MERCURY 5 HP 5MXLH OUTBOARD MOTOR

Description

The Mercury 5 HP 5MXLH outboard motor is a 5 hp four stroke with a 25 inch extra long shaft. That’s an unusual size for a small portable, and it exists for one reason: some boats have a transom or bracket so tall that even a standard long shaft leaves the prop close to the surface. If yours is one of them, this motor puts the prop down where it can actually work. We have it for sale new, with the Mercury factory warranty, and we ship worldwide.

Extra long shaft small motors are hard to find, so a lot of people who need one end up compromising. You don’t have to. Here’s what the Mercury 5 HP 5MXLH outboard motor offers, which boats need it, and how to be sure it’s the right length.

On this page:

• Why an extra long shaft
• How to measure
• Boats that need it
• On the water
• Features
• Specifications
• Maintenance
• Alternatives
• Price and shipping
• FAQ

Why an extra long shaft?

An outboard’s prop needs to sit in solid water, deep enough that it doesn’t suck air from the surface. On most small boats a 15 or 20 inch shaft does that. But some boats sit their motor much higher. Sailboats with a fixed bracket high on the stern. Boats with a deep, high transom. Catamarans and some cruising yachts where the motor hangs off a stern platform. Houseboats and pontoon style craft with a high deck.

Fit a 20 inch shaft on one of those and the prop runs close to the surface. The motor ventilates, loses grip, races, and in any sort of swell it can pop right out of the water. You lose thrust exactly when you need it, and the engine gets a hard time.

The Mercury 5 HP 5MXLH outboard motor solves that with a 25 inch shaft, five inches deeper than a standard long shaft. On the right boat, that difference is huge. The prop stays buried even as the stern lifts on a wave, and you get all the thrust the engine can make.

The model code: 5 horsepower, M manual start, XL 25 inch extra long shaft, H tiller handle.

How to measure for the Mercury 5 HP 5MXLH outboard motor

Measure from the top of your transom or the top of the motor bracket, where the clamps sit, straight down to the bottom of the hull or to the waterline if it’s a bracket. As a guide:

• About 15 inches: short shaft, like the 5MH
• About 20 inches: long shaft, like the 5MLHA
• About 25 inches: extra long shaft, this Mercury 5 HP 5MXLH outboard motor

On a bracket, lower it to its working position and look at where the motor’s anti ventilation plate would sit. You want it several inches under the surface with the boat loaded as you normally use it. If a 20 inch shaft would leave it at or near the surface, the extra long shaft is the right call.

Still unsure? Send us a photo with a tape measure against your transom or bracket through the contact page. We’ll tell you which length you need.

Boats that need the Mercury 5 HP 5MXLH outboard motor

• Sailboats with a high fixed outboard bracket
• Small cruising yachts using an outboard as auxiliary power
• Catamarans with the motor mounted on a high stern platform
• Houseboats and small pontoon style craft with a high transom
• Workboats and barges with a deep transom

For boats with a normal height transom, the extra shaft length just adds drag and weight, so stick with a short or long shaft model.

Running the Mercury 5 HP 5MXLH outboard motor

Starting

Open the fuel vent and tap, set the choke when cold, put it in neutral, clip on the lanyard and pull. Start in gear protection keeps it from starting in gear.

Shifting

Forward, neutral and reverse with a front mounted lever, easy to reach from the tiller.

Steering and throttle

Adjustable steering tension, so you can lock it straight and steer with the rudder. Twist grip throttle with friction control.

Shallow water drive

Six trim positions and a shallow water setting. With the longer shaft, the shallow water drive is especially useful when you come into thin water.

Exhaust

Through the prop hub, so it’s quiet and the fumes stay below the surface.

RPM

Full throttle is 4,500 to 5,500 rpm. Speed depends on your boat.

Mercury 5 HP 5MXLH outboard motor features

• 25 inch extra long shaft
• Larger carburetor and propeller than the 4 hp
• Digital CD ignition with spark advance
• High grade marine alloy construction
• Stainless steel water pump housing
• Zinc coated water passages
• Rated for saltwater use
• Sacrificial zinc anodes
• Forward, neutral and reverse gear shift
• Forward mounted gear shift selector
• Adjustable steering tension control
• Twist grip throttle with tension control
• Integrated carry handle
• Thermostat controlled water cooling
• Shallow water drive with 6 trim positions
• Quiet through propeller hub exhaust
• 1.15 litre integral fuel tank with external tank connection
• Start in gear protection
• Low oil pressure warning indicator
• ESG over rev protection
• Safety lanyard stop switch
• Owner’s manual
• Mercury Marine 3 year warranty

Mercury 5 HP 5MXLH outboard motor specifications

Mercury’s FourStroke outboards page has the manufacturer’s overview. Ask us to confirm any detail for your unit.

Maintaining the Mercury 5 HP 5MXLH outboard motor

Fuel

Fresh 87 octane, no more than 10% ethanol. Before any long break, shut off the fuel and run it until it stops so the carb is empty.

Oil

About 450 ml of 10W-30. Check before each trip. First change at 20 hours, then every 100 hours or yearly.

Gear case

Change gear lube yearly. Milky lube means water ingress.

Cooling and salt

Check the telltale on every start. Rinse the Mercury 5 HP 5MXLH outboard motor with fresh water when you can and check the anodes.

Carrying

The longer shaft makes it a bit more awkward to carry. Hold it upright by the handle and watch the lower unit doesn’t catch on things. Lay it down only on the side shown in the owner’s manual.

For boating safety basics, see the US Coast Guard boating safety site.

What goes wrong with the wrong shaft length

It’s worth spelling this out, because we see the same story over and over. Someone with a tall transom or a high bracket buys a 20 inch long shaft motor because it’s the longest they can find in a small size. On a calm day at the dock it seems fine. Then they head out into a bit of a swell, the stern lifts, and the motor starts to scream as the prop grabs air. The boat slows, the motor races, and the owner backs off the throttle until the wave passes. Over and over.

That’s not just annoying. It’s hard on the engine, because it keeps over revving. It’s hard on the water pump, because the intake can briefly suck air instead of water. And it can be downright unsafe if you need thrust to get off a lee shore or through a harbour entrance with waves running.

The Mercury 5 HP 5MXLH outboard motor puts an extra five inches of depth between the prop and the surface. That’s often the difference between a motor that fights you and one that just gets on with it.

Buyer questions about the Mercury 5 HP 5MXLH outboard motor

“Is 5 hp enough for my yacht?”

For small cruising sailboats and day boats in sheltered waters, often yes. For heavier yachts, or anywhere with strong tides and exposed conditions, you may want more. Mercury also makes the 9.9MXLH with the same extra long shaft and nearly twice the power. Tell us about your boat and we’ll give you an honest recommendation.

“Is it heavier than the long shaft?”

Only slightly. The Mercury 5 HP 5MXLH outboard motor weighs about 59 pounds, one more than the 20 inch model. The bigger difference is length, which makes it a little more awkward to carry.

“Can I use it on a normal transom?”

You can, but you shouldn’t. On a normal height transom the extra shaft sits too deep, adding drag and making it more likely to hit the bottom in shallow water. Buy the shaft length your boat needs.

“Does it have a built in fuel tank?”

Yes, just over a litre, plus a standard external tank connection for longer runs.

“Can it charge my battery?”

Not as standard, but an optional 12 volt charging coil can be fitted. If charging and extra thrust matter most, have a look at the 5MXLHA-LPG Sail Power, which includes both on a 25 inch shaft.

Installing the Mercury 5 HP 5MXLH outboard motor

Before you lift anything, check the height of your bracket or transom again and make sure you have enough room below it for a 25 inch lower unit, especially if the bracket folds or slides. Then lower the bracket to its working position.

Lift the motor on by the carry handle and centre it. Tighten both clamp screws firmly by hand. Tie a safety line from the motor to a strong fitting, because dropping a motor over the stern from a high bracket is a very expensive mistake. Raise and lower the bracket, and steer the motor through its full range, to make sure the longer leg clears the rudder, the hull and any stern ladder.

Check the oil, add fresh fuel, clip on the lanyard, put it in neutral and start. Let it warm up and check the cooling telltale. Take it for a gentle first run, varying the throttle for the first couple of hours. Change the oil after the first 20 hours.

Getting the best from it

Set the tilt pin so the Mercury 5 HP 5MXLH outboard motor runs as close to vertical as possible with the boat at rest and loaded. On a sailboat, lock the steering straight once under way and steer with the rudder. When sailing, lift the motor clear of the water to cut drag and stop weed and barnacles growing on the lower unit.

Watch the throttle too. On a displacement hull, the last bit of throttle adds little speed but uses a lot more fuel. Find the point where the boat stops accelerating and back off a touch. You’ll save fuel and the motor will be quieter.

Off season storage

Flush the cooling system with fresh water, run the carb dry, drain the tank, change the oil and gear lube, and grease the swivel and clamp screws. Store the Mercury 5 HP 5MXLH outboard motor upright on a stand tall enough for the extra long leg, or on its correct side as the owner’s manual shows. Keep it somewhere dry. In spring, add fresh fuel, check the oil, and it’s ready to go.

Spares to keep aboard

A spare spark plug and spanner, a shear pin or prop hardware, a spare lanyard, a small bottle of engine oil and a spare fuel line O ring if you use an external tank. Keep them in a dry bag. With those on board, most small problems on the water become a quick fix rather than a tow.

Why a small Mercury

Mercury’s small four strokes are sold and serviced almost everywhere in the world. Parts like impellers, plugs, anodes and props are easy to find, even far from home. That matters for a cruising boat. The Mercury 5 HP 5MXLH outboard motor is built on the same proven 5 hp powerhead as the rest of the range, so any Mercury dealer will know it well.

Real boats where the Mercury 5 HP 5MXLH outboard motor makes sense

The small cruising yacht

Many small cruising yachts in the 20 to 26 foot range use an outboard on a stern bracket instead of an inboard. Often that bracket sits high to keep the motor clear of following seas. The Mercury 5 HP 5MXLH outboard motor reaches down far enough to keep the prop biting when the stern pitches, which makes a real difference coming into harbour against a swell.

The catamaran tender motor or auxiliary

Some small catamarans mount the motor on a crossbeam or a bracket between the hulls, well above the water. A standard long shaft often can’t reach properly. The extra five inches can be exactly what’s needed.

The houseboat or pontoon runabout

Small houseboats and pontoon style craft with a high deck at the stern sometimes need an extra long shaft for a small auxiliary or get home motor. At 5 hp, this motor is useful for moving the boat slowly around a marina or up a quiet river.

The work barge or punt

Flat work barges with a deep transom, used around moorings, fish farms or construction sites, sometimes need a motor with a long reach. The Mercury 5 HP 5MXLH outboard motor gives them a light, simple, pull start option.

A note on fuel for occasional use

Auxiliary motors often run only a few minutes at a time and can sit for weeks. That’s hard on small carburetors, because gasoline goes stale. Buy fuel in small amounts, keep the tank vent closed when not in use, and run the carb dry before any long break. If your boat sits a lot and stale fuel has been a problem before, look at the propane powered 5MXLHA-LPG, which has the same extra long shaft and never has stale fuel issues.

Security for a motor on a high bracket

An outboard sitting on a stern bracket is an easy target, and small motors are among the most stolen items around marinas. If your Mercury 5 HP 5MXLH outboard motor lives on the boat, fit a lock over the clamp screws. It’s inexpensive and it deters the casual thief. Record the serial number and keep it with your receipt, which also helps if you ever need warranty work. Some owners engrave the boat name on the cowl and bracket. If you leave the boat unattended for a long time, lifting the motor off and storing it at home or in a locked shed is the safest option of all.

It’s also worth checking whether your boat insurance covers the outboard, and what it requires in terms of locks. Many policies are strict about this, and a few minutes spent checking now can save a lot of trouble later.

Paperwork, warranty and keeping records

When your Mercury 5 HP 5MXLH outboard motor arrives, write down the serial number and keep it with your invoice. Take a photo of the serial plate on your phone too. If you ever need warranty work, a dealer will ask for both, and it makes the process much quicker. The Mercury factory warranty starts from the date of purchase, so hang on to that paperwork.

It is also worth keeping a simple log: date, engine hours if you have them, oil changes, gear lube changes, impeller replacements and anything unusual you noticed. It takes seconds after each service, and it adds real value if you ever sell the boat. Buyers pay more for an engine with a clear service history, and it helps any mechanic you work with understand the motor quickly.

Check your boat insurance as well. Many policies have specific requirements for outboard security, such as a lock on the clamps or bracket, and some ask for the serial number. Better to sort that out on day one than find out after a problem.

Alternatives to the Mercury 5 HP 5MXLH outboard motor

5MXLHA-LPG Sail Power: extra long shaft, propane fuel, high thrust prop and charging.

5MLHA Sail Power: 20 inch shaft with high thrust prop and charging.

9.9MXLH: extra long shaft with nearly twice the power, for bigger boats.

5MH: the standard short shaft 5 hp.

See the full range in our Mercury outboard motors category.

Mercury 5 HP 5MXLH outboard motor for sale: price and worldwide shipping

The price of the Mercury 5 HP 5MXLH outboard motor is at the top of this page. Add it to your cart, or contact us for a delivered quote.

In the box

• Mercury 5 HP 5MXLH outboard motor, new
• 3 blade aluminum propeller, fitted
• Built in fuel tank with external tank connection
• Owner’s manual
• Mercury Marine 3 year factory warranty from the date of purchase

Shipping

We ship worldwide by courier or freight, securely packed, dry and tracked. We’ll explain import duty and taxes for your country before you pay if you ask.

Buying from us

Read our refund and return policy, see our customer reviews, and visit the about page.

Mercury 5 HP 5MXLH outboard motor FAQ

What shaft length is it?

25 inches, extra long.

Does it have reverse?

Yes, forward, neutral and reverse.

How heavy is it?

About 59 pounds.

Does it charge a battery?

Not as standard. An optional 12V 50W charging coil can be fitted.

Is it new?

Yes, with the full Mercury factory warranty.

Do you ship worldwide?

Yes. Contact us for a delivered quote.

Order your Mercury 5 HP 5MXLH outboard motor

If your transom or bracket is too tall for a normal long shaft, the Mercury 5 HP 5MXLH outboard motor is the fix. Add it to your cart, or ask us a question. You can also browse all our outboard motors for sale.