Mercury Marine's new 150-horsepower FourStroke outboard received a prestigious innovation award this week at the International Boatbuilders Exhibition and Conference (IBEX) in Louisville, Ky.

The 150 FourStroke, which will be available to consumers in December, was recognized by judges for its excellent fuel efficiency, light weight and performance, according to a news release Wednesday from Mercury Marine.

The 150-horsepower engine is designed as the "ultimate outboard" for many boat types, including aluminum multispecies,fiberglass bass, pontoons, runabouts andrigid inflatable boats, according to Mercury.

"Mercury found a way to trim 24 pounds off their new 150 FourStroke, while helping to satisfy the growing need for superb fuel efficiency and performance," said IBEXinnovation awards judge Zuzana Procheska.

Despite the engine's small size and low weight, the new 150 boasts a 3.0-liter, four-cylinder in-line configuration that creates superior power for single or twin applications, according to the Mercury release.

"We listened to what boaters were asking for and then set out to build the ultimate 150-horsepower outboard," said Mark Schwabero, president of Mercury Marine. "The finished product is an engine that is incredibly durable — more durable, in fact, than any other 150 ever built — but is actually lighter than the less-durable engines of our competition. It delivers great fuel efficiency and tremendous performance."

Despite the list of precedent-setting features and benefits, Mercury's new 150 is also affordable — about $2,500 less than the competition's 150-horsepower engine, Mercury stated, according to the news release.

The new 150 FourStroke is designed, built and tested to be the most reliable and durable 150-horsepower four-stroke ever built, which means it will start and run consistently and last longer on any body of water anywhere in the world.