Raising the stakes in high-horsepower boating
Mercury Marine has expanded its award-winning Verado® line with the all-new V10 425hp Verado and an upgraded V10 350hp Verado. Both engines target serious offshore cruisers, sport-fishing rigs, and luxury performance craft, where instant response and refined ride quality are non-negotiable.
“Boaters have been asking for more performance without losing the smooth, quiet Verado experience,” said John Buelow, Mercury Marine president. “These new V10 Verado engines raise the bar in the high-horsepower category.”
The new flagship: 425hp Verado
The V10 425hp is built to deliver exceptional muscle without excess weight. On a 26-foot, 5,000-pound centre-console with a heavy load, Mercury’s testing showed:
- 3 seconds faster from 0–30 mph than a 450hp competitor.
- 254 lbs lighter than that same competitor (XL models).
- 22% quieter at cruise.
- 150-amp alternator — the highest output in its class.
For skippers who load their boats with gear, crew, and long-range fuel, that combination of torque, lighter transom weight, and higher alternator capacity is a practical advantage.
Sharper bite: performance-enhanced 350hp Verado
The V10 350hp gets more than a mild tweak — Mercury has tuned it for mid-range punch and higher top speeds. Results from factory testing include:
- 15% quicker 0–50 mph acceleration than the outgoing 350hp model.
- 2.7 mph higher top speed (light load).
- 4 seconds faster from 0–30 mph (heavy load).
- 17.8 seconds faster from 0 to top speed than a 350hp competitor.
- 40% quieter at cruise.
For skippers running in mixed conditions, that extra torque in the mid-range makes for quicker planing and more effortless climbs over swell.
Built for repower and new builds alike
Both models share Mercury’s compact V10 platform, allowing 26-inch centre-to-centre mounting. That’s a direct fit for boats originally set up for L6 Verado or similar competitor outboards, making them ideal repower candidates.
Digital Throttle & Shift is standard, with optional Joystick Piloting for precision low-speed manoeuvres. The Verado’s Advanced MidSection isolates the powerhead to dramatically reduce vibration and noise, even at cruise.
Premium details, practical benefits
Like the rest of the Verado family, the new V10s deliver:
- Quiet, smooth operation thanks to advanced sound control and noise-damping mounts.
- Adaptive Speed Control to hold RPM under varying load and sea conditions.
- Top-cowl service door for quick oil checks and fills.
- Corrosion-resistant components and premium coatings for long-term durability.
- Fuel efficiency from Advanced Range Optimization and a lightweight aluminium block.
On-water experience
The 425hp offers the thrill of out-accelerating bigger rivals while carrying less weight aft — improving balance and ride comfort. The 350hp upgrade gives owners of mid-range multi-engine boats a noticeable performance lift without increasing fuel consumption or noise.
Both engines are tuned to run on 87-octane fuel, making them as at home in remote cruising grounds as they are in urban marinas.
Final take
The new V10 425hp Verado is the performance flagship for skippers who demand the best of both worlds: more power and acceleration without sacrificing refinement. The enhanced 350hp brings much of that same punch to a slightly lower horsepower tier, making it a smart choice for repowers and multi-engine rigs.
Mercury’s move shows that premium doesn’t have to mean compromise — and in the high-horsepower outboard market, that’s a statement competitors will find hard to match.
