2018 Mercury 15 Hp 15ELH Outboard Motor

The 2018 Mercury 15ELH pairs the same 15 HP, 351cc four-stroke powerhead as Mercury's short-shaft tiller motors with a 20-inch long shaft, electric start, and a weight of 124 lb. It's aimed at boats that need the extra shaft length, including some skiffs and inflatables where a short-shaft motor would sit too high out of the water.

What to check before buying

This is Mercury's long-shaft tiller model, so measure your transom before ordering rather than assuming the shorter option in this lineup will do; a shaft that sits too high or low hurts both handling and top speed. Trim and tilt are manual, the carbureted engine runs on an external tank through a quick-connect fuel line, and top engine speed falls in the 5000 to 6000 RPM range at full throttle.

Power and coverage

A 2.15:1 gear ratio turns a 3-blade aluminum propeller sized at 9.2 inches in diameter, and the 12-volt, 138-watt alternator that comes with electric start keeps a small starting battery charged through repeated starts. Mercury backs this motor with a five-year warranty, longer than the standard coverage on some of its short-shaft siblings.

Can I use this on a boat built for a short-shaft motor? Not well; a 20-inch shaft sits lower than a 15-inch one and needs a taller transom.

Is the trim power-assisted? No, trim and tilt are adjusted by hand on this model.

Specifications