Predictika · Marine engine quotes

An AI sales agent's Mercury outboard quote, checked before it goes out

An AI sales agent prepares a quote for Mercury Marine outboards (FourStroke, Pro XS, SeaPro and Verado) on a customer's boat: engine model, number of engines, shaft length, controls, steering, propellers and the boat's horsepower and transom limits. Before it goes out, the agent sends it to Predictika, which checks it against a declarative model and returns a verdict, every reason, a line-item quote and the figures it computed. The product names and horsepower are Mercury's; the compatibility rules and prices on this page are modeled, not Mercury's.

Scope: Mercury outboard packages (FourStroke, Pro XS, SeaPro and Verado, 150 to 600 hp) on a customer boat: horsepower rating, transom, shafts, controls, steering and prices, all modeled. See everything this validator covers

This validator models quotes for ten Mercury outboards (FourStroke 150, 250 and 300; Pro XS 300; SeaPro 300; Verado 250, 300, 350, 425 and 600), not just the scenarios shown below.

  • Boat limits — total horsepower against the boat's rating, engine spacing against transom width, engine weight against the transom load limit, and the shaft length against the transom height.
  • Options — Digital Throttle and Shift controls, Joystick Piloting, Electric Steering (multi-engine Verado), the VesselView display and propeller material, each only where the model allows it.
  • Quote — a line-item quote with a dealer discount (over 12 percent needs a sales manager; over 30 percent is blocked), compared with the horsepower, weight and net price the agent states.

What is public and what is modeled. Mercury's public pages give the product families, horsepower ratings, V8, V10 and V12 designations, Digital Throttle and Shift, Joystick Piloting, Electric Steering for multi-engine boats and engine spacing of 26 inches (V8) and 27 inches (V12). The rest is modeled from comparable outboard products and is not Mercury-published: engine weights, shaft availability, maximum engines per boat, which options each model accepts, the 12 percent approval threshold, and every price. Prices are illustrative; Mercury does not publish a price list that this quote follows. Any Mercury outboard quote that touches these rules is in scope, as modeled. Not covered: sterndrive and inboard engines (Mercury MerCruiser), other Brunswick brands and boats, Avator electric outboards, portable engines below 150 hp, the 175 to 225 hp models, rigging parts beyond those listed, freight, taxes, and warranty or Product Protection terms.

The AI sales agentBuilds the outboard quote from the conversation and says it is ready.
Predictika validatorChecks every rule at once and returns the verdict, each finding, the line-item quote and the computed figures.

7 scenarios in 3 groups · each group runs from the agent’s first attempt to the outcome · click one to switch

What the agent proposes

The AI sales agent says

Illustrative agent statement. The validator receives the structured request below.

Proposing agent: AI sales agent (scripted)

Before sending, the agent must call Recorded run

Predictika validator


      

        
        
        
      

      
Waiting for the call.

      
    

  

  
  

    
Where rules-based CPQ gets it wrong
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Our assessment of what a typical rules-based CPQ (product rules, price rules and validation rules, as in Salesforce CPQ) does with the same cases. It is a judgment about effort and reliability, not a claim that nothing can be built.

    
What the validator caughtTypical rules-based CPQPredictika
Options that depend on the engine modelOnly with workarounds
Shaft lengths, controls, joystick and steering differ by model, so the allowed combinations become a table of many pairwise rules.		The options are looked up per model on every call, in any order the choices arrive.
Totals across a number of enginesOnly with care
Horsepower, weight and transom width are totals over a quantity; each needs a calculated field and a rule against the boat limit.		Totals are computed and compared with the boat in the same call.
Stated figures that must match computed onesOnly with care
A typed horsepower, weight or net price can be compared with a computed one, but each comparison is a separate validation rule.		The stated figures travel with the quote and are compared on every call.
Discount thresholdsEasy
A discount approval rule is a standard CPQ feature.		The same threshold is checked with everything else.
Every problem returned in one answerOnly with workarounds
A rep often fixes one error and meets the next.		All findings come back together, whatever order the choices arrived in.

  

  

    
What this validator catches: findings from its test cases
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Every rule is checked on every call, in any order the choices arrive; one problem never hides another. Blocking findings stop the quote; approval findings need a person to sign off; everything else is computed. The rules and prices are modeled, not Mercury's own.

    
13 engines are quoted; this model is quoted with 1 to 2 engines on one boat.
23 engines on one boat need a rigging review before the quote is released.
3The engines need 82 inches of transom width; the transom is 70 inches wide.
4The engines weigh 1,725 pounds in total; the transom is rated for 1,500 pounds.
5The engines add up to 600 horsepower; the boat is rated for 599 horsepower.
6The shaft length is 25 inches; the transom height calls for 30 inches.
7The chosen shaft length is not offered for this engine model.
8This engine model is quoted with Digital Throttle and Shift controls only; mechanical controls are chosen.
9This engine model is quoted with stainless steel propellers only; aluminum propellers are chosen.
10Joystick Piloting is quoted only with Verado engines.
11Joystick Piloting needs Digital Throttle and Shift controls.
12Electric Steering is quoted only for Verado engines on a boat with two or more engines.
13The VesselView display is quoted only with Digital Throttle and Shift controls.
14A discount of 13 percent is above the 12 percent a dealer rep can give; a sales manager should approve it.
15The discount of 31 percent is outside the 0 to 30 percent range.
16The quote states 500 horsepower in total; the engines add up to 600.
17The quote states 1,000 pounds of engines; the model weights add up to 1,180.
18The quote states a net price of $0.01; the illustrative prices give $66,000.00.

  

  

    
Scenarios and results
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The recorded result of the validator for each scenario on this page: the request the AI agent sent, the verdict, and every finding, in the order they appear above.

    
1. Verado twin with joystick: Two Verado 300 with mechanical controls, joystick, VesselView and L shafts

    
The agent's request. Please quote 2 Mercury Verado 300 (V8) outboards with mechanical controls, Joystick Piloting, a VesselView display and aluminum propellers and L shafts, for a boat rated for 700 horsepower with a 25 inch transom height, 80 inches of transom width and a 2,000 pound transom load limit. The quote states 600 horsepower in total, 1,280 pounds of engines and a net price of $83,600.00. It is ready to send.

    
Verdict: Blocked.

    
    
      
  • Shaft length not offered for this model. The chosen shaft length is not offered for this engine model.
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  • Shaft length does not match the transom. The shaft length is 20 inches; the transom height calls for 25 inches.
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  • Digital Throttle and Shift required. This engine model is quoted with Digital Throttle and Shift controls only; mechanical controls are chosen.
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  • Joystick Piloting needs Digital Throttle and Shift. Joystick Piloting needs Digital Throttle and Shift controls.
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  • VesselView needs Digital Throttle and Shift. The VesselView display is quoted only with Digital Throttle and Shift controls.
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2. Verado twin with joystick: The agent resubmits after fixing the errors

    
The agent's request. Please quote 2 Mercury Verado 300 (V8) outboards with Digital Throttle and Shift controls, Joystick Piloting, a VesselView display and aluminum propellers and XL shafts, for a boat rated for 700 horsepower with a 25 inch transom height, 80 inches of transom width and a 2,000 pound transom load limit. The quote states 600 horsepower in total, 1,280 pounds of engines and a net price of $85,900.00. It is ready to send.

    
Verdict: Allowed.

    
    
      
  • Order summary. 2 engines, 600 horsepower in total, 1,280 pounds of engines, list price $85,900, net price $85,900.00.
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3. Verado 425 on a lighter transom: Three Verado 425 with aluminum propellers on a lighter transom

    
The agent's request. Please quote 3 Mercury Verado 425 (V10) outboards with Digital Throttle and Shift controls and aluminum propellers and XL shafts, for a boat with a 25 inch transom height and 100 inches of transom width. The quote states 1,275 horsepower in total, 2,280 pounds of engines and a net price of $156,450.00. It is ready to send.

    
Verdict: Blocked.

    
    
      
  • Stainless propeller required. This engine model is quoted with stainless steel propellers only; aluminum propellers are chosen.
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  • Three or more engines on one boat. 3 engines on one boat need a rigging review before the quote is released.
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4. Verado 425 on a lighter transom: The agent resubmits after fixing the errors

    
The agent's request. Please quote 2 Mercury Verado 425 (V10) outboards with Digital Throttle and Shift controls and stainless propellers and XL shafts, for a boat with a 25 inch transom height and 100 inches of transom width. The dealer discount is 15 percent. The quote states 850 horsepower in total, 1,520 pounds of engines and a net price of $90,015.00. It is ready to send.

    
Verdict: Needs approval.

    
    
      
  • Discount above 12 percent. A discount of 15 percent is above the 12 percent a dealer rep can give; a sales manager should approve it.
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  • Order summary. 2 engines, 850 horsepower in total, 1,520 pounds of engines, list price $105,900, net price $90,015.00.
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5. Verado 425 on a lighter transom: The agent resubmits after fixing the errors

    
The agent's request. Please quote 2 Mercury Verado 425 (V10) outboards with Digital Throttle and Shift controls and stainless propellers and XL shafts, for a boat with a 25 inch transom height and 100 inches of transom width. The dealer discount is 10 percent. The quote states 850 horsepower in total, 1,520 pounds of engines and a net price of $95,310.00. It is ready to send.

    
Verdict: Allowed.

    
    
      
  • Order summary. 2 engines, 850 horsepower in total, 1,520 pounds of engines, list price $105,900, net price $95,310.00.
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6. Electric Steering and stated figures: A single FourStroke 300 with Electric Steering and a stated horsepower of 350

    
The agent's request. Please quote 1 Mercury FourStroke 300 (V8) outboard with mechanical controls, Electric Steering and aluminum propellers and XL shafts, for a boat with a 25 inch transom height, 40 inches of transom width and a 1,500 pound transom load limit. The quote states 350 horsepower in total, 590 pounds of engines and a net price of $37,500.00. It is ready to send.

    
Verdict: Blocked.

    
    
      
  • Electric Steering needs a multi-engine Verado. Electric Steering is quoted only for Verado engines on a boat with two or more engines.
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  • Stated horsepower does not match. The quote states 350 horsepower in total; the engines add up to 300.
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7. Electric Steering and stated figures: The agent resubmits after fixing the errors

    
The agent's request. Please quote 2 Mercury Verado 300 (V8) outboards with Digital Throttle and Shift controls, Electric Steering, Joystick Piloting, a VesselView display and aluminum propellers and XL shafts, for a boat rated for 700 horsepower with a 25 inch transom height, 80 inches of transom width and a 2,000 pound transom load limit. The dealer discount is 8 percent. The quote states 600 horsepower in total, 1,280 pounds of engines and a net price of $83,168.00. It is ready to send.

    
Verdict: Allowed.

    
    
      
  • Order summary. 2 engines, 600 horsepower in total, 1,280 pounds of engines, list price $90,400, net price $83,168.00.
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Narration transcript
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The text of the narrated walkthrough, step by step.

    
    
      
  1. Welcome to a demo of Predictika's Validator. An AI sales agent prepares a quote for Mercury Marine outboards (FourStroke, Pro XS, SeaPro and Verado) on a customer's boat: engine model, number of engines, shaft length, and more. Before it goes out, the agent sends it to Predictika, which checks it against a declarative model and returns a verdict, every reason, a line-item quote and the figures it computed. The product names and horsepower are Mercury's; the compatibility rules and prices on this page are modeled, not Mercury's.
    2. 
      
  2. I will start with the first request by the agent.
    3. 
      
  3. The agent says. Please quote 2 Mercury Verado 300 (V8) outboards with mechanical controls, Joystick Piloting, a VesselView display and aluminum propellers and L shafts. The quote states 600 horsepower in total, 1,280 pounds of engines and a net price of $83,600.00. The rest of the request is on screen.
    4. 
      
  4. Before it goes out, the agent calls the validator.
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  5. Blocked, with five findings, all in one answer. The chosen shaft length is not offered for this engine model. The shaft length is 20 inches; the transom height calls for 25 inches. This engine model is quoted with Digital Throttle and Shift controls only; mechanical controls are chosen. The other two are on screen.
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  6. The validator returned five blocking findings in one answer. A check that reads one field at a time would pass most of this; it shows only when the choices in the quote are checked against each other.
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  7. What this shows: for options that depend on the engine model, a rules-based CPQ can do this only with workarounds.
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  8. Now the agent resubmits.
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  9. The corrected request. It changes the shaft length to XL (25 inch), the controls to Digital Throttle and Shift and the stated net price to $85,900.00.
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  10. It calls the validator again.
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  11. This time the validator clears it.
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  12. The validator also returns the line-item quote. It starts with Mercury Verado 300 (V8) outboard (illustrative list price) and Digital Throttle and Shift controls; the other three lines are on screen.
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  13. All five earlier findings are cleared, and the validator's total, $85,900.00, matches the quote.
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  14. Five problems caught in one call, fixed in one pass, and a clean $85,900.00 quote. That is the value of Predictika's validator: catching mistakes before they reach the customer. Now you can try the other scenarios yourself.
    15.