Mercury Racing’s V10 400R Outboard is a compact beast.
Going big with a new outboard that delivers more torque and high-end horsepower might mean going bigger in size. While increasing the physical dimension of an outboard is impressive, it can add challenges to repower projects, and even new builds. That’s not the case with Mercury Racing’s new V10 400R outboard.
The naturally aspirated V10 5.7-liter (349 CID) powerhead originated from the stalwart V8 4.6-liter Mercury Racing 300R model. The 64-degree powerhead displaces 5.7 liters while maintaining the compact width needed for 26-inch center-to-center mounting on multi-engine applications. That makes for seamless installations on new boats and repower applications.
“Mercury Racing products are focused on delivering the highest power-to-weight ratio available,” explains Steve Miller, Mercury Racing’s director of customer experience. “This is important because today’s performance center consoles require a higher amount of engine torque combined with proper weight distribution throughout the boat to optimize performance.”
Center consoles are relatively agile for their size, so higher torque combined with an advanced digital control system such as Mercury Racing’s Digital Zero Effort controls means instant throttle response and extremely precise throttle control. Miller said both are critical for boat control at all speeds—from holding a boat on plane at slower speeds to wringing out that last mile per hour at the top.
Mercury Racing outboards also offer an enhanced Racing AMS (Advanced MidSection) with stiffer engine mounts and guide plates with tighter tolerances. This reduces steering play which, in turn, delivers a much higher level of precision handling and control at speed. Combine that with either a 5.44-inch HD or Sport Master gearcase (depending on the application) and Mercury Racing propellers and boat owners now have a high-performance driving experience optimized to their exact boat.
Regarding propellers, a selection of performance-proven Mercury Racing propellers is available for either gearcase to allow customers to realize the full potential of specific boat-and-engine combinations.
Mercury Racing will also bolster its lineup of custom-crafted propellers with a new series of 15-inch-diameter four-blade Ventera props to amplify the performance of the V10 400R outboard.
In addition, the Mercury Racing Quad Cam Four Valve (QC4) design features double overhead camshafts and four-valve aluminum cylinder heads. A proprietary 92mm throttle body and tuned intake work with the QC4 head to maximize airflow and power. A 6,000-6,600 wide-open-throttle rpm range enhances peak horsepower and provides a broad window for propping any performance hull type, and it runs on 87 octane (91 RON) fuel.
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“Mercury Racing engines are designed to deliver reliable power at all boating speeds while also being optimized to achieve the best possible combination of responsiveness, handling, and top speed,” says Miller. “Sea conditions are not always favorable to run full throttle safely, so our luxury sport customers will also spend a good deal of time just cruising with family and friends.”
The main difference with the cruising speed on a performance boat is that it is often close to or at full throttle on a non-performance boat application. For example, a center console capable of 90-100 mph will cruise comfortably and efficiently at 60 mph, or less if desired. Mercury Racing engines are designed to do this and are not overtaxed by not running full throttle all the time. Fuel efficiency is also optimized at cruising speeds.
“The Mercury Racing customers are what we classify as luxury sport boaters,” explains Miller. “They are looking for all the amenities for a premium boating experience, but they differ from the mainline consumer in that they have the ‘performance gene.’ They relish the thrill of going fast and having a setup that delivers rock-solid handling and precision drivability.”
It’s no secret that a lot of performance center console owners want responsiveness and strong acceleration throughout the power band. Oftentimes, you’ll see high-performance center console boats on the water where owners take 10 of their closest friends on a poker run or a day trip to the sandbar. Or maybe these new 400R engines will be behind an outboard catamaran for top-speed thrills.
“The Mercury Racing consumer is also all about individuality and customization,” adds Miller. “He will
go to extreme lengths during the design process of the boat to create a combination of colors, textures, and amenities to create a true, one-of-a-kind statement piece that reflects his personality.”
The evolution of the center console from a hard-core fishing boat with a pair of outboards that maxed out around 30 feet to today’s triple, quad, quint (and beyond) 50-foot-plus luxury sport boats was made possible largely by the advent of higher horsepower outboards.
“Mercury Racing’s introduction of the L6 400R in 2015 was one of the catalysts that ignited the performance center console expansion,” says Miller. “Today’s V10 400R and flagship supercharged 450Rs are the power of choice for performance boats surpassing fifty feet with up to six engines across the transom.
In addition, mainline Mercury Marine products have expanded to V12 six hundred-horsepower platforms capable of pushing even the biggest and heaviest of center consoles and fishing vessels efficiently.” mercuryracing.com
-by Doug Thompson
