2019 Yamaha 20 HP F20SMHA Outboard Motor

No alternator, no battery, just a pull cord: that describes starting on the 2019 Yamaha F20SMHA, 20 hp from two cylinders on a 15-inch shaft, tiller-controlled. New, it weighs 111 lbs, displacing 362cc, and its full-throttle band runs from 5000 up to 6000 rpm.

Who it suits

No battery, no starter motor, and no charging wiring keeps this version of the F20 light and simple, which suits boats where easy carrying and a minimum of parts to maintain matter more than push-button starting. At 111 lbs, it is among the lighter motors in this horsepower range.

Before you order

Too tall a transom paired with this shorter shaft means the lower unit spends its time near the surface, which is bad news for both cooling and bite, so put the 15-inch shaft measurement next to the boat's own transom height before ordering. Being carbureted, fuel should be stabilized or drained before extended storage.

What simple means here

No alternator output to manage, no battery to keep charged, and no starter motor to fail: this is about as few parts as a 20 hp four-stroke gets, which some owners prefer precisely because there is so little that can go wrong with it.

Common questions

How is fuel delivered on this engine? Through a single carburetor, not EFI. Does it have an electric starter? No, pull-cord only. Weight and warranty? 111 lbs, with Yamaha's 3-year coverage.