2019 Mercury 8 HP 8ELH Outboard Motor

SKU 8ELH-19 identifies the 2019 Mercury 8ELH: an 8 HP twin, electric-started and tiller-steered, mounted on the long shaft rather than the short one, at 93 lbs.

Why buyers choose the long shaft

This configuration suits small pontoons, skiffs, and jon boats sitting higher off the water than a short-shaft hull, along with sailboat auxiliary duty and bracket-mounted trolling or kicker setups. Tilt and trim angle adjust through Mercury's auto-ratchet hardware, worked right at the tiller alongside throttle and shift.

Engine and electrical

Top rpm on this twin reaches close to 6,000, with a 76-watt alternator handling the electric starter and a manual backup ready through the cowl. The 3.2-gallon tank mounts outside the cowl rather than built in, and Mercury rates the motor for saltwater running. Gearcase and warranty both match Mercury's standard spec: a 2.08:1 ratio and three years of factory coverage from the purchase date. Tilt the motor fully up when trailering to keep the lower unit clear of ramps.

Q: Short shaft or long shaft on this listing? Long.

Q: How is tilt adjusted on this unit? By hand, through Mercury's auto-ratchet hardware at the tiller, not a powered system.

Q: Is a battery needed to start it? Yes, electric starting on this build draws on the boat's own battery.

Compare it to other Mercury outboards at nearby shaft lengths.

Specifications