The 275-HP Verado Four Stroke Outboard engines mounted to the transom of the 32-foot inflatable parked in the yard at St. Thomas’ Independent Boat Yard were impressive.
“They’re monsters, the largest four stroke outboard in the world, and almost scary in terms of the depth of their advanced technology,” says Sue Madsen, purchasing director for Island Marine Outfitters.
Madsen had a chance to test drive this powerful new engine when Mercury Marine, based in Fond Du Lac, Wisconsin, officially introduced its Verado four stroke outboard family of outboard engines, including the 275s, in February at the Miami International Boat Show.
“They’re fast and surprisingly quiet,” says Madsen of her test-drive.
A month after the show, Madsen put in an order for a pair of the 700-pound, $20,000 apiece engines for a Virgin Islands customer. Mercury began shipping the engines in July and Madsen’s order arrived in late August.
“Like anything new, production capacity isn’t up to demand. That’s the reason for the wait,” she explained.
The launch of the new Verado 275-HP engines marks the culmination of a five-year, $100-million effort by Mercury to produce the most technologically advanced marine propulsion system in history.
Key attributes of this in-line six-cylinder engine is a supercharged, intercooled induction system that delivers top-notch torque and power levels capable of low- and mid-range acceleration to blistering top speeds.
SmartCraft®, Mercury’s digital engine management system, monitors all vital functions of the outboard with constant feedback to the driver at the helm. In addition, the SmartCraft® Digital Throttle & Shift eliminates traditional mechanical cables to connect throttle controls to the transom mounted engines.
According to Mercury, the Verado four stroke outboard 275s are currently available in the U.S. Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico and French West Indies, and expected to be available throughout the Caribbean by the end of the year.
