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Addressing the related topics of increasing fuel costs and environmental stewardship, Mercury Marine has introduced the new Enertia ECO propeller [pictured] at IBEX in Louisville, United States, which takes place from 17-19 September.

The Mercury Enertia ECO was specifically designed for high-horsepower outboard-powered boats and is said to offering boaters a 10 percent increase in fuel economy at cruising speeds.

To maximize the fuel economy improvement provided by the Enertia ECO, Mercury Marine engineers designed a new propeller with a broad 16-inch diameter, large blade area and a high progressive rake, a combination made possible only through using Mercury’s proprietary X7 stainless steel alloy. While the Enertia ECO design results in reduced hull drag through increased bow lift at cruising speeds, it is said to still match the performance of other Mercury propellers such as the Enertia and Revolution 4.

“Mercury Marine already produces fuel-efficient engines, as well as driver aids such as the ECO Screen display,” said Jared Reichenberger, brand manager for Mercury Propellers. “As marina gasoline prices have continued to rise, however, customers are increasingly focused on fuel economy. We realized an appreciable fuel economy gain could be found in the design of the propeller itself.”

While boaters continue to demand the best acceleration and top speed, there is also a growing requirement for efficiency and fuel economy at cruising speeds where a vast majority of their operating time is spent.

At cruising speeds, the Enertia ECO posts a minimum of 10 percent fuel economy gain compared to Mercury’s line of offshore propellers. This gain translates to dollars as the typical offshore boater averages nearly 100 hours on the water each year. At today’s gas prices, this propeller alone will save that boater more than $550 per year, which translates to more than $5,500 over 10 years.

In addition to saving money, the Enertia ECO provides additional range from each tank of fuel. Whether they are pursuing fish farther from shore, or simply cruising longer between fill-ups, boaters can now significantly extend their range with a simple propeller change.

The new propeller will be available to consumers in January 2014 in right- and left-hand rotation across four pitches: 17, 19, 21 and 23 inches. All feature a 16-inch diameter.