Mercury Marine's Verado V10 400hp outboards are now specified across Kirby Marine's Naiad lineup, with the Western Australian builder fitting the engines to its 7.5m, 8.5m and 10m models. The move signals a closer working relationship between the two companies and brings a new propulsion platform across a meaningful portion of the range.
Rob Kirby, Managing Director of Kirby Marine, says the V10 has shifted what the Naiad designs are capable of delivering.
“We were looking for something that would enhance what we already offer and the Verado V10 400hp delivered exactly that,” Kirby said.
"We thought we'd plateaued in terms of performance, but these outboards have opened up new opportunities to keep improving."
In the seven-to-ten-metre segment, outboards rated between 350 and 450hp have become increasingly common. Builders are chasing higher cruising speeds without sacrificing the practical benefits that modern outboard installations offer, among them straightforward servicing, better use of transom space, and simpler overall rigging.
Mercury's V10 platform achieves substantial output while keeping weight in check. At around 316kg, the 400hp variant maintains a strong power-to-weight ratio without placing excessive load on the transom. The engine runs with notable smoothness and quietness through Mercury's Advanced MidSection mounting system, which isolates the powerhead and reduces the vibration reaching the hull. For anyone spending extended hours offshore, that reduction makes a real difference to comfort on board.
For Kirby, the V10 reflects engine manufacturers responding to what customers have been asking for, combining outright performance with day-to-day usability.
“Mercury has raised the bar with the V10, clearly responding to customer feedback. In a highly competitive market, gains in performance and usability are critical.”
One feature drawing considerable interest among Kirby Marine customers is Mercury's Joystick Piloting system. Instead of managing throttle inputs, steering and bow thruster controls as separate tasks, skippers can handle all close-quarters manoeuvring through a single joystick that integrates the outboards with the vessel's bow thruster. For operators stepping into a larger or more powerful boat, the difference is immediate.
"The simplicity of the bow thruster interface has become a major selling point for us. It makes the boat easier to drive for operators of all experience levels," Kirby said.
"There's no need to push buttons or go through multiple steps. The system goes straight to neutral and the joystick is immediately live."
Kirby Marine works along the Western Australian coastline, where open ocean swells regularly combine with short, steep wind-driven chop to produce sea states that test both hull and propulsion thoroughly. Kirby reports the Verado installation has handled those conditions well, particularly once the vessel is planing and running at speed.
"The large diameter four blade propeller delivers a smoother transition onto the plane," he said.
“At speeds above 50 knots the boat remains stable and comfortable, even in the rough conditions the WA coast is known for.
"With very little flat water off the WA coastline, that level of performance and stability is essential."
Kirby Marine serves both recreational and commercial clients. Among its past customers are CSIRO, Western Australia Police, the Western Australian Department of Fisheries, and the Western Australia Environmental Protection Authority.
Most V10 installations to date have been on recreational vessels, and that has been a deliberate approach. Working through propeller selection, rigging configurations and overall setup in a recreational context has given the company room to refine the package before committing it to working boats. Those refinements are now being carried into commercial projects.
"We currently have several rescue boats heading to the east coast that will feature the V10," Kirby said.
“These will be the first commercial vessels we’ve built using this platform.”
As high-output outboards continue to reshape what is achievable in the seven-to-ten-metre class, engines such as the Verado V10 are broadening the options for hull design, performance targets and onboard systems integration. Kirby Marine's adoption of the V10 across the Naiad range points to the next stage in the lineup's development.
