Mercury PWC

[Magicfloat]

May be kind of off topic,but wonder if anyone remembers Merc's ill fated venture? Back in the mid 90's they spent millions developing their own PWC,but pulled the plug in 1997 and took a multi million $ write off.We actually had done the preliminary paperwork to become a dealer,before the project was shelved. Supposedly a couple hundred units were built and stored in a warehouse.Wonder what happened to them? Saw some early sketches ,never any photos. They were black,of course,and I think they were called Quicksilver,but my memory is a little fuzzy there.Anyone have any additional info? I also heard a few of the core employees were allowed to purchase one,but I cannot verify that.Wouldn't it be cool to find one? Would cause quite a stir at the gas dock

 

[Gladhe8er]

There are two of them around here. Actually saw one of them running around today. They are red/black/white.

 

[oceanoutlaw]

anyone have any pics of one

 

[cpmarine]

They're in a museum with the old snowmobiles they used to make.

 

[rschap1]

??? I remember the watermouse lil' OB powered DisneyLand ride boats, but never a PWC. I'd love more info /pics too!

 

[Ted]

It's funny, they discontinued the project in 1997 and PWC sales boomed for the next 10 years.

http://www.rbbi.com/company/bc/mm/mmpwc.htm

 

[MARK BENTLEY]

I remember them testing the watercraft at Lake X. In Wisconsin, they will show up on occassion as Employees and other people ended up with them. Merc was going to build them in the old Chrysler/Forc Outboard plant in Hartford WI. The ones I have seen were white, black and red with little or no graphics. If you want to buy one, keep an eye on Appleton/Oshkosh Craigslist, they show up sometimes.
The Watermouse, that was interesting. I bought a few thinking that they would sell. It probably took me three years to get rid of them.

 

[phragle]

Don't know about the merc PWC but i was involved in the mastercraft pwc venture. research and destruction can be fun....

 

[Gladhe8er]

I can easily get a pic one of these weekends...the Mercury PWC's are always out.

BTW, the Merc snowmobiles were way ahead of their time as far as performance goes. Those things screamed!

 

[Clayfan]

Agreed! in 1975 thru 1979 if you were racing stock D sled class, you were either racing a Merc Sno-Twister and winning or you were following one on your Arctic Cat or Ski-Doo.
The original Twisters with the free-air Kohler engines were really fast right out of the box.
The later years when they built the liquid cooled one's they were smaller in size and handled better but sales of the regular line of family sleds never followed the racing sucess Merc had.

 

[Gladhe8er]

Agreed! in 1975 thru 1979 if you were racing stock D sled class, you were either racing a Merc Sno-Twister and winning or you were following one on your Arctic Cat or Ski-Doo.
The original Twisters with the free-air Kohler engines were really fast right out of the box.
The later years when they built the liquid cooled one's they were smaller in size and handled better but sales of the regular line of family sleds never followed the racing sucess Merc had.

I go to the Terryville grass drags in CT every year and Mercs win all the 250, 340 and 440 classes. Kinda funny when you see a 1976 Merc 440 beating up on a 2008 Arctic Cat 400 Sno Pro!

 

[waterboy222]

www.iwantsamba.com
the next wave of PWC? I want one.. looks like a helluva workout.. and at full tilt you could clear the tunnel on a cat... lol

 

[Dunbar 104]

www.iwantsamba.com
the next wave of PWC? I want one.. looks like a helluva workout.. and at full tilt you could clear the tunnel on a cat... lol

Looks like a face plant waiting to happen.

 

[HTMike]

The Watermouse, that was interesting. I bought a few thinking that they would sell. It probably took me three years to get rid of them.

We (my parents)bought one years ago brand new, had the 15hp merc upgrade. Boat was absolutely slow and would barely plane out with 2 people in it.