Powerboat P1 USA, the promoters of the P1 SuperStock single-engine V-bottom raceboat series in North America, has announced that spec power next year will be the Mercury Racing 300X outboard engine. The power move—the series formerly ran Evinrude outboards—was announced in a press release from the organization.

Integral to the success of the Powerboat P1 USA SuperStock series is the organization’s raceboat lease program, which enables teams to lease a boat for an entire season or a single event. As part of that program, Powerboat P1 USA performs “the major annual maintenance of the fleet—including the powertrain—from normal wear and tear associated with racing, as well as damage from incidents on the racecourse.”

“With six seasons of racing on most of the engines, we were faced with the need to repower the fleet,” said Azam Rangoonwala, the director of North American Operations for Powerboat P1 USA, in the release. “After careful consideration, we determined that the Mercury Racing 300XS Optimax was the best option moving forward due to their extensive record of reliability in conditions and applications that most closely parallel our racing series.”

All P1 SuperStock raceboats will run Mercury Racing 300XS power next season.

Martin Sanborn, Powerboat P1 USA’s director of manufacturing since 2010, will oversee the power conversion and overall structural and mechanical raceboat refurbishment project for the coming season. Based in Hollywood, Fla., Doller Offshore Marine will handle the power conversions.

“The boat was actually designed and initially tested with the Mercury Racing package, so the conversion will yield predictable and exceptional results,” said Sanborn. “The performance improvement is notable, and we are confident that this change will spur increased interest in the already successful series.”

Said Doller Offshore Marine president Mindi Doller, “As a Premier Mercury Service Center, we are thrilled to have the opportunity to partner with P1 and prepare their fleet for the 2017 season. We have dedicated a segment of our service department to the project, and anticipate the ability to run up to two boats per week through the refurbishment and recertification process.”

The Powerboat P1 USA SuperStock season-opener is set for May 20 in St. Cloud/Kissimmee, Fla.

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