2015 Nissan 20 Hp NSF20CEF1 Outboard Motor

At 20 HP, the Nissan NSF20CEF1 rides on a short, 15-inch shaft and starts at the push of a button rather than a pull cord, built for boats with a lower transom that still want quick, keyless starting. Tiller steering puts throttle and shift control right at the motor.

What to check before buying

Shaft height needs to match your transom; this short-shaft version sits lower in the water than the long-shaft edition of the same engine. Two cylinders feed through a carburetor, with SOHC valves and a thermostat-regulated water jacket keeping temperatures steady, and the whole unit is cleared for saltwater use. The electric starter pulls power from a 145-watt alternator wired in as standard gear, so there's no separate charging kit to source. Trim and tilt stay manual, worked by hand rather than through a switch, and the gearbox shifts forward-neutral-reverse off a lever up front, turning a 3-blade aluminum prop sized at 9.2 inches across with 9.8 inches of pitch.

Common questions

Can this run in salt water? Yes, it's cleared for saltwater use.

Is a separate charger needed for the battery? No; the alternator built into this electric-start version handles that while the motor runs.

What's included at purchase? A fuel tank and line, the propeller already described, a printed manual and tool kit, and Nissan's 5-year warranty.

The fuel supply is a 3.1-gallon tank mounted outside the motor, linked by a quick-connect hose, a simple arrangement for a motor this size. Buyers moving up from a smaller tiller motor generally find the step to push-button starting the easiest adjustment of all.

Specifications