Episode 34 - Powerboat Talk with Fred Kiekhaefer, former president of Mercury Racing

Click here to listen to Episode 34

Click here to watch Episode 34 on youtube

Fred Kiekhaefer: From Mercury Racing to Project Dolphin

Fred Kiekhaefer is a legend in the marine industry. He is the son of Carl Kiekhaefer, the founder of Mercury Marine, and the former president of Mercury Racing. He has been involved in many innovations and achievements in the field of performance marine products.

In this podcast, he shares his stories of his journey from taking over his father's business, Kiekhaefer Aeromarine Motors, to launching his own design and consulting firm, K.Lab Design Works. He also reveals his latest project, a surfacing drive with a variable-pitch propeller that can be controlled from the cockpit. This drive, called Project Dolphin, was intended for performance diesel engines in both recreational and military applications.

Kiekhaefer Aeromarine Motors and Mercury Performance

Kiekhaefer joined his father's business, Kiekhaefer Aeromarine Motors, in 1983. The company was known for its racing engines that won many championships and set many records. Kiekhaefer decided to change the direction of the company and focus on developing performance products, drive systems, and propellers for the marine market.

He created products such as Zero Effort Controls and K-Plane trim tabs, which are still widely used by boaters today. He also introduced the Sterndrive by Kiekhaefer, a drive that could handle extreme horsepower and torque. This drive became a dominant force in offshore racing for many years.

In 1990, Mercury Marine acquired Kiekhaefer Aeromarine Motors and appointed Kiekhaefer as the president of Mercury Performance. He continued to lead the division to new heights, developing products such as the Mercury Number Six drive, which was based on the Sterndrive by Kiekhaefer, and the QC4V engine, a 9.0-liter quad-cam, four-valve engine that is considered one of the best performance marine engines ever made.

Mercury Racing and K.Lab Design Works

In 1999, Mercury Performance was renamed Mercury Racing, and Kiekhaefer remained the president until his retirement in 2012. Under his leadership, Mercury Racing became a global leader in high-performance marine propulsion systems, offering a range of products for various types of boats and applications.

After retiring from Mercury, Kiekhaefer moved to Colorado, where he founded K.Lab Design Works, a design and consulting firm that specializes in marine and automotive projects. He also does work for various charity organizations, such as AeroAngel and the Morgan Adams Foundation.

Project Dolphin: A Surfacing Drive with a Variable-Pitch Propeller

One of the projects that Kiekhaefer has been working on is Project Dolphin, a surfacing drive with a cockpit-controlled variable-pitch propeller. This drive was designed for performance diesel engines, which are more fuel-efficient and environmentally friendly than gasoline engines.

The drive has a unique feature that allows the operator to adjust the pitch of the propeller blades from the cockpit, which can optimize the performance and efficiency of the boat. The drive can also surface and submerge, which can reduce drag and increase speed.

Kiekhaefer received a patent for the drive in 2022, but he canceled the project due to low demand for diesel-powered boats in the recreational and military markets. He says that he may revisit the project in the future, if the market conditions change.

Conclusion

Fred Kiekhaefer is a visionary and a pioneer in the marine industry. He has contributed to many breakthroughs and achievements in the field of performance marine products. He has also shared his stories and insights with the boating community. He is currently working on his own projects and supporting various causes. He is an inspiration and a role model for many boaters and enthusiasts.

Follow Fred Kiekaefer on Facebook @Fred Kiekhaefer

View the video for this episode: www.youtube.com/@powerboat_talk 

Follow us on Instagram @powerboattalk and Facebook @Powerboat Talk 

You can listen to Powerboat Talk on most podcast players like Youtube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify Podcasts, Pandora, Amazon Podcasts, Audible, iHeart Radio, Podtail, Audacy, Google Podcasts, Tune In Radio

Contact me: powerboattalk@gmail.com