As a rule of thumb, the top speed of Mercury outboards averages between 5 and 100 mph. To be more precise, the average top speed within each class is as follows:
- 2.5-20 HP (Portable): 5-28 mph
- 25-115 HP (Midrange): 22-55 mph
- 150-600 HP (High-Performance): 38-100 mph
(The available speed with these motors depends heavily on the specifications of the boat and environmental conditions.)
If you want to find out more about the average top speed of Mercury outboard motors, you’ve come to the right place.
We at PowerSportsGuide have compiled them into one chart!
Factors That Affect the Top Speed of a Mercury Outboard
The top speed of a boat rigged with a Mercury outboard depends on many factors besides engine power. In a nutshell, the most important factors to be taken into account are the following:
- Features of the outboard (displacement, stroke, year, etc.)
- Features of the boat (type, hull design, weight, dimensions)
- Load (passengers, fuel, gear, etc.)
- Prop size
- Water and weather conditions
Due to these numerous factors, there are no hard numbers for a specific top speed that are true in all circumstances.
For example, a 90 HP Mercury outboard can propel a pontoon boat at 20-22 mph, while the same motor on a bass boat can do 40-45 mph.
However, the top speed of most planning boats typically falls into the same ballpark, within the same powerbands.
This post will focus on the top speed of sport and fishing boats like bowriders, cabin cruisers, center console boats, aluminum fishing boats, bass boats, and other types of fishing vessels.
This means that houseboats and other heavy setups have been excluded from our research.
Without further ado, let’s get down to the nitty-gritty and talk about the top speed of Mercury outboards!
How Fast is a Mercury Outboard?
How Fast is a 2.5-3.5 HP Mercury Outboard?
You can expect a top speed of a 2.5-3.5 HP Mercury outboard on a small boat to be 5-10 mph.
For example, a single 2.5 HP Mercury could propel a 12-13′ dinghy at 7-9 mph.
In this test below, a 2.5 HP Mercury outboard propels a small Zodiac with one person onboard at a maximum speed of 10.2 mph:
In this other test, a 3.5 HP Mercury 4-stroke propels a 14′ Foremost aluminum v-hull at a top speed of 9.6 mph:
How Fast is a 5 HP Mercury Outboard?
The top speed of a 5 HP Mercury outboard on a small dinghy or jon boat is anywhere from 7-18 mph.
As a reference, here’s a test on a 14′ Foremost aluminum V-hull in calm water conditions (top speed: 11.6 mph):
In contrast, a 5 HP Mercury outboard can propel a lightweight 12’ jon boat at a whopping top speed of 17-18 mph:
How Fast is an 8 HP Mercury Outboard?
You can expect the top speed of an 8 HP Mercury outboard to be 15-20 mph under ideal conditions.
Examples:
- Gamefisher 14′ + Mercury 8 HP: 16-17 mph
- Zodiac Zoom 260 Cadet + Mercury 8 HP 2T: 16-17 mph
- Solar marine RIB 8.5’ + Mercury 8 HP: 16-17 mph
- 1436 G3 + Mercury 8 HP: 16-18 mph
How Fast is a 9.9 HP Mercury Outboard?
9.9 HP Mercury outboards are the unleashed variations of their de-tuned 8 HP counterparts.
Since these two breeds share the same engine and lower unit, they provide very similar performances.
As a rule of thumb, a 9.9 HP Mercury outboard can push a lightweight hull at a top speed of 16-24 mph.
Examples:
- 1436 tracker Jon boat + Mercury 9.9 HP 4T: 23-24 mph
- 1436 G3 + Mercury 9.9 HP 4-stroke: 21 mph
- 16’ Waco (flat bottom) + Mercury 9.9 HP 4T: 18-20 mph
- 1648 Alumacraft Jon Boat + Mercury 9.9 HP 4T: 15-17 mph
How Fast is a 15 HP Mercury Outboard?
The top speed of 15 HP Mercury outboards averages between 18 and 26 mph.
Examples:
- 13’ utility Jon boat + Mercury 15 HP 4T 18-20 mph
- 15’ Topper Tracker Jon boat + Mercury 15 HP 4T: 20-22 mph
- 1436 G3 + Mercury 9.9 HP 2T: 24-26 mph
How Fast is a 20 HP Mercury Outboard?
Based on our research, a small boat with a 20 HP Mercury outboard can reach a top speed of 20-28 mph.
Examples:
- 3.8 SIB + Mercury 20 HP 4T: 20-22 mph
- Tracker Pro 170 + Mercury 20 HP 4T: 22-24 mph
- 14′ aluminum semi-v runabout + Mercury 20 HP 4T: 22-24 mph
- Princecraft 14’ + Mercury 20 HP 4T: 25-27 mph
How Fast is a 25 HP Mercury Outboard?
The top speed of a 25 HP Mercury outboard falls into the range of 22-32 mph.
Examples:
- Crestliner 14 Sportsman + Mercury 25HP 4T: 22-24 mph
- 16’ V-Hull aluminum boat + Mercury 25HP 4T: 20-22 mph
- Stryker PRO 380 (12′ 5”) RIB + Mercury 25HP JET: 20-22 mph
- 16′ Starcraft utility (FS16) + Mercury 25HP 4-stroke: 24-26 mph
- 1436 Jon boat + Mercury 25HP 4-stroke: 28-30 mph
- Levefort Apolus 550 + Mercury 25 Sea Pro: 30-32 mph
- 1540 flat bottom Jon boat + Mercury 25HP 4T: 30-31 mph
- 14’ Conway Special + Mercury 25HP 4-stroke: 30-32 mph
How Fast is a 30 HP Mercury Outboard?
A 30 HP Mercury outboard can propel a boat at a top speed of 24-38 mph with ease.
Examples:
- Whaly 435 + Mercury 30 HP ELPT: 26-28 mph
- Stacer 399 (13’) + Mercury 30 HP: 30-32 mph
- 11’ aluminum boat + Mercury 30 HP: 36-38 mph
How Fast is a 40 HP Mercury Outboard?
The performance of 40 HP Mercury outboards varies greatly since this motor is available with either a 747cc, 3-cylinder or a 995cc, 4-cylinder engine option.
The latter produces a slightly higher top speed and more torque, but it’s also heavier than its triple sibling.
As a rule of thumb, a 40 HP Mercury rigged on a matching boat can hit a top speed of 25-40 mph.
Examples:
- SACS S540 Young + Mercury 40 HP: 23-25 mph
- Tracker 1754 Grizzly + Mercury 40 HP: 32-34 mph
How Fast is a 50 HP Mercury Outboard?
Depending on the weight and size of the boat it propels, the top speed of a 50 HP Mercury outboard varies widely.
Rigged on a planing v-hull or flat-hull boat the maximum speed of a 50 HP Mercury falls into the ballpark of 26-40 mph.
Examples:
- BIG FISH 5014 Sport + Mercury 50 HP: 33-35 mph
- Tracker Pro 170 + Mercury 50 HP: 34-36 mph
- Tracker Pro Crappie 175 + Mercury 50 HP: 35-37 mph
- Sport 15 Center Console + Mercury 50 HP: 36-38 mph
How Fast is a 60 HP Mercury Outboard?
You can expect the top speed of a 60 HP outboard to be 28-42 mph.
Examples:
- Stacer 529 Northern Fisher CC + Mercury 60 HP Big Foot: 30-31 mph
- 16.5′ Alumacraft Classic + Mercury 60 HO: 30-32 mph
- Lund 18′ SSV + Mercury 60 HP: 32-34 mph
- Lowe FM165 (16′ 5″) + Mercury 60 HP: 32-34 mph
- Bass Tracker Classic XL + Mercury 60 HP: 40-42 mph
- Sport 15 Center Console + Mercury 60 HP: 40-42 mph
How Fast is a 75 HP Mercury Outboard?
The top speed of 75 HP Mercury outboards averages between 32 and 44 mph.
Examples:
- 14′ Sangstercraft + Mercury 75 HP 2-stroke: 32-34 mph
- Bass Tracker Pro V Guide 16 + Mercury 75 HP 4T: 33-35 mph
- Bass Tracker Pro Team 175 + Mercury 75 HP 4T: 36-38 mph
- Lund 1700 Angler + Mercury 75 HP 4T: 40-42 mph
- Bluefin Tinny (15.5’ aluminum) + Mercury 75 HP 4T: 40-42 mph
- 17’ Boston Whaler + Mercury 75 HP 4T: 40-42 mph
How Fast is a 90 HP Mercury Outboard?
You can expect a top speed of 34-47 mph on a boat rigged with a 90 Mercury outboard.
Examples:
- 2015 Ranger 618T + Mercury 90 HP 4-stroke: 36-38 mph
- Impact 1675 + Mercury 90 HP 4-stroke: 38-40 mph
- 1860 Triton SC + Mercury 90 HP 4-stroke: 40-41 mph
- 18′ Bayliner bowrider + Mercury 90 HP 4-stroke: 41-43 mph
- Tracker 185 + Mercury 90 HP 4-stroke: 45-47 mph
How Fast is a 115 HP Mercury Outboard?
The maximum speed of a 115 HP Mercury outboard can be anywhere from 36-55 mph.
Examples:
- Sea Ray 175 Bowrider + Mercury 115 HP 2T: 38-40 mph
- Tracker Pro Guide V-175 + Mercury 115 HP: 40-42 mph
- Bass Tracker Pro Team 190 TX + Mercury 115 HP Pro XS: 44-46 mph
- Vexus AVX 1880 Aluminum Bass Boat + Mercury 115 HP Pro XS: 46-48 mph
- Avon Searider SR5.4 RIB + Mercury 115 HP Pro XS: 48-50 mph
- Tracker 18 All Fish + Mercury 115 HP 4-stroke: 54-56 mph
How Fast is a 150 HP Mercury Outboard?
150 HP Mercury outboards are the most powerful 4-cylinder Mercury outboards available.
These entry-level high-performance Mercury outboards can push a boat anywhere from 38-62 mph.
Examples:
- Ranger Reata Fish & Ski + Mercury 150 Optimax: 42-44 mph
- Haines Signature 17.5’ Bowrider + Mercury 150 HP 4T: 50-52 mph
- Triton TR-18 Pro 18′ Bass boat + Mercury OptiMax 150 HP Pro XS: 58-60 mph
- Nitro Z18 + Mercury 150 HP 4T: 60-62 mph
How Fast is a 175 HP Mercury Outboard?
You can expect the top speed of a 175 HP Mercury outboard to be anywhere from 40-65 mph.
Examples
- Champion 18.5 + Mercury 175 HP 4T: 58-60 mph
- Nitro Z18 + Mercury Pro XS 175: 62-64 mph
- Triton 18SE + Mercury 175 HP 4T: 62-64 mph
- Triton Tr-186 + Mercury 175 Pro XS: 63-65 mph
How Fast is a 200 HP Mercury Outboard?
The maximum speed of a Mercury 200 HP outboard averages between 40 and 70 mph on most boats, but the fastest performance boats as well as bass boats can even hit 70-75 mph with these engines.
Examples:
- Starcraft Fismaster 196 + Mercury 200 HP 4-stroke: 46-48 mph
- Crestliner PT 20 Aluminum Bass boat (20’5”) + Mercury 200 OptiMax: 53-55 mph
- Pantera II (19’1″) bass boat + Mercury 200 Pro XS: 69-71 mph
- Falcon F195 + Mercury 200 ProXS: 72-74 mph
How Fast is a 225 HP Mercury Outboard?
225 HP Mercury outboards can push a boat at a whopping 45-80 mph.
Examples:
- TRACKER Targa V-20 WT + Mercury 225 HP OptiMax Pro XS 2T: 44-46 mph
- Sterling 200 XS (20’) + Mercury 225 HP Pro XS 4-Stroke: 64-66 mph
- Rangler Z519 Bass boat + Mercury 225 HP Pro XS 4-Stro: 70-72 mph
- Triton TR-21 X + Mercury 225 Optimax: 70-72 mph
How Fast is a 250 HP Mercury Outboard?
You can expect the top speed of a 250 HP Mercury outboard to range 45-90 mph.
Examples:
- Triton 21 TRX + Mercury 250 4T: 72-75 mph
- 521 Ranger bass boat + Mercury 250 2T: 72-74 mph
- Legend LE21 + Mercury 250 Pro XS: 76-78 mph
- Bullet 20XDC + Mercury 225 ProMax: 87-90 mph
How Fast is a 300 HP Mercury Outboard?
300 HP Mercury outboards can also reach an impressive top speed of 45-90+ mph on a proper hull.
How Fast is a 350-400 HP Mercury Outboard?
The Mercury Verado 350-400 HP family can hit an impressive top speed of 100 mph on a high-performance hull.
What’s more, the unique Mercury Racing Verado 400R tops out at 110-120 HP rigged on a performance catamaran.
These big boys are often rigged in twin, triple, or quad configurations on heavier boats.
How Fast is a 500-600 HP Mercury Outboard?
The most powerful, 500-600 Mercury outboards can also reach a top speed of 50-100 mph without any issues.
These models include the Sea Pro 500 as well as the high-end Verado 600. Each of these motors enjoys a 4-stroke, 7554cc, V12 power source rated at 500 and 600 HP, respectively.
Takeaway – Mercury Outboard Top Speed Chart
As a takeaway, we’ve compiled the average top speeds of Mercury outboards into one list.
These figures refer to the top speed of sport and fishing boats like Jon boats, bass boats, center console boats, bowriders, and offshore outboard boats.
(Houseboats, pontoons, and other heavy setups are excluded from this list.)
| HP | Approx. Top Speed (mph) |
| 2.5 HP | 5-10 mph |
| 3.5 HP | 6-10 mph |
| 5 HP | 7-18 mph |
| 8 HP | 15-20 mph |
| 9.9 HP | 16-24 mph |
| 15 HP | 18-26 mph |
| 20 HP | 20-28 mph |
| 25 HP | 22-32 mph |
| 30 HP | 24-38 mph |
| 40 HP | 25-40 mph |
| 50 HP | 26-40 mph |
| 60 HP | 28-42 mph |
| 75 HP | 32-44 mph |
| 90 HP | 34-47 mph |
| 115 HP | 36-55 mph |
| 150 HP | 38-62 mph |
| 175 HP | 40-65 mph |
| 200 HP | 40-75 mph |
| 225 HP | 45-80 mph |
| 250 HP | 45-90 mph |
| 300 HP | 45-90 mph |
| 350 HP | 50-90 mph |
| 400 HP | 50-100 mph |
| 500 HP | 50-100 mph |
| 600 HP | 50-100 mph |
Disclaimer: The top speed figures in this post are just ballpark figures for informational purposes only. Please note that the top speed of a Mercury outboard is dependent on many factors like the specifications of the boat, the size of the prop, the load, and environmental conditions.
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