Mercury Verado 300 hp, only 490 operating hours, XL shaft, 5198

Mercury Verado 300 hp is a top-tier, 4-stroke outboard engine, widely regarded for its refined power delivery and reliability.

Regarding your inquiry, “5198” is almost certainly an internal stock or reference number from a dealer’s inventory, similar to the “8993” you noted for the Evinrude.

Key Engine Context

• Operating Hours (490 hours): This is considered low-to-moderate usage for a Verado 300 hp. When properly maintained, these engines are frequently cited as capable of reaching 2,000+ hours. At 490 hours, the engine is well within its prime, provided it has been regularly serviced (especially the required 300-hour dealer-level filter services).

• XL Shaft (25-inch): The “XL” designation indicates an Extra Long shaft length. This is designed for boats with a 25-inch transom height, which is standard for most offshore and coastal center consoles. Ensure this matches your boat’s transom measurement to avoid cavitation or poor performance.

Technical Breakdown

Buying Considerations

Since you are evaluating this for your business, prioritize these steps to verify the health of a unit with ~500 hours:

1. Diagnostic Report: Request a full scan of the engine’s Electronic Control Module (ECM). This will show the actual hour distribution (RPM ranges) to see if the engine was “babied” or run at Wide Open Throttle (WOT) for most of its life.

2. Maintenance Records: Verify that the 300-hour specialized service was completed by an authorized dealer.

3. Compression Test: Always perform a compression check to ensure the engine internals are in good health, regardless of the hours shown on the gauge.

4. Saltwater Usage: If the engine was used in saltwater, check the mounting bolts, trim rams, and powerhead for signs of corrosion, as “flushing” history is critical for long-term Verado health.