New Aritcle - thoughts on a Mercury Racing 3.4-liter R-series engine

[Scream And Fly]

eI wrote an article on my thoughts about the Mercury 3.4-liter V6 spawning a Mercury Racing R-series variant. I'd really like some of your thoughts on that. I really think it would be a great option for the smaller, lighter boats we all use.

Article: Mercury Racing Should Work Their Magic With The 3.4-Liter V6

[mrpenguin]

I couldnt access the article for some reason. However, I dont see it ever happening and he are my thoughts. Just my 2 cents and not meant to be argumentative but instead start a deeper discussion.

Smaller, lighter weight racing engines for smaller, lighter boats is a thing of the past in my opinion. Look at the 2.5XS and the 280ROS which was available for years quietly and how it went no where. The high cost of these engines keeps out of reach for the extreme vast majority. There is less than a handful of boat builders that even build these boats anymore these days. A 225R V6 with a Sportmaster would be easily be $22-23k street price. The cost of building the V6 has to be within a stones throw of a V8 to the major OEMs especially when it is the platform is modular.

I theorize if there was a 225R 3.6 V6 from Mercury Racing, it would sell less than 100 units in the first year at most, 50 units in the next and so on. The demand is not truly there on a global level. However, I would wager that the 2024 Miami Boat show will have over 100 units of the 500R on display at that show alone. There is probably more profit in a ten sets of 1550 QC4s with # 8 drives then what an entire 225R program would bring in during its lifecycle.

I personnally believe that we (myself included) are too nostalgic and are not keeping up with the times. The 300hp is the new 200hp and most boat are designed for larger engines. The days of small, light, go fasts new is over. I would have thought that a P6 class in racing would have 50+ boats easily from my own mind as that is something that I would love to be a part of but the cost is the killer and that is why is stays small.

A new 22ft Progression with a single outboard is easily $100K+ these days.

If there really was demand, I would think the 3.0 liter inline 4 cylinder 150hp would be a better package for a 200R since the cost is so much less. We have less disposable income each year recently and I dont see that getting better anytime soon.

Just my thoughts.

[mikesufka]

I can’t access it either

MDS

[David]

Apparently I am not alone in not being able to see the article. The V6 weighs 475 lb dry, the V8 weighs 511 lb dry. Add 10-15 lb for oil I suppose. Tuff is OK with the V6 weight on their new 20, but not the V8. Both are too heavy for my SS2000 (Yes I know people are putting big blocks on the 20' A boats, but until Mr Allison blesses it, not me). I would think 475-490 lb would be a lot on a Vking as well.

I've said this before. I don't think there are enough smallish sport boats being made to make a business case for a high performance V6. The market would have to come from bass boats, assuming they sell in volume.

[skialot2]

The article link does not work for me either.

The 3.4L Fourstroke is available now in 175, 200 and 225 HP models. They weigh 475 pounds. With just a little work on the weight, and with a lightweight cowl, they could probably save about 50 pounds. That would bring it down to 425lbs. That is not much more than my 2000 2.5l 200HP. Which is listed as 414lbs. With a couple of performance mods, they could pump it up to 250HP. Then they could replace the 250R V8 with a much lighter V6. And expand the R series to include a range of V6 R motors. It seems like a natural progression to me. After all the goal is to produce the most power in the lightest package.

[Scream And Fly]

It should be up now. I had the publish time set a few hours ahead.

[skialot2]

It should be up now. I had the publish time set a few hours ahead.

Nope. Still not working.

[Scream And Fly]

Nope. Still not working.

I’ll check it out, thanks!

[Scream And Fly]

Should be good now, I apologize for that.

[mrpenguin]

Read the article and thought it was well done. I just dont see any benefit over the 250ProXS or 300ProXS which is simpler and would weigh the same as the 250R V6 supercharged.

In all honesty, they could most likely get 250hp easily out of the V6 without the supercharge anyway but it would be at the lower end of the spectrum and lose to the ProXS.

Realistically, the target would need be 325hp out of the V6 Supercharged to make it get a second look.

[Greg G]

The Merc 300R V8 topped off with oil and using the 3 ram mid and Sporty weighs 561 lbs, not 512.

I think the main interest in a 250R V6 would first be the Sporty and right behind that less weight. You could easily get it to 250hp without a supercharger but could they get it to a scale weight of 450lbs? Not sure on that part.

[David]

How much of the V6 assembly is common with the V8? Mid section? Lower unit? It would be lighter if it did not share parts made for bigger power.

[mragu]

Would love a pair of 200r or 225r’s on the kryptonite

[Petey]

The Merc 300R V8 topped off with oil and using the 3 ram mid and Sporty weighs 561 lbs, not 512.

I think the main interest in a 250R V6 would first be the Sporty and right behind that less weight. You could easily get it to 250hp without a supercharger but could they get it to a scale weight of 450lbs? Not sure on that part.

No a V6 powerhead does not weigh much less than a V8. Tack on your supercharger, charge air coolers, single ram offshore clamp bracket, sport master, and you're looking at 600+ lbs

[hellbents-10]

Correct just use the 300r vs 450r weight for a reference in adding a supercharger. 560-700lbs.