Brunswick Corporation : Mercury Marine releases 150 FourStroke to North American consumers at Miami International Boat Show
MIAMI, Fla., Feb. 24, 2012 - - Mercury Marine released its new 150 FourStroke
outboard engine to North American consumers at the recent Miami International
Boat Show.
The highly anticipated engine - winner of the prestigious 2011 International
Boatbuilders Exhibition and Conference Innovation Award - offers unprecedented
world-class durability under all conditions and is light enough to deliver
superb fuel efficiency and tremendous performance. It is expected to be the new
top choice for offshore, inshore bay, flats, aluminum, bass, pontoon, runabout,
RIBs and aluminum bass boats.
Despite the naturally aspirated engine's remarkable small size and low weight,
the new 150hp outboard by Mercury boasts a 3.0-liter, four-cylinder in-line
configuration that easily creates superior power for single or twin applications
- from the lightest flat skiffs to the largest saltwater offshore hulls. In
fact, it has more displacement than any other 150hp four-stroke engine, yet it
delivers fuel efficiency at cruising speed that no other engine can beat.
"We listened to what boaters were asking for and then set out to build the
ultimate 150 horsepower outboard," said Mark Schwabero, president of Mercury
Marine. "The finished product is an engine that is incredibly durable - more
durable, in fact, than any other 150 ever built - but is actually lighter than
the less-durable engines of our competition. It delivers great fuel efficiency
and tremendous performance.
"I believe we accomplished exactly what we aimed for; this engine is a perfect
addition to our wide breadth of four-stroke engines."
Despite the list of precedent-setting features and benefits, Mercury's new 150
is also affordable - about $2,500 less than the competition's 150hp engine.
The new 150 FourStroke is designed, built, and tested to be the most reliable
and durable 150hp four-stroke on the planet, which means it will start and run
consistently and last longer on any body of water, anywhere in the world. The
new 150 FourStroke has endured severe field testing in applications as varied as
cold 20-foot saltwater swells off the west coast of Canada to commercial fishing
in the warm waters of the Bahamas and the unprotected seas around Guadeloupe in
the French West Indies. The 150 FourStroke handled thousands of hours of hard-
core severe duty, real-world testing in applications the average boat operator
will never endure - all with flying colors.
The massive torque curve of the new 150 FourStroke ensures that even the
heaviest boats will plane quickly. And if you're looking for room to fish, this
multi-use engine fits nicely under poling platforms on flats boats and in
pontoon motor wells, and is easier to fish over and around than all competing
engines of equal horsepower.
It's also the perfect option for boaters choosing to repower their boats,
especially older models with transoms not designed to accommodate the weight of
conventional four-strokes. Mercury's new outboard is by far the lightest 150hp
engine, weighing just 24 pounds more than the popular Mercury OptiMax 150
direct-injected two-stroke. With almost 20 percent fewer parts than a Yamaha
F150, the Mercury 150 FourStroke proves that technology can be used equally well
to deliver durability and performance, while simultaneously reducing package
size and weight.
"The new Mercury 150 is class-leading in every respect, but we particularly
focused our attention on being a stand-out in the areas that our customers told
us really matter to them; quality and reliability; smooth operation; a great
torque curve; low weight and compact size; excellent fuel economy and easy
maintenance," said David Foulkes, vice president of engineering at Mercury. "We
started our engineering efforts by listening hard to our customers, and then we
executed the most effective possible design to meet their needs."
Whether you run in saltwater, freshwater or both, Mercury's new 150hp FourStroke
provides the satisfaction and solutions that boaters have asked for since
production of the first marine engine.
As the country and the world recover from the worst recession in history,
boaters will find Mercury's new 150 delightfully easy to maintain, long-lasting
and worry-free in a size, weight and horsepower that fit not only premium boats,
but mid- and entry-level vessels as well.
ADDITIONAL FEATURES AND BENEFITS
4.9-inch gearcase: Similar to the powerhead, the 4.9-inch gearcase housing meets
durability requirements for 300 hp-class outboards, though it needs to manage
just 150 horsepower - an illustration of why this is the most durable 150 hp
outboard on the planet.
Gear housing hydrodynamics: To house its larger gear set and internal
components, the 150 FourStroke requires a larger gearcase housing. In most
cases, a larger housing equates to decreased boat speed and performance due to
increased hydrodynamic drag. The 150 FourStroke's gearcase, however, challenges
the rules of physics with its larger, yet ultra-efficient hydrodynamic profile.
In fact, the 150 FourStroke's gearcase housing, while significantly larger in
diameter and longer in torpedo length, features better hydrodynamics than
gearcases found on 90-115hp class outboards.
Focus mount system: Situating the mounts farther from the powerhead
significantly reduces mount temperature and significantly increases mount
durability. By contrast, our competitor's upper mounts are tucked directly below
the powerhead, which causes the mounts to constantly operate at the temperature
of the powerhead. Angling the mounts on the Mercury 150 FourStroke significantly
reduces vibration transmitted to the boat at all points in the power band,
especially at transient points from a fast idle to the point the boat is coming
on plane. In addition, this configuration makes inspection and service easier
without removing the powerhead (as is required with conventional mount
configurations).
Lightweight thermo-bonded SMC top cowl: Thermo-bonded SMC top cowl uses
commercial-grade bonded composites to help produce the smallest physical size of
all 150 FourStrokes on the market. Inside stabilizers ensure a watertight seal
to protect the powerhead from the elements. Stabilizers also incorporate resting
points to prevent top cowl edges from scratching when the top cowl is removed
and set on docks, piers, concrete drives, etc. The powerhead features built-in
alignment points to help guide proper cowl installation and avoid snagging
electrical components such as harness wires. It's single-point automotive style
rear latch opens with a single pull and provides positive disengagement and
engagement during removal and installation. High-grade stainless steel latch
components ensure corrosion-free, reliable operation.
Steel balance shaft gears: Mercury's new 150 FourStroke uses a bulletproof high
grade steel to produce its balance shaft gears.
Heavy duty transom brackets: Mercury's 150 FourStroke transom brackets are of
the very highest quality, and are 22 percent heavier than those found on our
competitor's 150hp outboard. The Mercury 150 FourStroke is the lowest-weight
150 FourStroke anywhere, yet no durability compromises were made to accomplish
that.
Rig it and forget it: The 150 FourStroke is the world's easiest 150hp outboard
to rig, with standard mechanical cables, dual cable or hydraulic steering
compatibility, optional power steering on dual-engine setups, and the ability to
run on either standard analog or full SmartCraft instrumentation straight from
the factory. All connections under the cowl for throttle and shift cables, data
harnesses, etc., are easily located and accessed for quick, intuitive, hassle-
free rigging. It's also compatible with Mercury's innovative Big Tiller system.
Repowering is also quick and easy. The new 150 will connect to any steering,
Mercury rigging or instrumentation currently in the boat, or whatever the
consumer wants to upgrade in the dash or console.
What seems like magic, is Mercury Marine doing what it does best - creating
game-changing, incomparable engines that elevate boating and fishing to the next
level. The new Mercury 150 contains almost 20 percent fewer parts than our
competitor's 150hp engine - a feat Mercury engineers likened to their efforts in
designing the technologically advanced Verado line.
Freshwater flush system: Routine engine flushing is easily accomplished from
inside the boat or when the boat is trailered. To flush the engine, simply twist
the flush cap one-quarter turn and pull. The cap is attached to a length of hose
that provides easy flushing access from the front, side or rear of the engine.
Remove the flush cap and attach a standard garden hose. The flush system has a
swiveling head to avoid twisting the garden hose while connecting it. The flush
cap is tethered to the hose for added convenience. The engine may be flushed
while trimmed up or down, and with the engine running at idle speed or turned
off. When secured, the cap is flush with the cowl and there is no unsightly
hose hanging out of the engine.
60 amp alternator: The 150 FourStroke's marine-hardened alternator is
automotive-style, which means it's an external unit driven by the crankshaft via
the serpentine belt. This system - which is significantly lighter than our
competitors' engines - is fully regulated and supplies current only on demand;
therefore, when the system senses the battery voltage has dropped below 14.2
volts, the alternator will engage and re-charge the battery. The 150
FourStroke's automotive-style alternator develops more than 67 percent of its
60 amp output at only 1,000 RPM. When the alternator is not charging, it "free-
spins," which minimizes power drain on the engine and unnecessary heat build-up.
SmartCraft SmartStart: Instead of turning the ignition key to the "start"
position and holding it until the engine starts, the operator simply turns the
key and immediately releases it. SmartStart will automatically continue turning
the engine until it starts. This feature is also available with the accessory
push button start/stop panels. With the new 150 FourStroke, it is impossible to
grind the starter gear or engage the starter motor in the event the operator
attempts to start the engine while it is already running.
Idle exhaust relief system: As part of its world-class sound-management
technology, the 150 FourStroke features a special idle exhaust relief system
that uses a low pass acoustic filter to attenuate high frequency exhaust noise
at idle speeds.
Warranty: The 150hp EFI FourStroke features Mercury's standard 3-year limited,
non-declining warranty, and will be eligible for promotional warranties.
####
+---------------------------------+
| Contact: |
+---------------------------------+
| Lucas Lauderback |
+---------------------------------+
| 920-929-5980 |
+---------------------------------+
| Lucas.Lauderback@mercmarine.com |
+---------------------------------+
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Source: Brunswick Corporation via Thomson Reuters ONE
[HUG#1588706]
Released February 24, 2012