higher revolutions per minute range for wide-open throttle. The 115 Pro XS employs carbon-fiber reeds to control airflow into the crankcase, improving low-end and midrange power and aiding in fuel-efficiency at cruise speeds. Mercury also has a 150 Pro XS coming out, but information was not available at press time. www.mercurymarine.com

2010 New Engine Showcase

Yamaha F300 With its new V-6 F300, Yamaha decided to make its 300 hp model leaner and meaner than its V-8 predecessor. The new V-6 version shed 246 pounds to tip the scales at 558. By using plasma-fused sleeveless cylinders in the powerhead, Yamaha increased the displacement of the V-6 without enlarging the outside diameter of the cylinders. The resultant weight loss helps improve economy and cruising range. The Shift Dampener System for the propeller hub ensures a smoother shifting of gears. And the 300’s 70-amp alternator is more powerful than competitors’. Yamaha also offers a 250 hp version in what it calls its Offshore series. www.yamaha-motor.com

2010 New Engine Showcase

Evinrude 15HO E-TEC Sharing many of the same specs as the 25 hp E-TEC model, this new in-line two-cylinder outboard is designed to work as a kicker trolling motor. The 15 HO idles at 620 rpm and has a Touch Troll feature that bumps up the throttle in 50 rpm increments. Evinrude also touts instant starting and a high-output alternator.Evinrude claims that you can wait three years or 300 hours before your first scheduled maintenance. It comes in 20- or 25-inch shaft lengths. www.evinrude.com

2010 New Engine Showcase

Suzuki DF 60 This in-line three-cylinder four-stroke outboard weighs in at 229 pounds, a few pounds under the competition. Suzuki employs a lean burn control system that adjusts the fuel-air mixture according to operating conditions for better fuel-efficiency. With its dual overhead cam 12-valve powerhead, each valve is controlled directly by the camshafts, eliminating rocker arms for fewer moving parts. The new Suzuki also has a new oil pump design, which should help reduce maintenance. The 19-amp alternator generates 11.5 amps at 1,000 rpm. www.suzukimarine.com

2010 New Engine Showcase

Honda BF60 EFI This in-line three-cylinder four-stroke is the latest upgrade in Honda’s family of small outboards. Honda is touting its BLAST, or boosted low-speed torque, system that advances the ignition timing for more thrust on the hole shot. Yet the engine uses what Honda calls lean burn control – where the engine operates on a leaner fuel-air mixture – for efficiency at cruising speeds. Honda also promotes its Easy Dock Steering feature, which gives this outboard 50 degrees of rudder angle, compared to the typical 35, for agile close-quarters maneuvering. www.honda-marine.com

2010 New Engine Showcase

MerCruiser 425 8.2 HO DTS When General Motors ceased production of its 8.2 liter engine block, it signaled the end of an era for big-block gasoline inboard and sterndrive engines. But MerCruiser is ushering in a new era with its new 8.2 liter HO DTS, available as an inboard or sterndrive (see inboard specs listed). The new 8.2 has a 502 cid, a displacement increase over the old 496 cid 8.1 liter. The engine boasts standard closed-cooling and Merthacode galvanic-corrosion prevention system for durability in saltwater use, especially when paired with the optional SeaCore stainless-steel rigging package. www.mercurymarine.com

2010 New Engine Showcase

Volvo PentaIPS 1200 Volvo Penta is beefing up its IPS drive line, offering the IPS 1050 and the IPS 1200 to go with the D13, its 12.8 liter diesel. Volvo will now be able to pair its drives with either the in-line six-cylinder 800 or 900 hp engine and install the drive packages on vessels from 35 feet up to 100 feet. The system is available in double, triple or quad installations. The setup, which allows for joystick maneuverability at the helm, eliminates the need for bow thrusters. Volvo expects to make the new drives available this fall. www.volvo-penta.com

2010 New Engine Showcase

Steyr MO306 Marine Turbo Diesel The Steyr 306 in-line six-cylinder engine is a high-performance marine diesel with a monoblock design. Its engine block and cylinder are made from a high-grade cast-iron alloy. It has a freshwater cooling system with a heat exchanger; the exhaust elbow is seawater cooled. With a 295 hp rating at the shaft, it features dual-stage fuel-injection technology to deliver solid fuel-efficiency and performance throughout the rpm range. www.steyr-motors.com

2010 New Engine Showcase

Tohatsu MFS 9.8Power Tilt Tohatsu claims its 9.8 two-cylinder four-stroke is the lightest in its class. Good for a lightweight shallow-water microskiff or for johnboat duty, the power tilt feature allows you to deploy or tilt the prop and drive out of the water with the push of a button. It comes in manual- or electric-start versions with 15-, 20- or 25-inch shafts. The electric-start version comes standard with the 12-volt, 6-amp charging system. (MRSP listed is for the 20-inch shaft electric-start model.) The forward-neutral-reverse shift lever is located on the front rather than the side. www.tohatsu.com

2010 New Engine Showcase

QuadZeus Cummins MerCruiser is the first to offer a quad installation with its pod drives, which the company is calling its QuadZeus configuration. Cummins is now pairing the Zeus drive with the 715 hp QSM11, the largest engine the company offers. Like with the Volvo Penta, the double, triple and quad installation options cover boats ranging from 35 to 100 feet. Zeus pods are tunnel-mounted, protecting most of the unit from collision and providing a shallower draft than traditional inboards. Zeus propellers also face aft in the traditional manner, as compared to the forward-facing props of Volvo IPS pods. The Zeus joystick control takes the intimidation out of handling a large vessel in close quarters. www.cmdmarine.com