An all-new low-emissions outboard and a stroked small block
sterndrive engine package lead the Hi-Performance propulsion offerings from Mercury Racing for 2000.
2000 Mercury Racing Consumer Performance Outboards
Mercury Racing Engineers have combined the fuel efficiency, dependability and
reliability of the OptiMaxTM low-emissions technology with race-proven 2.5
Liter Pro Max 200 hardware to create the all-new OptiMax 200 XS. This latest creation
from Mercury Racing is the world’s first direct fuel injected high performance
outboard.
The compact 2.5 Liter V6 powerhead, designed and developed by Mercury Racing,
spins up to 6500 rpm to produce more power than the larger 3.0 Liter
displacement stock OptiMax 200. A race version of the 200 XS finished third
overall at the 1999 ’24 Hours of Rouen’ endurance powerboat race in Rouen,
France. The engine, featuring a stock powerhead mounted to a race center
section and gearcase, finished ahead of all like-horsepower SST 120/S2000 race
outboards and the only engine to accept the low-e challenge. All components,
including the direct fuel injection compressor and oil injection system, survived the world’s
most punishing race event – ensuring sport boaters turn-key performance and
hassle-free boating from this race-proven outboard. Sport boaters will also
appreciate an improvement in fuel economy over standard 2-cycle performance
outboards along with reduced emissions levels.
The OptiMax 200 XS will be available with the 15″ (381 mm) short shaft or 20″
(508 mm) standard center section. The 20″ center section models are available
with the right-hand rotation 1.87:1 Torque Master or Sport Master gearcase. The
15″ short shaft models are available with the right-hand rotation, 1.87:1 Sport
Master gearcase.
Also new for 2000 is the Pro Max 225 Offshore outboard. This new model gives
offshore sport boaters a potent 225 horespower, 2.5 Liter V6 powerhead,
with the convenience of oil injection, mounted to the same heavy-duty offshore center
section used on the legendary 2.5 EFI Offshore Race outboard.
The 20″ (508 mm) offshore center section, designed for use on V-bottom and
catamaran offshore sport boats, features a heavy-duty driveshaft housing,
swivel/clamp bracket assembly and trim ram designed to withstand the additional
stress of boating in rough seas for extended periods of time. The heavy-duty
exhaust adapter plate has a provision for the installation of transom mounted
water pick-ups to ensure adequate engine cooling in rough seas. Solid upper and
lower engine mounts, standard on all Mercury Racing Consumer Performance
Outboards, improve boat handling and overall performance at higher speeds. A
removable exhaust baffle, mounted on the above-water exhaust snout, redirects
exhaust through the propeller for a quieter ride. The Pro Max 225 Offshore
comes
standard with the right-hand rotation, 1.87:1 Sport Master gearcase. Models are
also available without a gearcase, allowing sport boaters to dial-in their rigs
with accessory Sport Master gearcases with optional gear ratios or left-hand
rotation Sport Masters for multiple engine installations.
Like the Pro Max 225 Offshore, Mercury Racing enhanced the versatility of the
Pro Max 300 with the addition of three new models that are sold without a
gearcase. The availability of selected 300s without a gearcase allows sport
boaters to custom rig the engine with the best gearcase style and gear ratio to
match their hull type and application for maximum performance and satisfaction.
2000 Mercury MerCruiser Hi-Performance Series
The all-new Mercury MerCruiser Small Block 377 Sterndrive leads the 2000
Mercury
MerCruiser Hi-Performance (HP) Series model-lineup and is sure to find a
home in
single and twin engine 22′ to 35′ catamaran and V-bottom sportboats. Based off
the Scorpion 377 Hi-Performance Ski engine, the new Scorpion 377 Sterndrive
will
be available with either the Bravo One or Bravo One Performance drive.
Differences from the Scorpion 377 Hi-Performance ski engine include an all-new
valve train – valves, springs, retainers, rocker arms and rocker arm studs,
that
are designed to withstand the more severe sterndrive duty cycles and deliver
peak power and torque throughout the engine’s operating range. The blueprinted
377 Sterndrive, featuring a custom balanced Lunati crankshaft, produces 400
ft./lbs. torque at 4400 rpm and delivers 350 propshaft horsepower within the
4800-5200 rpm full throttle operating range.
Also new for 2000 is a swept-back skeg on the Mercury/MerCruiser Six Drive.
Standard on the HP900SC engine package, the swept-back Six Drive improves
handling and overall boat performance at higher speeds.
All 2000 Mercury Racing Consumer Performance Outboards and selected Mercury
MerCruiser Hi-Performance Series engine packages feature hot new graphics which
highlight the new Mercury logo. The logo highlights the Mercury brand and
Mercury’s 60 years of performance heritage.
By: Rick Mackie, Mercury Racing, Mercury Marine
