Developing products that redefine how boaters experience the water is a hallmark of Mercury Marine’s 85-plus years of marine propulsion expertise.
Building on that legacy, Mercury continues to lead the way with new feature-rich SmartCraft connected technologies that make boating easier and more rewarding while expanding boaters’ ability to control their craft with precision and confidence.
In the latest wave of SmartCraft-enabled innovations from Mercury Boost, Premier Joystick and the Mercury Keyless System made a big splash at the Miami International Boat Show. Let’s take a closer look at these exciting new products that had the industry buzzing.
Get a Boost of Acceleration
Mercury outboards already deliver the best performance in the industry, but now you can get even brisker acceleration when running down the fish or chasing the horizon with Boost, Mercury’s latest propulsion innovation.
An exclusive, first of its kind software-based performance upgrade, Boost improves the mid-range acceleration and zero-to-top speed performance of your outboard by up to 21% (depending on horsepower, boat configuration and environmental factors) to help anglers get to the fish faster and recreational boaters enjoy a more spirited boating experience.
It’s an upgrade you can feel with the wind in your face. In before-and-after comparison testing, a Phoenix Elite 21-foot bass boat rigged with a Mercury V8 250hp Pro XS outboard accelerated 14% faster from zero to top speed and achieved top speed 2.8 boat lengths sooner than without the Boost feature activated. Other combinations produced improvements ranging from 5% to 21%, depending on the boat and engine configuration.
Boost automatically engages when the engine’s throttle is rapidly opened under acceleration . The feature is active only during mid-range acceleration and does not affect the outboard’s peak horsepower rating or the vessel’s maximum top speed.
Later this year, Boost will be factory installed on select new Mercury Verado and Pro XS outboard models (MY2027 EMEA models). It can also be installed as an upgrade for many existing FourStroke, Verado and Pro XS models already in the market by a Mercury Authorized Dealer.
Pilot like a Pro with Premier Joystick
Mercury Joystick Piloting is a game-changing technology that makes low-speed maneuvers and docking simple and stress-free with just a twist of the wrist. Premier Joystick elevates that already outstanding experience by giving boaters of all experience levels even more confidence and control.
Available for vessels equipped with single- and multi-engine outboards, sterndrives, inboards and Zeus pods, Premier Joystick features refined hardware interfaces, expanded integration with multi-function displays, and advanced software functionality that makes docking and low-speed maneuvering easier and more intuitive than ever before.
Premier Joystick enhances existing joystick features like Skyhook digital anchor, Heading Hold (previously called Drifthook) and Position Hold (previously called Bowhook), which allow boaters to lock a vessel in a fixed position or maneuver around a preset location. It also adds several new features that expand the system’s capabilities and ease of use, including:
- Skyhook Reposition eliminates the need to disengage Skyhook to adjust the vessel’s position. Instead, the pilot can simply rotate or push the joystick while Skyhook is active, and the boat will respond immediately and re-engage Skyhook at the end of the movement.
- Advanced Hold Control improves holding precision in Skyhook by taking environmental factors into account and only engaging engines selectively as they are needed instead of all at once. For example, in a quad-engine setup, only two engines may be used to hold position while the others remain idle.
- Dockhook (coming soon) maintains the vessel’s position against a dock, making it easier to tie up without drifting away from the mooring point.
- Remote Station Skyhook Control now allows pilots of multi-helm vessels to engage or disengage Skyhook from a Remote Joystick station in addition to the main station
All of these new and existing features combine to make Premier Joystick a state-of-the-art experience that puts pilots of all skill levels confidently in command of their vessel for ultimate peace of mind in even the most challenging conditions.
Power Up with the Mercury Keyless System
The new Mercury Keyless System puts easy access and convenience in the palm of your hand by unlocking, powering up and securing your boat from a mobile device. No key. No fob. No hassle.
Eliminating the need for physical keys, the system seamlessly integrates into vessels with up to four engines by using a remote keypad and a user-selected PIN connected to a SmartCraft Connect module and the Mercury Marine App to provide enhanced access, security and connectivity to your boat and engine data.
Once installed, the system unlocks and powers up the vessel automatically when the boater approaches with a mobile device in hand. Remote buttons allow individual engines to be shut down and restarted and auxiliary battery systems to be turned on or off. At the end of the day’s activities, all systems automatically shut down and lock when the operator departs, so there’s no need to worry about forgetting keys or turning off batteries.
With the Mercury Keyless System, unlocking new adventures is as easy as walking up to your vessel.
Control Your Craft
Whether individually or together, retrofitted to an existing boat or ordered with a new OEM boat package, these three exciting new products expand Mercury’s commitment to innovation and marine technology leadership. With the power of SmartCraft, Mercury continues to deliver the most refined, intuitive and connected boating experience on the water.