Well, looking at these specs, a no drive Merc big block is 1060 lbs. With a 6 it's 1835 lbs. If the turbine is 540 lbs, and the Arneson drive is 285 lbs, that would be a whole lot of weight savings on three vs two.

I have to believe there may be a transmission weight also added to the Arneson combination though, and it's included in the Merc weight.
HP600SC Bobtail Specifications
Propshaft Horsepower: 550 (410 kw)
Displacement (Liter/CID): 8.2/502
Cylinders: V-8
Bore & Stroke (in/mm): 4.47/114
Stroke (in/mm): 4.00/102
Compression Ratio: 7.5:1
Fuel Requirements: 92 Posted Octane (R+M)/2
Full Throttle RPM Range: 4800-5200
Ignition Type: Thunderbolt V
Alternator (amps/watts): 55/776
Length (in/mm): 31.4375/799
Width (in/mm): 32.5/826
Height (in/mm): 29.8125/757
Weight (lbs/kg): 1060/481 (Weight is engine only.)
Warranty: 90-day mechanical, 3-year corrosion
HP800SC Specifications
Propshaft Horsepower: 700 (552 kw)
Displacement (Liter/CID): 9.4/572
Cylinders: V-8
Bore (in/mm): 4.50/114
Stroke (in/mm): 4.50/114
Compression Ratio: 7.5:1
Fuel Requirements: 92 Posted Octane (R+M)/2
Full Throttle RPM Range: 4600-500
Ignition Type: Thunderbolt V
Alternator (amps/watts): 55/776
Length (in/mm): 50/1270
Width (in/mm): 34/864
Height (in/mm): 30.5/775
Weight (lbs/kg): 1835/832 (Weight includes Six Drive.)
Warranty: 90-day mechanical, 3-year corrosion
ASD8 Drive Unit
In-Line Reduction/Overdrive 1:1
Unit Weight 285 Lbs
OAL 42”
Steering Angle 40 Degrees
Trim Angle 15 Degrees
Maximum Input Torque 1200 lbs
Lycoming T53-L-13B Turboshaft Engine
Type: Dual spool, free shaft turbine
Inlet: Axial, with variable geometry inlet guide vanes
Compressor: Mixed flow; 5 stage axial, 1 stage centrifugal
Burner: Reverse flow annular with 22 fuel nozzles
Turbine: Dual spool, two stage axial gas producer turbine, two stage power turbine
Exhaust: Rearward facing, single exit axial flow diffuser
Power Rating: 1,400 shaft horsepower @ 6,640 rpm
Rated Torque Output at full power: 1,200 lb/ft @ 6,640 rpm
Peak Torque Output: 1,700 lb/ft @ 1,800 rpm
Weight: 540 lbs.
Power/weight: 2.6 lb/shp
Compression Ratio: 7.2:1 at 25,600 rpm
Specific Fuel Consumption: .58 lb/shp/hr