Seven Marine introduced their 557 hp outboard engine, the biggest, most powerful, most expensive ever to hit the market, at the Miami boat show earlier this year. They’ve been testing these motors since then (one pair is mounted on the transom of an Intrepid 370, and production is now scheduled to begin this fall. 

You want to own a pair of these new power-house outboards? Here’s what you’re in store for: 6.2 liter 90-degree V8’s built on a horizontally-mounted supercharged aluminum powerhead, the same one used in the Cadillac CTS-V. It has closed cooling, a ZF Marine hydraulic shift computer-controlled disc-clutch transmission, and double-walled stainless steel exhaust. The entire rig totals out at about 1,000 pounds, which is between 330 and 180 pounds more than a 350 hp outboard, for a favorable 0.557 horsepower-to-weight ratio. In other words, you could use a pair of these potent puppies to replace triple 350’s, gain horsepower, lose weight, and eliminate a gearcase and the associated drag it creates.

So, what’s the down-side? Cost is going to be rather extravagant, and the price of these 557 hp outboards is expected to run a hair under $70,000 each. Since triple 350’s can be purchased new for under $90,000, that means the additional cost could be as much as $50,000. And if you’re rigging up with a single engine, the 557 will cost more than twice as much as a 350. 

Where the heck did these ginormous outboards come from, in the first place? Seven Marine is a company based near Milwaukee, Wisconsin, which was started by industry veteran Rick Davis. Until 2008, Davis was Chief Technology Officer and VP of Engine Development at Mercury Marine. Other principals include his sons Eric and Brian, who also have long histories in the marine field. In fact, Seven Marine claims a combined 85 years of business and marine experience. Still, buying an all-new, unproven engine like this has to create some trepidation. That’s why Seven Marine is offering a warranty that includes 10-year internal corrosion coverage, as well as three years of standard corrosion protection and a three year limited warranty. They also claim that this will be a factory-direct warranty, so if you have any problems, one of their techs will come to your boat’s location to get the repairs done.

You want to be the talk of the marina? You want to blow the hatches off the fastest boats in the tournament? With 557 horse power under every cowl, these new outboards will get the job done. And since they’re the biggest, most powerful outboards ever created, they’ll also get you braggiung right