Mercury MerCruiser will begin production in March this year of Vazer – a new sterndrive system designed for some boats traditionally powered by outboards.

Vazer is a 100 hp sterndrive engine built with a compact design. It features a significantly reduced engine height that allows it to fit under seats, platforms and decks of a variety of boats, including pontoons, fishing boats and runabouts. The unique design of Vazer allows boat builders to utilize more space for passengers and gear, and provides improved access to the water compared to traditional sterndrive or outboard engines.

"Vazer will revolutionize the boating industry," said Kevin Grodzki, president of MerCruiser. "This sterndrive system will enable boat builders to design boats in configurations previously unimaginable."

Vazer is based on a proven 1.6 L GM Vortec SOHC 4-cylinder engine with an all-new compact sterndrive. The engine also features a compact composite intake manifold that maintains a long intake runner design for excellent torque and horsepower.

Vazer features a composite-shell heat exchanger and heater connection ports that allow the addition of cockpit or cabin heat. A closed loop cooling system, which includes the engine block, aluminum exhaust header and cylinder head, makes Vazer ideal for both freshwater and saltwater use. A standard quick-connect freshwater flush port helps make routine maintenance simple and fast. The self-draining seawater system drains water from the engine and drive with no action required by the operator.

Standard power steering greatly reduces operator effort, and a special engine-mounting design dramatically reduces unwanted noise and vibration.
In addition, the MerCruiser Vazer includes easy 100-hour maintenance features such as translucent fluid reservoirs, a remote-mounted engine oil filter, five-year engine coolant and an easy oil drain system.
The Vazer drive features its own design innovations including trim cylinders with internal fluid routing so that external trim hoses are not exposed. An engine-mounted lubricant reservoir with built-in electronic fluid-level sensing that is integrated into the standard Engine Guardian® and drive protection system.

Production for the 100 hp Vazer will begin in early March 2007 at MerCruiser's manufacturing facility in Stillwater, Okla. It is anticipated that the Vazer will be available in the UK in June 2007.