MERCURY 9.9 HP 9.9EXLH-CT OUTBOARD MOTOR

Description

The Mercury 9.9 HP 9.9EXLH-CT outboard motor pairs a 25 inch extra long shaft with Mercury’s Command Thrust lower unit, electric start and built in charging. That combination is aimed squarely at boats with a tall transom or a high motor bracket, where a normal shaft leaves the prop too close to the surface, and at heavy boats that need real push. We have it for sale new, with a 3.2 gallon fuel tank and the Mercury factory warranty, and we ship worldwide.

Cruising sailboats, catamarans, houseboats and some kicker installs all run into the same problem: the motor sits high, the prop ventilates, and the boat struggles in anything but flat water. The Mercury 9.9 HP 9.9EXLH-CT outboard motor was built to fix that.

On this page:

• Why the Mercury 9.9 HP 9.9EXLH-CT outboard motor
• Do you need an extra long shaft?
• Boats it suits
• Features
• Specifications
• Maintenance
• Alternatives
• Price and shipping
• FAQ

Why the Mercury 9.9 HP 9.9EXLH-CT outboard motor

Two problems, one motor. The first problem is depth. When the motor mounts high, a 20 inch shaft can leave the prop close to the surface. Every time the stern lifts on a wave, the prop grabs air, the motor races and you lose thrust. Five extra inches of shaft keep the prop buried.

The second problem is grip. Boats that mount motors high are usually heavy: cruising yachts, catamarans, houseboats. A standard 3 blade prop can’t grip enough water to push them well at low speed. The Command Thrust gearcase, with its 2.42:1 ratio and 4 blade high thrust prop, turns the same 9.9 hp into far more useful thrust.

Add electric start with a pull cord backup, a 12 volt, 6 amp charging system, the multi-function tiller and auto ratchet trim, and you have a very capable auxiliary. The motor weighs about 106 pounds.

Model code: 9.9 hp, E electric start, XL 25 inch extra long shaft, H tiller, CT Command Thrust.

Do you need an extra long shaft?

Lower your bracket to its working position, or look at your transom, and measure from where the motor clamps down to the bottom of the hull or the waterline. Around 25 inches means extra long. Around 20 inches means long, so look at the 9.9ELH-CT instead. With the boat loaded as normal, you want the anti ventilation plate several inches below the surface. Send us a photo with a tape measure through the contact page if you’re unsure.

Boats the Mercury 9.9 HP 9.9EXLH-CT outboard motor suits

• Cruising sailboats with a high stern bracket
• Catamarans with the motor mounted between the hulls
• Houseboats and pontoon style craft with a tall transom
• Kicker installs where the bracket sits high
• Barges and work boats with a deep transom

On the water

Press start in neutral with the lanyard clipped on. Shift, throttle and steer from the tiller, or lock the steering and use the boat’s rudder. The Command Thrust prop pulls a heavy boat away smoothly, holds a slow speed steadily and stops firmly in reverse. The long shaft keeps it biting when the stern pitches. Full throttle is 5,000 to 6,000 rpm.

Buyer questions

“Is 9.9 hp enough for my cruising yacht?”

For many sailboats up to around 26 feet, yes, especially with Command Thrust. For heavier boats or exposed waters, more power may be wise. Tell us your boat and we’ll give you a straight answer.

“Does it have power tilt?”

No, this model uses manual tilt with an auto ratchet. If you want power tilt on a 25 inch shaft, look at the 9.9EXLHPT-CT-PK ProKicker.

Mercury 9.9 HP 9.9EXLH-CT outboard motor features

• 25 inch extra long shaft
• Command Thrust lower unit, 2.42:1 gear ratio
• 4 blade high thrust propeller
• Oversized anti ventilation plate
• Electric start with 12V 76W 6A alternator
• Through cowl backup manual start
• Digital CD ignition with spark advance
• Stainless steel water pump housing
• Zinc coated water passages, saltwater rated
• Sacrificial zinc anodes and trim tab
• Tiller integrated forward, neutral and reverse
• Twist grip throttle with tension control
• Thermostat controlled cooling
• Auto ratchet trim (5 positions) and 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 Marine 3 year warranty

Mercury 9.9 HP 9.9EXLH-CT 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 9.9 HP 9.9EXLH-CT outboard motor

Fuel: fresh 87 octane, up to 10% ethanol; run the carb dry before long breaks.

Oil: about 800 ml of 10W-30; check before each trip, change at 20 hours then every 100 hours or yearly.

Gear case: change the Command Thrust gear lube yearly.

Battery: keep charged and terminals clean.

Cooling: check the telltale every start; rinse 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 Command Thrust actually does

Command Thrust is Mercury’s name for a heavier duty lower unit fitted to some small and mid size outboards. On the Mercury 9.9 HP 9.9EXLH-CT outboard motor it brings three changes. First, a bigger gearcase with a lower 2.42:1 gear ratio, so the propeller turns slower but with much more torque. Second, a larger 4 blade high thrust propeller, around 20% bigger than the standard prop, which grabs more water. Third, an oversized anti ventilation plate and a taller gearcase that put the prop deeper below the turbulent water at the stern, so it keeps its grip.

The result is a motor that pushes heavy, wide boats with far more authority, holds a steady low trolling speed, stops and reverses more positively, and copes better when the stern pitches in a swell. You give up a little top speed on light boats, which is why Command Thrust models are aimed at sailboats, pontoons, heavier jon boats and kicker use rather than light planing skiffs.

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 9.9 HP 9.9EXLH-CT outboard motor somewhere dry. Twenty minutes in autumn saves hours of frustration in spring.

Paperwork, warranty and keeping records

When your Mercury 9.9 HP 9.9EXLH-CT 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 9.9 HP 9.9EXLH-CT 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 9.9 HP 9.9EXLH-CT 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 9.9 HP 9.9EXLH-CT 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 9.9 HP 9.9EXLH-CT 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.

Real world setups for the Mercury 9.9 HP 9.9EXLH-CT outboard motor

The 25 foot cruising sailboat

A cruising sailboat with a stern bracket set high to keep the motor clear of following seas. With a 20 inch shaft the prop kept breaking the surface coming into harbour with a swell behind. The Mercury 9.9 HP 9.9EXLH-CT outboard motor reaches deep enough to keep biting, and the Command Thrust prop moves the heavy hull with authority. Electric start gets it running in seconds when the wind drops, and it charges the house battery on the way in.

The catamaran

Small cruising catamarans often mount the outboard on a bracket between the hulls, well above the water. The extra long shaft is often the only way to get the prop deep enough, and the high thrust prop suits the weight and windage of a cat.

The houseboat

A small houseboat or pontoon style cruiser with a high stern deck. The 25 inch shaft reaches the water properly, and the big 4 blade prop pushes all that weight and windage steadily along a river or across a lake.

Setting it up

At about 106 pounds, this is a two person job, or use a hoist on a high bracket. Check there’s room for the 25 inch leg below the bracket when raised. Clamp the motor on, tighten both clamp screws firmly by hand, and tie a safety line to the boat. Steer it through the full range to check the leg clears the rudder, hulls or ladder. Wire the battery with a fuse near the battery, connect and prime the fuel, check the oil and start in neutral with the lanyard on. Check the cooling telltale, vary the throttle for the first couple of hours and change the oil at 20 hours.

Security

A motor on a high bracket is an easy target. Fit an outboard lock, record the serial number and check your insurance requirements. The Mercury 9.9 HP 9.9EXLH-CT outboard motor is a valuable piece of kit, and a little prevention saves a lot of grief.

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 9.9 HP 9.9EXLH-CT 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.

Alternatives to the Mercury 9.9 HP 9.9EXLH-CT outboard motor

9.9MXLH-CT: manual start, lighter, no battery needed.

9.9EXLHPT-CT-PK: adds power tilt and a heavy duty bracket.

9.9MXLH: extra long shaft with a standard gearcase.

15EXLHPT-CT-PK: more power on a 25 inch shaft.

See the full range in our Mercury 9.9 HP section and main Mercury outboard motors category.

Mercury 9.9 HP 9.9EXLH-CT outboard motor for sale: price and worldwide shipping

The current price of the Mercury 9.9 HP 9.9EXLH-CT 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 9.9 HP 9.9EXLH-CT outboard motor, new
• 3.2 gallon fuel tank and quick connect fuel line
• Command Thrust 4 blade 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 9.9 HP 9.9EXLH-CT outboard motor FAQ

What shaft length is the Mercury 9.9 HP 9.9EXLH-CT outboard motor?

25 inches, extra long.

Does it charge a battery?

Yes, 12V 76W 6A.

How heavy is it?

About 106 pounds.

Is it new?

Yes, with the full Mercury factory warranty.

Do you ship worldwide?

Yes. Contact us for a delivered quote.

Order your Mercury 9.9 HP 9.9EXLH-CT outboard motor

Extra reach, real thrust and push button starting for boats that mount their motor high. Add the Mercury 9.9 HP 9.9EXLH-CT 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.