Deciding on a mercury 50 horsepower outboard for your ship usually comes lower to something: you want enough capacity to get on plane without burning by means of a paycheck every single weekend. It really is perhaps one of the most popular mid-range motors within the water today, and for good reason. Whether you're slapping it within the back of the 16-foot side system, a modest pontoon, or perhaps a heavy-duty work skiff, this motor sits in that will "Goldilocks" zone where weight, fuel economy, and raw drive all seem to shake hands and get together.
Major things you'll notice when you actually obtain behind the steering wheel is how silent the modern 4-stroke versions are. If you grew up about the old-school 2-stroke "smoke-monsters" that rattled your teeth in idle, the current Mercury 50 is usually going to think that a library in contrast. You can really have a conversation with your friend within the boat with no shouting over the roar of the motor. It's an enhanced piece of machinery, but it hasn't lost the "grunt" that Mercury is known with regard to.
The Top secret Sauce of the 4cyl Design
Many engines in this particular class tend to become three-cylinder setups to save on excess weight and cost. Mercury went a different route with their particular 50hp model, staying with a 4cyl, 995cc design. You may think, "Why does that will matter? " Well, in the genuine world, four cyl usually mean the much smoother operation. There's less oscillation coming through the particular tiller or the steering wheel, as well as the power delivery seems more linear. It doesn't "hunt" for RPMs; it just climbs steadily whenever you push the accelerator forward.
This particular extra cylinder furthermore provides a bit more displacement than some competitors. In the world of outboards, displacement will be often your greatest friend when it comes to low-end torque. If you've got a couple of friends along with a full cooler in the boat, you require that low-end hand techinque to get the bow down and obtain the boat moving. The mercury 50 horsepower outboard doesn't appear to struggle with that will transition nearly simply because much as a few of the smaller-displacement engines I've tested over the yrs.
Let's Chat About the Control Thrust Option
If you're taking a look at these motors, you've probably seen the particular "CT" or Command Thrust label floating around. It's easy in order to get confused simply by the marketing talk, but here's the particular gist: the Command Thrust version utilizes a larger gearcase—the same one found on the 75hp and 90hp models. This enables you to run the larger diameter propeller.
Why would certainly you want the bigger prop? If you're pushing the heavy pontoon or even a bulky workboat, a standard prop can sometimes just "churn" water without getting it. The CT version gives a person more "bite. " It's like placing mud tires on a truck. You might lose a tiny bit of top-end speed due to the extra drag of the bigger gearcase, but the particular control you get at low speeds and the capability to plane a heavy load is the total game player. If you have got a light aluminum fishing boat, the typical gearcase is fine. However for anything heavy, the Command Thrust may be worth every penny.
Maintenance Without the particular Headache
Nobody likes spending their particular Saturday afternoon elbow-deep in grease when they could be angling. Mercury has in fact thought about the guy who does his own maintenance. The particular oil change procedure is incredibly straightforward, plus they've designed it so that you aren't dumping oil all over the driveway or the dock. The essential oil filter is simple to reach, and the particular drain plug will be positioned logically.
One of my favorite things about the particular mercury 50 horsepower outboard is usually the maintenance-free control device train. A lot of older outboards (and even a few modern ones) need you to get a mechanic in order to adjust the valves every few 100 hours. That's an expensive shop visit. Mercury designed this motor with a single overhead cam that doesn't need that will constant fiddling. You basically change the particular oil, swap the particular gear lube, keep close track of your fuel filter systems, and just allow it run. It's built for people who would like to spend even more time around the river and less time within the shop.
Fuel Economy as well as the EFI Factor
Gas prices aren't getting any decrease, so fuel efficiency is usually top of mind. Mainly because this is definitely a Digital Fuel Injection (EFI) engine, it's incredibly stingy with gas. The onboard personal computer is constantly sniffing at the air plus checking the engine temperature to ensure it's bringing out exactly the right quantity of fuel.
It starts up on the particular first turn associated with the key every single time, regardless of whether it's a frosty October morning or even a blistering Come july 1st afternoon. Much more associated with pumping a special primer bulb until your hand hurts plus praying the carburetor doesn't flood. The particular EFI system grips the heavy raising, which also means you receive better accelerator response. When you want to move, the engine reacts instantly. On a typical day associated with hopping from angling spot to a different, you'll probably be surprised at how little fuel you in fact burn. It's the particular kind of motor where you can go out all day long and still have got lots of gas left inside a standard 6-gallon portable tank.
Rigging and Flexibility
The mercury 50 horsepower outboard is also surprisingly flexible whenever it comes in order to how you want to steer it. Most guys go with remote steering intended for their consoles, yet Mercury's Big Tiller handle is really a masterpiece for those who prefer back-trolling or even need the additional deck space of an open ship. The tiller deal with has the shifter right there on the particular arm, and you will include "Troll Control" which lets you dial in your RPMs in 10-unit amounts. If you're attempting to keep the lure at exactly 1. 8 kilometers per hour, that will feature is a lifesaver.
Furthermore, don't overlook the particular alternator. It puts out about 18 amps, which is definitely plenty for getting your cranking battery pack and running your own fish finders, GPS, and livewell penis pumps. Some smaller engines find it difficult to keep upward with all the modern electronics we all cram into vessels these days, but this 50hp unit offers enough juice in order to keep everything humming along without your own battery dying midway through the time.
Is This the Right Choice for A person?
So, which is this motor really for? In case you've got the boat in the particular 14-to-17-foot range, the particular mercury 50 horsepower outboard will be usually the nice spot. It provides good enough speed to cross the lake quickly—typically hitting somewhere within the high twenties or low 30s depending on the particular boat weight—but it isn't so heavy that it makes the back of the particular boat sit too low within the water.
If you're deciding between the 40hp plus a 50hp, I'll tell you best now: go along with the 50. They will usually share the same block and weigh almost exactly the same amount. You're getting more power with regard to the same "weight penalty. " That will extra 10 horsepower might not sound like much upon paper, but when you're trying to outrun a tornado or you've obtained an extra traveler on board, you'll be glad you have it.
At the finish of the day time, Mercury has built a reputation on these mid-range FourStrokes. They aren't the particular cheapest motors in the marketplace, but they hold their value extremely well. If a person ever decide in order to sell your vessel, possessing a Mercury upon the back is usually a huge offering point. It's the name people have confidence in because these engines just keep ticking. Just keep the ethanol out of the fuel (or use a great stabilizer), stay upon top of the annual oil changes, plus a mercury 50 horsepower outboard will likely outlive the boat a person put it on. It's only a strong, dependable workhorse that will doesn't demand a lot of interest, and that's exactly what the majority of us are looking for when all of us hit the drinking water.