Mercruiser News

RIBCRAFT USA, a manufacturer of rigid inflatable boats (RIBs) for law enforcement, safety professionals and military agencies, announced that it recently entered the production phase on its five-year IDIQ contract with the U.S. Navy to build the standard 7- Meter RIB.Under the multi-year contract, RIBCRAFT will build up to 278 of the 7-Meter rigid inflatable boats worth approximately $80 million. This is purported to be the largest single contract based on number of boats ever awarded by the U.S.

As Brunswick Commercial & Government Products expands its capabilities and product line, the Florida-based boatbuilder is positioned to safely provide increased efficiencies, and an expanded, multi-mission product line. When Brunswick Commercial & Government Products (BCGP) broke ground on a facility expansion at the company’s Florida headquarters in early May, it served notice that this well-known boatbuilder had ramped up both its delivery capabilities, and an expanded array of new hulls. With a new large-boat building that includes added manufacturing space and other facility improvements, the 10,500-square-foot facility increases the company’s manufacturing capacity by 50 percent.

Kvichak’s Rapid Response Skimmers (RRS) are perhaps best known for their use by the U.S. Navy, but the design of these robust and well-designed units has evolved over time and today boasts placement in virtually every major spill organization. When, just this past October, Kvichak Marine won a U.S. Navy contract for 12 30-foot Rapid Response Skimmers (RRS) for delivery over the next 18 months, with options for up to 30 additional skimmers to be delivered through 2019, that wasn’t necessarily earthshaking news. That’s because the aluminum Kvichak RRS is already the Navy’s tier one response asset. The new craft will supplement the Navy’s current fleet of over 85 units in operation in Navy ports worldwide since 1994.

The U.S. Navy has awarded Willard Marine, Inc. (WMI), a five-year contract to provide two types of 7-meter rigid inflatable boats (RIBs) that will serve as ready service lifeboats for search-and-rescue missions. The contract includes a standard craft based on the 7-meter RIB WMI has been producing for the Navy for 25 years, and a separate version specifically for LPD-17 class ships, which WMI has also been supplying for a number of years. Twenty-four vessels have already been ordered under the contract and the first scheduled delivery begins in March 2015.

Willard Marine, a builder of composite and aluminum boats, has received an order to supply the Ukrainian navy with four aluminum patrol boats, with an option for a fifth. Under the contract, issued by the U.S. Navy Foreign Military Sales (FMS) office, Willard Marine is supplying two SEA FORCE 11-meter and two SEA FORCE seven-meter aluminum patrol boats, each with an open cockpit configuration. An additional seven-meter patrol boat will be supplied upon request. The 11-meter boats are powered by Cummins QSB 5.9 380 HP engines and Hamilton model HJ292 water jets.

Brunswick Commercial & Government Products (BCGP) deliver a Boston Whaler 27' Vigilant patrol boat to the Ottawa County (MI) Sheriff's office. The Sheriff's office is tasked with law patrol, law enforcement, and fire suppression activities for the local river, which includes three harbors and a power plant, and to fulfill these tasks, the Sheriff's Office chose a commercially built Boston Whaler walkaround cabin model. The boat is powered by twin Yamaha engines, and includes the newest fire pump offering from BCGP, a 130 hp Mercruiser that mounts inside the cabin, leaving the deck clear.

Chris Fertig of Maersk Line, Limited (MLL) is competing for the Bermuda Challenge World Record leaving on his boat, the TDI CLEAN DIESEL from Liberty Harbor Marina in New York at 9:30 a.m. on September 21, 2011. MLL's sponsorship support of the M/V TDI Clean Diesel, captained by MLL's own Fertig -- General Manager of MLL's Maritime Technical Services (MTS) business unit -- will be competing for the Bermuda Challenge World Record. Created by Boating Magazine in 1994, the Bermuda…

"I believe it is the largest boat wrap ever," said Image Monster owner Jed McDonough as he surveyed the QuadZeus, a 60-ft power sportsfish boat in Charleston, S.C. Image Monster, a Wilmington, N.C., large-format print and graphic design studio, wrapped the boat in a custom design by graphic designer Zach Shaeffer, who utilized original drawings by renowned Wilmington marine artist Steve Goione. The QuadZeus wrapped from bow to stern participated in the boat show turning heads wherever it went.

Mercury MerCruiser has developed the next generation of big-block marine power – a new engine that produces more power and has better mid-range acceleration, lower emissions and superior fuel efficiency. Mercury MerCruiser engineers in Stillwater, Okla. – drawing on the expertise of the development teams at Mercury Racing – conceived, designed and engineered the new engine with support from Mercury engineers in Fond du Lac, Wis. The next-generation, naturally aspirated big block features high-performance aluminum cylinder heads that improve mid-range acceleration and increase power. High-octane fuel is not required – the engine runs on 87 octane and achieves remarkably low oil consumption.

Fiat Powertrain Technologies of North America, Inc., (FPT NA), announced an agreement with Costa Mesa-based Boatswain’s Locker for the distribution and service of FPT commercial diesel marine engines and parts in California, Hawaii, and Western Mexico. “We chose to carry the FPT commercial line of diesel marine engines with outputs from 57 to 1300 HP for several reasons,” said Dan Gribble, CEO Boatswain’s Locker. Founded in 1939 in Newport Beach, California, Boatswain’s Locker provides sales and service of marine engine products for both recreational and commercial vessels for over 69 years. Boatswain’s Locker is the distributor for FPT…

Abreu is certified as a Master Marine Mechanic for Mercury outboard and sterndrive engines. He also has experience with diesel engines, transmissions, generators, and a variety of other vessel systems. Founded in 1939 in , Boatswain’s Locker has provided sales and service of marine engine products for both recreational and commercial vessels for over 69 years. Boatswain’s Locker is the distributor for Yanmar Marine Diesel Engines, Kohler Marine Generators, Hamilton Waterjet Propulsion Systems, Velvet Drive Transmissions, ZF Transmissions, as well as commercial marine engines from Mitsubishi, Scania and Iveco for the Southwest U.S., , and Mexico.Boatswain’s Locker is also an Authorized Dealer for MerCruiser inboard and sterndrive marine engines. The new branch is located at Drive, .

The first ever unassisted crossing of the North Atlantic just south of the arctic circle in a small, open, Rigid Inflatable Boat (RIB) has been completed by a team of dedicated adventurers led by Bear Grylls. Traveling from Nova Scotia to John O'Groats via a route which passed just south of the Arctic Circle, the expedition, which has raised around $80,000 for the UK young persons' charity, The Prince's Trust, has been completed a week ahead of schedule despite encountering icebergs and horrendous weather conditions. The expedition, which involved a five-man team sailing the open boat across 3,000 miles of the North Atlantic on a route that saw landfall in Halifax…

benefit greatly from gas-to-diesel repowers. diesel engine. market today. and reduced fuel consumption. materials to ensure long life of the entire seawater system. III stern drives.

The age-old argument among mariners concerning twin-engine versus single-screw boats has taken a new twist. Recent results comparing a single-engine Yanmar 6LP-series diesel sterndrive to twin gas outboards gave the diesel engine advantages in nearly every category. Producing 300 crankshaft hp at 3,800 rpm, the 6-cylinder, 6LP-STZE is one of Yanmar Diesel's most popular engines among boatbuilders. Its light weight and small footprint have made it the choice for many gas-to-diesel and diesel-to-diesel repowering projects as well. Equipped with a Mercruiser Bravo Three sterndrive, the combination weighs only 1,100 pounds and, on a 31-ft. open console fishing boat, burns less than 11 gph at nearly 35 mph. That's over three miles per gallon.

Marine Mechanics Institute (MMI), a private school specializing in professional marine technician training, is offering an all-new Mertech training program. The first private school training program of its kind to be officially endorsed by Mercury Marine, a global leader in the design and manufacture of marine propulsion products, Mertech is designed to improve the skills of new technicians who complete MMI's core marine technician training programs. To further enhance his/her technical skills and employment opportunities, Merctech offers an entry-level technician the opportunity to become familiar with Mercury products and dealership operations.

Stewart & Stevenson, a leading manufacturer, distributor and provider of service for industrial and energy related equipment, and a manufacturer of medium tactical vehicles for the U.S. Army, announced that it has signed agreements with Mercury MerCruiser to create regional power centers. Under the agreements, MerCruiser Diesel Power Centers (DPCs) will serve customers in 26 states within the Pacific Northwest, Southeast and South Central United States and MerCruiser Engine Power Centers (EPCs), which deal with gasoline products, will service 19 states within the South Central United States and the Pacific Northwest. The Stewart & Stevenson MerCruiser DPCs will primarily serve the diesel repower market as well as boat builders…

Cummins MerCruiser Diesel has announced new commercial engine application ratings for the Quantum Series QSM11 at 300 hp (220kW), 355 hp (261kW), 405 hp (298kW) and 455 hp (336kW) respectively. Additionally, commercial engine application ratings of 490 hp (361kW) for the QSC8.3 diesel engine were released. Utilizing the proven fuel-efficient CELECT and common rail fuel systems that delivers virtually smoke-free, quiet, yet powerful operation, these full-authority electronic system engines are EPA Tier 2 and IMO emissions compliant.

Setting the scene for the premiere of the new 2003 line of Meridian Yachts, a clear, blue sky served as the backdrop at New York City's Chelsea Piers, as these new innovative, and technologically sound vessels were introduced, by Meridian's president and master of ceremonies, William J. Barrington. The vessels, which join the ranks of their elite sister companies (all governed by the Brunswick Boat Group), of Sea Ray, Hatteras, Maxum and Sealine, range in size from 34 to 58 ft. (10.3 to 17.6 m) and include the latest technological and design innovations - specifically Meridian's own unique Docking on Command (DOC) system, which allows the most novice of boaters to guide their vessel into the tightest of spaces.

Nikolski Fisherman's Association recently took delivery of this 48-ft. (14.6-m) welded aluminum PACKCAT landing craft designed and built by the William E. Munson Company of Mount Vernon, Wash. The vessel is designed to transport 20-ft. (6 m) shipping containers to and from Dutch Harbor to the remote island of Nikolski – 110 miles west in the Aleutian chain. Nikolski Fisherman’s Association will use the specialized vessel to transport the containers loaded with construction materials to build their new fishing lodge, as well as for general purpose cargo hauling to and from Dutch. The craft’s 10-ft. (3-m) wide bow door and 34-in. long open cargo deck are outfitted with heavy duty deck rollers for offloading containers on the beach with a backhoe.

Nikolski Fisherman's Association recently took delivery of this 48-ft. welded aluminum PACKCAT landing craft designed and built by the William E. Munson Company of Mount Vernon, Wash. The vessel is designed to transport 20-ft. shipping containers to and from Dutch Harbor to the remote island of Nikolski, 110 miles west in the Aleutian chain. Nikolski Fisherman's Association will use the vessel to transport the containers loaded with construction materials to build their new fishing lodge, as well as for general purpose cargo hauling to and from Dutch. The 9.5-ft. wide bow door and 34-ft. long open cargo deck are outfitted with heavy duty deck rollers for offloading containers on the beach with a backhoe.

Cummins Marine, a division of Cummins Inc., and Mercury Marine, a division of Brunswick Corporation, announced the formation of a 50/50 joint venture to supply integrated diesel propulsion systems to the worldwide recreational and commercial marine markets. The joint venture, Cummins MerCruiser Diesel Marine LLC, will be headquartered in Charleston, S.C. Under the terms of the agreement, Cummins will supply diesel engines 15 liters and below, including certain electronic displays and other hardware. Mercury Marine will supply the Mercury 1.7 liter, 2.8 liter, 4.2 liter and 7.3 liter diesel engines, drive units for sterndrive applications and their SmartCraft(R) electronic integration hardware. units.

Oregon State Parks & Recreation recently took delivery of this Packman 27 ft. high-performance landing craft designed and built by the William E. Munson Company. Used for maintaining Government Island State Park in the Columbia River Gorge, power is supplied by a 310 hp Mercruiser 454/Brovo II inboard/outboard providing a 40 knot top speed and 25 knot cruise. A 5,000 lb. load capacity and six ft. wide bow door with 12V winch allow the vessel to pack several ATVs, crew members and construction materials to isolated State Park work sites. Additional outfitting includes a six by six enclosed wheelhouse with cabin heater, tow post, bow anchor roller, swim step, 15 hp auxiliary outboard motor and bow shark's teeth for pushing, floating debris.

Having built over 200 aluminum RHIB's, Silver Ships, Inc. / AMBAR Marine, has grabbed a foothold in the design and construction of aluminum RHIB's - all of which are constructed in accordance with SOLAS regulations. The U.S. Coast Guard operates 90 AMBAR Marine Non-Standard RHIB's and the U.S. Navy Sea Systems Command operates 40 AMBAR Marine Special Service RHIB's. Silver Ships, Inc./AMBAR Marine constructs approximately 43 vessels per year, 80 percent of which are RHIB's while the remaining 20% have been Patrol/Security boats, and various work boats ranging from 23-48 ft. (7-14.6 m). Upon discovery, in 1966 following extensive R&D, Lanness McKee, Sr. uncovered the secret to the most rugged, unsinkable marine construction in the market.