Today, outboards from Honda, Mercury, Suzuki and Yamaha are available in a wide array of colors. In fact, Mercury—which once adhered to the Henry Ford mantra of “any color you want as long as it’s black”—offers the most color options: three shades of white, as well traditional black. With an outboard being such a visible element, the idea is to complement the boat’s color scheme with the right engine shade. Here’s what to consider when it comes to outboard colors.
Shades of White
For years, outboard brands had stuck with standard colors, to wit: Honda’s Aquamarine Silver, Mercury’s Phantom Black, Suzuki’s Black Nebular Pearl and Yamaha’s Dark Bluish Gray. Today, however, all offer white outboards, which have grown popular in warmer climates because the lighter color allows the engine to run as much as 10 degrees F cooler versus a black one. Plus, a white outboard is less likely to show water spots. On the downside, white is more likely to show stains on the lower unit and midsection from brackish or high-tannin-content waters.
When looking to match your white boat with a white motor, be careful. Not all whites are the same, and when put together, they can clash. That’s why Mercury Marine offers three colors of white, including Cold Fusion, Warm Fusion and Pearl Fusion. If you’re repowering, take your boat to the dealer to compare the hood color next to it to determine which white, if any, matches up. If none match, a contrasting shade, such a black, gray or silver outboard against a white boat, might be the best way to go. You can also contrast a white outboard against a boat with a light or dark color.
Matte Finishes
Outboard brands have capitalized on the matte-finish trend versus traditional glossy paint. Suzuki Marine has led the way with its growing Stealth Line, now available in eight horsepower ratings from 115 to 350. The unique charcoal-gray color gives these outboards that distinctive satin “blackout” look, which also enjoys popularity in the automotive market today.
Yamaha Outboards also jumped on the nonglossy trend with a matte-brown color, available on its midrange outboards of 50, 60 and 70 hp, as well as on portable 9.9, 25 and high-thrust 25 hp models. The earth-tone finish is less likely to spook fish, and it makes for an excellent base layer for tailored camouflaging for boaters who hunt waterfowl.
Accent Panels
Mercury lets boaters customize its 3.4L V-6 and 4.6L V-8 FourStroke, Verado, Pro XS and SeaPro outboards with optional factory-painted color-accent panels. Spanning the top and back of the hood and aft midsection, the four-panel kits are available in five colors, including Redline Red, Pacific Blue, Mercury Silver, Graphite Gray, and Pro Black (a matte finish) to match up with a wide variety of boat colors. If none match your boat, Mercury also offers ready-for-paint panel kits that are primed for coating with urethane paint.
Each panel is made from durable polycarbonate and has peel-and-stick adhesive backing that’s easy to install. The horsepower decal and Merc icon applique can be purchased separately.
Custom Paint
If you can’t find a color to match your boat, there are custom paint jobs. But they’re not cheap—ranging from $2,000 to $3,000 or more per outboard (less than the upcharge for some Mercury Marine colors). Alternatively, you can paint the motor yourself for less, thanks to the Quantum 2K aerosol kit that’s available in a wide swath of colors. To learn more about this DIY approach, visit boatingmag.com/painting-your-outboard-motor.
