MERCURY 20 HP EFI 20ELH OUTBOARD MOTOR

Description

The Mercury 20 HP EFI 20ELH outboard motor gives you the features most long shaft boat owners want in one package: electric start, a 20 inch long shaft, electronic fuel injection, a 12 amp charging system, the multi-function tiller, a heavy duty transom bracket and vibration absorbing mounts. At about 114 pounds, with a large 333 cc twin, it’s strong, smooth and still portable. A 3.2 gallon fuel tank comes with it. We have it for sale new with the Mercury factory warranty and ship worldwide.

If you’ve got a long shaft jon boat, skiff, small pontoon or sailboat rated for 20 hp, the Mercury 20 HP EFI 20ELH outboard motor is one of the most sensible all round choices.

On this page:

• Why the Mercury 20 HP EFI 20ELH outboard motor
• Boats it suits
• Features
• Specifications
• Maintenance
• Alternatives
• Price and shipping
• FAQ

Why the Mercury 20 HP EFI 20ELH outboard motor

Because it gets the balance right. The big displacement engine and tuned intake give fast acceleration and quick planing, and the prop is matched to get a loaded boat up and running without fuss. Fuel injection means clean, choke free starting and smooth running, and electric start with a pull cord backup means you’re never left pulling hard on a cold morning.

The 12 volt, 138 watt, 12 amp alternator is a real asset if you carry electronics. It keeps a fish finder, livewell and lights going, and on a sailboat it helps the house battery for navigation lights and instruments.

The heavy duty transom bracket and vibration absorbing mounts make it well suited to boats that see regular use, and the canister oil filter keeps maintenance easy.

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

Boats the Mercury 20 HP EFI 20ELH 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 20EH. Check your capacity plate.

• Long shaft jon boats and skiffs, 15 to 17 feet
• Small pontoon and deck boats
• Trailer sailers and keelboats rated for 20 hp
• Larger fishing boats as a strong kicker
• Work and utility boats

On the water

Clip on the lanyard, put it in neutral and press start. It fires instantly, idles smoothly and pulls strongly from low rpm. Shift, throttle and steer from the tiller. Full throttle is 5,400 to 6,100 rpm.

Buyer questions

“Power tilt or manual tilt?”

The 20ELH has manual tilt. If you’ll tilt the motor often, or it’s awkward to reach, the 20ELHPT adds power tilt.

“Will it work as a kicker?”

On larger boats, yes. Electric start and 12 amp charging suit kicker duty well.

Mercury 20 HP EFI 20ELH outboard motor features

• 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
• Heavy duty transom bracket
• Vibration absorbing wishbone mount
• Easy maintenance canister oil filter
• Multi-function tiller with forward, neutral and reverse
• Stainless steel water pump housing
• Zinc coated water passages, saltwater rated
• 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 20 HP EFI 20ELH 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 20 HP EFI 20ELH outboard motor

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

Oil: about 1 quart; change oil and canister filter at 20 hours, then every 100 hours or yearly.

Gear case: change the lube yearly.

Battery: clean terminals; keep 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 20 HP EFI 20ELH 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 20 HP EFI 20ELH 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 20 HP EFI 20ELH outboard motor somewhere dry. Twenty minutes in autumn saves hours of frustration in spring.

Paperwork, warranty and keeping records

When your Mercury 20 HP EFI 20ELH 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 20 HP EFI 20ELH 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 20 HP EFI 20ELH 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 20 HP EFI 20ELH 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 20 HP EFI 20ELH 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 20 HP EFI 20ELH 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 20 HP EFI 20ELH outboard motor

On a 16 foot long shaft jon boat with electronics, it planes quickly and keeps the battery charged. On a small pontoon, it gives a relaxed family cruise with push button convenience. On a 24 foot trailer sailer rated for 20 hp, it has plenty in reserve against wind and tide, and the 12 amp alternator helps the house battery run lights and a VHF.

Setting up

At about 114 pounds, lift with help. Centre it, tighten the clamp screws firmly and tie a safety line to the boat. Fit the battery in a secure, vented box and connect it as the owner’s manual shows. Connect and prime the fuel, check the oil, clip on the lanyard, put it in neutral and press start. Check the cooling telltale and follow the break in guidance for the Mercury 20 HP EFI 20ELH outboard motor.

Your first run

The first hours of a new engine matter. For your Mercury 20 HP EFI 20ELH outboard motor, follow the break in guidance in the owner’s manual. In broad terms: run at varied speeds, avoid long periods at full throttle, and don’t let it idle for ages either. Keep an eye on the cooling telltale and gauges, and listen for anything unusual.

After the break in period, change the engine oil and filter if fitted, and check the gear lube. From then on, just use it and service it on schedule. A well run in engine rewards you with smoother running and a longer life.

Alternatives to the Mercury 20 HP EFI 20ELH outboard motor

20MLH EFI: manual start, lighter, no battery needed.

20ELHPT EFI: adds power tilt.

15ELH EFI: the 15 hp version.

25ELH EFI: more power.

See the range in our Mercury 20 HP section and main Mercury outboard motors category.

Mercury 20 HP EFI 20ELH outboard motor for sale: price and worldwide shipping

The current price of the Mercury 20 HP EFI 20ELH 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 20 HP EFI 20ELH outboard motor, new
• 3.2 gallon fuel tank and quick connect fuel line
• 3 blade aluminum propeller, fitted
• Owner's manual
• Mercury Marine 3 year 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 20 HP EFI 20ELH outboard motor FAQ

What shaft length is the Mercury 20 HP EFI 20ELH 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 20 HP EFI 20ELH outboard motor

Long shaft, electric start, fuel injection and strong charging in one package. Add the Mercury 20 HP EFI 20ELH 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.