Are these photos of the new 2004 Merc Tower of Power?

**mk30h** · 11-11-2002, 05:16 PM

A few pictures of the Big Merc 4 stroke prototype (possibly)

**mk30h** · 11-11-2002, 05:18 PM

second photo

**bulldogdaddy** · 11-11-2002, 05:25 PM

looks like a monster!

JW · 11-11-2002, 05:36 PM

I know my Pulsare can handle the weight, sure would love to play with a motor like that for the summer and then give Merc a consumer's unbiased opinion. I'll bet I could blow it up..........

**VectorPat** · 11-11-2002, 05:37 PM

Thats a wild looking trim unit!!!

**ghost28** · 11-11-2002, 07:18 PM

one word HEAVY

**eautosales** · 11-11-2002, 08:12 PM

LOOKS PRETTY COOL BUT I THINK SHE NEEDS TWIN TURBOS OR A BLOWER

**airide18** · 11-11-2002, 08:14 PM

Anybody know what the HP is?

**crazy horse** · 11-11-2002, 08:16 PM

I'm sorry but that thing is ugly. I guess I'll keep my XS runnin for a while.

**WILDMAN** · 11-11-2002, 08:21 PM

They had that on display last Feb. at the Miami boat show. They said it was for display only and still did'nt have any guts for the cowl! Yamaha is making the Merc 4 strokes right now, BUY A MERC-GET A YAMAHA!

**H2Onut** · 11-11-2002, 08:41 PM

Its TECHNOS COWL.....

**KEVIN NICHOLS** · 11-11-2002, 08:52 PM

that thing is ugly!!!!!!!!!!!looks like somthing off of star wars!!!!!!!!! i bet it weighs 500lbs.... screw the e.p.a. laws keep these two strokes runin'.......what puts off more polution the space shuttle or a runnin' ass 2.4 or 2.5 merc... e.p.a. ground the space shuttle and leave us two stokers alone!!!!!!!!!!!

**airide18** · 11-11-2002, 10:19 PM

Im with you a 100%.I think its Bulls@#t that they are going to try and ban 2 strokes.

**sosmerc** · 11-11-2002, 10:41 PM

Geez.......maybe the Optimax 250 ain't so bad afterall!
Seriously, the Optimax DFI 2 strokes run really well and would probably represent the future of outboards were it not for such a botched beginning....just my opinion, but the early problems of OMC's Ficht System as well as Merc's early problems with their DFI 200 dealt a serious blow to the public's acceptance of such new technology. I still have mixed emotions about them, but it's mostly because the "packaging" is still poorly designed and it is really a bitch to work on them because of near impossible access to critical components for routine service and adjustment. The big 4 strokes don't appear to deliver comparable performance, but I believe they are proving to be more dependable and durable in the hands of the general public and thus are being well received. So I would not be surprised to see Merc produce a 4 stroke outboard that will attempt to satisfy the performance minded crowd as well. There's alot of available technology to make a 4 stroke run these days......supercharging, turbocharging, vvt, dfi, dod.....you name it! Performance bikers must be going thru similar growing pains, but from what I see on Speed TV, 4 stroke bikes are running strong and are moving to the front of the pack. Time will tell.
(I just hope that big ugly thing in the pictures isn't anything close to the final product...looks like a really pregnant Honda!!)