Mercury 20MLH FourStroke Outboard Motor

This used Mercury 20MLH is the tiller-steered, manual-start FourStroke built around a 20 inch shaft, a straightforward fit for jon boats, dinghies, and sailboat auxiliaries that do not need remote controls or power trim.

What it brings to the transom

Inside is an inline-two block, 20.3 cubic inches or 333 cc, bore 2.40 inches and stroke 2.24 inches. EFI feeds a single overhead cam, CDI handles ignition with electronic spark advance, and the standard gearcase turns a 2.15 to 1 ratio. Full throttle sits in the 5700 to 6200 rpm band. Shift is F-N-R through-prop exhaust, cooling is water with a thermostat, and shallow water trim opens up to 16 degrees for working a flat or a beach.

Before you mount it

Measure your transom first: 20 inches is a specific length, not a range, and a tiller motor cannot be adapted to remote steering later. Tiller steering and manual trim mean no remote cable and no electric trim circuit to wire in, which keeps the install simple on a small hull. At 99 lbs dry it is light enough for two people to carry on and off a trailer. A propeller ships with it, finished in Phantom Black. Mercury calls for 87 octane with up to 10 percent ethanol, and either a 25W-40 synthetic blend or Mercury FC-W 10W-30 four-stroke marine oil. A remote tank option can hold 3.2 gallons (12 liters) if you prefer not to run an integral tank.

Does it come with a propeller? Yes, a propeller ships with this motor.

Is this rigged for remote controls? No, it is a tiller-handle motor with manual trim, a good match for a small boat run by hand rather than from a helm station.