In February of 2021 Mercury Marine introduced the world’s first V12 outboard engine, the 600 horsepower Mercury Verado. This outboard has been a raging success, changed the outboard engine market as we know it, and today can be seen on transoms of boats all across America.
This is the most power to hit a boat’s transom since Seven Marine introduced their 527 outboard, followed by their 627-horsepower model. But Seven Marine was purchased by Volvo Penta and then ceased production of those engines, leaving the Mercury 450R as the biggest power choice around with the Yamaha F425 XTO outboard close behind. This V12 is, of course, the new king of the power hill.
Despite the size difference between the smaller Mercury V10 400 and 350 hp outboards introduced a few years ago, the V12 shares the same basic shape and look. It is, however, a real monster: displacing a whopping 7.6 liters, it tips the scales at 1,260 pounds and is available in shaft lengths to 35-inches. Obviously, this means it is appropriate for very large transoms which can support huge amounts of weight, as well as huge amounts of horsepower.
The Verado 600hp has a full-throttle rpm rating of 5600 to 6400, includes integrated electro-hydraulic power steering, and swings through a 2.50:1 gear ratio. Interestingly, it also has a two-speed transmission. That’s an industry first, and Mercury says shifting from first to second gear takes place without clunking or noise. When we ran one we immediately agreed; you have to try hard to even detect the shift. The 600 Verado is packaged with Next Gen Digital Throttle and Shift controls, and naturally can be integrated with Joystick Piloting — of up to six engines at a time. Mercury also went with a contra-rotating dual propeller lower unit, which steers independently from the upper unit. The steerable gearcase can turn 15-degrees farther than the norm, and since the upper units are static, less space is needed for mounting.
The new 600 horsepower V12 Verado also has a few unexpected perks to boast. Oil change increments are 200 hours rather than the usual 100, and the top cowl service hood allows for easy access to critical components from inside the boat. In fact, the full cowl doesn’t need to come off for regular maintenance until hitting the 1000 hour or five year service mark.
Introduction of the Mercury V12 600 HP Outboard
Undoubtedly, this engine would have been timed for release with the Miami International Boat Show. Upon its introduction, however, thanks to the Covid-19 crisis there was no Miami International Boat Show. So instead Mercury chose to introduce the engine via an 11:00 o’clock video released on Facebook, followed by the product details going live on Mercury’s Facebook page. Retail pricing was initially said to be "in the $77,000 range." However, asking about pricing is more or less moot, because the vast majority of these engines go directly onto the transoms of brand new boats and are built into the boat's pricetag.
This rather unusual introduction did mean it was initially difficult for us to get hands-on experience with the Verado 600, but at this point we've run dozens of boats with twins and some triple rigs as well. It's quieter than you'll expect, potent when you hit the throttle, and (in part thanks to that dual prop lower unit) brings very large boats up onto plane with surprising ease. The bottom line? This powerhouse is a home run hit.
Editor's Note: This article was originally published in February of 2021, and was last updated May 9, 2024.