2018 Yamaha F15 Portable Tiller F15SMHA Outboard Motor

Pull-start rather than electric sets this F15SMHA apart from its tiller-handle siblings; the 362cc two-cylinder block here puts out 15 hp, the shaft measures 15 inches, and at 111 lbs dry it is the lightest in this F15 group.

Why go manual start

Skipping the battery and starter motor means fewer electrical parts to maintain, which appeals to buyers who want a simple primary or backup motor on a small boat. The short 15-inch shaft keeps it sized for light craft, tilt tops out at 67 degrees, and trim runs between -4 and +16 degrees, same range as its electric-start equivalent.

A single carburetor feeds the engine through CDI microcomputer ignition, and a 10-amp alternator covers basic electrical needs even without electric start wired in.

A motor this light is easy to lift on and off a transom by hand, which matters for anyone who stores the boat on a trailer and rigs the motor fresh each time out rather than leaving it mounted.

Questions buyers ask

Can this be started without pulling a cord? No, this particular trim is manual pull-start only.

What's the warranty? This engine carries 3 years of pleasure and government coverage and 1 year commercial, as Yamaha states it.

Is it tiller or remote steered? Tiller handle, worked by hand at the motor.

What's the alternator rated at? 10 amps, enough for basic electrical loads even without a starter battery to charge.