Newborn Verados

[Dave Landahl]

While driving down the river at the most recent PWT event at Winneconne I had the chance to see, from the water, a few of the new Verados being mounted on a variety of boats. Man, they look awesome. I saw the engine at the PWT Championship last season when it was the X motor. Unbelievably quiet. Anybody out there running one? How are they performing?

I would really like to get some more information about this product.

Dave Landahl
Walleye Central

[2 DOGS]

Good Luck getting any information! It seems anyone affiliated with the motor has developed a case of lockjaw. Don't know if it's that good that they want to maintain an advantage or that bad they don't want to admit they paid an extra $4K for a motor that's a dog.
It would really be nice to see some facts and figures other than the typical sales pitch found in the advertisments.

[Dave Landahl]

I can get plenty of direct information, but I would like some information from anybody who is currently using them. I will need to wait until June to be able to run one on the back a colleague's boat.

Dave Landahl

[Tuner]

Feedback is mixed. The motor is very quiet and bug free so far. Performance wise the 275 gives up a little speed and fuel economy to the 250 Opti. The extra weight is an issue for the tournament boat guys as the transoms are sitting a little bit too low and the opportunity to water lock the motor is there. The only downside right now for the dual and triple performance boats is the cost. Many are asking why pay more for less?

[Dave Landahl]

Tuner,

Where are you getting this feedback? Are you running one? Are your friends running them? Who have you spoken to regarding their opinions of the Verado? Just want to get a little clarity and not a vague response.

Dave Landahl
Walleye Central

[Tuner]

I work with a company that makes fast boats. We've run triple Optis and then triple Verados on the same hull. You can't get a better comparision. That is where the numbers came from. We have a bass boat company just down the road and that is where the weight comment came from. I can't get anymore specific than that I sorry. They're a great motor and may last forever if the testing means what we think it does. Our market only cares about perrformance and 2 miles an hour is a big deal. Will the Verado be successful? We're not sure right now but it looks like Merc left a lot of performance on the table which will mean voiding warranty and maybe emmisions standards to get it.

[Dave Landahl]

Tuner,

Thanks for the reply to my reply. :-)

I know how it is when you can't really give specifics. From the various feedback I have received sounds like a good product. Hopefully it is. I cannot wait until I get to drive a boat with one on the back.

Have you found them to be a bit slower than the Opti's or the same speed under similar circumstances? Also, is their fuel efficiency the same as the Opti?

Dave Landahl
Walleye Central

[Tuner]

The 275 were 3 mph slower and used 7% more fuel than the 250 Optis in the triple configuration we ran.

[FlyBoy]

I doubt most of use will be running triple's.

I'm looking forward to the walleye freaks like me run them and comment.

No offense intended Tuner, I just think your use may be a little different than most of us here.

As for the weight issue: Who listens to bass guys? Just kidding.

-John

[Tuner]

So a single will be faster and use less fuel? Just trying to follow your logic, no offence taken.

[Mark Klossner]

Mercury is completing a comprehensive competitive testing program which is being witnessed by a third party. In a couple of weeks, you will see plenty of test data.

[eye4aneye]

Let's see...three $20k outboards on a boat. I'm guessing that boat might fetch a little dough as well. Wow.

We went on a cruise to Belize a couple months ago and the Skipper who took us out to a snorkeling spot had four 200 hp Yammie HPDI's on his 34' speed boat. I sat in the back on purpose so I could hear those babies wail. The most beautiful sound I've ever heard. I wish every boat lover could hear that. He said he repowered two years ago for a measly $60k US. His partner had the same boat with two spankin new Suzuki 250 four strokes on it. He couldn't keep up, needless to say.

[STEVEN L]

RAN THE NEW VERADO AT RANGER RALLY WEEKEND HAD IT ON A 521VX RAN VERY STRONG AND VERY QUIET. VERY STRONG ON TAKEOFF AND MID RANGE TOP END WAS VERY GOOD THE EXTRA WEIGHT DIDNT SEEM TO HURT IT. tHEY WILL HAVE ONE SETUP ON A 621 AT M/W IN TWO WEEKS ALSO THEY WILL HAVE ACOUPLE OF THEM TO RUN AT THE Sturgeon Bay Bass tourament which is on May 15-16

[BestWalleyeFisher]

You have to like their advertisement, "The birth of an outboard. And the end of a compromise". I assume that compromise is their Optimax motors.

[cbp]

i had a buddy who just ran a varado in the keys at a test run ,it was on a lund 2025 with 4 batts,full tank ,front troller motor,57-58mph gps

[John K]

I disagree. I think what they mean by compromise are some of the negatives sometimes associated with 4 strokes. Getting up on plane, overall performance, hole shot etc.

[Compromise]

I agree, the compromise is the choice boat owners used to have to make between the fuel economy of a four stroke and the performance and speed the the two stroke. Not sure if this motor will accomplish that or not.

[DuckCrusher]

My company does work with a "sport boat" manufacturer. We've heard the same things from engineers that Tuner states. They say the performance and fuel economy is very close to what Tuner states, no matter if it's one engine or multiple engines. The 250XS, 250 Ficht and HPDI outperform it in fuel and overall performance....particualarly top end. Weight has been an issue as one engineer pointed out the Verado gives up over 100lbs to the opti regardless of the steering argument. Another stated that quietness creates a perception problem with performance regarding quickness etc. They claim you need instruments to really verify things. I'm like others, it may last forever, but the performance isn't stacking up with dfi's. Regarding "third party verification", I've seen this in my industry...and believe me, where there is a payor and a payee.....things happen. Maybe it will prove out...but right now I know some boat industry design folks who are skeptical.

[rebelrn2001]

I didn't even really look at the cover but today I got the new Bass & Walleye Boat Mag in the mail yesterday and they have a picture of a boat w/one on. I am anxious to read it but plan on taking it up to Canaday (in 21 days) in case the weather is too bad to fish I'll have something good to read.