Mercury Repower Guides
Straight answers from the Gearhead Marine team on repowering, choosing Mercury outboards and MerCruiser drives, costs and more. Have a question we have not covered? Call (951) 299-8024.
How Much Does a Mercury Repower Cost?
What actually drives the price of a Mercury outboard or MerCruiser sterndrive repower — and how to get an accurate number.
Alpha One vs Bravo Three: Which MerCruiser Drive?
A plain-English comparison of MerCruiser Alpha One and Bravo Three sterndrives to help you choose the right drive for your boat.
Mercury FourStroke vs Pro XS vs Verado
How Mercury's three main outboard families differ — and which is right for your boat and budget.
How to Find Your Mercury Serial & Model Number
Where to locate the serial and model number on Mercury outboards and MerCruiser sterndrives so you order the right parts.
How Much Horsepower Does My Boat Need?
How to work out the right outboard horsepower for your boat using the capacity plate, hull weight and how you actually use it.
Outboard vs Sterndrive: Which Is Better?
A straight comparison of outboards and MerCruiser sterndrives — cost, space, maintenance, saltwater life and resale.
Should I Repower or Rebuild My Boat Engine?
When rebuilding an old marine engine makes sense, when a new Mercury repower is the better money, and how to tell the difference.
How Long Does a Boat Repower Take?
What actually determines a repower timeline — engine availability, rigging, controls and water testing — and how to avoid losing your season.
What Is the Best Outboard for a Pontoon Boat?
How to pick outboard horsepower for a pontoon — tube configuration, passenger load, watersports and why pontoons are their own case.
How to Choose the Right Boat Propeller
Pitch, diameter, blade count and material explained — and how to use wide-open-throttle RPM to confirm you have the right prop.
Two-Stroke vs Four-Stroke Outboards
What changes when you repower an old two-stroke outboard with a modern four-stroke — fuel, oil, noise, weight and smell.
Saltwater Care for Your Mercury Engine
The flushing, anode and storage habits that decide how long a Mercury outboard or MerCruiser sterndrive survives in salt water.
What Is Digital Throttle & Shift (DTS)?
How Mercury's DTS differs from mechanical cables, what it enables, and what it means for a repower.
Mercury Outboard Maintenance Schedule
The service intervals that keep a Mercury outboard reliable — break-in, 100 hour service, annual items and what to never skip.