What exactly is a Black Max?

[Krazymaan]

What is the key difference between a black max and a non black max?
I see some for sale as old as 82. Didn't even know they went that far back.
All Black Max's are clamshells right? I dunno.
So throw away the shroud and what am i going to see that screams black max?

[CHICKENHAWK]

More like mid to late 70's.

[Bigtard]

I'm certainly no authority, but i always thought they were just the first merc V6s?

[tlwjkw]

"marketing"

shoulda called mariners "gray max"........

http://www.startribune.com/chart-timeline-of-mercury-marine-on-its-75th-anniversary/242504931/

[transomstand]

Gray Max.....For seniors????:D

I see Black Max posted here all the time as if it is used as some means to identify an engine. Pretty much all non HP V-6 Mercs have that marketing designation so it is totally useless term for that purpose. Even the guy who designed the engine thought the term was ridiculously hokey.

To me, when somebody uses that term to describe a motor, it serves only to identify the user as a complete rookie:D

[HStream1]

Black Max was a mercury advertising Gimmick. There was a Guy pictured on most all V6 flyers that had Black hair and beard his advertising name was Black Max. At the bottom of the flyer was a picture of the Black Max emblem.382396 382397

[transomstand]

I met that guy at a dealer meeting in 1977, it was probably the high point of my boating career.

[XstreamVking]

I was a black max in the 70's/80's, now I run in the silver mode.....

[tlwjkw]

"seniors huh"....... jus prematurely gray!

[tlwjkw]

was probably the high point of my boating career.

:thumbsup:

[XstreamVking]

When I used to rig the motors with the black max guy on them, I added a smoking, cigar/joint to the emblem. Everyone knew who rigged that boat. Corny I know, but rigging gets boring....

[Krazymaan]

I was merely curious because sometimes i see people post stuff for sale and say its for a black max, wasn't quite sure if the parts are the same as other motors or not so I always steer clear of anything that says black max being i have no idea if the parts are the same.
kinda like the triple 2.5 Bridgeports for sale :eek: over in the motor section.

[tlwjkw]

don't think i've ever seen tha "badge" ona hi perf. motor but that don't mean nothin'..

those three, if original (hrs. make 'em questionable), are at very latest would be '92 2.5 245's... pumpers.. someone added added a mech fuel pumps.. but they are very, very clean older motors ta say tha least....... not a bad price if nic is still good.

[tlwjkw]

I added a smoking joint to the emblem. .

woulda made 'em a lot cooler back in tha day!

[transomstand]

I was merely curious because sometimes i see people post stuff for sale and say its for a black max,

That's the REALLY good stuff!!!!!!!!:eek:

[NICE PAIR]

382407"Black Max Lives Matter"

[Radiant]

My motor from 1989 Says Black Max. And it has the one piece cowling. Probably one of the later years of the name if I had to guess.

[tlwjkw]

can't say for "positive" but think tha "black max" deal disappeared 'bout same time "xri" did???.. maybe a little before?.. historians?

[1BadAction]

can't say for "positive" but think tha "black max" deal disappeared 'bout same time "xri" did???.. maybe a little before?.. historians?

Thats the last time I remember seeing it (1994), also the last time a Merc looked like a Merc and not a rounded off bucket cowled OMC.

382412

[davemvegas]

a black max is the most powerful motor you could get in the 80s. they were so fast you really never had to race anyone. all you had to do was point to your motor and the competition would scurry to the trailer. also if you had a black max, you easily fill your boat with beautiful girls. it was a life changer.

[mikesufka]

I know I wanted a 175 one on a blue metallic flake Hydrostream Viking ...............

MDS

[Magcat 62]

HE WAS the original ZIG-ZAG man! have a patch on my leather of him joint included. this is him in the mekong delta on the back of a boston whale brown water navy ! FIRE IT UP The real MAX before censored for consumer production! really good stuff,

382439

[FUJIMO]

That's the REALLY good stuff!!!!!!!!:eek:
..."You ALWAYS said that...after your first drag...;)

[FMP]

1982, the first 300 Black Max?

[FUJIMO]

http://www.screamandfly.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=69536&d=1095869330

[FUJIMO]

http://i.ebayimg.com/00/s/ODE2WDU5Nw==/z/tYcAAOSw44BYjswu/$_57.JPG

[FUJIMO]

http://s.ecrater.com/stores/363546/55e6f1b342f02_363546b.jpg

[FUJIMO]

Black Max was an advertising campaign by Mercury Outboards to promote all its V-6 outboards & related accessories, such as propellers, etc. This was the first Mercury 175 horsepower V-6, model V-1750, released in 1976...http://www.northcoastboating.com.au/files/2017/03/mercury175.jpg

[Magcat 62]

When i hear BLACK MAX i think old old merc stuff

[FUJIMO]

When i hear BLACK MAX i think old old merc stuff Yes. Its the older Mercury V-6 line. Mostly from the 70's & into the 80's. Its a name thats hard to forget.;)

[CHICKENHAWK]

a black max is the most powerful motor you could get in the 80s. they were so fast you really never had to race anyone. all you had to do was point to your motor and the competition would scurry to the trailer. also if you had a black max, you easily fill your boat with beautiful girls. it was a life changer.

Amen!

[XstreamVking]

There was a mariner man also, he had a rainsuit type hat on and just a stash.
http://discontinueddecals.com/images/mariner_decals_15_hp_1977-1989.jpghttp://discontinueddecals.com/images/mariner_decals_15_hp_1977-1989.jpg

[tlwjkw]

thats him!... its "gray max"!

[FUJIMO]

...1975 Black Max Introduction Advertisement...http://d2ydh70d4b5xgv.cloudfront.net/images/4/c/1975-mercury-marine-black-max-outboard-boat-motor-vintage-magazine-print-ad-2bd734aef2febebf46c3dc30723c90db.jpg

[1BadAction]

1982, the first 300 Black Max?
1980 :eek: (coolest picture ever, BTW)

382432

[tlwjkw]

1980 :eek: (coolest picture ever, BTW)

382432

:thumbsup:

[NICE PAIR]

When i hear BLACK MAX i think old old merc stuff


Yes. Its the older Mercury V-6 line. Mostly from the 70's & into the 80's. Its a name thats hard to forget.;)

You guy's should watch your language ............... you aren't gonna believe how fast old sneaks up on you. ;)

[FUJIMO]

http://www.screamandfly.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=382432&d=1357765530

[Instigator]

I see Black Max posted here all the time as if it is used as some means to identify an engine. Pretty much all non HP V-6 Mercs have that marketing designation so it is totally useless term for that purpose. Even the guy who designed the engine thought the term was ridiculously hokey.

To me, when somebody uses that term to describe a motor, it serves only to identify the user as a complete rookie:D

Bingo!

Was going to post this but being an OMC guy I knew Id bet attacked :)

[CUDA]

a black max is the most powerful motor you could get in the 80s. they were so fast you really never had to race anyone. all you had to do was point to your motor and the competition would scurry to the trailer. also if you had a black max, you easily fill your boat with beautiful girls. it was a life changer.




WELL tell us more

I use to think It was the boat it was on Hydrostream that the girls were after

now I learn it was the motor

In 1978 I had a 18 Viking with a 175 Black Max

I remember the 200 was the big motor.

[300x Stoker]

Is that Jerry Reed standing there??

[1BadAction]

Is that Jerry Reed standing there??
Sho is. :cool:

[CHICKENHAWK]

Is that Jerry Reed standing there??

Yes, yes it is. Ol' Cledus Snow himself...

[Markus]

Is that Jerry Reed standing there??

In addition to inventing the powerful Black Max, Jerry Reed's contributions to the recreational boating industry include the Jerry can and the Reed valve.

:D

[Chaz]

" Black Max " Isn't that the guy who taught Krazy how to speak ebonics ...... ?

[Krazymaan]

" Black Max " Isn't that the guy who taught Krazy how to speak ebonics ...... ?

Dat be da troof bro, ony kuz he sode ew iz fake teef kuz he coodent unnasand anyting ew sez to him. :cheers:

[Markus]

" Black Max " Isn't that the guy who taught Krazy how to speak ebonics ...... ?

He taught Krazy's wife a lot of useful skills, too... :eek:

[pcrussell50]

I see Black Max posted here all the time as if it is used as some means to identify an engine. Pretty much all non HP V-6 Mercs have that marketing designation...

LOL. So "Black Max" is for the non HP Merc V6's... Yet... The ad copy says, "The meanest, toughest, ..., machine we've ever built". Does that mean that the HP Merc V6's were not as mean and tough as the "Black Max"? Sounds a little incongruous.

-Peter

[transomstand]

LOL. So "Black Max" is for the non HP Merc V6's... Yet... The ad copy says, "The meanest, toughest, ..., machine we've ever built". Does that mean that the HP Merc V6's were not as mean and tough as the "Black Max"? Sounds a little incongruous.

-Peter

Yep, more proof the BLACK MAX was the REALLY good one:eek:

[Markus]

LOL. So "Black Max" is for the non HP Merc V6's... Yet... The ad copy says, "The meanest, toughest, ..., machine we've ever built". Does that mean that the HP Merc V6's were not as mean and tough as the "Black Max"? Sounds a little incongruous.


Well, the HP Mercs may be considered mean, but I would not exactly call them tough given their appetite for spare parts...

[mr fun]

I have one, my dad's race motor. Curtis Johnson built it to what I've realized are the same parts as as the sst120 motors. it's an 1977 unit that accelerates as fast as anything we ran with back in the early days of SNF runs. what stopped me was the small displacement compared to the 2.5's I was running with and the 2-1 lower instead of the 187-1 of the 2.5's. 175-180 lbs of compression and a bark that sounds quite impressive, spits out blue flames on the hose in cool weather. intend to bring it to Tavares probably in March, shooting for a 150 towa for November, fun out

[Krazymaan]

He taught Krazy's wife a lot of useful skills, too... :eek:
And to think your wife thought ATM meant getting cash from a machine.

[Markus]

Bingo!

Was going to post this but being an OMC guy I knew Id bet attacked :)

You're just jealous of the Black Max because OMC only came up with lame names like Starflite Hydra Shift. :)

[90 5.0]

LOL. So "Black Max" is for the non HP Merc V6's... Yet... The ad copy says, "The meanest, toughest, ..., machine we've ever built". Does that mean that the HP Merc V6's were not as mean and tough as the "Black Max"? Sounds a little incongruous.

-Peter

When the black max first came out they were the highest hp motors but they got passed later on

[James Thompson]

382667 :d

[Capt.Insane-o]

382667 :d

Nope.

[roadkill636]

Worked with a guy that had a 150 Black Max and he said that the BM was the bigger racing carburetors. And that he had to have thoes for his fishing boat:icon_bs:

[Chaz]

Nope.

Any Better ... ????? :D

http://i.imgur.com/fQVCUeSl.jpg

[Capt.Insane-o]

:thumbsup:

[Ira Tindale]

it is a Mercury what is the deal lol

[Rick Pierce]

I came across this thread doing a search and thought I’d add to it. Black Max was an advertising campaign Mercury Marine ran beginning around the original 175 Mercury in 1975. The campaigns first advertising shots were done at Oakland Marina on Bull Shoals Lake, AR.

It was chosen as a lot of the Saint Louis market frequented the Oakland area at that time and it was a popular destination. Home to the Meramac Bass Club annual December event, and Tony Albright frequented the area, eventually retiring in Pontiac. It was home to Black Oak Arkansas, Jim Dandy (Mangrum), Ruby Star and Grey Ghost, plus a few more smaller rock bands, also their manager Butch Stone.

The advertising models were not striking the look desired and the agency and Mercury culled the shots. Though when going through dock shots they came upon a picture of “Lenny” Jaeger, who owned Oakland Marina and operated it with his wife Barb. The Mercury team liked the bearded jean jacket look Lenny had and the facial features of his heritage. They inquired about shooting images more images of Lenny around the dock and Bull Shoals, which spawned a mega advertisement campaign that filled every outdoor publication with the picture of Lenny as the Black Max. Lenny was flown to countless boat shows and meetings as the “Black Max” signing autographs and taking pictures.

After a nice run of several years the “Black Max” campaign was ended as Mercury moved on to XR and EFI engines, spinning Mariner off in the early 1980’s, begun to use pervious Mercury parts on a year newer model series. Closing out inventory was the goal and their marketing team changed, which will always change a campaign.

Leonard and Barbara sold Oakland Marina years ago and today they reside a few miles outside Mountain Home, on the way to Oakland. Leonard still fishes frequently and both are retired after a long career as EMT and Nurses in the medical field.

[John S]

What exactly is a black max??? One of the greatest memories of my childhood. My pop's Vking/black max and his 34 ford 3 window werey two favorite things as a kid.

[mr fun]

I came across this thread doing a search and thought I’d add to it. spinning Mariner off in the early 1980’s, begun to use pervious Mercury parts on a year newer model series. Closing out inventory was the goal and their marketing team changed, which will always change a campaign.

Leonard and Barbara sold Oakland Marina years ago and today they reside a few miles outside Mountain Home, on the way to Oakland. Leonard still fishes frequently and both are retired after a long career as EMT and Nurses in the medical field.

I herd Mariner was an effort to build engines in japan and market them here, any truth to that ? thanks

[David]

I think smaller Mariners were Yamahas, bigger ones were re-badged Mercs, but it's probably more complicated than that.

[Capt.Insane-o]

60 and below were mariners..I think 92 was the last year a Yamaha was in the line..40hp I believe.

[scott reierson]

Thanks for the story Rick. I remember that period.

[Markus]

In the early seventies, Brunswick bought a stake in Yamaha's outboard manufacturing company, Sanshin (which, last time I checked, still was the name of the company manufacturing Yamaha outboards). This resulted in a joint venture that manufactured engines for both Yamaha and Brunswick. Notably, though, the Yamaha engine range would not be sold in the US market.

Due to Mercury's reputation of being a freshwater engine with saltwater corrosion problems, Brunswick chose the name Mariner for its engine range, which launched in 1974. I think Australia was the first market.

Then, in the early eighties, there was an anti-trust lawsuit, saying that the Sanshin JV was a collusion attempt between Mercury and Yamaha, aiming at keeping Yamaha outboards away from the US market. Yamaha claimed that its engines were of too high quality for the US market, and there was no point in selling them there anyway, but the FTC did not buy into that.

As a result, the Sanshin JV was broken up. Brunswick kept the Mariner brand, and the manufacturing operations went back to Yamaha. In 1984, Yamaha launched a full range of engines in the US market.

When Brunswick was no longer able to source quality engines from Japan, it made huge efforts to close the quality gap to Yamaha in its own manufacturing operations. It took a long time, though, and those efforts were not really visible until the early nineties (the 2.5 liter engines were a big step forward from the 2.4 liter engines), and the gap was not closed until about 10 years later (compare the reputation of Optimax to that of HPDI). However, it was enough to compete successfully against Brunswick's main domestic competitor, the Outboard Marine Corporation, which went bankrupt at around the turn of the century.

At the same time, Mercury's corrosion problems were long forgotten, so the Mariner brand was discontinued in the US, as the Mercury brand was much stronger.

However, Mariner lives on in other markets where you can buy a Mariner Verado V8: https://www.barrus.co.uk/divisions/marine/leisure/mariner-outboards/mariner-product-range/mariner-fourstroke/mariner-verado-250-300/

And you can buy a Black Max propeller for your Mariner:
https://www.sandsmarineonline.co.uk/MERCURY-Mariner-Black-Max-3-Blade-Aluminium-Propellers-25-60hp-Outboards

[scott reierson]

Wow! Cool. Thanks Marcus. Looked up that Mariner stuff in the UK. Very interesting.

[FUJIMO]

http://file.vintageadbrowser.com/l6x853v6kxcjdr.jpg

[FUJIMO]

https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/jpYAAOSwZSFdXhYR/s-l640.jpg

[FUJIMO]

https://th.bing.com/th/id/OIP.HUmewqeel2VRrtaBJDVkrgHaJ7?pid=Api&rs=1

[InjectorService]

Some really cool history there! Thanks Guys!

[FUJIMO]

http://johnsoldmercurysite.com/phpBB3/download/file.php?id=33567&mode=view

[Instigator]

Marketing 101.

[FUJIMO]

https://www.northcoastboating.com.au/wp-content/blogs.dir/310/files/2017/03/mercury175.jpg

[FUJIMO]

https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/9BAAAOSwnWBewF04/s-l640.jpg

[FUJIMO]

https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/opUAAOSw-4Jb~gQ-/s-l1600.jpg

[CUDA]

Merc's Marlboro man,

In 1978 when I bought a Hydrostream Viking the dealer would not install a 200hp like I wanted because it was only rated for a 175hp, I believe those were the

chrome bore days.

[FUJIMO]

...Merc's Marlboro man...


...exactly...