MERCURY 25 HP 25ELHGA JET

Description

The Mercury 25 HP 25ELHGA jet is a fuel injected, three cylinder jet outboard built for water most boats can’t reach. Instead of a propeller hanging below the hull, it uses a jet pump that sits roughly level with the bottom of the boat, so you can run shallow rivers, gravel bars and flats in just inches of water. It has electric start, tiller steering, gas assisted tilt, a 15 amp charging system and a stainless steel impeller. We have it for sale new with the Mercury factory warranty and ship worldwide.

If you hunt, fish or work on shallow rivers and you’re tired of hitting bottom with a prop, the Mercury 25 HP 25ELHGA jet is the kind of motor that opens up whole new stretches of water.

On this page:

• Why the Mercury 25 HP 25ELHGA jet
• Reading the model code
• Boats and uses
• Features
• Specifications
• Jet care
• Alternatives
• Price and shipping
• FAQ

Why the Mercury 25 HP 25ELHGA jet

Access. A normal outboard’s gearcase and prop extend well below the hull. In shallow, rocky or snag filled water, that’s where the damage happens. A jet outboard has nothing hanging down, so the boat can go wherever it floats, give or take. For duck hunters, river anglers, guides, and anyone who works on braided rivers or tidal flats, that changes everything.

Mercury built this jet on its smooth three cylinder, 526 cc EFI powerhead. Fuel injection gives reliable starting and clean throttle response. Electric start is quick and easy, and the 15 amp, 186 watt alternator keeps a battery charged for lights and electronics. The stainless steel impeller stands up to the sand, grit and small stones that inevitably get drawn through a jet pump in river use.

There’s another advantage people don’t always think about. With no exposed prop, a jet is safer around people in the water, which is why jets are popular for rescue craft and for boats used near swimmers or divers.

Reading the model code

• 25 is the powerhead horsepower.
• E is electric start.
• L is the long transom height, listed here as 20 inches.
• H is tiller handle steering.
• GA is gas assisted tilt.
• Jet means the gearcase is replaced by a jet pump.

The manual start version is the 25MLHGA Jet.

Boats and uses for the Mercury 25 HP 25ELHGA jet

• Flat bottom aluminum river boats and jon boats
• Duck and waterfowl hunting boats working shallow marshes
• Fishing boats on shallow, rocky rivers
• Rescue and work boats where a prop would be a hazard
• Tidal flats and estuaries with shifting sand bars

Jet setups need the correct transom height and hull shape to work well. The pump intake should sit level with the bottom of the hull. If you’re converting from a prop outboard, talk to us about transom height and mounting before you buy.

On the water

Clip on the lanyard, put it in neutral and press start. The three cylinder engine idles smoothly. Shift and steer from the tiller. Get the boat on plane in deeper water first, then run into the shallows; a jet boat on plane draws very little water. Avoid sucking up gravel by not idling or powering hard in very shallow water. Full throttle is 5,000 to 6,000 rpm.

Buyer questions

“Will a 25 jet be as fast as a 25 prop motor?”

No. Jets trade some efficiency for access, so expect roughly the performance of a smaller prop motor. Most jet buyers happily accept that for where it lets them go.

“Can I run it in saltwater?”

Many owners do. Flush it thoroughly with fresh water after every use.

Mercury 25 HP 25ELHGA jet features

• Jet pump drive, no gearcase or prop below the hull
• Stainless steel impeller for durability
• Three cylinder, 526 cc EFI four stroke
• Electric start
• 15 amp, 186 watt charging
• Gas assisted tilt
• Tiller steering with forward, neutral and reverse
• Water cooled with thermostat
• Mercury Marine factory warranty

Mercury 25 HP 25ELHGA jet 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.

Caring for the Mercury 25 HP 25ELHGA jet

Intake grate: clear weed, sticks and debris regularly. A blocked intake robs performance and can cause overheating.

Impeller: check the clearance between the impeller and the pump liner periodically. Worn clearances cost thrust. Adjust with shims as the owner’s manual describes.

Jet bearings: grease the pump bearing on the schedule in the manual, more often in sandy water.

Engine: fresh fuel, regular oil changes, and a fresh water flush after every use, especially in silty or salt water.

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.

How an outboard jet works

A jet outboard like the Mercury 25 HP 25ELHGA jet replaces the normal gearcase and propeller with a jet pump. Water is drawn up through an intake grate under the boat, accelerated by an impeller inside the pump housing, and pushed out the back as a powerful stream. There’s no propeller hanging below the hull.

That means the pump sits roughly level with the bottom of the boat, so you can run in water just inches deep: shallow rivers, rocky runs, gravel bars, flooded timber and tidal flats where a propeller would be destroyed. It’s also why jets are popular for rescue and river work, as there’s no exposed spinning prop near people in the water.

The trade off is efficiency. A jet uses some of the engine’s power to drive the pump, so a jet outboard produces less thrust than the same powerhead with a propeller. As a rule of thumb, expect roughly 70% of the prop version’s performance. Most jet buyers are happy with that, because the places they want to go simply aren’t reachable with a prop.

Jets also need a little care. Clear the intake grate of weed and debris, check the impeller clearance periodically, and grease the bearings as the owner’s manual describes. The stainless impeller Mercury uses stands up well to sand and small stones, which is exactly what river boaters run into.

Why three cylinders make a difference

Most outboards in the 15 to 20 hp class use two cylinders. Mercury’s 25 and 30 hp EFI motors, including the Mercury 25 HP 25ELHGA jet, use three. That matters more than you might think. With three cylinders, the power pulses overlap more evenly, so the engine runs noticeably smoother, with less vibration through the tiller and transom. It also idles more steadily, which you appreciate when trolling or creeping through a no wake zone.

The 526 cc displacement gives strong low end torque, so the boat gets up on the plane briskly without having to rev the engine hard. And because the engine isn’t working as hard at cruise, it tends to be quieter and more economical than a smaller engine pushed to its limit.

What electronic fuel injection means for you

The Mercury 25 HP 25ELHGA jet 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.

Trailering with your motor

Most owners of a motor like the Mercury 25 HP 25ELHGA jet leave it on the boat and trailer them together. A few habits protect the motor on the road. Use a transom saver or motor support bracket where recommended, so the motor isn’t bouncing on its tilt mechanism over bumps. Make sure there’s good ground clearance under the skeg. Close the fuel vent and disconnect the fuel line. And check the motor mounting bolts or clamps before every trip, because vibration on the road can loosen them over time.

At the ramp, lower the motor only once there’s enough water under it, and raise it before you drive the boat onto the trailer. It sounds obvious, but a surprising number of skegs and props get damaged at the ramp rather than out on the water.

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 25 HP 25ELHGA jet somewhere dry. Twenty minutes in autumn saves hours of frustration in spring.

Paperwork, warranty and keeping records

When your Mercury 25 HP 25ELHGA jet 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 25 HP 25ELHGA jet 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 25 HP 25ELHGA jet, 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 25 HP 25ELHGA jet, 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 25 HP 25ELHGA jet 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 25 HP 25ELHGA jet, 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.

Alternatives to the Mercury 25 HP 25ELHGA jet

25MLHGA Jet: manual start, no battery needed.

35ELPT Jet: more power for heavier river boats.

40ELPT Jet: a 40 hp powerhead jet.

25ELH EFI: the prop version, if your water is deep enough.

See our main Mercury outboard motors category.

Mercury 25 HP 25ELHGA jet for sale: price and worldwide shipping

The current price of the Mercury 25 HP 25ELHGA jet 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 25 HP 25ELHGA jet outboard, new
• Owner's manual
• Mercury Marine 3 year factory warranty from the date of purchase

Fuel tank and battery can be supplied on request.

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 25 HP 25ELHGA jet FAQ

How shallow can the Mercury 25 HP 25ELHGA jet run?

On plane, a properly set up jet boat can run in just inches of water. The exact depth depends on your hull and load.

Does it have electric start?

Yes.

How heavy is it?

About 171 pounds.

Is it new?

Yes, with the Mercury factory warranty.

Do you ship worldwide?

Yes. Contact us for a delivered quote.

Order your Mercury 25 HP 25ELHGA jet

Go where propellers can’t, with smooth three cylinder EFI power. Add the Mercury 25 HP 25ELHGA jet to your cart now, or send us a question first. You can also compare it with the rest of our outboard motors for sale.