Now Offering Mercury’s Game-Changing Verado Outboards
The world’s best big center console just got better. Valhalla Boatworks (VBW) is proud to announce that it will offer Mercury’s new game-changing 7.6-liter V12 600-hp Verado outboards on the Valhalla 46, the newly introduced flagship of the V Series. “We’re extremely excited,” said Viking President and CEO Pat Healey. “This is truly an incredible engine, with ground-breaking performance and the kind of innovation we’ve come to expect from Mercury. They continue to impress us, not only with their products but with their support and attention to detail.”
Powered by the new V12 600-hp Verado outboards, our stunning high-performance center console hit a top speed of 75 mph and accelerated from 0-20 mph in 4.8 seconds.
Mercury introduced the engine, which is the most powerful outboard it has ever developed, today through social media, on the heels of a two-day global press event at the manufacturer’s iconic Lake X testing site in Florida. Hull No. 2 of the Valhalla 46 – powered with four of the new Verados – was one of six boats from different manufacturers chosen to showcase the new powerplants, which feature a number of innovative outboard and boat-control features and technology.
Mercury Marine President Chris Drees highlighted the various attributes of the engine for the media, which include a naturally aspirated, large displacement, quad-cam powerhead; steerable gearcase with contra-rotating dual propellers, two-speed automatic transmission; enhanced digital controls and joystick; and easier maintenance with an innovative top cowl service hood.
Mercury’s Travis Hayes, who has been working with VBW as its designated applications engineer from the onset of the VBW project, was on board the Valhalla 46 to answer technical questions and outline the various operating and maintenance benefits of the V12 Verado. For instance, the engine is capable of operating for 200 hours before requiring routine service, including oil changes, and basic maintenance can be done through the top cowl service hood while the boat is in the water. The entire cowl doesn’t need to be removed for more in-depth service until 1,000 hours. Another unique trait of the new Mercury is its steering system. “The steering occurs underwater, using a steerable gearcase that pivots the contra‑rotating props to the right and left,” says Travis. “The entire engine remains static, with the gearcase being the only component that moves. The driver can easily monitor the gearcase position or rudder angle via the Mercury engine display at the helm.” Advantages include the elimination of a boat‑mounted steering system and enhanced handling and maneuverability (especially in joystick mode). “The gearcase can pivot up to 45 degrees under joystick operation, which provides more authority to effectively maneuver a large boat like the V-46,” said Travis. “And with the static engine position, the boat’s center of gravity is maintained for even better control.”
Captain Ryan Higgins was eager to unleash the 2,400-hp V-46 to showcase its performance for the media. He conducted more than a dozen sea trials over two days, pinning the throttles for each journalist so they could experience the hold-on-tight hole shot and surging acceleration at high cruise speeds. The powerful V12 engines and the V-46’s patented double-stepped hull proved to be a winning combination as the boat gripped the water while carving out tight high-speed turns at 50-plus mph. The former Viking demo captain also made it a point to simulate backing down hard on a fish to show the strong “bite” and quick maneuverability of Mercury’s steerable gearcase system and contra-rotating propellers. Ryan was also keen on the Mercury Joystick Piloting for Outboards system and the Next-Gen Digital Throttle & Shift (DTS) installed on the V-46. “Whether you’re in joystick mode, backing down or coming out of the hole, the shifting and overall operation is silky smooth, and the layout of the DTS is intuitive and easy to use.”
We intentionally ran the V-46 with three and two engines to illustrate the power of the V12s. “These engines like to work,” says Travis. “They’ve risen to the challenge with every test we’ve thrown at them.” With one engine tilted up, the V-46 ran well over 60 mph and cruised easily at planing speed with only two engines in use.
Hull No. 2 of the Valhalla 46 will be on display at the Palm Beach International Boat Show, March 25-28. VBW will offer the V12 Verados in both quad and triple configurations. The engine will join two other propulsion options from Mercury for the V-46: quad Mercury Verado 400s and quad V8 450Rs.
