Four 275 horsepower Verados on this 39-foot Yellow Fin translate into top speeds on the 70s with a full load.

Moving on to the other side of the outboard technology spectrum, we were able to get some time aboard the quad-Verado equipped 38-foot Yellow Fin.  This very large sport fishing package was a jaw-dropping example of modern outboard technology taken to the maximum.  Commanding the four 275-horsepower Verado engines is Mercury’s new Digital Throttle and Shift (DTS) system equipped with quad-engine Shadow Technology.  If I could use one word to describe the performance of this boat, it would be “torque.”  1000 horsepower of supercharged, refined power moves this 14,000 pound hull at speeds in excess of 70 MPH – with the driving manners of a luxury automobile.

Just as impressive as the Verado’s performance is the almost nonexistent noise and vibration levels – not just at idle speeds, but throughout the engine’s operating range.  With four Verados running wide open, I could easily carry on a conversation inside the boat without raising my voice.  At idle speeds, you would almost think the engines were not running at all.  It’s a strange experience for those of us with years of hardened experience with traditional large outboards.

Mercury's Digital Throttle and Shift (DTS) system allows quad-engine control with the simplicity of dual controls.

The combination of four engines and two throttles results in many puzzled expressions from onlookers.  Shadow Technology is very welcome convenience that will forever change the landscape of multi-engine outboard rigs.  No training or adaptation is required to effectively and safely operate a boat equipped with this feature – the system feels and functions as if the driver is commanding two outboards.

Another technology that’s here to stay is Mercury’s DTS, which brings boating one step closer to ultimate refinement.  With this system, shifting and throttle functions are not actuated in the traditional mechanical way.  Servos now do the work, responding to inputs from the digital throttle and shifter.  No adjustments are ever needed, and operating the Verado with such ease is an experience that will surely reshape the future of outboards.

Not as grand, although just as impressive are Mercury’s new 75, 90, and 115 horsepower, 4-cylinder EFI engines.  ‘Overbuilt’ is the operative word here, since these engines feature virtually the same Verado block and internal components as their supercharged cousins – although the ‘Verado’ name itself is exclusive to the supercharged engines.  The result is an engine family that is extremely durable, and will hardly break a sweat in the most demanding applications.  Additionally, these never require valve adjustments for the life of the engine – a common concern among 4-stroke engine adopters.

• Long-term mechanical durability delivered by virtue of the new engine family sharing base-engine architecture with the 135, 150 and 175 hp supercharged Verado outboard platform.
• Fully-filtered intake air – increasing durability by preventing dust and sand ingestion, to protect precision engine components.
• Increased corrosion protection – improving long-term durability by use of: additional stainless steel components, hard anodizing, engineered polymers, proprietary aluminum alloy (XK360), multi-step paint process.
• Best-in-class turn-key-starting reliability is ensured by the inductive coil-on-plug ignition and self-priming dual-stage fuel delivery system.
• Use of the Integrated Idle Relief Attenuator (IIRA), acoustic foam and a rigid engine structure enables delivery of world-class sound level and quality.
• The Integrated Air-Fuel Module (IAFM), including a tuned-length manifold system, developed through computer-aided engineering (CAE) to optimize engine performance and sound quality.
• The 50 Amp (630 Watt) alternator delivers best-in-class charging power to keep all of your electronics, lights, live wells and other boat accessories running at peak performance at all times.
• Engine Guardian protects your investment by constantly monitoring engine sensors and providing early indication in the unlikely event that the engine is not operating as designed.
• Full SmartCraft capability provides detailed engine status and performance data, allowing you to optimize your engine's performance
• Troll control enables you to set engine speed as low as 550 rpm for trolling and operation in extended no-wake zones.

Mercury's new four-stroke 25 EFI is the world's first manually started fuel injected engine requiring no battery.

Rounding out Mercury’s new four stroke outboards are the introduction of the new, lightweight 30 and 25 EFI, as well as the 2.5 and 3.5 horsepower 4-stroke engines for their 23-model lineup.  The 30 and 25 EFI models are a joint venture between Mercury and Tohatsu, and are the first ever electronically fuel injected outboards that can be rope started without a battery, offering ultra smooth and efficient operation.  While both Mercury and Tohatsu will offer similar models of these engines, the EFI system and other features will be exclusive to the Mercury versions.

I had some time with this engine at the Media X-Cursion, and found it to deliver impressive power at very low noise levels.  The tiller arm connects directly to the engine’s steering arm, allowing for very easy conversion to remote-only operation, or vice-versa.  The 30 and 25 models also feature Mercury’s exclusive tiller controlled shift and throttle.

Will Mercury continue their rapid progression of product development and introduction in 2007?  It seems likely,  and the company's seemingly endless capacity for innovation will have the attention of the eager press at Miami in 2007 with very high expectations.