2018 Mercury 8 Hp 8MLH Outboard Motor

At 84 lbs, the 2018 Mercury 8MLH (SKU 8MLH-18) pairs an 8 HP twin-cylinder engine with the long shaft, manual starting, and tiller control.

Suited uses

Long-shaft, manually started 8 HP motors like this fill in as auxiliary power on sailboats, work as trolling or kicker motors, and bolt onto pontoons, skiffs, and jon boats that ride a bit taller at the transom. Mercury's auto-ratchet hardware lets the operator set tilt angle by hand, and the tiller brings shifting, throttle, and steering together in one grip.

Build specifications

No internal battery is fitted, since starting stays manual on this one. The gearcase runs a 2.08:1 ratio, and top speed reaches close to 6,000 rpm. Mercury's saltwater rating applies, backed by its usual three-year factory term. Check shift linkage adjustment if gear engagement ever feels soft.

Q: Does this model include a battery? No, there is no internal battery on this manual-start unit.

Q: What boats suit the long shaft? Pontoons, skiffs, and jon boats sitting a bit taller at the transom than short-shaft hulls.

Q: Does starting need a battery? No, this unit starts manually by pull cord, with no alternator or battery fitted.

Q: Is the trim system powered or manual? Manual, adjusted by hand through the auto-ratchet hardware rather than any powered switch at the helm.

See other Mercury outboards in the 8 HP range.

Specifications