Mercury 5HP Propane outboard motor

This used Mercury 5HP Propane outboard motor, Mercury's ME 5 MH model, runs on the same propane you would use for a grill tank instead of gasoline, with an automatic propane shutoff valve built into both the engine and the fuel hose connector for added safety. Mercury markets the propane setup as cleaner-burning, with roughly 25 percent lower exhaust emissions than a comparable gasoline motor, and no priming required before starting.

Weight and output

This engine starts at just 59.5 lbs, making it an easy motor for one person to lift onto a transom without help. From a 123cc displacement, Mercury rates it at a true 5 horsepower, suited to aluminum tiller, inflatable, and jon or utility boats.

Fuel setup

Mercury supplies a fuel hose, about 6 feet or 1.8 meters long, that joins the motor to a propane tank through a standard US POL fitting on the tank end, the connector found on most consumer propane cylinders. A 20-pound (5-gallon) propane tank gives roughly 10 hours of boating at full throttle by Mercury's own figures, useful for estimating how much propane to bring on a trip. This example is sold used, so wear will vary with its history; tell us if you need hours or maintenance records before buying.

Can I use any propane tank with this motor? Any tank fitted with a standard US POL connector should work with the included fuel hose.

Does propane really need less maintenance? Mercury markets it that way, since there is no carburetor for fuel residue to foul. Mercury outboards