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Back in my VooDoo days ?I thought the Merc triple would be a good option. It had 1.64 gears so I thought it would be easier to find props.

No one races them now - not enuf power? Didn't Brian Sherrif (sp?) race a Merc 60?

Would it be good for a cottage VooDoo?. Another VooDoo would be fun if my wife didn't think two boats was plenty. I have two now.

I run a short shaft on a Thundercat, never had a problem finding props.
Merc still offer Chopper II & Trophy, Mertens make a killer Cleaver if you are willing to step up $$.

Would a 52 cu in be competitive on a T boat? Doubt it, but they're reliable cottage motors.

Jimmy Allan did race one. The only draw back is the head is part of the block so its hard to get compression on par with the others. There are ways out side of the rules but it's easier to run an SST60 spec OMC.

The 60 is a nice little motor for the voodoo though....if you can't find a Yamaha 70 .

Both Jimmy Allen and Brian Sherriff raced Speedmaster prep 60 cubic inch 60 hp Mercurys. They were both very competitive in PPR FV against the 49 OMC and the 70CES yamaha. Brian tested a lot with Jim Whittington and the two boats were very close in performance. The Yamaha was 1 mile an hour faster top end and the 60 Merc was faster zero to 55 mph. The only advantage with both motors over the OMC was hole shot. If they could get a head of the OMCs, they were difficult to past. That advantage changed when Craig Ferrier ran an SST60 motor. Craig dominated the class for the first few races which had a long run to the first pin off the dock and longer straights. The Nationals were in Sudbury later that year. Short run to the first pin off the dock and shorter straights. At the draw for dock start position Jim Whittington drew number 1, Jimmy Allen 2, Brian Sherriff 3, Craig Ferrier 4. Craig finished third in the Nationals that year and first in high points.
There is a fellow in the states that sells replacement mod pistons for the 60 cubic inch Mercury. Some say those pistons make a big improvement in performance. check Ron Hills site.

a little off topic, maybe not..

I have a 52ci 60 that compared to my former Yammi Pro50 has tonnes of torque even below 3000rpm, but this Merc really struggles to rev past 5000rpm. Is there any way to move the power band up the rev range, maybe by modding the exhaust tuner?

There's not much above 5000 and they're only rated to turn 5500, more practically 5250.
Exhaust tuner work would only move your power band up at the expense of mid power.
What prop you running?
A smaller diameter prop of similar pitch to what you're running now would let the motor rev more freely.

I've got one on a runabout at the house here and it's the same deal. Lots of bottom end but not much up top. I think the 2 carbs vs 3 cylinders may have something to do with it...and it's got a bunch of compression.

Mine is a 1996. It has 3 carbs.

Props I have are a Yamaha 10.25x15" polished stainless, and a 10.125x14" painted black stainless.

The 15" has plenty get up and go even with extra load in the boat. But it needs to be trimmed up quite far for it to rev over 5000k even when I try for speed with light loads.

This is on a runabout; prop runs fully submerged. Gearcase has 1.64 gears.

That's about as small a diameter as one could go.
It's obviously too loaded fully submerged. Our little 18" Chopper II will rev easily in surfacing mode, so will our 12"x20" Mertens Cleaver.
Get that motor UP... say propshaft 1 1/2" below pad and watch your water exit. If you see steam instead off a steady stream of water Slow Down and adjust.
We run a stock lower but it could stand to have the top 2 intake holes filled.
And oh ya... Red Locktite those 2 carrier retaining bolts, they'll work their way out. Not a good thing!!!