Like past Verados, it’s best to start and stop
the motors with the start/stop buttons; leave the
key on so the electronics stay active. We idled
out of the basin and kicked it up on plane in just
a few seconds. Our top speed was just over 50
mph, and the economy gauge read 2.7 mpg when
we settled on the most economical cruise speed.
Next, we throttled up to a fast cruising
speed of about 4,000 rpm and wound the boat
into a sharp turn. One of Merc’s new “haves”
is Adaptive Speed Control, and with it the boat
held its rpm all the way through the turn as we
watched the tachometers hold steadily on 4,000.
The most experienced captain couldn’t do this
better. In speed runs, it exceeded 50 mph andaccelerated to 20 in just
about 3 seconds. Pretty
snappy. And it worked
equally well on single
applications, like Mako’s
21 LTS and Lowe’s 230
Retreat pontoon.
Noise management
was equally impressive.
Special injector covers
eliminate the high-
pitched noise typically
heard from them. Tuned
multichambered air
intakes further decrease
sound (while improving
performance), and a new
system of seals and vents
prevents mechanical
noise from escaping and
sea spray or water from
being ingested when
backing down. Further,
hefty new vibration-
dampening motor
mounts isolate more
noise. At top speed in the open 21-foot Mako 21
LTS, we were able to converse comfortably.
The Mako sported a mechanical cable
throttle system, giving us a feel for thatHORSEPOWER 225 200 AND 175
WOT RPM 5,200 to 6,000 5,000 to 5,800
ENGINE TYPE V-6 V-6
DISPLACEMENT 209 CID (3.4L) 209 CID (3.4L)
INDUCTION 24 valves, DOHC 24 valves, DOHC
STARTING SmartStart Electric SmartStart Electric
GEAR RATIO 1.85:1 1.85:1
ALTERNATOR 85 amps (1,071 watts) 85 amps (1,071 watts)
TRIM SYSTEM Power trim and tilt Power trim and tilt
DRY WEIGHT 475 lb. (215 kg.) 475 lb. (215 kg.)
STEERING Hydraulic (standard);
Power (optional) Hydraulic (standard);
Power (optional) IN SPEED RUNS,
IT EXCEEDED
50 MPH AND
ACCELERATED
TO 20 IN
JUST ABOUT
3 SECONDS.
PRETTY
SNAPPY. AND
IT WORKED
EQUALLY WELL
ON SINGLE
APPLICATIONS,
LIKE MAKO’S
21 LTS AND
LOWE’S 230
RETREAT
PONTOON.Designed to
reduce drag, the
motor also boasts
low water pickups
for uninterrupted
water l ow.
h e 85-amp alternator
is nested between
cylinder banks for a
slim pro le. It outputs
20 amps at 650 rpm,
but when extra amps
are required, the
motor automatically
boosts idle rpm.PHOTOS: COURTESY MERCURY MARINE80 | BOATINGMAG.COM | APRIL 2018