MERCURY 5 HP 5MXLHA-LPG SAIL POWER PROPANE OUTBOARD MOTOR

Description

The Mercury 5 HP 5MXLHA-LPG Sail Power propane outboard motor is about as specialised as small outboards get, and for the right boat that’s exactly what makes it so good. It runs on propane, so there’s no stale fuel. It has a 25 inch extra long shaft for tall transoms and high brackets. It swings a high thrust prop built for heavy sailboat hulls, and it has a built in charging system. We have it for sale new, with the Mercury factory warranty, and ship it worldwide.

If you own a cruising sailboat with a high stern bracket, you’ve probably struggled to find a small motor that reaches the water properly and still starts reliably after weeks of sitting. This one was designed with that owner in mind. Here’s the detail.

On this page:

• What makes this motor different
• The 25 inch shaft
• Propane fuel
• High thrust and charging
• Boats it suits
• Features
• Specifications
• Maintenance and gas safety
• Alternatives
• Price and shipping
• FAQ

What makes the Mercury 5 HP 5MXLHA-LPG Sail Power propane outboard motor different

Most small outboards are built for dinghies and fishing boats. Sailboats get whatever’s left over, and that usually means compromises. A prop that slips on a heavy hull. A shaft that’s too short for a high bracket. A carburetor that gums up because the motor only runs a few minutes a week. No way to charge the battery.

The Mercury 5 HP 5MXLHA-LPG Sail Power propane outboard motor addresses every one of those in a single package. Mercury describes it as ideal for sailboats, but also a good fit for aluminum tiller boats, inflatables and jon or utility boats with a very tall transom. In practice, sailors are the ones who get the most out of it.

The code tells the story: 5 horsepower, M manual start, XL 25 inch extra long shaft, H tiller, A alternator, LPG propane. Sail Power is Mercury’s name for the high thrust sailboat setup.

The 25 inch extra long shaft

On many cruising sailboats, the outboard bracket sits high to keep the motor clear of following seas. A normal 20 inch long shaft doesn’t always reach deep enough. When the stern lifts in a swell, the prop grabs air, the motor races and you lose thrust exactly when you need it.

Five more inches of shaft keeps the prop buried. To check if you need it, lower your bracket to its working position and measure from where the motor clamps down to the waterline. If a 20 inch shaft would leave the anti ventilation plate at or near the surface, the extra long Mercury 5 HP 5MXLHA-LPG Sail Power propane outboard motor is the right choice. If your bracket is lower, the 20 inch 5MLHA-LPG Sail Power will suit you better.

Propane fuel: no more stale gasoline

A sailboat outboard might run twenty minutes a weekend. Gasoline sitting in a small carburetor between those runs slowly breaks down and leaves varnish. That’s why so many sailboat outboards are hard to start.

This motor runs on propane from an external cylinder. Propane doesn’t go stale, so the motor starts after long breaks. And because many sailboats already carry propane for the galley, you can take gasoline off the boat entirely. No jerry cans, no fumes, no drips on deck.

Keep the cylinder in a vented locker or a sturdy bracket where any leak can escape overboard, never down below. Cylinders and fittings vary by country, so we’ll help you choose the right one and the right adapter.

High thrust prop and built in charging

The prop has a low 6 inch pitch, designed to grip the water at the slow speeds a sailboat travels. It gives stronger pull from a standstill, more push into wind and waves, and much better stopping in reverse. That’s what you want when coming into a crowded marina.

The built in 12 volt, 50 watt alternator keeps a small battery topped up for lights, a VHF and a depth sounder. Pair it with a small solar panel and most small cruising sailboats are covered.

Boats the Mercury 5 HP 5MXLHA-LPG Sail Power propane outboard motor suits

• Small cruising sailboats with a high stern bracket
• Trailer sailers with a tall transom mount
• Catamarans with the motor mounted high between the hulls
• Heavy workboats, barges and punts with a deep transom
• Any boat that sits for long periods between uses and needs an extra long shaft

It isn’t a good fit for light, fast boats with a normal transom. For those, a short or long shaft motor with a standard prop is better.

On the water

Connect the propane supply and open the valve. Put the motor in neutral, clip on the lanyard and pull. With no carburetor to flood, it usually starts easily. Forward, neutral and reverse are on a front mounted lever. Lock the steering straight and steer with the rudder once under way. The exhaust exits through the prop hub, so it’s quiet, and propane burns cleanly, so the cockpit doesn’t smell. Full throttle is 4,500 to 5,500 rpm.

Mercury 5 HP 5MXLHA-LPG Sail Power propane outboard motor features

• Runs on propane (LPG) from an external cylinder
• 25 inch extra long shaft
• 6 inch pitch high thrust propeller
• 12V 50W 4A charging system
• 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
• 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 5MXLHA-LPG Sail Power propane outboard motor specifications

Mercury’s FourStroke outboards page has more on their range. Ask us to confirm anything for your unit.

Maintenance and gas safety

Check the propane hose and fittings before every use, keep the connector clean and close the cylinder valve when you’re done. Store cylinders upright and secured in a vented space, never below decks. Engine oil is about 450 ml of 10W-30: check it before each trip, change it after the first 20 hours and then every 100 hours or yearly. Change the gear lube yearly. Check the cooling telltale on every start, rinse with fresh water when you can and check the anodes each season.

The US Coast Guard boating safety site covers fuel handling and general safety clearly, and it’s useful wherever you sail.

Questions about the Mercury 5 HP 5MXLHA-LPG Sail Power propane outboard motor

Why is the Mercury 5 HP 5MXLHA-LPG Sail Power propane outboard motor heavier than the 20 inch version?

The longer driveshaft and housing add some weight. At about 65 pounds it’s still a one person lift for most adults, but on a high bracket many owners use a second pair of hands or a small lifting tackle.

Will the Mercury 5 HP 5MXLHA-LPG Sail Power propane outboard motor push my 24 foot yacht?

For a light to moderate displacement boat in sheltered waters, often yes, helped a lot by the high thrust prop. For heavier yachts, or coastal passages with strong tides and wind against you, you may want more power. Send us your boat’s details and we’ll give you a straight answer.

How big a propane cylinder should I carry?

If you only motor in and out of harbour, a modest refillable cylinder lasts a good while. If you do long motoring legs in calms, carry a bigger one or a spare. Many owners weigh their cylinder to see how much is left.

Can I run it off my galley propane?

Most owners fit a separate cylinder for the motor in a vented locker near the stern. It keeps hose runs short and means the two systems are independent.

Will the charging keep up with my electronics?

It’ll keep a small battery healthy for lights, a VHF and basic instruments. For fridges or autopilots, you’ll need more charging from solar or another source.

Installing the Mercury 5 HP 5MXLHA-LPG Sail Power propane outboard motor

Lower the bracket and check there’s room for the 25 inch leg below it. Lift the motor on by its handle, centre it and tighten both clamp screws firmly by hand. Tie a safety line to a strong fitting. Raise and lower the bracket and steer the motor through its range to check the leg clears the rudder, the hull and any ladder.

Mount the propane cylinder securely in a vented locker or bracket. Route the supply line where it can’t chafe or catch on sheets. Connect it with the right adapter, open the valve slowly and check for any smell of gas. Run the charging lead to your battery with an inline fuse near the battery.

Check the oil, clip on the lanyard, put it in neutral and start. Check the cooling telltale. Vary the throttle for the first couple of hours, and change the oil at 20 hours.

Getting the best from it

Set the tilt so the motor runs close to vertical. Once the boat reaches its hull speed, ease off the throttle, because more throttle won’t make a displacement hull go faster. Lock the steering straight and steer with the rudder. Wear the kill cord. When sailing, lift the motor clear of the water. Simple habits, but they’re what keep the Mercury 5 HP 5MXLHA-LPG Sail Power propane outboard motor running well for years.

Why the extra long shaft matters so much on a cruising boat

On a calm day in the marina, almost any outboard looks fine. The real test comes when you’re entering a harbour with a swell running behind you, or punching into short waves off a headland with the wind gone. That’s when the stern rises and falls, and a prop that’s too shallow spends half its time in air.

With a short reach, the motor races each time the stern lifts and bites hard when it drops. You lose thrust, you lose steering, and the engine takes a beating from the constant over revving. With the Mercury 5 HP 5MXLHA-LPG Sail Power propane outboard motor, the extra five inches keeps the prop underwater through most of that motion. Add the high thrust prop, which is designed to grip at low speed, and the difference is dramatic.

For owners who have fought with the wrong shaft length before, this is often the single biggest improvement they notice.

Storage and lay up

At the end of the season, close the propane valve and disconnect the supply line. That’s the fuel system done, with no carb to drain and no stabiliser to add. Flush the cooling system with fresh water, change the engine oil and gear lube, and grease the swivel and clamp screws. Store the Mercury 5 HP 5MXLHA-LPG Sail Power propane outboard motor upright on a stand tall enough for the extra long leg, or on its correct side as shown in the owner’s manual. Store the cylinder separately in a ventilated space.

In spring, reconnect the gas, check the oil and start it. That’s it.

Security

Outboards on stern brackets are a common target for thieves. Fit a lock over the clamp screws, record the serial number, and take the motor ashore if the boat will be left unattended for a long time. Check what your insurance policy requires for outboard security too.

Spares to carry

A spare spark plug and spanner, prop hardware, a spare lanyard, a small bottle of engine oil, a spare fuse for the charging lead and a spare seal for your propane connector. Keep them together in a dry bag in a cockpit locker. It covers most of what can go wrong with the Mercury 5 HP 5MXLHA-LPG Sail Power propane outboard motor far from a dealer.

Propane around the world

Propane is available in most countries, but cylinder sizes and valve threads differ. If you cruise across borders, an adapter set lets you refill or swap cylinders wherever you end up. Tell us where you’ll be sailing and we’ll point you to the right fittings for the Mercury 5 HP 5MXLHA-LPG Sail Power propane outboard motor.

Who buys the Mercury 5 HP 5MXLHA-LPG Sail Power propane outboard motor

Our buyers for this model are a fairly specific group, and that’s fine, because the motor is built for them.

Most are owners of small cruising sailboats between roughly 20 and 26 feet, with a stern bracket set high to keep the motor away from following seas. They’ve usually tried a 20 inch shaft before and found it ventilating in any sort of swell.

Many already cook on propane and like the idea of one fuel for the whole boat. Some have had one too many spring mornings spent cleaning a gummed up carburetor and want no more of it.

A smaller group uses the Mercury 5 HP 5MXLHA-LPG Sail Power propane outboard motor on catamarans, where the motor mounts high between the hulls, or on work barges and houseboats with a deep transom.

What they have in common is that they value reliability and the right fit over raw speed. If that sounds like you, this is a very good motor. If you mostly need speed on a light boat with a normal transom, look at a standard short or long shaft model instead, and we’ll gladly help you choose.

Fuel use

Propane use depends on throttle and conditions. Like any displacement boat, the biggest saving comes from backing off once you reach hull speed. A sailboat simply won’t go meaningfully faster, so running flat out only burns more gas. At a sensible cruise, the Mercury 5 HP 5MXLHA-LPG Sail Power propane outboard motor is economical, and a mid size refillable cylinder covers plenty of harbour exits and entries.

Paperwork, warranty and keeping records

When your Mercury 5 HP 5MXLHA-LPG Sail Power propane 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 5 HP 5MXLHA-LPG Sail Power propane 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.

Alternatives

5MLHA-LPG Sail Power: the same package with a 20 inch shaft.

5MXLH: 25 inch shaft on gasoline, standard prop.

5MLHA Sail Power: gasoline sailboat model on a 20 inch shaft.

9.9MXLH: extra long shaft with much more power.

Browse the full range in our Mercury outboard motors category.

Mercury 5 HP 5MXLHA-LPG Sail Power propane outboard motor for sale

The price of the Mercury 5 HP 5MXLHA-LPG Sail Power propane 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 5MXLHA-LPG Sail Power propane outboard motor, new
• High thrust propeller, fitted
• LPG fuel supply line
• Owner’s manual
• Mercury Marine 3 year factory warranty from the date of purchase

A propane cylinder isn’t included. We’ll help you pick one that suits your country.

Shipping

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

Buying from us

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

FAQ

What shaft length is the Mercury 5 HP 5MXLHA-LPG Sail Power propane outboard motor?

25 inches, extra long.

Does it charge a battery?

Yes, 12V 50W 4A.

Is a propane cylinder included?

No, just the supply line.

How heavy is it?

About 65 pounds.

Does it have reverse?

Yes.

Do you ship worldwide?

Yes. Contact us for a delivered quote.

Order your Mercury 5 HP 5MXLHA-LPG Sail Power propane outboard motor

Extra long reach, clean propane, real thrust and battery charging. For a sailboat with a high bracket, the Mercury 5 HP 5MXLHA-LPG Sail Power propane outboard motor is hard to beat. Add it to your cart, or ask us a question. You can also browse all our outboard motors for sale.