As a rule of thumb, Mercury outboard motors feature 1-12 cylinders depending on the model. To be more precise, the number of cylinders in each class is as follows:
- 2.5-6 HP: 1 cylinder
- 8-20 HP: inline-2
- 25-40 HP: inline-3
- 40-150 HP: inline-4
- 175-225 HP: V6
- 200-300 HP: V8
- 350-400 HP: V10
- 500-600 HP: V12
If you want to find out more about the engine architecture of Mercury outboards, this post is for you.
We at PowerSportsGuide have compiled all you need to know under one roof!
How Many Cylinders Does a Mercury Outboard Have?
Single-Cylinder Mercury Outboards
The smallest, single-cylinder engines are the entry-level portable Mercury outboards.
You can find a 4-stroke, 85cc, single-cylidner engine in the Mercury F2.5 and F3.5
In contrast, the Mercury F4, F5, and F6 share a 4-stroke 123cc, OHV, carbureted, single-cylinder engine rated at 4, 5, and 6 HP, respectively.
2-Cylinder Mercury Outboards
Twin-cylinder Mercury outboards are available with displacements of 208 and 333cc.
The smallest 2-cylinder models are the F8 and F9.9 featuring a 4-stroke, 208cc, SOHC, carbureted, twin engine rated at 8 and 9.9 HP.
In contrast, the most powerful portable Mercury motors, the F15 and F20 house a 4-stroke, 333cc, EFI, twin engine rated at 15 and 20 HP.
3-Cylinder Mercury Outboards
Surprisingly, you can only find a few 3-cylinder Mercury outboards in the lineup.
The heart of the smallest triple Mercury motors is a 4-stroke, 500cc, EFI, inline-3 engine.
This power mill delivers a restricted power of 25 HP in the Mercury F25, while the F30 comes with an unleashed performacne of 30 HP.
You can find a 4-stroke, 747cc, EFI, tirple engine in certain 40 HP Mercury motors, which are also availabe with a 995cc, inline-4 engine option.
4-Cylinder Mercury Outboards
4-cylinder Mercury outboards are available with three different engine options with displacements of 995cc, 2065cc, and 2999cc.
The smallest 4-cylinder Mercury engine is a 4-stroke, 995cc, SOHC, 8-valve, EFI engine rated at 40, 50, or 60 HP depending on the model.
If you are looking for more power, you should consider the 75-115 HP line. These motors come with a 4-stroke, 2065cc, SOHC, 8-valve, inline-4 EFI engine.
You can find the largest 4-cylinder Mercury engines in the 150 HP models, including the base F150, the Sea-Pro 150, and the Pro XS 150.
The power source of these motors is a 4-stroke, 2999cc, SOHC, 8-valve, inline-4 EFI engine.
6-Cylinder Mercury Outboards
6-cylinder Mercury outboards are powered by a 4-stroke, 3452cc, DOHC, 24-valve, V6 engine rated at 175 or 200 HP depending on the model.
You can find this engine in the 175-225 HP line (F175, F200, F225) as well as the Mercury Pro XS 175.
8-Cylinder Mercury Outboards
High-performance, 8-cylinder Mercury outboards enjoy a 4-stroke, 4572cc, DOHC, 32-valve, V8 engine rated at 200-300 HP.
To be more precise, available V8 Mercury outboards are as follows:
- Mercury Pro XS 200
- Mercury Pro XS 225
- Mercury Pro XS 250
- Mercury Pro XS 300
- Mercury Verado 250
- Mercury Verado 300
10-Cylinder Mercury Outboards
You can only find two 10-cylinder Mercury outboards in this lineup.
Both the Verado 350 and 400 share the same 5719cc, V10 engine rated at 350 and 400 HP respectively.
12-Cylinder Mercury Outboards
The most powerful V12 Mercury outboards produce a jaw-dropping performance of 500-600 HP.
The Sea Pro 500 V12 and its bigger brother, the flagship Verado 600 V12, share a 7554cc V12 engine rated at 500 and 600 HP, respectively.
Mercury Outboard Engine Specs Chart
For your convenience, we’ve compiled the key engine specifications into one Mercury Outboard Engine Specs Chart:
| HP | Cylinders | Displ. (cc) |
| 2.5 HP | 1 | 85cc |
| 3.5 HP | 1 | 85cc |
| 4 HP | 1 | 123cc |
| 5 HP | 1 | 123cc |
| 6 HP | 1 | 123cc |
| 8 HP | 2 | 208cc |
| 9.9 HP | 2 | 208cc |
| 15 HP | 2 | 333cc |
| 20 HP | 2 | 333cc |
| 25 HP | 3 | 500cc |
| 30 HP | 3 | 500cc |
| 40 HP | 3-4 | 747-995cc |
| 50 HP | 4 | 995cc |
| 60 HP | 4 | 995cc |
| 75 HP | 4 | 2065cc |
| 90 HP | 4 | 2065cc |
| 115 HP | 4 | 2065cc |
| 150 HP | 4 | 2999cc |
| 175 HP | V6 | 3452cc |
| 200 HP | V6-V8 | 3452-4572cc |
| 225 HP | V6-V8 | 3452-4572cc |
| 250 HP | V8 | 4572cc |
| 300 HP | V8 | 4572cc |
| 350 HP | V10 | 5719cc |
| 400 HP | V10 | 5719cc |
| 500 HP | V12 | 7554cc |
| 600 HP | V12 | 7554cc |
Disclaimer: This chart is for informational purposes only! For more information, please check the owner’s manuals.
Takeaways
Mercury outboard motors are designed with 4-stroke engines featuring 1-12 cylinders.
The smallest (2.5-6 HP) portable Mercury outboards have single-cylinder engines, while their 8-20 HP brothers come with twin engines.
You can find inline-3 engines in the smallest midrange Mercuries, which offer 25-40 HP depending on the model.
4-cylinder Mercury outboards are marketed with 995cc, 2065cc, and 2999cc power sources that deliver 40-150 HP.
The high-performance Mercury outboards are marketed with 6-12 cylinder engines, including:
- V6 – 3452cc (175-225 HP)
- V8 – 4572cc (200-300 HP)
- V10 – 5719cc (350-400 HP)
- V12 – 7554cc (500-600 HP)
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