Mercury outboard motor Mercury compared with Vihr

For more than half a century “Marine Power” company (US) occupies a prominent place on the global market of marine products. It produces the well-known outboard engines for boats “Mercury”, stationary motors “MerCruiser”, a full range of spare parts, as well as engine and transmission lubricants, care products for engines, accessories – products that combines the name of “Quicksilver”.
The history of the engine “Mercury” is associated with the life of an outstanding inventor, a talented engineer and organizer Carl Kiekhafera. This extraordinary man founded appearance motors brand “Mercury”. He had always known that it is necessary for people who enjoy his creations. The range of his interests was very wide of the outboard and inboard engines to compact snowmobiles (he had more than 200 patents in the field of engine). It was only in favor of the quality of products, which were created on Kiekhafera plants. Because the highest quality of manufacturing, sales and service – the main good tradition of “Mercury”.

In the spring of 1996, after some negotiations with the Belgian branch of “MAR ne Rower” Joint Ukrainian-French enterprise “Fiord-boat” decides to sell engines, “the Mercury”, and makes a deal for the exclusive right of sale of engines, “the Mercury” in Ukraine. Currently, our compatriots can fully appreciate their quality and reliability, to feel satisfaction from the use of this miracle of technology. However, I would like to evaluate in comparison with the fact that we have a good and long familiar. And to compare almost with nothing. In Ukraine, outboard engines have not been made and not made. Soviet, and now Russian manufacturers, in the socialist tradition, is not amused people quality or variety. Under pressure from various setbacks and prohibitions concerning the “stable and prosperous” 80s produced a “Salute” 2 HP, “Breeze-8” (8 hp) and the “Vikhr-30” (30 l .from.). The last years of production resuscitated “breeze-12” and “Neptune-23”, and in the distant Altai, on the basis of the legendary “Vortex-30” engine created “Biisk-45.” That’s all. And on top of all of these engines produced for clothes patterns 60s (minor “planned” modernization fundamentally nothing has changed) at specialized plants as an additional rather than primary products.

With 70 years under the pressure of the US administration and the known fuel crisis engine-building companies were forced to make significant cost, seeking to improve the environmental cleanliness of engines and their efficiency. “Green” and strong competition have done their job. “Mercury” began to be equipped with advanced carburetors that prevent pereobogaschenie fuel in all modes (and at the same time does not reduce the capacity of the engine); through an established system of intake-output filling of the combustion chamber has been improved; High precision manufacturing and quality have reduced metals content of the lubricating oil in the fuel mixture of 1%. And that’s not all. At the same time, in the former Soviet Union went the usual way – through various prohibitions on exploitation outboard engines and higher prices. The result was not slow in coming – with production engines had been removed, “Moscow-30”, “Neptune-23”, “Hi-23”, “Surf.” Significantly decreased production volumes of those models that have remained. Currently, we have what we have. Compare 11 liters per hour flow of fuel to the “Vortex-30” (the engine is in an ideal state, and after one or two seasons of operation – 14-15 liter / hour) and 9 l / h “Mercury-30”. Moreover, the lubricating oil for gasoline, “the Mercury-Z0” should be 4 times less than for the “Vortex-s0”. If the “Mercury” will be equipped with a system of injection of lubricating oil, its consumption will be even lower (and the amount will depend on the operating mode).

Generally, a comparison of these two models to each other – it is not easy. This motors from two different eras. In “Whirlwind” is on merit, you can specify only the fact that it runs on low-octane gasoline, and it is filled with lubricant in the usual petrol car lubricant. Perhaps it was true 15-20 years. And now? In addition, the “Whirlwind” wins “Mercury-s0” 12-1Z kg. But due to what? “Megsigu-s0” and “Megsigu-40” have the same weight. In fact, it is one engine with varying degrees of boost. In addition, the power of all outboard US measured on the propeller shaft (they have a standard), not on the crankshaft, according to our standard. What does this mean? Please, numbers and personal impressions.

In August 1996, the Kiev reservoir I had to set the “Mercury-25” (power – 25 HP, weight – 51 kg) from the so-called “long leg” (deadwood height of 508 mm), with manual start the boat “Oka -4”. The engine was mounted on the transom of standard height (380 mm for boats “Oka-4”) with the deepening of the propeller 128 mm more than the optimal (because the owner had planned to build the transom later). “Whirl-s0” (host vouched for his excellent technical condition of the engine) – After this little competition between the boats uniform “Oka-4”, one of which was “Megsigu-25”, and the second was conducted to compare the speed. At the same load does not break in and with increased depression propeller “Megsigu-25” confidently ahead “Whirl-s0” to the difference in speed of 7-8 km per hour.

Different approaches to the measurement of power, more advanced hydrodynamics of underwater part of the withdrawal of the exhaust through the propeller hub did their job. Watching the improvised competitions of local forest ranger expressed concern that an unusually quiet (even at maximum speed) operation “Mercury” will bring a lot of trouble the local waterfowl, if such engines will be used by hunters. Standing on the shore, you can compare the performance of two motors at the hearing. For 200 meters, “the Mercury” was no longer audible, while very buzzed “Whirlwind”, which was 800 meters behind.

During the test all enjoyed easy start, easy operation, the ability to monitor the remaining fuel (23 liter tank mounted indicator). Remove the spark plug, look at the amount of sparks. When you scroll to the minimum speed of the flywheel spark was not only seen, but also heard 40 thousand volts steadily penetrated millimeter distance between the electrodes.

Instead of two screws ( “cargo” and “speed”), which is equipped with “Vortex” in “the Mercury” have the opportunity to choose from seven varieties – for any occasion and for any boat. Moreover, the screw is installed on the shaft without safety tabs: a distant 1952 company uses a patented hub design that provides scrolling screw relative to the rubber damper when the blade struck by foreign objects.

Talk about the design and capabilities of the same model can be a very long time, to inform readers on all the model number “Mercury” – to infinity.

For small boats suitable model capacity 2.5-10 hp, which are easy to operate, compact, easily and, most importantly, – small expenditure of fuel. Operation of such boats brings real satisfaction. One owner “Mercury-33” to the question whether he had problems with the engine in the last season, once said: “There were all tired of answering my engine runs on gasoline, it is not electric!”. Well, do not believe our countrymen that the outboard engine can operate so smoothly and quietly. By the way, is in the “MAR ne Rower” motors and “Mercury Thruster”, which have a capacity of less than one horsepower, they are suitable for inflatables, if you do not need high speeds.

Engines, starting with a power of 10 hp, can be equipped with an electric starter, remote control. Two models of power 4 hp and 9.9 hp are produced specifically for use on yachts. Long deadwood, the presence of an electric generator, a special gearbox makes this model excellent assistants boaters.

In the summer of 1997 he had to deal with “Mercury-9.9” engine, which has worked several hours on pure gasoline without lubricating oil. According to the owner, in such unacceptable “way” was worked out about 10 liters of gasoline. And even after the engine was working properly: during his work could not hear outside noise, it is normal to react to the increase-decrease speed, there was no vibration, maintain a normal temperature mode. Significantly decreased power only. What does this show? In extreme condition, in the absence of lubricating oil and a significant increase in the friction coefficient of all units work with a high degree of physical wear and tear, but not destroyed. In order to repair and restore the functioning of the outboard in full had to replace a number of the engine parts.

range engines next group can be considered the most suitable and popular for those boats that are in our operation. “Mercury” is presented models ranging from 15 to 40 hp, which can be equipped with a tiller or remote control, manual or electric start, hydraulic engine drop system. An interesting feature of models of power 8-25 hp It is that control engine speed and gear are arranged in the same pen. From this engine management experts in delight, and those who first dealt with outboard engines, take everything for granted and take possession of his office for a few minutes.

Again, I want to give an example of life. In the fall of 1996 working “Mercury-40” without the hood was filled wave. (Operation of the engine without a hood is not allowed.) The water got deeper into the crankcase. But the worst thing is that the owner did not hesitate to leave the engine for the winter in this state! The result – in the spring it was impossible to turn the flywheel, even using a half-meter arm. Fulfilling the wish of the owner managed to get the engine to operate without replacing parts. We can not say that he went to work as new, but worked well! Such attitudes to technology will not stand none of our design, and does not compensate for the losses no guarantee.

For a large class of boats and boats has a wide range. Here “MAR ne Power” most convincingly demonstrates its potential, due to the fact that traditionally the company has paid special attention to just a powerful model. Nearly 40 models from 50 to 300 hp can be installed on any size boat is practical. All structural and technological advances embodied in the metal in the production of these powerful models have enabled “Mercury” to use them in the most prestigious races on the water. “Mercury” – the only engines that are used by the drivers, “Formula 1”, pushing into the background the group OMS engines, which produces engines “Johnson” and “Evinrud”.

It is not one, “the Mercury-60”, “Mercury-75” and “Mercury-90” are used on the waterways of Ukraine. To characterize this powerful lineup, stay at the four-stroke engines and water cannons in a single journal article seriously. This is what we plan to do in the future.

Skeptics will say: “This is all very well, but what is the price of such pleasure.” Mercury “, thanks to the titanic efforts, has become a world leader, as is well known, quality can not be cheap Although relatively Compare 8000 hours of real service life..” Mercury ” and 1200 hours, “Whirlwind-s0”. and to exploit the “Vortex” or “breeze”, you butts outstanding mechanic and have a lot of spare time. So, before you buy, you need a good count.

All products are “MAR ne Rower” has superior reliability. Over the past two seasons it has not been fixed by any failure of the company’s fault. High-precision bearings, very powerful electronic ignition system, helical tooth gear reducer, reliable protection against corrosion (all motors can operate in sea water), thermostat in the cooling system – this is not all that provides quality and reliability.

“Mercury” design has no weaknesses. There’s no need to do anything to improve. The owner is a timely quality refuel the engine lubricating oil and fuel, and that it will not fail.

I really want to believe that our domestic engine builders can say something like this in the near future. Is the new conditions, when there is a strong industrial and scientific potential, Ukrainian outboard is not entitled to the birth and development?