Engines

With the release of the first MerCruiser sterndrive at the Chicago Boat Show in 1961, Mercury Marine founder Carl Kiekhaefer forever changed the boating industry. Until then, outboards were the standard in marine engines, but Kiekhaefer's sterndrive allowed boaters to maintain outboard-like maneuverability in a package that offered unprecedented recreational boating power. With its already stellar marine reputation, MerCruiser quickly captured a commanding majority of the recreational market. Now celebrating its 50th anniversary, MerCruiser continues to lead the industry, guided by the same trailblazing ethic that inspired Kiekhaefer's historic first sterndrive.

For a half century, MerCruiser has been synonymous with unrivaled sterndrive and inboard performance. It all starts with a diverse selection of engines ranging from 135 to 430 hp, and more than 20 unique drive systems including Alpha One - the most popular sterndrive in the world. With the most complete lineup in the industry crafted by expert engineers, you're certain to find a MerCruiser engine-drive combination perfect for your boating style. Mercury enhances these offerings with complementary marine innovations such as Axius, the intuitive joystick-control system, and the stalwart corrosion protection of MerCruiser SeaCore. With decades of industry leadership and an eye to the future, the MerCruiser legend continues to grow.

Over these five decades, MerCruiser has worked tirelessly to maintain and grow its reputation as the most trusted sterndrive brand on the planet. MerCruiser has been able to stay at the forefront of marine engineering by remaining true to its four brand pillars: an unmatched product lineup, innovative integrated technologies, reliable and durable engines and drives, and an unrivaled service network.

Every boater has unique values and expectations for their on-water pursuits. That's why MerCruiser is committed to offering the most complete gasoline sterndrive product selection in the industry. With a wide range of engines, each with even deeper features and options, MerCruiser prides itself on having propulsion and technology systems for every boating style.

Nobody else offers a more comprehensive selection of catalyzed engines than MerCruiser. From the wildly popular 3.0L all the way up to the 8.2L big block, only MerCruiser has had the insight and wherewithal to invest in this game-changing technology to ensure its availability on a global scale.

 

Drives

MerCruiser's comprehensive selection of drive systems - from the most popular sterndrive in the world, Alpha One, to the robust Bravo Series drives - is the envy of the industry.

The Alpha One drive - suitable for single or twin applications up to 65 mph for gas engines up to 300 hp - delivers reliable performance in a value package. MerCruiser's full-throttle Bravo One drive allows you to push it to the limit with best-in-class performance for single, twin or triple applications. The brawny Bravo Two drive is ideal for big cruisers and houseboats, while the twin-prop Bravo Three permits best-in-class shifting and precise maneuverability. No matter what wild blue destination calls to you, MerCruiser has a no-hassle drive built to get you there and back with ease.

	Alpha One Drive The most popular sterndrive in the world. Single/twin applications up to 65 mph for gas engines up to 300 hp The Alpha® One drive earned the title of "world's most popular sterndrive" because it delivers reliable performance in a value package. reliable performance means more family fun year after year without missing a beat. Alpha One drives slice through the water with an efficient hydrodynamic profile producing very little drag. And, because of the Alpha drive's many maintenance-free features, you'll enjoy a worry free ownership experience.
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	Bravo One Great performance starts with heart. Bravo! Single/twin/triple applications over 100mph for gas engines up to 600 hp The Bravo One drive delivers superior performance with best-in-class shifting. Its exclusive performance torpedo design and dual water pickups allow for speeds topping the century mark, with exceptional handling at high and low speeds. A trim-limit switch sets your drive angle for maximum performance every time, and a greaseable drive coupler allows for quick and easy service without removing the drive unit.
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	Bravo Two Handle the biggest boats with authority. Twin applications up to 55 mph for gas engines up to 450 hp The unique Bravo Two drive has an unmatched ability to maximize lift and thrust for cruisers and houseboats without breaking a sweat. Due to the girth of the gearcase, Bravo Two is capable of accommodating a huge 20-inch diameter prop with deeper gear ratios. This allows the Bravo Two to deliver high thrust around the dock, quick planing and improved fuel economy-putting you in control. maintenance-free hinge pins allow for easy service without having to pull the boat from the water.
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	Bravo Three Efficient.Maneuverable. Unbeatable. Single/twin applications up to 65mph for gas engines up to 525 hp The twin-prop design says it all. Whether in a single-unit or twin-unit application, the Bravo Three is an efficient drive built without compromise. Perhaps it's the best-in-class shifting or its counter-rotating propeller design - enabling agile handling in reverse for precision maneuverability. And the greaseable gimbal bearing makes for an easy ownership experience-allowing for service without removing the drive unit. The Bravo Three X drive, standard on big block 8.2L high-output engines, is a superstrength drive with high performance attributes.
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Axius

Mercury's innovative joystick-control Axius system is the perfect remedy for boat maneuvering and docking woes. Axius allows you to dock in a safe and relaxed way, regardless of close quarters, cross currents or side winds. The intuitive and natural user interface gives you total boat control with one hand, meaning anybody can dock safely with total confidence.

"Ms. Maneuver" With Zeus and Axius joystick precision control at their fingertips, Sea Ray gals are raring to take the helm (4.2 MB)
- Reprint courtesy of Sea Ray

The Axius system also delivers innovative navigation features such as Skyhook, an electronic anchor that holds your boat in place based on GPS positioning, regardless of wind and water conditions. Waypoint control allows you to set a course on your chart plotter that your boat will follow automatically. With Axius, boat control and navigation have never been easier or more precise. The future of boating is here.

A Next-Level Cruising Experience

MerCruiser's Axius system uses a joystick to control steering, throttles and shifters at the same time, offering complete boat maneuverability with one hand. The interface is simple and intuitive: move the joystick in the direction you want to go, and the further you move it, the faster the boat will travel in that direction. With the Axius system your sterndrives move independently of each other, allowing them to achieve the lateral movement needed to pull off close-quarter maneuvers with ease.

Proven Technology

Built on Mercury's proven SmartCraft Integrated Technology, the Axius system seamlessly performs alongside your Digital Throttle & Shift and power steering. The joystick controls two independently steered Bravo Three sterndrives through a network of onboard computers. Rigorously tested and repeatedly proven in the field, Axius fluidly translates a complex system to a one-handed joystick interface that is natural and easy to operate.

Axius Premier

For boaters in search of cutting-edge, yet intuitive, navigational technology, the Axius Premier system delivers. Axius Premier takes state-of-the-art joystick docking capabilities and adds several innovative and easy-to-use new features. Among these are Skyhook, which electronically anchors your boat via GPS regardless of wind and current, and Auto Heading, which automatically keeps your boat on course.

The Axius CAN Control Pad

A key feature exclusive to the Axius Premier package, the convenient and easy-to-use Axius CAN Control Pad offers a range of useful navigational operations at the touch of a finger.

• Skyhook Electronic Anchor
  If you've ever found yourself in a situation waiting for a bridge to open, or were next in line at a fuel dock slip, or needed to hold steady to fish a specific spot in high winds, you probably could've benefited from having the Axius Skyhook Electronic Anchor. When engaged, Skyhook pinpoints your boat's position using a GPS satellite antenna, then works with the engines and drives to maintain that position regardless of wind or current. Skyhook helps you keep your boat steady in any circumstance at the push of a button-it really is that easy.
• Auto Heading
  The Auto Heading feature on your Axius CAN Control Pad uses a built-in digital compass to allow the captain to maintain course and make precise corrections easily, with the touch of the finger. When you enable Auto Heading, you can vary your course port or starboard by using the arrow keys on the control pad, changing it 10 degrees per tap. You can also use the joystick to correct your course, tapping it port or starboard to adjust in 1-degree increments.
• Waypoint Sequence
  Axius Waypoint Sequencing is chart plotting, evolved. Through your VesselView screen, the Waypoint Sequence feature allows you to plot your boat's course-with multiple points in between-to your final destination. Once you program your route, the system precisely navigates it, making "getting there" a breeze.

Joystick Control System

Experience worry-free docking with the first fully intuitive piloting system on the water.

The Axius Premier Advantage

Upgrade to Axius Premier and take your navigational capabilities to the next level.

Features & Attributes* MerCruiser Sterndrives w/Axius Premier

• Joystick Functionality
• Move sideways and at an angle
• Rotate in own length or 360° on an axis
• Intuitive, proportional control of thrust and speed in any direction
• Enhanced docking control mode
• Safety, Reliability & Durability
• Proven, rear-facing propellers
• Shallow draft design for less water displacement
• More than 50,000 hours of endurance testing
• Precision Navigation
• Skyhook GPS Anchor
• Auto Heading
• Waypoint Control
• VesselView
• Comfortable Fit

The ergonomically designed joystick is built for comfort and ease of use, giving you better handling and more intuitive control.

Proportional Control

The Axius joystick responds to both the direction you move it and the pressure you apply, providing smooth and accurate control at your touch. To move to the left, push the joystick to the left. To go faster, apply more pressure.

Twist the Axius joystick to turn the boat within its own length. An ideal maneuver for changing directions in a tight space.

Move the Axius joystick to the left, right or at any angle to move your boat precisely at your control.

Move the Axius joystick toward the bow or stern of the boat to move directly forward or backward.

*Some features may not be activated by certain boat builders. Please contact your boat builder to determine what functionality is offered for your specific model.

 

SeaCore

MerCruiser's SeaCore system is the world's premier saltwater system. Rather than just enclosing the drive components in a plastic shell, we protect them to the core with industrial hardcoat anodizing, a closed-cooling system and widespread use of stainless steel components to ensure your MerCruiser engine handles the rigors of the saltwater environment over the long haul.

MerCruiser stands behind its state-of-the-art SeaCore system with a four-year factory limited warranty and a four-year limited warranty against corrosion failure. MerCruiser offers such a rock solid warranty because SeaCore is proven technology - the toughest saltwater protection system on the planet.

MerCruiser's SeaCore corrosion-protection technology gives your sterndrive legendary strength and durability

• Exclusive low-copper, high-strength XK360 aluminum alloy provides unmatched corrosion resistance
• The MercFusion paint system creates a tough, durable barrier to protect your engine
• Closed-cooling system seals out saltwater from the block using 5-year, long-life coolant for long-term durability
• Quality-grade 316 stainless steel components, including all underwater drive fasteners, steering shaft and motor mounts, are incredibly durable
• MerCathode® actively prevents corrosion
• Hard anodizing and sealing treatment is more abrasion-resistant for added corrosion protection
• A four-year limited corrosion failure warranty offers confidence and peace of mind in your engine's long-term durability

MerCruiser's SeaCore technology is a comprehensive corrosion protection system developed to ensure your MerCruiser engine handles the rigors of the marine environment over the long haul. SeaCore's unique hardcoat anodizing process changes the molecular structure of the engine's aluminum alloy in order to create a shield against corrosion-creating a more abrasion-resistant surface than competitive paint processes. The exclusive XK360 aluminum alloy of SeaCore has extremely low levels of copper - a metal highly susceptible to corrosion - making it incredibly resistant to wear.

Additional built-in corrosion features, including a closed-cooling system, which seals out saltwater from the block, and widespread use of stainless steel parts impervious to saltwater corrosion, contribute to a SeaCore system which is the toughest and most complete corrosion-resistant technology on the water.

In a two-year test period in a normal saltwater environment, SeaCore hardcoat-anodized units were 25 times more corrosion-resistant.

 

SmartCraft

SmartCraft features such as ECO-Screen help you optimize fuel economy; MercMonitor lets you customize data readouts displayed on an easy-to-read LED screen.

Reap the benefits of standard SmartCraft Digital Throttle & Shift (DTS): smooth shifting, immediate throttle response, and cutting-edge digital controls and information displays

Mercury's exclusive SmartCraft technology acutely monitors the vitals of your engine systems, such as fuel usage, rpm, engine trim and efficiency, and delivers them to you in an easy-to-read digital display. SmartCraft functions such as SmartTow - which optimizes watersports settings - take the complication out of piloting so that you can focus on maximizing fun out on the water.

SmartCraft: More Boating, Less Work
That's been the goal of the Mercury SmartCraft team from day one - to make boating more enjoyable through the use of boater-friendly technologies. SmartCraft technology enables engine components to gather and share information with each other and you, integrating this digital information to make monitoring your vessel, its engine and external conditions an easy, intuitive process. The following SmartCraft options help accomplish our goal: maximizing the enjoyment you get on the water.

DTS - ShadowMode
With Mercury's Shadow technology, there's no more grappling with multiple engine levers. Instead, you have just two levers controlling multiple engines. Operation is simple, smooth and intuitive. And for the first time, it allows for both triple and quad engines and dual helm installations. Just what you'd expect from Mercury Marine, the world's leader in marine technology.

MercMonitor
This digital-vessel monitoring system allows you to select three pieces of data - such as rpm, speed, depth, gallons per hour - and customize your gauge readout based on the vessel data most important to your operation. Customize up to five of these tri-data screens so you can adjust effortlessly to meet your changing needs. The data is displayed on an easy-to-read, multicolor LED screen, with seven color choices to help you easily organize your customized readouts.

ECO-Screen
ECO-Screen is a cutting-edge system monitoring feature of the SmartCraft MercMonitor that tells you what you need to do to obtain the best fuel economy for your application. It does this by constantly monitoring engine rpm, boat speed, fuel consumption and engine trim to automatically calculate and guide you to your best fuel economy settings. The ECO feature automatically runs in the background, is easy to read and understand, and uses a multicolor screen that turns green to show you, at a glance, when you've optimized fuel economy.

SmartTow
SmartTow, the latest SmartCraft advancement in tow sport technology, combines an rpm-based cruise control for consistent speed with Mercury's exclusive Launch Control, which determines the intensity you want out of the water. Forget about the daunting challenge of manually maintaining speed or attempting to estimate the weight of your boat plus crew; simply select from five Launch Control profiles for pull intensity, enter your rpm endpoint, and SmartTow takes care of the rest.

 

Emissions Control Technology

As a marine industry leader, MerCruiser understands the responsibility it bears to help take care of the waters we boat on and the destinations we seek. That's why we have made a commitment to Emissions Control Technology (ECT), offering a full line of sterndrive and inboard engines in the 135-430 hp range that comply with the California Air Resource Board (CARB) and the Environmental Protection agency (EPA) emissions requirements.

To meet these emissions standards, Mercury Marine utilizes a reliable catalyst system that produces cleaner exhaust without limiting classic MerCruiser performance. That means you get the full rush of pure MerCruiser power, all while helping to preserve that fresh wind whipping by as you cruise along - not to mention keeping our greens green and, of course, our blues blue.

Nobody else offers a more comprehensive selection of ECT engines than MerCruiser. From the wildly popular 3.0L all the way up to the 8.2L big block, only MerCruiser has had the insight and wherewithal to invest in this game-changing technology to ensure its availability on a global scale.

MerCruiser has developed its ECT engine lineup with its trademark technological acumen, accomplishing significant emissions reductions while still being able to offer classic MerCruiser speed and acceleration. You get the same performance as a non-ECT engine but with 5 to 10 percent better cruising fuel economy, not to mention similar gains in noise reduction.

Keeping with tradition, MerCruiser's ECT engines are incredibly reliable thanks to extensive testing and development. You'll get consistent performance throughout the life of the engine, meaning your engine will perform the same in year 10 as it did when you first bought it.

And, of course, when you select a MerCruiser ECT engine, you also team up with the largest and most expert dealer and service network on the planet. How's that for assurance?