Chasing the big tuna just got easier with the introduction of a 627-horsepower outboard motor from Seven Marine.
Unveiled at the recent Miami International Boat Show, the 627 is an upgrade from the 557 model Seven Marine started producing a few years ago. Both are designed around the 6.2-liter supercharged LSA engine used in the Camaro ZL1.
That’s right. The world’s most powerful outboard motors are basically high-performance LS engines with a sophisticated twin-pinion gearcase, wet-disc-clutch ZF transmission, quick-change gear ratios and available contra rotating props. Even with the all-alloy engine construction, these massive outboards weigh nearly 1,100 pounds.
But 627 horsepower is nothing to sneeze at, and many of the new center-console and dual-console boats that are rapidly growing in popularity over stern-drive models will use two, sometimes three outboards. And the outrageous Super Console category that covers boats 42 feet and longer will hang four outboards off the transom. That’s a shade over 2,500 horsepower churning up the seawater. But if your vessel weighs over 17,000 pounds, and you want to go 80 mph–it takes 600-plus lb-ft of torque from 3,000 up through more than 5,000 rpm times four!
The price isn’t cheap. Seven Marine custom makes every order. No two pairs, triplets or quads are alike. Very little pricing information is available online, and Seven Marine hasn’t released any numbers for the 627. But some boat magazines have tossed a few numbers around for the 557. Based on roughly educated guesses, a set of four 627s plus all the controls, gauges, CAN-BUS wiring and unique multi-engine software (keeps all the engines in sync) could surpass $400,000.
But how many engines are you aware of that feature integrated LED lighting on the cases? Come on, that’s pretty cool. Aside from the gimmicks, these outboards are very sophisticated. They come with closed-loop cooling circulating special seawater-safe coolant. Other features include stainless-steel tubular headers, drive-by-wire throttle control, 1.9-liter TVS supercharger and intercooler, 8-quart wet-sump oiling and 9:1 compression ratio. The 627 is differentiated from its smaller brother by what the company calls a “marine-specific high-turbulence combustion chamber.” The patented air-induction system separates raw water and salt spray as it passes through the cowling system. The engine has a 5,500 rpm redline and runs on 89 octane fuel.