2018 Mercury 15 Hp 15MH Outboard Motor

The 2018 Mercury 15MH is a new, manual-start tiller outboard rated at 15 HP, with a 15-inch short shaft and a four-stroke powerhead displacing 351cc. Rather than carrying the extra weight and wiring of electric start, this one keeps things simple with a pull cord, which suits owners running a smaller fishing boat, dinghy, or inflatable where low weight at the stern matters.

Starting and electrical

Because this is manual start, there is no onboard alternator for charging a battery; Mercury offers an alternator kit as a separate, optional purchase for owners who want to run small electronics or keep a battery charged. Full-throttle engine speed falls between 5400 and 5600 RPM, somewhat higher than the electric-start version's range in this lineup. Fuel is carbureted rather than injected, supplied from an external tank rated at 6.6 gallons.

Durability and coverage

Mercury backs the lower end with a saltwater rating and multi-layer corrosion protection, paired with electronic safeguards that watch for overheating, over-revving, and starting in gear by accident. A 3-blade aluminum propeller spins on the same 2.15:1 gearcase used elsewhere in this lineup, and Mercury covers this one with a three-year warranty.

Does this have a battery charging option? Not out of the box; Mercury sells an alternator kit separately for owners who need one.

Is this electric or manual start? Manual pull-start only.

Specifications