2017 Mercury 15 HP 15MLH Outboard Motor

Taller transoms are what the 20-inch shaft on Mercury's 2017 15MLH is built for, part of a manual-start, 15 HP tiller family that also sells a shorter option for lower-sitting boats. Power for this one comes from a 21.4-cubic-inch four-stroke design shared across the lineup.

Charging without electric start

Pulling the starter cord rather than pressing a button doesn't mean giving up battery charging here: a 12-amp, 138-watt alternator is standard on this particular long-shaft model, something not every manual-start motor in this range includes. The engine is carbureted rather than fuel-injected, drawing air through a single overhead cam design.

Build and coverage

A 2.15:1 gearcase and 3-blade aluminum propeller handle the mechanical side, with saltwater-rated construction protecting the water passages against corrosion. Mercury backs this long-shaft model with a three-year factory warranty, the same term offered on the short-shaft version in this lineup.

Does the alternator come standard on this model? Yes, unlike some manual-start siblings where it is sold separately.

What shaft length does this use? The 20-inch long-shaft option.

Is steering tiller or remote? Tiller, with the gear shift built right into the handle rather than a separate console lever.

Does it have power trim? No, both trim and tilt are adjusted by hand on this engine.

Specifications