Mercury 3.5MLH FourStroke Outboard Motor

This used Mercury 3.5MLH FourStroke is the long-shaft sibling of Mercury's lightest outboard, carrying a 20 inch shaft and 360 degree tiller steering instead of the shorter shaft used elsewhere in the 3.5 HP range.

Fit and handling

At 41 lbs it stays light enough to lift on and off a small boat by hand, while the 20 inch shaft suits a deeper transom than the short-shaft version. Tiller steering turns a full 360 degrees, with reverse coming from spinning the handle rather than a separate gear, and the throttle carries its own tension control for steady cruising speed.

Powerhead and running gear

A single-cylinder four-stroke spins to a 5000-6000 rpm full-throttle peak on a carbureted fuel system, with CDI ignition and electronic spark advance. Cooling is water-cooled with a thermostat, the integral fuel tank holds 1.1 liters, and the gearcase runs a 2.15:1 ratio with forward-neutral shift. Shallow water trim range is 16 degrees, and Mercury calls for 90 RON fuel at minimum with its FourStroke 10W-30 oil.

Condition and coverage

Being used, expect wear in line with its service history. Mercury covers this engine for 5 years total: 3 years of standard factory warranty, with the Product Protection Gold plan adding 2 more.

Does this model have power trim? No, this is a manual tiller motor with no power trim switch.