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w w w.G r e a t L a ke s B o a t i n g .c o m MERCURY www.marine.honda.com HONDA Mercury celebrated its 80th anniversary by releasing its new 400hp Verado, but that was only the beginning. Its new Mercury Racing 450R outboard is purpose-designed for the high-performance disciple craving unrelenting power. Steeped in Mercury Racing DNA, the 450R features a 4.6-liter V8 FourStroke powerhead boosted by an exclusive Mercury Racing supercharger to produce 450 peak propshaft horsepower and 40 percent higher torque than the powerful 400R. At over 300 pounds lighter than the nearest competitor, the new 450R delivers indus- try-leading power-to-weight in a compact, efficient package. The 450R writes a power prescrip- tion that combines unprecedented acceleration and top speed potential with rugged reliability and the latest technology from Mercury Racing. Multiple gearcase, control system, tie bar, and styling options are available to create the ultimate customized outboard performance package, ready to run wide open all day long. Best of all, the Mercury Racing 450R delivers all of its performance on readily available 89-octane (95 RON) pump fuel. www.mercurymarine.com Honda's flagship model is its 250hp 3.6-liter EFI four-stroke V6 that has proven to be a durable and dependable engine. Available in 20-, 25- and XXL 30-inch shaft lengths for taller transoms, the 250 makes a lot of sense for a twin setup. The 250 weighs in at 613 pounds, which is above average for an en- gine of this size. Rated to turn a maximum of 6,300 rpm, the Honda has a 90 amp alternator to charge the boat's batteries. A new feature is AMP+, which senses electri- cal loads and automatically increases idle speed minutely (about 100 rpm) to increase charging output by another 9 amps. The Honda "BLAST" system, which stands for "Boosted Low Speed Torque," rapidly advances ignition timing while enriching the fuel mixture electronically for quicker holeshots and more low-end torque. IST—electronic shift and throttle controls—are standard. Color choices include silver and white. Honda backs up the 250 with a 5-year non-declining transferable warranty as standard—one of the best warranties available. 52 GREAT LAKES BOATING