Small Block Bass
A unique application was the Super Scorpion 377 bass boat. The joint project between Mercury Racing and Chub Bryant, owner of Stroker Boats, was intended to show the world an alternative to outboards for bass boats. It was a great way to showcase our 6.2 Liter 377 sterndrive. The performance was very good. However, we just couldn’t change the minds of “clamp-on” outboard motor enthusiasts. With the popularity of outboards today – it’s hard to imagine a sterndrive bass boat would ever be considered.
Two Props. Two Speeds. Too Cool!
Here’s one of our more ambitious endeavors – the Mercury ProMax Deuce High. This one was a full-out engineering project. It was a combination of our fuel injected 2.5 Liter ProMax EFI powerhead and an advanced propulsion system. The mid section and gearcase were designed from a potpourri of sterndrive and outboard hydrodynamic engineering concepts and a very clever prop clutching device.
The most unique of its design innovations was its 2-speed automatic gearcase. The engine drove two, counter rotating props on the same axis — similar to the Mercury Racing Bravo Three XR sterndrive. Unlike the Bravo Three XR, the props were sequentially shifting: On initial acceleration, one prop would free-wheel while the other spooled up quickly. A computer controlled, hydraulic clutch system automatically engaged the second prop when the engine reached a preset torque. This enhanced hole shot, big-time!
Water pickups were built into a removable skeg. The fully surfacing gearcase was designed to run with the full torpedo above the water. The water running beneath the propeller hubs and torpedo improved propeller efficiency and eliminated torpedo drag.