2019 Yamaha 20 HP F20SWHB Outboard Motor

Hand steering, a 15-inch shaft, and a starter that works by battery or by cord describe the 2019 Yamaha F20SWHB, 20 hp from two cylinders. This fuel-injected, 432cc four-stroke ships new at 130 lbs, redlining at 6000 rpm with 5000 rpm the low end of its full-throttle range.

Who it suits

The pull-cord backup on this tiller motor is there for the day the battery does not cooperate, without giving up push-button starting the rest of the time. At 130 lbs, it carries a little more weight than the manual-only version of this same engine because of the added starter hardware.

Before you order

A shaft that is shorter than the transom needs will leave the gearcase running too high, hurting both steering feel and cooling, so put the 15-inch shaft figure next to the boat's own transom measurement before ordering.

On the water

Day to day, expect to start this one from the tiller-mounted switch just like any electric-start motor; the pull cord sits in reserve for the rare time the battery will not turn the engine over. Owners moving between several boats in a season tend to like keeping that fallback close at hand.

Common questions

Will the pull cord work if the battery is dead? Yes, it bypasses the electrics entirely. Is steering by tiller or console? Tiller, by hand. Shipping weight and warranty? 130 lbs, with a 3-year term.