Verado V10 adopted across Naiad models
Mercury Marine’s Verado V10 400hp outboards are now being installed across several vessels built by Australian manufacturer Kirby Marine.
The engines are powering the Naiad 7.5m, 8.5m and 10m models, marking a deeper collaboration between the two companies and introducing a new propulsion platform across the range.
Kirby Marine Managing Director Rob Kirby said the engines have shifted what the company can achieve with its Naiad designs.
“We were looking for something that would enhance what we already offer and the Verado V10 400hp delivered exactly that,” Kirby said.
“We thought we’d plateaued in terms of performance, but these outboards have opened up new opportunities to keep improving.”
Outboards in the 350–450hp range have become increasingly common on boats in the seven to ten metre bracket. Builders are chasing higher cruising speeds while retaining the simplicity, service access and transom space advantages of modern outboards.
Lightweight power and refined running
Mercury’s V10 platform combines large displacement with relatively modest weight. The 400hp model weighs about 316kg, helping maintain a strong power to weight balance without placing excessive load on the transom.
The engine is also designed to run smoothly and quietly. Mercury achieves this through its Advanced MidSection mounting system, which isolates the powerhead to reduce vibration transmitted into the hull.
For operators running offshore or spending extended time underway, reduced vibration and noise can make a noticeable difference to comfort on board.
Kirby said the V10 reflects how manufacturers are responding to customer demand for both performance and usability.
“Mercury has raised the bar with the V10, clearly responding to customer feedback. In a highly competitive market, gains in performance and usability are critical.”
Joystick piloting simplifies docking
One feature drawing strong interest from Kirby Marine customers is Mercury’s Joystick Piloting system, which integrates the outboards with the vessel’s bow thruster.
Instead of managing throttle, steering and thruster controls separately, the skipper can manoeuvre the boat using a single joystick.
Kirby said the system has quickly become a selling point for customers stepping into larger or more powerful vessels.
“The simplicity of the bow thruster interface has become a major selling point for us. It makes the boat easier to drive for operators of all experience levels,” he said.
“There’s no need to push buttons or go through multiple steps. The system goes straight to neutral and the joystick is immediately live.”
Built for demanding coastal conditions
Kirby Marine operates along the Western Australian coastline, where open ocean swells and short wind driven chop regularly combine to create demanding sea states.
Kirby said the Verado installation has performed well in those conditions, particularly once the boat is up and running at speed.
“The large diameter four blade propeller delivers a smoother transition onto the plane,” he said.
“At speeds above 50 knots the boat remains stable and comfortable, even in the rough conditions the WA coast is known for.
“With very little flat water off the WA coastline, that level of performance and stability is essential.”
From recreational testing to commercial use
Kirby Marine builds vessels for both recreational and commercial operators. Clients have included CSIRO, Western Australia Police, the Western Australian Department of Fisheries, and the Western Australia Environmental Protection Authority.
Most V10 installations so far have been on recreational boats. That has allowed the company to spend time refining propeller selection, rigging setups and overall performance before introducing the engines into working vessels.
The knowledge gained there is now feeding into the company’s commercial builds.
“We currently have several rescue boats heading to the east coast that will feature the V10,” Kirby said.
“These will be the first commercial vessels we’ve built using this platform.”
As larger outboards continue to reshape boat design in the 7 to 10 metre sector, engines like the Verado V10 are giving builders more flexibility in hull design, performance targets and onboard systems.
For Kirby Marine, the adoption of the V10 appears to have opened the next stage in the evolution of its Naiad range.
