2018 Yamaha F20 Portable Tiller F20SMHA Outboard Motor

This F20SMHA skips electric start in favor of a pull cord, unlike its tiller-handle relatives; displacement stays at 362cc across two cylinders rated 20 hp, the shaft runs 15 inches, and dry weight comes in at 111 lbs.

The case for skipping electric start

Running without a battery or starter motor keeps things mechanically simple: less wiring to corrode, nothing to keep charged between trips, and one less system that can leave you stranded. On the water this trim still tilts to 67 degrees and trims between -4 and +16 degrees, matching the electric-start F20SEHA built on the same short shaft.

Even without electric start, a 10-amp alternator keeps the single carburetor and CDI ignition fed with enough spark and charge for basic accessories.

Being the lightest tiller-steered F20 in this lineup also means less heft to wrestle when loading it into a truck bed or a storage locker, a detail that matters for anyone who rigs the motor fresh each time rather than leaving it mounted permanently.

Questions buyers ask

Can this be started electrically? No, this trim is pull-start only.

What's the warranty? The warranty spans 3 years for pleasure and government operation, 1 year for commercial.

Is steering by tiller or console? Tiller handle, worked by hand at the motor.

Does the shaft length affect how it tilts? No, the tilt and trim range is set by the engine, not the shaft, so it stays the same across both shaft lengths Yamaha offers on this family.