A Mercury 300 HP V8 Verado repower can suit a compatible 23-foot fiberglass bowrider where quiet operation, steering integration, and refined controls matter. This is an illustrative planning example, not a completed customer job. Verado is special-order from HBW, and both lead time and price are confirmed for the exact configuration before a deposit or schedule is discussed.
Last reviewed: 2026-07-18
Quick answer: This illustrative scenario covers a special-order Mercury 300 V8 Verado repower on a properly rated 23-foot fiberglass bowrider. Verado pricing and availability are confirmed by quote; removal, Digital Throttle and Shift, steering, propeller, helm integration, and water testing depend on the boat.
A Mercury 300 HP V8 Verado repower can suit a compatible 23-foot fiberglass bowrider where quiet operation, steering integration, and refined controls matter. This is an illustrative planning example, not a completed customer job. Verado is special-order from HBW, and both lead time and price are confirmed for the exact configuration before a deposit or schedule is discussed.
Key facts
- Old motor: older 250 HP Verado (tired, several seasons in)
- New motor: Mercury 300 HP V8 Verado (special-order)
- Boat: 23-foot fiberglass bowrider
- Pricing and lead time: special-order quote for the exact motor and helm configuration
- Motor lead time: 8–14 weeks (Verado is special-order only); boat with us: 2 to 5 days
- Deposit: $1,000 to hold the Mercury build slot
- Warranty: Mercury Limited Warranty, confirmed at quote
- Note: Verado is not stocked, every job is built-to-order
What was on the boat before?
The typical Verado candidate is a 23-foot fiberglass bowrider or cuddy, a family weekender that has been on the water for 8 to 12 years with the original 250 HP Verado. The motor still runs but it's tired. Idle is rougher than it should be, the power steering pump has a whine, hours are climbing past the 1,200–1,500 mark, and the cost of catching it up on supercharger service, water pump, and helm electronics is in the same neighbourhood as a deposit on a new motor.
Owners come in for one more big service quote, see the math, and ask the obvious question, what would it cost to just put a new one on it. We walk through the options. Most of the time the answer is the new V8 Verado.
Why upgrade to a Mercury 300 V8 Verado?
The V8 Verado is the premium 4.6-litre Mercury motor at the time of writing. Quiet at idle, quieter than the older Verado supercharged inline six it replaces. Smoother at cruise. Integrated power steering with a cleaner helm feel. The digital throttle and shift (DTS) controls give precise low-speed handling for docking, which matters on a 23-foot fiberglass hull that gets close to a lift every weekend.
Pure performance is part of the answer, but it isn't the whole answer. The bigger benefit is the next ten years of ownership, a brand-new motor with current Mercury electronics, supported by parts and software updates, under the current Mercury Limited Warranty.
For owners who want sport-tune attitude (sharper hole shot, more aggressive throttle response) we recommend the Pro XS 300 instead. Same V8 block, different tune, lower price. The Verado is the cruise-and-comfort choice. Most 23-foot bowrider customers pick Verado for that reason.
What did the job involve?
A Verado repower starts at the build slot. Once the order is confirmed and the deposit is in, Mercury allocates a build slot. Lead time runs 8–14 weeks depending on the time of year and queue. We tell customers up front: if you want the boat ready for the May long weekend, the order has to be in by late January or early February.
When the motor arrives, the shop work takes about 2 to 5 days. We pull the old Verado, inspect the transom skin and bracket, and inspect the rigging tunnel. Verado uses DTS throughout, the throttle, helm, gauges, and ECU all talk on a Mercury smart helm network. We replace the helm package as part of the job. Propeller selection runs through 2–3 stainless props in the 15–16-inch diameter range, pitched 19–23 inches depending on hull, load, and customer style, until WOT lands in Mercury's spec band cleanly.
Water test on Rice Lake confirms WOT RPM, helm response, steering torque, and gauge integrity. Pickup-only at Gores Landing, we don't ship or deliver.
What did it cost?
Verado is special-order from HBW, so the motor price and availability are confirmed in the written quote. The complete package depends on the helm and DTS configuration, steering, propeller, removal, rigging, and water testing. Any trade value is assessed separately after the old motor is identified and inspected.
HBW can arrange financing through DealerPlan and Canadian lenders on eligible purchases of $5,000 or more at the current 5.48% APR promotional APR through Dec 31, 2026 (OAC). The financed quote includes the $349 DealerPlan documentation fee where applicable and discloses the contract term, amortization, and any balance due at maturity. A $1,000 deposit holds the build slot.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Why is Verado special-order?
- We do not stock Verado motors. They are built to order through Mercury Marine and shipped to us once the build slot is allocated. Lead time runs 8–14 weeks from order confirmation depending on the build queue. We set the launch date around the build window, not the calendar.
- What is the difference between Pro XS 300 and Verado 300?
- Both are V8 4.6L blocks at 300 HP. The Verado is the premium tune, quieter, smoother at idle, integrated power steering, supercharged-feel torque delivery, and more refined helm electronics. The Pro XS 300 is the sport tune. Verado is the cruise-and-comfort choice. Pro XS is the performance choice.
- Does the old Verado have trade-in value?
- Often yes, depending on hours, condition, and year. Verados are sought after as cores and for resale. Fill the trade-in form and we usually email a CAD figure within one business day. Trade value comes off the all-in price.
- Is financing available for a Verado repower?
- Yes. HBW can arrange financing through DealerPlan and Canadian lenders on eligible purchases of $5,000 or more at the current 5.48% APR promotional APR through Dec 31, 2026 (OAC). The financed quote includes the $349 DealerPlan documentation fee where applicable. A $1,000 deposit holds the order; the build slot is not finalized until the deposit is in and credit is approved.
Visit Harris Boat Works
Harris Boat Works · 5369 Harris Boat Works Rd, Gores Landing, ON K0K 2E0 · Phone (905) 342-2153 · Family-owned since 1947 · Mercury Premier Dealer, selling Mercury since 1965.
We're the repower side of Harris Boat Works in Gores Landing, Mercury Premier Dealer, selling Mercury since 1965. Verado is the one repower we always price honestly on lead time, the build window is part of the quote.
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