How high will outboard motor output go?

[180Fisherman]

I am amazed that we now get 350hp from an outboard motor. I never would have guessed that it would have reached that high. How high do you think it will go?

 

[pbmang]

Re: How high will outboard motor output go?

How much do you want to spend? There are companies right now doing some amazing things with production motors (Hydro Tec). They are taking a 250 and pumping out almost 400hp with some modifications. I think the only limit is going to be the dollars you want to spend.

 

[Philster]

Re: How high will outboard motor output go?

That doesn't surprise at all. What surprises me is seeing numerous boats so far this summer with THREE of them. You might think they were giving them away.

Buyer: $21,000? Is that what the 350's go for?

Dealer: Yes, I can discount that to $19,900 if you buy more than one.

Buyer: Well, she's rated for 1100 horsepower, so might as well make it three.

Dealer: Visa/Mastercard or American Express.

Buyer: You take cash?

 

[Chris1956]

Re: How high will outboard motor output go?

Modifying a stock motor to increase power usually results in reduced lifespan. Therefore, I will presume you are talking about stock motor HP.

For an outboard, the max HP from a stock motor will be based upon demand and boat design. I am quite sure a manufacturer could make a V10 outboard with 500HP+. The question is wil anyone buy it, and what boat will handle it's weight and power.

 

[seabob4]

Re: How high will outboard motor output go?

This is the deal, from an insider. If the boat building business ever gets back, Suzuki will up the 300 to 400. Yams 350 uses the 5.3L V8 block for the reason of getting 500. And, yes, both safely and reliably...

 

[Chris1956]

Re: How high will outboard motor output go?

I had another thought. Most boats that require those high horse outboards are larger, and will want twin motors. Raising the HP will likely reduce the number of triple outboard motor boats.

For Example, my neighbor had a Scarab Supersport. it was a 35' high performance center console. His had two big block motors (660HP total), but the hull was avail with triple outboards. When he got it it would have come with three 225HP outboards. If the hP ratings on the outboards jump, he could have twin 300HP motors instead, or up the hP for greater performance.

That boat would go in the low 50s with those two BBs. Twin 350-400 HP motors would increase that a bit.

 

[seabob4]

Re: How high will outboard motor output go?

I had another thought. Most boats that require those high horse outboards are larger, and will want twin motors. Raising the HP will likely reduce the number of triple outboard motor boats.

For Example, my neighbor had a Scarab Supersport. it was a 35' high performance center console. His had two big block motors (660HP total), but the hull was avail with triple outboards. When he got it it would have come with three 225HP outboards. If the hP ratings on the outboards jump, he could have twin 300HP motors instead, or up the hP for greater performance.

That boat would go in the low 50s with those two BBs. Twin 350-400 HP motors would increase that a bit.

That would seem to be the logical conclusion, yet look at Midnight Expresses attempt at 5 350 Verados, and Intrepids 40 with quad O/Bs standard. With the introduction of 350, 400, and 500 HP O/Bs, you'll start to see 50' and larger CCs and Expresses with O/B power, rather than smaller boats that will run twin 400s as opposed to triple 250s...

But then, I'll take 2 of these and call it a day. 9.0L, DOHC, 1300HP a piece...

 

[Chris1956]

Re: How high will outboard motor output go?

Are those 50 footers going to be planing hulls? If not, why not standard diesel motors? it will save a ton on fuel.....

 

[seabob4]

Re: How high will outboard motor output go?

Chris,
Yes they will be planing hulls, with top ends around 55-60. I'm with you on high HP diesels, I think this mega O/B approach is kinda stupid, but then I'm not of the mindset of these types of boat buyers...too much money, not enough brains...

 

[180Fisherman]

Re: How high will outboard motor output go?

See now I think were getting somewhere. At some point it has to no longer make sense. ESpecially since every time you go up in HP your are adding one more model to your line up not replacing on older lower HP model. At 50 HP increments, offering a 500 HP outboard adds 3 more models of in between. At 25 HP increments thats 6 additional models. I think we are reaching a breaking point where high revving turbo diesels are becomming a better alternative. At some HP rating the sales would be so low that it wouldn't make sense to make them. Take the extreme of the 1000HP outboard. There are so few boats with the capability to handle that I don't think we'll ever see one.

 

[seabob4]

Re: How high will outboard motor output go?

If the boating, and therefore, the O/B industry hadn't taken such a dive 2-3 years ago, we would already have the higher HP models.

Think about the amount of HP that can be generated out of small packages. Remember the Honda Formula 1 motor. V-10, 1.5L, twin turbo, 1000HP in qualifying mode. Idled at 12 grand. Imagine a pair of those sitting *** end up on your transom...

 

[DuckHunterJon]

Re: How high will outboard motor output go?

mmmmmmmmm - 12000 idle, 23000 WOT. That might actually convince me on the need for captains choice exhaust!

 

[5150abf]

Re: How high will outboard motor output go?

I heard the same thing as Seabob, Bennington got one of the first production 350s and our R&d guy was told this was the small one and they could easily get to 450-500.

They are just HUGE, the hood off of the engine comes almost to my hip, weight without a prop or fluids is 802lbs.

I can't imagine feeding 3 of those at 32 GPH, then again if I could afford 3 I probably woudln't be worried about gas.

 

[seabob4]

Re: How high will outboard motor output go?

Funny thing is, at our dealer meeting (Proline) in '07, my Suz field engineer brought along a little Japanese fellow, a power train engineer from Mother Suzuki. I asked why he was there, my buddy (Jon Ponedel) said to determine the market feasability of turning the 300 into a 400...

We had a 35 Express with upper station and triple 300 Verados on it...that little engineer couldn't WAIT to take a ride on her!

 

[dingbat]

Re: How high will outboard motor output go?

I
They are just HUGE, the hood off of the engine comes almost to my hip, weight without a prop or fluids is 802lbs.

Ya, but what is a 350HP I/O going to weigh?