The first outboard was actually electric (left). The 12-cylinder block for Mercury’s 600-hp Verado shows how far outboard technology has come. World History Archive/Alamy stock photo Once upon a time, ...

Mercury Racing turns up the volume on outboard performance with its new 450R model, a 4.6-liter V-8 with a ­supercharger system. This high-performance outboard supersedes, but will not ­replace, the ...