Mercury 60HP Elhga FourStroke Outboard w/ Command Thrust

The GA in this new Mercury 60HP outboard's ELHGA code stands for Gas Assist, meaning the tilt mechanism is lifted by a gas strut rather than by an electric trim motor or a plain manual lever. Steering here is by tiller handle, start is electric, and the shaft is the 20-inch long version. Paired with the Command Thrust gearcase, which spins a larger propeller to carry more load at low rpm, this rigging suits pontoons and loaded aluminum boats that need push more than speed.

Specs that matter

Mercury rates full throttle at 5500 to 6000 rpm and lists a displacement of 60.8, with EFI handling fuel delivery instead of a carburetor. Dry weight is 247 lbs. Gas-assist trim is a mechanical compromise: lighter at the handle than a fully manual tilt, without drawing power the way an electric trim pump does.

Fitting it to your boat

Make sure your transom is cut for a 20-inch long shaft before you order, since this engine is not offered here in a shorter or longer shaft length. No propeller comes with the unit, so budget separately for one matched to Command Thrust's low-speed bias. A 3-year Mercury warranty covers the engine, and standard inclusions are the owner's manual and mounting hardware, plus a tool kit and quick-connect fuel line.

Is gas-assist trim the same as power trim and tilt? No. Gas assist uses a spring-loaded strut to help lift the motor by hand; power trim and tilt use an electric motor instead. Mercury outboards