MERCURY 30 HP 30ELPT OUTBOARD MOTOR

Description

The Mercury 30 HP 30ELPT outboard motor is a remote steer, electric start, fuel injected 30 hp with power trim and tilt and a 20 inch long shaft. It runs Mercury’s smooth three cylinder, 526 cc four stroke, has a 15 amp alternator and weighs about 172 pounds. It’s an excellent match for small center and side console boats, runabouts, pontoons and console RIBs. We have it for sale new with the Mercury factory warranty and ship worldwide.

With power trim at your fingertips, you can get the best ride and economy from your boat in every condition. That’s the key difference between this model and the gas assist version.

On this page:

• Why the Mercury 30 HP 30ELPT outboard motor
• Boats it suits
• Features
• Specifications
• Maintenance
• Alternatives
• Price and shipping
• FAQ

Why the Mercury 30 HP 30ELPT outboard motor

It’s a no worry, well rounded motor for small console boats. The three cylinder engine gives more low end torque for excellent acceleration and runs smoothly and quietly. Fuel injection brings increased fuel economy and reliable starting. The robust electrical system with a 15 amp alternator keeps batteries charged and fishing electronics humming. And power trim and tilt lets you trim in to get on plane, trim out for a faster, more efficient cruise, and raise the motor for trailering or shallows, all from a button on the control.

At about 172 pounds, it’s light for a 30, which helps small boats ride and plane well.

Model code: 30 hp, E electric start, L 20 inch long shaft, PT power trim and tilt. No H means remote steering.

Boats the Mercury 30 HP 30ELPT outboard motor suits

• Small center and side console aluminum boats
• Small runabouts and bowriders rated for 30 hp
• Pontoons and deck boats
• Console RIBs and larger tenders

Check that your transom suits a 20 inch shaft and that your boat is rated for 30 hp.

On the water

Turn the key and the EFI three cylinder fires cleanly. Trim down, push the lever forward and the boat climbs onto the plane. Trim out a little once planing to find the sweet spot for speed and economy. Trim up to run into shallows or onto a trailer.

Real world setups

On a 16 foot side console with two anglers and electronics, the Mercury 30 HP 30ELPT outboard motor is lively and economical, and power trim helps it ride well in a chop. On a small pontoon, it gives a pleasant cruise, and power tilt makes it easy to raise at the dock. On a console RIB, it provides quick, efficient running for a family.

Buyer questions

“What rigging do I need?”

A remote control, trim switch wiring, cables, steering and battery. We can quote a complete package.

“Tiller version?”

The 30ELHPT is the tiller model with power trim.

Mercury 30 HP 30ELPT outboard motor features

• Three cylinder, 32.1 cu in (526 cc) four stroke
• Electronic fuel injection
• Electric start
• 15 amp alternator
• Remote steering
• Power trim and tilt
• 20 inch long shaft
• Phantom Black finish
• Mercury Marine factory warranty

Mercury 30 HP 30ELPT 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 30 HP 30ELPT outboard motor

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

Oil: Mercury four stroke oil, checked before each trip and changed on schedule.

Gear case: change the lube yearly.

Power trim: check fluid level and wiring.

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.

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 30 HP 30ELPT outboard motor, 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 30 HP 30ELPT 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.

Why power trim is worth having

Trim is the angle of the motor relative to the transom, and on a planing boat it makes a real difference. With the Mercury 30 HP 30ELPT outboard motor trimmed in, the bow stays down, which helps the boat climb onto the plane quickly and ride more softly in a chop. Once you’re planing, trimming out slightly lifts the bow a touch, reduces the wetted hull and drag, and usually adds speed and saves fuel. Power trim lets you make those adjustments on the move, at the press of a button, as load and conditions change.

Power tilt also raises the motor fully for trailering, beaching, launching and running through shallow water, all without lifting heavy weight over the transom.

What rigging a remote steer motor involves

A remote steer outboard like the Mercury 30 HP 30ELPT outboard motor is controlled from a helm rather than a tiller. That means a few parts are needed to connect it to your boat: a remote control box (side mount or binnacle), throttle and shift cables of the right length, a steering system with a cable or hydraulics, an ignition wiring harness, a key switch, and a suitable battery with properly sized cables. If your boat already has a helm set up for a Mercury, some of these parts may carry over.

Because every boat is laid out differently, these parts are normally chosen to suit the installation. We’re happy to put together a complete package for your boat, or to supply the motor alone if you’re working with a local mechanic. Proper rigging makes a big difference to how smoothly a remote motor shifts and steers, so it’s worth getting right.

Getting the propeller right

The propeller is the part of your Mercury 30 HP 30ELPT outboard motor that actually turns engine power into movement, and the right one makes a big difference. The goal is simple: with your boat loaded the way you normally use it, the engine should reach the top of its recommended full throttle rpm range. If it can’t get there, the prop pitch is too high and the engine is labouring. If it goes past the top of the range, the pitch is too low and the engine is over revving.

As a rough guide, each inch of pitch changes full throttle rpm by around 150 to 200 rpm. Heavier loads and bigger boats usually want less pitch. Lighter, faster boats can take more. If you mainly carry heavy loads or tow, a lower pitch prop helps. If you run light and want top speed, a higher pitch may suit. Tell us about your boat and how you use it, and we’ll help you choose.

Trailering with your motor

Most owners of a motor like the Mercury 30 HP 30ELPT outboard motor 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 30 HP 30ELPT outboard motor somewhere dry. Twenty minutes in autumn saves hours of frustration in spring.

Paperwork, warranty and keeping records

When your Mercury 30 HP 30ELPT 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 30 HP 30ELPT 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 30 HP 30ELPT 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 30 HP 30ELPT 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 30 HP 30ELPT 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 30 HP 30ELPT 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.

Alternatives to the Mercury 30 HP 30ELPT outboard motor

30ELGA: remote with gas assist tilt.

40ELPT: 40 hp remote with power trim.

50ELPT: more power for bigger boats.

See our Mercury 30 HP section and the main Mercury outboard motors category.

Mercury 30 HP 30ELPT outboard motor for sale: price and worldwide shipping

The current price of the Mercury 30 HP 30ELPT 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 30 HP 30ELPT outboard motor, new
• Owner's manual
• Mercury Marine factory warranty from the date of purchase

Remote control, cables, steering, propeller and battery can be quoted to suit your boat.

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 30 HP 30ELPT outboard motor FAQ

Does the Mercury 30 HP 30ELPT outboard motor have power trim?

Yes, power trim and tilt.

Remote or tiller?

Remote.

How heavy is it?

About 172 pounds.

Do you ship worldwide?

Yes. Contact us for a delivered quote.

Order your Mercury 30 HP 30ELPT outboard motor

Smooth three cylinder EFI power with power trim for small console boats. Add the Mercury 30 HP 30ELPT 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.