2018 Mercury 20 Hp 20MLH Outboard Motor

The 2018 Mercury 20 HP 20MLH Outboard Motor combines a 20-inch long shaft with manual pull-cord starting and tiller steering, weighing 118 pounds.

Long shaft, manual start

This configuration suits a taller transom than Mercury's short-shaft manual-start 20 HP model, while skipping electric start keeps weight and complexity down compared with the electric long-shaft version of the same engine. Tilt is manual, lifted by hand rather than a power switch, which keeps the motor lighter overall.

Tiller operation

Throttle, forward-neutral-reverse shifting, and steering are built into the tiller handle at the stern. The gearcase runs a 2.15:1 ratio, matching Mercury's other 20 HP tiller motors in this lineup regardless of shaft length or start type.

Matching this motor to your boat

A 20 HP long-shaft tiller motor like this one is a common match for larger jon boats, small aluminum fishing boats, and similar craft that need more transom height than a short-shaft engine provides but do not need the added hardware of power tilt or remote steering.

Manual tilt in daily use

Lifting the motor by hand to clear shallow water or a trailer bunk becomes routine quickly on a manual-tilt outboard like this one, and most owners find a simple tilt lock or transom saver worthwhile for trailering so the motor is not bouncing on its own weight over rough roads.

Common questions

What shaft length is this? 20 inches, Mercury's long-shaft 20 HP configuration.

Is tilt manual or powered? Manual tilt on this model, which carries Mercury's standard three-year warranty as a new motor.

Specifications