2017 Mercury 8 HP 8MH Outboard Motor

No alternator, no battery: this 2017 Mercury 8MH (SKU 8MH-17) starts by pull cord, running 8 HP over two cylinders on the short shaft with tiller control.

Why go manual start

Without an electric starter to wire in, this configuration works well as a backup kicker or on a small boat with no onboard electrics at all, trading push-button convenience for a simpler, lighter setup. The multi-function tiller handle still covers F-N-R shifting, throttle, throttle tension, steering, and the stop switch from one grip, and Mercury's auto-ratchet hardware handles tilt without extra tools.

Build specifications

This carbureted twin tops out near 6,000 rpm, pulling fuel from an outside tank rather than a built-in one. Gearcase ratio is 2.08:1. Mercury rates it for saltwater, with factory backing good for three years from purchase. Jon boats and skiffs are the usual fit for this short shaft, rather than the higher-transom hulls that call for the long-shaft version. A motor stand makes it easier to move a unit this size around a dock.

Q: Does this motor need a battery to start? No, a pull-cord starter means no battery or alternator is involved.

Q: Is this the short-shaft or long-shaft 8MH? Short-shaft; the long-shaft version is sold as a separate 8MLH listing.

Browse other Mercury outboards with manual starting.

Specifications