Marine
Mercury-Powered Fountain Powerboat Sets World Performance Record
FOND du LAC, Wis. (June 6, 2008) – A 38-foot Fountain center console sportfishing boat powered by three Mercury Marine 300 hp Verado outboard engines established a world record on June 3, running a 410-mile dash from the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse in North Carolina to the Statue of Liberty in New York City in 6 hours, 10 minutes, 8 seconds.
The Mercury-powered boat averaged just under 65 mph and .9 miles per gallon.
“The motors were so fuel efficient I felt as though we were running off of the air,” said Brian Forehand, Fountain's plant manager and offshore race team crew chief. Forehand drove the boat the duration of the run. “The Mercury Verados ran flawlessly without any sign of strain and the boat rode as though we were floating in the clouds.”
Also on board the Fountain boat – an almost-exact replica of a boat recently acquired by former President George Bush – were Fountain's director of fishing, Clayton Kirby, and veteran marine journalist Eric Colby. Colby documented the event and official world record for an article that will appear in an upcoming issue of Boating Magazine.
After leaving the docks at the Breakwater Inn in Hatteras Village, N.C., at 5:40 a.m., the team headed southeast out of the channel following guidance provided by a Garmin GPS. After turning northeast, the boat rounded Cape Hatteras point, starting the official clock at 5:55 a.m.
“For the first hour and a half we ran in three-foot to four-foot seas until the wind changed direction,” said Kirby. “Then the water laid down and the Lord blessed us with calm seas and no wind all the way to New York.”
In addition to the article in Boating Magazine, the run will be covered on Reggie Fountain's Offshore Adventures television show which begins in July on Fox Sports Network at noon on Sundays.
About Mercury Marine
Mercury Marine is the world's leading manufacturer of recreational marine propulsion engines. A $2.3 billion division of Brunswick Corporation (NYSE: BC), Mercury and its 6,200 employees worldwide provide engines, boats, services and parts for recreational, commercial and government marine applications. Mercury's industry-leading brand portfolio includes Mercury and Mariner outboard engines; Mercury MerCruiser sterndrives and inboard engines; MotorGuide trolling motors; Mercury and Teignbridge propellers; MotoTron electronic controls; Mercury inflatable boats; Mercury SmartCraft electronics; and Mercury and Quicksilver parts and oils. In 2008, Mercury Marine's OptiMax engine was ranked "Highest in Customer Satisfaction with Two-Stroke Outboard Engines" by J.D. Power and Associates for the third consecutive year. More information is available at mercurymarine.com.
CONTACT: Abigail Walker
Manager – Internal & External Communications
Mercury Marine
Phone: 920-924-1360
Email: abigail.walker@mercmarine.com
