2017 Mercury 20 HP 20MH Outboard Motor

Mercury built the 2017 20 HP 20MH Outboard Motor with the same manual start, 15-inch short shaft, tiller steering, and manual tilt that carried into the following model year.

Why choose manual start

Without electric start, there is no starter motor or battery wiring to maintain, which keeps this version of the 20 HP block simpler than Mercury's electric-start 20EH. A 12-amp, 138-watt alternator is offered as an option for owners who want some charging capability without the added weight of full electric start.

Shaft and steering

Transom height decides whether the short shaft here or Mercury's 20-inch long-shaft 20 HP engine is the right fit, not preference, since mounting either on the wrong boat hurts both cooling and thrust. This motor keeps throttle and forward-neutral-reverse shifting on the tiller handle, the same control layout as Mercury's other short-shaft 20 HP models.

A simple engine for a simple job

For a dinghy, jon boat, or small utility boat that just needs to get from point to point, a manual-start, tiller-steered 20 HP outboard like this one covers the job without the added cost and weight of electric start, power tilt, or remote controls.

Upkeep on an older model year

Regardless of model year, a carbureted 20 HP engine like this one rewards fresh fuel and a quick look at the propeller for fishing line or debris before each outing, since both are common, easily avoidable causes of rough running.

Common questions

What model year is this unit? 2017.

Does it have electric start? No, this is the manual pull-cord version, sold new under Mercury's standard three-year warranty.

Specifications