Bass boats are much more widespread in the United States than in France (and even in Europe). Mercury took advantage of the Miami 2020 American boat show to launch its new engine specially designed and adapted for these small, light boats with a freeboard not exceeding the calf.
For these boats low on the water, and with small transoms, you don't want the engine feet too high. Otherwise the drive head will be perched up, destabilizing the boat when driving at high speed. The new Mercury F60R engine has been designed for these bass boats, for sport fishing on ponds or lakes, exceptionally at sea.
The Mercury F60R is a 60 hp outboard motor with a short shaft. We still know little about its characteristics. All we know is that this is a 1-litre 4-stroke in-line four-cylinder engine looking to be as compact as possible. For its performance, the maximum rpm is pushed to 6300 rpm. It is propelled by a base that accepts large propellers to provide high thrust on start-up, aided by a ratio of 2.33:1. The manufacturer announces low fuel consumption (to be verified by tests). For fishermen, this engine is equipped with an 18 A alternator to meet the electrical power demand of the onboard sounders (often 2 or 3 large screens).
On the electronic side, this engine incorporates the SmartCraft controller (present on all Mercury engines from 40 hp upwards) which allows it to be connected to the on-board displays and to monitor engine data, alarms and maintenance.
The price list as well as the price of the engine will be communicated at a later date.
