Choosing an engine with reliability and durability.
When seasoned anglers and fishing experts Nige Webster and Nicko Fewtrell set out to create a TV show – Tackling Australia – they knew they needed an outboard engine as tough as the waters they’d be navigating.
Powered by the robust Mercury 175hp V6 FourStroke on the back of a custom-built boat by Nicko, Season One saw the duo embark on a mission to determine whether the wet or dry season offers the best fishing.
Venturing through Australia’s northern regions during the notoriously unpredictable summer months, reliability was a non-negotiable, and their choice of engine ensured their adventures went ahead without a hitch. “A big one for us is the durability and reliability of the outboard. Wherever we go our gear gets punished pretty hard, so we put so much faith into the engine,” Nige said. “Another big factor for us is the power-to-weight ratio and fuel range because we need excellent fuel efficiency. We can’t carry a fuel tanker on the back, so we need to cover long distances with the confidence that we have enough fuel reserves in case something goes wrong.
“With the 175hp on the back, we were getting incredible range from a single tank which was thanks to the outboard being one of the most economical engines on the market.”
But it was not just the reliability that impressed Nige, but the overall experience of using the outboard. “For me, it’s the whole experience. The 175hp engine’s response is incredible, everything operated so smoothly and responsively, from the throttle to sitting at the helm,” Nige said.
“Another thing is it’s super quiet; we often started fishing, only to realise the engine was still running. “The engine is fuel-efficient, powerful when needed, and incredibly responsive in sticky situations. With the outboard, we knew if we wanted to put the throttle down, it was going to go, and it would not burst our eardrums.”
The 175hp gave Nige and the Tackling Australia crew superior fuel economy, thanks to Mercury’s array of efficiency-boosting features such as Advanced Range Optimisation (ARO). These engines include a closed-loop fuel system and a hydrodynamic gearcase, both engineered to maximise fuel efficiency, so boaters can go further on every tank. The decision to go with Mercury, Nige described as a no-brainer thanks to the development Mercury has made over the past decade.
