Mercury Verado 400HP L Outboard

This L-shaft Verado 400 is the short-shaft, non-counter-rotating version of this top inline-six Verado, built on a 20-inch shaft. A lower transom is the reason to pick this shaft length over the longer options Mercury offers elsewhere in the 400 line.

L versus CL at the same shaft length

Both run a 20-inch shaft and the identical engine; the difference is counter rotation, available on the CL but not here. Pick this version for a single engine or a matched, same-rotation pair rather than an opposite-spinning twin.

What's standard

Throttle and shift on this engine respond through an electronic control system, the wheel gets hydraulic steering assistance, and the mounts are built to isolate vibration, with starter overload protection carried over. This is a 668-pound inline-six, 2.6 liters of displacement, 24 valves, dual overhead camshafts. Top-end RPM at full throttle reaches 6200 to 6800. The engine is supplied with a tool kit, the owner's manual, as well as mounting hardware. No propeller is bundled with this engine.

Can I add a second engine later? Yes, as a matched, same-rotation pair; for opposite rotation, look at the CL configuration instead.

Is a warranty included? Yes, Mercury Marine's 3-year warranty.

Why pick the L over a longer shaft? A lower transom calls for it; going longer than your transom needs runs the gearcase too deep.