MERCURY 15 HP EFI 15ELH OUTBOARD MOTOR

Description

The Mercury 15 HP EFI 15ELH outboard motor is a fuel injected, electric start 15 hp on a 20 inch long shaft, with a 12 amp charging system and Mercury’s adjustable, ambidextrous tiller. It’s built around the 333 cc twin cylinder powerhead, the largest in its class, and it weighs about 114 pounds. A 3.2 gallon fuel tank is included. We have it for sale new with the Mercury factory warranty and ship worldwide.

It’s a superb all rounder for long shaft jon boats, skiffs, small pontoons and sailboats, especially where you already have a battery and electronics aboard. Here’s why the Mercury 15 HP EFI 15ELH outboard motor is so popular.

On this page:

• Why the Mercury 15 HP EFI 15ELH outboard motor
• The ambidextrous tiller
• Boats it suits
• Features
• Specifications
• Maintenance
• Alternatives
• Price and shipping
• FAQ

Why the Mercury 15 HP EFI 15ELH outboard motor

It puts together everything most long shaft boat owners want. The large displacement engine delivers strong low end torque for quick planing and relaxed cruising. Electronic fuel injection gives clean, choke free starting in any weather. Electric start, with a pull cord backup, makes it effortless. And the 12 volt, 138 watt, 12 amp alternator keeps a battery properly charged, even with a fish finder, livewell and lights running.

Mercury’s wishbone mount keeps vibration away from the tiller and transom, the tuned intake gives crisp throttle response, and the canister oil filter makes oil changes quick and clean. It also has shallow water drive, a quiet through prop exhaust, start in gear protection, a low oil pressure warning and ESG over rev protection.

Model code: 15 hp, E electric start, L 20 inch long shaft, H tiller, EFI electronic fuel injection.

The ambidextrous tiller

Mercury describes this as the first portable outboard with an ambidextrous tiller. The handle can be set up for use with either hand, and adjusted for height and angle so it sits comfortably whether you’re sitting on a thwart or a raised seat. Forward, neutral and reverse shifting, throttle and throttle tension, steering and the stop switch are all on the tiller. For kicker use, it can even be set up to suit which side of the main engine it’s mounted on.

Boats the Mercury 15 HP EFI 15ELH outboard motor suits

Measure from the top of your transom or bracket to the bottom of the hull. About 20 inches means this long shaft. About 15 inches means the 15EH. Check your boat’s maximum horsepower rating.

• Long shaft jon boats and skiffs, 14 to 16 feet
• Small pontoon and deck boats
• Trailer sailers and small keelboats
• Kicker duty on mid size fishing boats
• Utility and work boats

On the water

Clip on the lanyard, put it in neutral and press start. No choke. The motor settles into a smooth idle and pulls strongly from low rpm, getting a loaded boat onto the plane quickly. Full throttle is 5,000 to 6,000 rpm.

Buyer questions

“Is the 15ELH a good kicker?”

It can be, on mid size boats. For dedicated kicker use with power tilt and a trolling prop, the 15ELHPT ProKicker is purpose built.

“Is it a good sailboat motor?”

Yes, on trailer sailers and keelboats rated for 15 hp. Electric start and 12 amp charging suit sailboats well.

Mercury 15 HP EFI 15ELH outboard motor features

• Ambidextrous, adjustable tiller handle
• Large 333 cc twin cylinder powerhead
• Electronic fuel injection
• Electric start with 12V 138W 12A alternator
• Through cowl backup manual start
• 20 inch long shaft
• Tuned intake for quick acceleration
• Wishbone mount for reduced vibration
• Easy maintenance canister oil filter
• Stainless steel water pump housing
• Zinc coated water passages, saltwater rated
• Sacrificial zinc anodes and trim tab
• Tiller integrated forward, neutral and reverse
• Thermostat controlled cooling
• Shallow water drive
• Quiet through prop hub exhaust
• 3.2 gallon fuel tank and line
• Start in gear protection, low oil pressure warning, ESG over rev protection

Mercury 15 HP EFI 15ELH outboard motor specifications

For the manufacturer’s own overview of the range, see Mercury’s FourStroke outboards page. Mercury updates details between model years, so if one spec really matters to your purchase, ask us and we’ll confirm it on the exact unit we ship.

Maintaining the Mercury 15 HP EFI 15ELH outboard motor

Fuel: fresh 87 octane, up to 10% ethanol.

Oil: about 1 quart of 10W-30. Change oil and canister filter at 20 hours, then every 100 hours or yearly.

Gear case: change the lube yearly.

Battery: clean terminals; keep it charged over winter.

Cooling: check the telltale every start; flush after saltwater use.

If you’re newer to boating, the US Coast Guard boating safety site is worth a read. It’s written for US boaters, but the advice on kill cords, life jackets, fuel handling and navigation rules applies wherever you are in the world.

What electronic fuel injection means for you

The Mercury 15 HP EFI 15ELH outboard motor uses electronic fuel injection, or EFI, instead of a carburetor. In plain terms, a small computer measures things like air temperature and engine load and injects exactly the right amount of fuel every time. You don’t need to fiddle with a choke. It starts easily whether it’s a frosty morning or a hot afternoon, it idles smoothly, and it responds cleanly when you open the throttle.

EFI is also less fussy about sitting. Carburetors have tiny jets and a fuel bowl that gum up when old fuel evaporates inside them. A sealed injection system is much more tolerant, although fresh fuel is still the best policy. And because the fuel is metered precisely, EFI motors tend to be more economical, which means more time on the water per tank.

Mercury’s small EFI engines can even start and run without a battery on manual start models: the pull of the cord generates enough power for the fuel injection system to fire. That’s a clever bit of engineering, and it means you get the benefits of EFI without having to carry a battery if you don’t want to.

Kicker motor basics

A kicker is a small outboard mounted beside a boat’s main engine, mainly for trolling. Big engines are built to run fast, and many can’t idle down slowly enough for trolling. Running them at idle for hours also isn’t kind to them. A kicker like the Mercury 15 HP EFI 15ELH outboard motor trolls all day at a steady low speed, burns a fraction of the fuel and saves hours on the main engine.

It also doubles as a get home motor. If the main engine fails, a kicker will bring a mid size fishing boat back to the ramp slowly but surely. For anglers who fish big lakes or open water, that backup alone is reason enough to fit one.

Most kickers are mounted on a dedicated kicker bracket, which lifts the motor clear of the water when you’re running on the main engine. A connector bar can link the kicker’s steering to the main engine, so you steer from the helm while trolling.

Using your motor through the seasons

In spring, check the oil, fit fresh fuel, look over the fuel line and connectors for cracks, and run the engine on a flushing attachment or in a test tank before the first real trip. Look for a strong cooling stream and a smooth idle.

Through summer, the main jobs are fresh fuel, regular oil checks and rinsing after saltwater use. Keep an eye on the propeller for dings. A damaged prop costs you speed and fuel, and can cause vibration.

In autumn, before the boat is laid up, do the full storage routine: flush, change the oil and gear lube, deal with the fuel system as the owner’s manual describes, grease the moving parts and store the Mercury 15 HP EFI 15ELH outboard motor somewhere dry. Twenty minutes in autumn saves hours of frustration in spring.

Paperwork, warranty and keeping records

When your Mercury 15 HP EFI 15ELH 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.

Why buy from us

We deal in outboard motors every day, and we would rather give you a straight answer than make a quick sale. If you are not sure the Mercury 15 HP EFI 15ELH outboard motor is the right motor for your boat, message us with the make, model and length of the boat, how you use it and where you boat. We will tell you honestly whether it is a good match or whether something else would suit you better.

Every motor is packed carefully for the journey, and we keep you updated from dispatch to delivery with tracking. We ship worldwide, and we are happy to explain in advance what to expect with import duties and local taxes in your country, so there are no surprises when it arrives.

After you buy, we are still here. If you have questions about setup, break in or maintenance, just ask.

A small spares kit worth carrying

You do not need a workshop on board, but a few cheap parts turn most breakdowns into a ten minute fix. For the Mercury 15 HP EFI 15ELH outboard motor, we suggest a spare spark plug and the right spanner, spare propeller hardware, a spare kill cord, a small bottle of engine oil, a couple of fuses if the motor has electrics, and a fuel line O ring or connector seal. Add some cable ties, a roll of self amalgamating tape and a basic multi tool.

Pack it all in a small dry bag, keep it in the boat, and check it every spring. Most owners never need it. The ones who do are very glad it was there.

A quick checklist before every trip

It sounds obvious, but most days that go wrong on the water start with something small that got missed at the dock. Before you head out with your Mercury 15 HP EFI 15ELH outboard motor, run through this in your head:

• Enough fresh fuel for the trip, plus a sensible margin
• Engine oil checked and at the right level
• Motor mounted securely and everything tight
• Kill cord clipped to you, not left on the tiller or dash
• Cooling telltale spraying water once the engine is running
• Life jackets, a way to call for help, and a small spares kit aboard

It takes a minute or two. It is also the habit that separates relaxed boat owners from the ones waiting for a tow.

More questions we get asked

Can I install the Mercury 15 HP EFI 15ELH outboard motor myself?

Many owners do, following the owner’s manual. If you are not confident with mounting, rigging or electrics, a local marine mechanic can set it up quickly, and it is money well spent.

How often does it need servicing?

Check the oil before every trip. Change the engine oil and gear lube at least once a year, or at the hour intervals in the owner’s manual, whichever comes first. Inspect the water pump impeller regularly and replace it as recommended.

What fuel should I use?

Fresh unleaded petrol of the octane rating shown in the specifications, with no more than 10% ethanol, unless it is a propane model. Old fuel is the cause of most running problems.

Can I pay in instalments?

Payment options vary by country. Contact us and we will tell you what is available for your order.

Why fuel care matters so much

If there’s one thing that decides whether an outboard starts first time or leaves you pulling and swearing at the ramp, it’s fuel. Modern petrol, especially with ethanol blended in, starts to break down within weeks. It absorbs moisture, separates and leaves gummy deposits that block the tiny passages in fuel systems.

For your Mercury 15 HP EFI 15ELH outboard motor, the rules are simple. Buy fresh fuel from a busy station. Don’t store it for months in a can. Keep the tank vent closed when the boat isn’t in use. Use a fuel stabiliser if the boat will sit for more than a few weeks. And before any long lay up, deal with the fuel system as the owner’s manual describes, rather than leaving old fuel inside the engine. It’s a few minutes of effort that saves a lot of cost and frustration.

Real world setups for the Mercury 15 HP EFI 15ELH outboard motor

The 16 foot jon boat with electronics

A long shaft jon boat with a fish finder, trolling motor battery and lights. The Mercury 15 HP EFI 15ELH outboard motor planes it quickly with two anglers aboard, and its 12 amp charging helps keep the starting battery healthy.

The trailer sailer

A 24 foot trailer sailer with a cabin and a small house battery. Push button starting when the wind drops, strong reserve for tides, and proper charging for lights and a VHF.

Setting up

At about 114 pounds, lift with help. Centre it on the transom or bracket, tighten both clamp screws firmly and tie a safety line to the boat. Fit a battery in a secure, vented box and connect the cables as shown in the owner’s manual. Connect and prime the fuel, check the oil, clip on the lanyard, put it in neutral and press start. Check the telltale and follow the break in guidance.

Alternatives to the Mercury 15 HP EFI 15ELH outboard motor

15MLH EFI: pull start, lighter, no battery needed.

20ELH EFI: the same package at 20 hp.

15ELHPT-CT-PK ProKicker: power tilt and Command Thrust for kicker use.

See the range in our Mercury 15 HP section and main Mercury outboard motors category.

Mercury 15 HP EFI 15ELH outboard motor for sale: price and worldwide shipping

The current price of the Mercury 15 HP EFI 15ELH outboard motor is shown at the top of this page. You can add it to your cart and check out straight away, or if you’d rather talk to a person first, send us a message through our contact page and we’ll come back to you with a full delivered price to your country.

What you get

• Mercury 15 HP EFI 15ELH outboard motor, new
• 3.2 gallon fuel tank and quick connect fuel line
• 3 blade aluminum propeller, fitted
• Owner's manual
• Mercury Marine factory warranty from the date of purchase

A battery isn't included.

Shipping worldwide

We ship to buyers all over the world. Every motor is packed securely for the journey and sent by courier, freight or sea depending on its size and where you are, with tracking from dispatch to delivery. Import duty and local taxes depend on your country, and we’re happy to explain what to expect before you pay so there are no surprises.

Buying with confidence

Have a read of our refund and return policy, see what other boat owners have said on our customer reviews page, and find out more about who we are on the about page.

Mercury 15 HP EFI 15ELH outboard motor FAQ

What shaft length is the Mercury 15 HP EFI 15ELH outboard motor?

20 inches, long shaft.

How much does it charge?

Up to 12 amps.

How heavy is it?

About 114 pounds.

Is a battery included?

No.

Do you ship worldwide?

Yes. Contact us for a delivered quote.

Order your Mercury 15 HP EFI 15ELH outboard motor

Long shaft, fuel injection, push button start and 12 amp charging in one strong package. Add the Mercury 15 HP EFI 15ELH outboard motor to your cart now, or send us a question first. You can also compare it with the rest of our outboard motors for sale.