Given the booming popularity of Mercury Racing’s Verado 400R outboard engine, it was only a matter of time before a set of them made their way onto the transom of a full-size offshore V-bottom. That’s happening now at Outerlimits Powerboats in Bristol, R.I., with the production of the first SL 41 “OB” being built for longtime Outerlimits customer Dave Burgess of Michigan.

Stephen Miles designed and will execute the 41-footer’s graphics package (click image to enlarge). Rendering courtesy Stephen Miles Design.

The 41-footer, which will be powered by a trio of 400-hp Verado outboards, rides on the same hull as the stern-drive equipped low-profile-deck SL 41, the first of which was built three years ago for customer Vinnie Diorio in Wisconsin. (The most recent SL 41 went to Michigan’s Ed Dooge earlier this year.) However, the outboard-powered version will feature and extended cockpit that includes two rows of bolsters and a rear bench.

“In addition to the elongated cockpit, it’s going to have the really cool, contemporary back-end design that’s an Outerlimits signature,” said Dan Kleitz, the company’s production manager. “It’s also going to have our first Waves and Wheels interior and a custom Stephen Miles Design paint job.

Kleitz said he expects the boat to top 100 mph with the triple outboards. (Because of the SL 41’s nine-foot beam, quad Verado 400Rs are not an option.)

“It’s the same hull that ran 116 mph with twin Mercury Racing 700s,” said Kleitz, who expects the boat to finished in the time for “race week” in early November in Key West, Fla. “Our customer is really excited, and it’s great to have him as part of this new project. It’s going to be great, turn-key package.”

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