Yachting Art Magazine

British engine manufacturer Perkins Marine, a long-standing player in marine propulsion since the 1960s, is set to launch a new range of marine engines that have been completely redesigned to meet the requirements of both professionals and experienced boaters. Unveiled at Metstrade 2025 in Amsterdam (stand 03.303), this generation marks a major evolution in the manufacturer's technological strategy, placing versatility and sustainability at the heart of its engineering approach.

Developed at the company's headquarters in Wimborne, UK, the new platform is based on a six-cylinder in-line architecture available in three versions: M175C (173 hp / 129 kW), M200C (200 hp / 149 kW) and M245C (249 hp / 186 kW), all running at 2400 rpm. These engines share a common mechanical base but can be configured to meet a wide range of needs – from coastal workboats to offshore cruisers.

According to Dave Wood, senior product service engineer, the goal was to ‘design an engine capable of adapting to a variety of uses, while retaining the robustness and simplicity that characterise the brand.’ The emphasis was on customisation: users can configure their engine in a streamlined manner for simple applications or opt for a full MCS-certified version that meets merchant marine standards. This flexibility, inherited from decades of dialogue with shipyards and independent engine manufacturers, is a strategic asset for the retrofit and rebuilding markets.

Modularity designed for shipyards

The new Perkins engines have been designed to fit both new units and repowering projects. Customers can choose between three cooling configurations: heat exchanger, combined circuit keel or separate circuit. This diversity ensures broad compatibility with vessels of various sizes and missions – fishing, service, transport or offshore pleasure boating.

The list of technical options reflects this modular philosophy: simple sensors or advanced alarm controllers, integrated bilge pumps, mechanical control converters, flexible mountings, a choice of gearboxes, simplex or duplex filters, and various classification society certifications. Perkins also highlights the possibility of integrating single or double jacket fuel lines, meeting the latest safety requirements.

Compliant and sustainable engines

All three models comply with the latest international environmental regulations: RCD II, EPA Tier 3, IMO II and EU Stage V (for the M175C). This compliance offers users a sustainable solution that is compatible with future regulatory changes. The engines also benefit from simplified maintenance: 500-hour service intervals, a self-priming fuel system, gear-driven water pumps, automatic valve clearance adjustment and self-tensioning belts. Planned maintenance kits complete the offering to facilitate maintenance cycle management.

Designed for performance and longevity

As Benita Liepina, Sales Manager at Perkins Marine, points out, ‘these engines have been designed to withstand the most demanding marine environments, whether coastal or offshore.’ The internal design focuses on mechanical robustness, thermal stability and vibration reduction, ensuring smooth and quiet operation.

Perkins thus aims to meet a dual expectation: to maintain its foothold in the professional sector – trawlers, ferries, service vessels – while appealing to recreational boaters looking for reliable and comfortable engines.

A forward-looking range

Production of the M175C, M200C and M245C will begin in 2026, with orders opening in the fourth quarter of 2025 through the global network of Perkins Marine distributors. This new generation illustrates the continuity of a company which, while building on its technical heritage, is anticipating the challenges of energy transition and the modernisation of the global fleet.

By unifying its expertise around an evolving platform, Perkins is confirming its ambition: to offer more flexible, fuel-efficient and sustainable marine engines, adapted to the contemporary requirements of both recreational boating and marine professionals.