Sep 10

Sep 10 Mercury Racing Launches the Innovative 200R and 150R V6 Outboards: Powerful Middleweights Loaded with Features

Although it has been a long time coming, the new V6 based Mercury Racing 200R and 150R outboards offer great features and just enough choice for a large variety of performance boaters. The demand for sub 500 pound performance outboards covers a range of hulls from flats boats, bass boats and lightweight performance sport boats of all kinds. Let’s take a look at the options, features and the application for each one.

First, I would say on paper Mercury Racing nailed the big things. You get solid lower mounts on the familiar CMS tri-ram mid, and a choice of a sport master or torque master with 1.75 gears. With the torque master gearcase, the 200R becomes a great choice for any boat that can run up to about 75 or 80 MPH, you get the key benefits of the power, reasonable weight, and solid mounts. If you can run 80 MPH+ and have a light boat that benefits from the surfacing ability of the sport master, you have a great option there.

Let’s look at the power. What is curious is the 200 HP designation. I like it and here’s why. You cover a large number of boats in the 18’ to 22’ range generally, and you will notice the smooth double overhead cam V6 revs up to 6,400 RPM with Mercury Racing putting their touch on it. We can surmise that this is a probably the most potent 200 HP outboard on the market, the RPM range allows for great prop selection, where you can run a slightly lower pitch, and you have 400 more RPM available over any other 200 on the market. Plus, for a repower, you might be gaining several RPM alone from the ability to run the engine much higher with either gearcase.

Who is it for? New light performance fishing, sport boats and most significantly the repower market. Not every small hull can run a V8 and not everyone wants to spend up to a V8 with DTS and all the features they want. With a 200R, you get all the features, DTS, sport master, solid mounts and the Racing tuned 6400 RPM while staying in nice cost range. You get a bullet proof and smooth V6 and with the 60+ Lbs weight saving over a V8 and lower CG, it’s a better match for smaller boats. Handling and safety are key, and the 200R will be perfect on so many boats.

Designed for single engine applications, the V6 200R will be only with a cambered skeg and no wing plate. The 150R is a different animal in that it is focused on the semi performance but heavier boat range. The 150R is DTS, the 3.4L V6, a 6000 RPM range and you have the 4.8” 1.85 case, along with a 20” and 25” option. You can run twins as well. Look for this engine on center consoles, ribs, and heavier inshore fishing boats and even walleye boats. The 150 is fully featured DTS engine, not for the light fast boats, but a really nice engine for very specific use.

I wrote an article in 2017 called “Outboards: Mercury Racing and the High Performance Opportunity.” It was extremely popular and a bit polarizing at the time. Since then I really promoted the idea of a V6 R, and I think Mercury Racing really nailed it here. Depending the sales and customer feedback, there might even be more options in the future. But, you have to admit, Mercury Racing listens to their customers, they are enthusiasts and even though large corporations can make niche products challenging, Mercury Racing has continued to demonstrate their support and connection to the enthusiast market as well as the Racing market. I love it and can’t wait to test one on different boats.