2019 Yamaha 20 HP F20SMHB Outboard Motor

EFI meets pull-cord starting on the 2019 Yamaha F20SMHB: 20 hp from two cylinders, a 15-inch shaft, tiller steering, no electric starter fitted. New, it weighs 126 lbs, and full throttle covers a 5000-to-6000-rpm band.

What to check before buying

If the transom runs taller than this shaft length, the motor will sit too high in the water and both steering and cooling will suffer for it, so set the boat's transom height alongside the 15-inch shaft figure before ordering. That is not something that can be corrected after delivery.

Who it suits

Manual start keeps the electrical side of this motor simple, with no battery or wiring to plan for, while EFI fuel delivery still gives more consistent starting and running across temperature swings than a carbureted engine would. That combination suits an owner who wants fuel-injection reliability without the added weight of a starter motor.

Maintenance to expect

Without a charging system, service stays limited to the usual seasonal items: fuel, spark plug, gearcase oil, and the pull-cord mechanism itself, rather than anything electrical beyond the ignition. That short list is part of why some owners choose manual start even when an electric version of the same engine is available.

Common questions

Is fuel delivery carbureted or injected? Fuel-injected, via EFI. Does starting need a battery? No, it is pull-start only. How much does it weigh? 126 lbs, with a 3-year warranty.