2018 Mercury 9.9 Hp 9.9MLH-CT Outboard Motor

The 9.9MLH-CT from 2018 adds Mercury's BigFoot lower unit to the long-shaft, pull-start 9.9, weighing 96 lb as the taller gearcase and larger propeller add weight over the standard-gearcase build in the same size class.

Where BigFoot pays off

A taller, high-thrust gearcase pushes more water at low RPM, which helps on wider or heavier hulls, sailboats running this as auxiliary power, and trolling or kicker setups where holding speed and position matters more than top-end speed across open water.

Still a manual, 20-inch-shaft motor

Start and tilt remain manual: a ratcheting tilt lever and pull-cord starter, with the shaft length set at 20 inches, suited to standard-height transoms rather than tall or unusually shallow ones. The tiller grip covers steering, throttle, and shifting at once, typical for a motor used as backup or trolling power on a larger boat.

Deciding between this and the standard 9.9MLH

If your hull is on the heavier or wider side, or you plan to troll for long stretches, the extra weight of the BigFoot gearcase buys real low-speed control that the lighter standard gearcase can't match.

Common questions

What's different from the standard 9.9MLH? This version carries the BigFoot gearcase and a larger four-blade propeller for extra low-speed thrust.

Is starting manual or electric? Manual, pull-cord start.

Does it run in saltwater? Yes.

Specifications