Trade-A-Boat – April 2018

MERCURY’S POWER-PACKED FOUR-CYLINDER VERADO IS THE LIGHTEST

OF ITS SIX-CYLINDER EQUIVALENTS

Super fours

V

erados are

renowned for

gutsy low-

down torque

and high

top-end performance

across the range. Rated to a

maximum of 400hp in a twin

installation, the Wellcraft 242

Fisherman was fitted up with

the 200hp Mercury Verado

L4 1.7-litre supercharged

rockets and when it comes

to performance, well it’s no

doubt above average.

The low-down torque

and top end on these

four-cylinder supercharged

outboards is impressive to

say the least. In the flat water

with the throttles jammed

to full, the twins thrash

out a very healthy 45kts

at 6400rpm. In the mid-

range 3500rpm produces a

speed of 23.8kts and with a

combined economy of only

35.8lt/h. On the troll, you’re

looking at a combined low

fuel burn of around 9.2lt/h at

6.2kts and 1500rpm.

The 200hp Verado L4s

are significantly lighter

than the more common

six-cylinders to be precise,

72kg lighter per motor in

this case. They are smooth

to operate, nice and quiet,

and being supercharged they

are punchy and responsive

throughout the rev range.

Across the board I’m

always a fan of maximum

horsepower, however, in

my opinion the Wellcraft

242 would probably be

better suited to a twin 150

installation – in particular

the popular 3-litre Mercury

FourStrokes would be ideally

suited to the 242. The weight

reduction on the transom

would be around 50kg giving

a good power-to-weight

ratio.

For those dedicated to

other brands of outboard,

the beauty of a Wellcraft is

you have the choice of pre-

rigs from the USA for most

108 tradeaboat.com.au

outboard

test

THE COMPLETE BOOK OF BOATS

Mercury Verado 200 L4

STORY & PHOTOS KEVIN SMITH