Suzuki 20 HP DF20ATS5 Outboard Motor

Description

The Suzuki DF20ATS5 for sale is a new 20 HP four stroke outboard with a short 15 inch shaft, remote steering, electric start and power tilt. We have it in the crate, the price is on this page, and we ship worldwide. Ask for a delivery quote to your port or door before you commit.

Short shaft twenties are the ones people get wrong most often, because the shaft length has to match the transom before anything else matters. So this page spends time on transom height, hull types and rigging, as well as the engine itself. If you are a first time buyer, read the transom section twice.

We sell to private owners, small operators, tender builders and repair shops, so we know the questions that come up. You will find the specifications, the model code, hull matching, controls, servicing and an FAQ. Everything about the Suzuki DF20ATS5 for sale is covered below.

First Check: Is a 15 Inch Shaft Right for Your Boat?

Measure from the top of the transom, where the motor clamps, straight down to the bottom of the hull. A 15 inch shaft is meant for a transom of about 15 inches, or 381 mm. If your number is nearer 20 inches, you need the long shaft version.

Get this wrong and the problems are obvious. A shaft that is too short lets the propeller suck air and spin. A shaft that is too long digs the gearcase deep, adds drag and throws a big wake. The Suzuki DF20ATS5 for sale only works well when the anti-ventilation plate sits level with the bottom of the hull.

Small inflatables, light aluminium boats, many jon boats and plenty of small fibreglass skiffs have short transoms. Sailboats and deep sided workboats usually do not. When in doubt, send us a photo of the transom with a tape measure laid against it.

Suzuki DF20ATS5 for sale: Specifications

The exact weight depends on how the motor is equipped, so use the figure in the paperwork for trailer or transom calculations. Suzuki has an overview of its small outboards on the 2.5 to 30 HP range page if you want to look at neighbouring models.

What the Letters in DF20ATS5 Mean

DF is the four stroke family. 20 is the horsepower. A is the current small engine generation. T is power tilt on this size of motor. S is the 15 inch short shaft. The 5 is the production series.

There is no H, so no tiller. This is a remote motor. There is no W, so the cowl is standard grey and black. The white copy is the Suzuki DF20ATSW5. The long shaft version of this motor is the Suzuki DF20ATL5.

Hulls That Suit the Suzuki DF20ATS5 for sale

Inflatable boats

A larger inflatable with a solid floor and a transom around 15 inches is a natural fit. Twenty horsepower gets the boat up on the plane with a couple of adults and gear. Power tilt makes launching off a beach far easier.

Aluminium fishing boats

Fourteen to sixteen foot aluminium boats with a console are popular all over the world. The Suzuki DF20ATS5 for sale gives them good speed without overloading the transom.

Small fibreglass skiffs

Light skiffs for flats, rivers and harbours appreciate a motor that weighs about a hundred pounds and runs quietly. A fisherman can drift up to a spot without scaring anything.

Yacht tenders

Boats that carry a rigid tender often need a reliable small outboard that starts every time. With remote steering and power tilt, this one handles tender duties without drama.

Pontoon and utility boats

Very small pontoons and utility platforms sometimes take a short shaft twenty for slow cruising. Check the maker’s maximum horsepower first.

Remote Controls Explained

A remote motor works through a control box at the helm. One lever handles both shift and throttle: push forward for forward gear, pull back through neutral for reverse. A cable runs from the box to the motor, and a second cable or hydraulic line steers.

It sounds like a lot of extra parts compared with a tiller, but it gives you a proper helm. You can sit forward, steer with a wheel and leave the stern free for passengers or gear. On a small console boat that is a big gain, and it is the reason many buyers choose the Suzuki DF20ATS5 for sale instead of a tiller version.

Rigging the Suzuki DF20ATS5 for sale

You need a single lever control box, throttle and shift cables, a steering cable or hydraulic kit, a key switch panel, a wiring harness and a marine battery. Buy the cables to the right length before the motor arrives. Cables that are too short cannot be made longer.

Mount the Suzuki DF20ATS5 for sale on the transom centreline. Tighten the clamp screws evenly, add the safety cable if the boat has one and check that the motor can tilt fully without hitting anything. Then connect the controls, wiring and fuel line. Test the shift lever in neutral before you go near the water.

Set the height so the anti-ventilation plate is level with the hull bottom. Raise it a little if you want more speed and the boat can take it. Lower it if the prop blows out in turns.

Power Tilt and How to Use It

Power tilt moves the motor up and down with a switch at the helm or on the motor. Use it when you launch off a ramp, cross shallow water or beach the boat. It also lets you lift the lower unit out of the water on a mooring.

Do not run the boat with the tilt motor holding the angle. Use the trim pin on the bracket to set the running angle. The tilt motor is a convenience, and the pin carries the load at speed.

The Engine in the Suzuki DF20ATS5 for sale

It is a 327 cc in-line twin with a single overhead cam and four valves. Suzuki uses battery-less electronic fuel injection with Lean Burn Control, so fuel metering adjusts to load without a carburettor. Starting is simple. Turn the key and it fires. If the battery is flat, the manual backup still works.

Gear reduction is 2.08:1, a sensible ratio for a light boat. That lets a normal propeller bite without lugging the engine. Exhaust leaves through the propeller hub, which makes the whole package quiet at idle and slow speeds.

Break In and First Hours for the Suzuki DF20ATS5 for sale

Read the owner’s manual and follow its break-in. Keep revs varied and avoid long full throttle runs in the early hours. Watch the tell-tale stream every time you start. Change the engine oil and the gear oil at the first service. A careful first few hours set up the Suzuki DF20ATS5 for sale for a long working life.

Maintenance Plan

• Flush with fresh water after salt, brackish or muddy water use.
• Change engine oil and filter once a year or at the manual interval.
• Change the gear oil each season and inspect it for water.
• Renew the anodes when half gone.
• Replace the water pump impeller every two or three seasons.
• Replace fuel filters and check the primer bulb and hose.
• Grease the tilt tube and steering pivot points.

Genuine filters, impellers, anodes and propellers are listed in the Suzuki parts and accessories range. Ask us if you want them added to the order.

Propellers for the Suzuki DF20ATS5 for sale

The motor should reach 5,300 to 6,300 rpm at full throttle with your usual load. That is the guide for the right prop. A light boat with one person may overrev with a small pitch, and a heavily loaded boat may fail to reach the range with a large pitch.

Test with a tachometer on a calm day and with the load you normally carry. Tell us the boat length, weight and use, and we will suggest where to begin.

Short Shaft Mistakes to Avoid

• Buying by horsepower and ignoring the transom height.
• Mounting too low, which makes the boat slow and wet.
• Mounting too high, which lets the prop suck air.
• Forgetting that a motor can sit lower when the boat is loaded.
• Leaving the tilt lock lever disengaged in reverse.

Short transoms with heavy loads ride lower. If the boat squats a lot, the plate may end up deeper than you planned. Test the Suzuki DF20ATS5 for sale with your normal load before you drill extra holes.

Who Buys the Suzuki DF20ATS5 for sale

Our buyers are a mixed group. Some are fishermen replacing a worn out two stroke on a 14 foot aluminium boat. Some own inflatable dive or tour boats and want something quiet. Some are boat builders who need to finish a hull and sell it with a trustworthy engine on the back.

What they have in common is that they want to buy once and not think about it. The Suzuki DF20ATS5 for sale is a motor that does its job without fuss, and the feedback we hear is usually short: it starts, it runs, it is quiet.

Fuel, Oil and Battery Basics

The Suzuki DF20ATS5 for sale uses regular unleaded petrol, 87 octane. Fill from clean containers and keep the tank vent open. If your fuel is poor quality, add a water separating filter between the tank and the motor. Water and dirt cause far more breakdowns than the engine itself.

For engine oil, Suzuki recommends SAE 10W-30 or 10W-40 four stroke oil, and the sump takes about one litre. Check the level on the dipstick with the motor upright. Do not overfill.

On the electrical side, a normal marine starting battery is fine. The 10 amp alternator tops it up while you run. Add a battery switch so the boat is safe when it sits, and keep the terminals clean and tight.

Handling a Light Boat With 20 HP

Light boats react fast. Open the throttle smoothly and let the bow come up before you push on. Keep passengers low and near the middle. In a small aluminium boat, one person shifting to the side can change the way the boat sits.

Watch your weight distribution. If the bow rides too high, move gear forward. If the bow digs in, move it back. The Suzuki DF20ATS5 for sale will do its best work when the boat sits level and the plate is clean and at the right height.

Turn gently at first. A short shaft on a loaded boat can ventilate in a hard turn, and the prop spins without grip. If that happens, ease off the throttle and straighten out. Lowering the motor a hole or trimming it in a touch usually cures it.

Shallow Water Use

Short shaft motors are popular where water is skinny. The gearcase and propeller sit higher, so you can run in less depth. Tilt the Suzuki DF20ATS5 for sale up with the power switch when you cross a bar, then lower it and carry on.

Never run the cooling water intake out of the water. The intake sits in the gearcase, and the impeller will burn up in seconds if it runs dry. Stay in deeper water until the motor is warm and the tell-tale is steady.

Choosing Between Twenty and Other Sizes

Think about the hull first. Check the plate on your boat for the maximum horsepower. Then think about the load you carry and the speed you need. A boat rated for 20 HP will normally plane well with two adults and gear. If you often carry four people and a full load, step up to a bigger motor only if the hull allows it.

The Suzuki DF20ATS5 for sale is also easier to handle than larger motors. You can lift it with two people, store it in a boot or shed and carry it to the boat. That matters for owners who keep the motor at home and take it down to the water on trip days.

Common Wiring and Control Questions

Many buyers ask whether a tiller motor can be converted to remote. In practice, no. Remote and tiller models have different top covers, controls and harness setups. Choose the layout you want when you buy. The Suzuki DF20ATS5 for sale is built as a remote motor from the factory.

Another question is whether you can use the boat’s old control box. If it is a standard single lever side or top mount type with Morse style cables, probably. Check that the key switch and harness plug match the motor. If you are unsure, send us photos of what you have.

Short Shaft or Long Shaft Twenty?

The short and long versions use the same engine. Only the midsection and shaft differ. If you are between sizes, think about water conditions. Choppy water favours a longer leg that keeps the prop buried. Calm, shallow water favours the shorter one, which also weighs less.

Our Suzuki DF20ATL5 is the 20 inch remote version. If you want a tiller, the short shaft tiller is covered by the Suzuki DF20AS5 in manual start form.

Looking Up and Down the Range

A smaller 15 HP motor such as the Suzuki DF15ATHL5 uses the same 327 cc block with a different tune and is lighter again. A larger 25 HP motor such as the Suzuki DF25AS5 has three cylinders. Pick the one that fits your hull rating and the speed you want.

Salt Water Care for the Suzuki DF20ATS5 for sale

Flush the Suzuki DF20ATS5 for sale after salt use. Wash the cowl, wipe the clamp brackets and spray a corrosion inhibitor on exposed metal. Tilt the motor out of the water if the boat stays on a mooring, and rinse the transom bolts now and then.

Off Season Storage for the Suzuki DF20ATS5 for sale

Drain or stabilise the fuel, change the oil, remove the battery and keep it charged indoors. Store the motor upright with a cover. Lightly grease moving parts. A short list now saves a long repair list next spring.

Common Problems and Quick Fixes

No crank. Check the kill switch, neutral position and battery terminals.

Cranks but no start. Prime the bulb, open the tank vent and check the fuel filter for water.

Weak tell-tale. Clear the hole with a thin wire and check the impeller.

Prop spins but boat is slow. Check the mounting height and whether the shaft length is too short.

Alarm sounds. Slow down and check the oil and cooling stream at once.

How We Ship the Suzuki DF20ATS5 for sale

The motor travels in its factory crate, strapped to a pallet. We book freight to your door, nearest port or airport, or to a forwarder you use. You receive the quote before you pay, then tracking once it is moving. Export paperwork is prepared for your customs office.

What Ships With the Motor

• Suzuki DF20ATS5 outboard motor
• Owner’s manual and warranty paperwork
• Standard factory fittings

Controls, harness, propeller and fuel tank depend on stock. Ask us before you order and we will confirm what comes with your motor.

Warranty

Suzuki warranty terms depend on your region and on whether the motor is used for leisure or work. Keep your receipt and service records. Ask us for the terms that apply in your country.

Buying the Suzuki DF20ATS5 for sale From Us

Every motor we sell is new and the price is shown on this page. We confirm stock, the model code and the shaft length with you before shipping. Read the refund and return policy and terms and conditions, see feedback on the reviews page, learn about us or write to us through the contact page.

Other Suzuki Motors to Compare

• All 20 HP Suzuki outboards
• Suzuki DF20ATSW5, white, 15 inch shaft
• Suzuki DF20ATL5, 20 inch shaft
• Suzuki DF20AS5, tiller, manual start
• Suzuki DF15ATHL5, 15 HP
• Suzuki DF25AS5, 25 HP
• Suzuki DF30ATL5, 30 HP
• All Suzuki outboards
• The full shop

Our blog has more on rigging and care. Suzuki’s global marine site shows the worldwide range.

FAQ: Suzuki DF20ATS5 for sale

Is the Suzuki DF20ATS5 for sale new?

Yes. New, in the factory crate, with Suzuki paperwork.

What shaft length is the Suzuki DF20ATS5 for sale?

15 inch, the S shaft, for a transom around 15 inches tall.

Is the Suzuki DF20ATS5 for sale a tiller motor?

No. It is remote, with a control box and steering at the helm.

Does the Suzuki DF20ATS5 for sale have electric start?

Yes, with a manual backup if the battery is flat.

Does the Suzuki DF20ATS5 for sale have power tilt?

Yes. That is the T in the model code. Set the running angle with the bracket pin.

How much does the Suzuki DF20ATS5 for sale weigh?

About 108 lb or 49 kg. Check the paperwork for the exact figure.

Do you ship the Suzuki DF20ATS5 for sale to my country?

We ship worldwide. Send us your location and we quote delivery before you pay.

The Short Version

If your transom measures about 15 inches and you want a quiet, fuel injected, remote steered 20 HP with power tilt, the Suzuki DF20ATS5 for sale is the one to buy. Order it today, or send us your boat details and a transom photo first and we will check the fit.