MERCURY 9.9 HP 9.9MXLH OUTBOARD MOTOR

Description

The Mercury 9.9 HP 9.9MXLH outboard motor is a pull start 9.9 on a 25 inch extra long shaft. It’s the simplest, most affordable way to get Mercury’s smooth twin cylinder engine onto a boat with a tall transom or a high bracket. It weighs about 89 pounds, needs no battery, and comes with a 3.2 gallon fuel tank and the Mercury factory warranty. We have it for sale new and ship it worldwide.

Sailboats, catamarans and houseboats with a high motor mount often need a longer reach than normal outboards offer. If a 20 inch shaft leaves your prop sucking air, the Mercury 9.9 HP 9.9MXLH outboard motor is the straightforward fix.

On this page:

• Why the Mercury 9.9 HP 9.9MXLH outboard motor
• Measuring for an extra long shaft
• Boats it suits
• Features
• Specifications
• Maintenance
• Alternatives
• Price and shipping
• FAQ

Why the Mercury 9.9 HP 9.9MXLH outboard motor

Because reach matters. When an outboard is mounted high, the prop can end up too close to the surface. In calm water you might not notice. In a swell, or when the boat pitches, the prop pulls in air, loses grip and the engine races. You lose thrust exactly when you need it most. An extra five inches of shaft keeps the prop in solid water.

The Mercury 9.9 HP 9.9MXLH outboard motor gives you that reach with Mercury’s proven 208 cc twin cylinder four stroke. It’s smooth, quiet and economical, with the one handed multi-function tiller, auto ratchet trim with five positions, a shallow water drive setting and a quiet exhaust through the prop hub. Manual start keeps it simple: no battery, no wiring, nothing to go flat.

It uses Mercury’s standard gearcase and 3 blade prop. That suits moderate weight boats well. For very heavy boats, the Command Thrust version, the 9.9MXLH-CT, pushes better at low speed.

Model code: 9.9 hp, M manual start, XL 25 inch shaft, H tiller.

Measuring for an extra long shaft

Lower your bracket to the working position, then measure from where the motor clamps down to the waterline. Or measure your transom height from the top to the bottom of the hull. About 25 inches means extra long. About 20 inches means a long shaft like the 9.9MLH. The anti ventilation plate should sit several inches below the surface with the boat loaded. If in doubt, send us a photo with a tape measure through the contact page.

Boats the Mercury 9.9 HP 9.9MXLH outboard motor suits

• Sailboats with a high fixed or sliding stern bracket
• Small catamarans with the motor between the hulls
• Houseboats and pontoon style boats with a high transom
• Kicker installs with a high bracket
• Barges and work boats with a deep transom

On the water

Clip on the lanyard, put it in neutral, set the choke and pull. Shift, throttle and steer with the tiller, or lock the steering and use your rudder on a sailboat. The motor idles smoothly and pushes steadily, and the long reach keeps it biting when the stern moves. Full throttle is 5,000 to 6,000 rpm.

Buyer questions

“Standard or Command Thrust?”

For moderate weight boats, the standard Mercury 9.9 HP 9.9MXLH outboard motor is lighter and cheaper. For heavy sailboats, catamarans or houseboats, the Command Thrust version pushes noticeably better.

“Can I add charging?”

Yes, an optional 12 volt, 76 watt charging kit can be fitted.

“Is it hard to carry?”

At 89 pounds with a long leg, it’s a two person carry. Most owners leave it on the boat.

Mercury 9.9 HP 9.9MXLH outboard motor features

• 25 inch extra long shaft
• Manual start, no battery needed
• Compact twin cylinder four stroke
• 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
• Adjustable steering tension
• 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 9.9MXLH 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 9.9MXLH 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 lube yearly.

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.

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 9.9MXLH 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 9.9 HP 9.9MXLH 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 9.9MXLH 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 9.9MXLH 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 9.9MXLH 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 9.9MXLH 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 9.9MXLH 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 9.9 HP 9.9MXLH 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 9.9 HP 9.9MXLH outboard motor

The cruising sailboat with a high bracket

A 23 to 26 foot sailboat with its motor bracket set well above the water. With a 20 inch shaft, the prop kept popping out in a following sea. The Mercury 9.9 HP 9.9MXLH outboard motor reaches deep enough to keep biting, and without electric start there’s no need to run battery cables to the stern.

The small catamaran

A trailerable cat with a motor mount on the crossbeam. The 25 inch shaft gets the prop into the water where a shorter motor couldn’t, and the twin cylinder engine is smooth and quiet on a boat where you can hear everything.

The houseboat tender or auxiliary

A small houseboat with a high stern deck. The extra long leg reaches the water, and the 9.9 moves the boat gently along a river or across a quiet bay.

Setting up

Check there’s room below your bracket for the 25 inch leg when it’s raised. With help, clamp the motor on, tighten both clamp screws firmly by hand and tie a safety line to the boat. Steer through the full range to make sure the leg clears the rudder, hull and ladder. Connect and prime the fuel, check the oil, clip on the lanyard, put it in neutral, set the choke and pull. Check the cooling telltale, vary the throttle for the first couple of hours and change the oil at 20 hours.

Your first run

The first hours of a new engine matter. For your Mercury 9.9 HP 9.9MXLH 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 9.9 HP 9.9MXLH outboard motor

9.9MXLH-CT: 25 inch shaft with Command Thrust for heavy boats.

9.9EXLH-CT: adds electric start and charging.

5MXLH: a lighter 5 hp on a 25 inch shaft for smaller boats.

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

Mercury 9.9 HP 9.9MXLH outboard motor for sale: price and worldwide shipping

The current price of the Mercury 9.9 HP 9.9MXLH 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 9.9MXLH 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

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 9.9MXLH outboard motor FAQ

What shaft length is the Mercury 9.9 HP 9.9MXLH outboard motor?

25 inches, extra long.

Does it need a battery?

No, it’s pull start.

How heavy is it?

About 89 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 9.9MXLH outboard motor

Extra reach and a smooth twin cylinder engine, with nothing complicated to maintain. Add the Mercury 9.9 HP 9.9MXLH 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.