2018 Mercury 15 Hp 15EXLHPT-PK-CT Outboard Motor

Mercury's 2018 15EXLHPT-PK-CT is the extra-long-shaft ProKicker in this lineup, built for sailboats and dedicated trolling with a 25-inch shaft, power tilt, and Mercury's Command Thrust gearcase. Command Thrust pairs a larger-diameter propeller with a taller gearcase than a standard 15 HP tiller motor, so the prop runs deeper in turbulent water for steadier bite at low speed.

Why Command Thrust matters

A taller gearcase keeps the propeller below the turbulence a hull kicks up at slow speed, which is why Command Thrust models like this one are a common choice for sailboat auxiliary power and dedicated trolling, rather than planing a small boat quickly. The low 2.15:1 gear ratio paired with the 4-blade, high-thrust propeller favors pulling power over top speed.

What to check before buying

Confirm your boat calls for the full 25-inch shaft before ordering, since this is Mercury's extra-long option built for taller transoms than the standard 15 HP tiller lineup. The heavy-duty transom bracket and power tilt system, adjustable through a wide range, are built for the extra stress of kicker-style use. This engine's warranty runs three years from Mercury; confirm the gear ratio for your specific unit with us before ordering if it matters for your application.

Is this a good primary motor for a small boat? It's built around Command Thrust trolling and sailboat auxiliary use rather than planing performance.

How is the propeller different from a standard 15 HP model? It uses a larger-diameter, 4-blade high-thrust design instead of the standard 3-blade prop.

Specifications