Suzuki 9.9 HP DF9.9BTHS5 Outboard Motor

Description

The Suzuki DF9.9BTHS5 for sale is the short shaft member of the tiller family: a new 9.9 HP Suzuki four stroke with a 15 inch shaft, electric start and power tilt. It is in stock as a new motor in the factory crate, the price is on this page and we ship worldwide.

Short shaft means short transom. Plenty of dinghies, small inflatables, light skiffs and old aluminium boats have a transom around 15 inches, and putting a long shaft motor on them leaves the leg too deep and the boat sluggish. This is the motor built for those hulls.

Everything you need to decide is below: how to measure, the full spec table, what the letters mean, the boats it fits, rigging, break-in and care. If you are unsure about your transom, send us a photo and a measurement before ordering.

First Step: Measure Your Transom for the Suzuki DF9.9BTHS5 for sale

Shaft length is the most common reason people buy the wrong outboard, so start here. Measure from the top of the transom, where the motor clamps, straight down to the bottom of the hull. Do this at the centreline, not at the edge.

If you get about 15 inches, a short shaft is right. If you get nearer 20 inches, you want a long shaft such as the Suzuki DF9.9BTHL5. If it is 25 inches, you want the Suzuki DF9.9BTHX5.

Do not try to shim a short shaft up or a long shaft down by more than a small amount. A motor sitting too low creates drag and spray. A motor sitting too high lets the propeller suck air and the engine can overheat when the water intake comes out of the water. A correct match avoids both.

Suzuki DF9.9BTHS5 for sale: Specifications

Weight for the Suzuki DF9.9BTHS5 for sale is quoted differently by different sellers, so take it as a guide and check the label on the motor. For the whole small range, see Suzuki’s 2.5 to 30 HP outboard page.

What DF9.9BTHS5 Tells You

DF is the four stroke family. 9.9 is the power. B is the current fuel injected generation. T is power tilt. H is tiller handle. S is the 15 inch short shaft. The 5 is the production series.

There is no W, so this one is black. The white tiller short shaft is not in this batch, but the Suzuki DF9.9BTHLW5 shows the white finish in a long shaft. There is no E or R, because electric start comes with the T, and the steering is on the motor.

Boats That Suit the Suzuki DF9.9BTHS5 for sale

Rigid and inflatable dinghies

Larger tenders and RIBs sometimes have a short transom. If the maker allows 10 HP, the Suzuki DF9.9BTHS5 for sale is a good partner. Check the transom rating and plan for the weight of the motor, since it is not a light lift.

Small aluminium boats

Older 12 foot and 14 foot jon boats and V hulls often have a 15 inch transom. The 9.9 gives them good performance with two people and some gear.

Light fibreglass skiffs

A narrow, light fibreglass skiff with a low transom is a classic match. Weight is moderate, the tiller keeps the cockpit open and power tilt makes beaching easy.

Dinghy to a sailing yacht

Some yacht tenders carry a 9.9 so the crew can run to the shore at a good speed. The short shaft keeps the lower unit near the surface, which is exactly what you want in shallow anchorages.

Pedal and fishing boats with a bracket

A few small boats use a bracket to mount the motor. The 15 inch shaft is the right choice if the bracket lifts the motor to a higher position.

The Power Tilt Advantage in Shallow Water

A short shaft motor spends a lot of time in shallow water, beaches and boat ramps. That is where power tilt matters. Press the switch on the handle and the leg lifts out of the mud or sand. Press it again to drop. You do not have to lean over the transom and wrestle a hundred pound motor.

There are also tilt pin positions for holding the motor partly raised, and a shallow water drive setting, which is useful over weedy flats. The Suzuki DF9.9BTHS5 for sale gives you all of this without stepping up to a larger engine.

Weight and Balance on a Small Boat

Short shaft boats are often small boats, and a 9.9 at the stern shifts the balance. Put the fuel tank and battery forward of the motor and keep the heaviest passenger near the middle. If the stern squats, the boat feels slow and the bow lifts. Moving weight forward fixes it faster than changing the prop.

Check the weight rating on the boat’s capacity plate before you buy the Suzuki DF9.9BTHS5 for sale. If the plate shows a maximum engine weight, compare it with the weight in our specification table. Some very small tenders cannot carry a motor this size, and it is better to find out before the crate arrives.

On the Water: How It Feels

The fuel injected two cylinder in the Suzuki DF9.9BTHS5 for sale runs smoothly. It starts easily, idles evenly and does not hunt when you trim the throttle. The gear ratio of 2.08:1 allows a larger propeller to turn slowly, which gives good bite for a small motor.

On a light dinghy the Suzuki DF9.9BTHS5 for sale lifts the boat onto the plane quickly with one or two people. With more weight it takes longer, and the right prop pitch makes a big difference. We always say the same thing: a lower pitch prop gets you moving, a higher pitch prop gets you speed.

Tiller Handle Features

The grip includes the throttle, the tilt switch and a tension adjuster for the throttle. A lever on the front of the motor sets the steering friction without tools. Use light friction when you run alone and tighten it when you want the motor to hold course while you move around the boat.

Because the Suzuki DF9.9BTHS5 for sale is aimed at small boats, you will use the tiller a lot at low speed, working through harbours and anchorages. The smooth gearing and the low noise make this pleasant.

Electric Start and Back-Up

On the Suzuki DF9.9BTHS5 for sale, press the key or button and the starter spins the engine. A 12 volt marine battery is needed, since the motor does not contain one. The pull cord is kept in case of a flat battery.

On a small boat, mount the battery low and secure it. A loose battery in a rolling dinghy is a hazard. Use a battery box with a strap and protect the terminals from spray.

Rigging the Suzuki DF9.9BTHS5 for sale

• Clamp the motor to the centre of the transom.
• Use a clamp lock or a safety line to keep it from falling off.
• Connect a fuel tank with hose and bulb.
• Connect the battery with proper cable and a fuse.
• Fit a propeller suited to your load and rpm target.
• Attach the kill switch lanyard to yourself.

No cables, control box or steering system are needed for the Suzuki DF9.9BTHS5 for sale. That is why this motor suits small boats where space is tight and the budget matters.

When you first run the motor, check where the anti-ventilation plate sits. It should be about level with the hull bottom. If the boat is a light dinghy with a flat bottom, you may find it runs best with the plate slightly above the keel line.

Propeller Choice

The prop should let the engine reach 5,000 to 6,000 rpm at full throttle with a normal load. If it revs past the range, you need more pitch. If it cannot get there, you need less. A tender that carries one person can use more pitch than a boat with four aboard and gear.

Aluminium props are standard and cost little. For dinghy use, where rocks and sand are common, a cheap prop is a plus. The Suzuki genuine parts and accessories page covers props and service parts. Tell us how you use the boat and we will suggest a starting size.

Breaking In the Suzuki DF9.9BTHS5 for sale

Follow the manual. In short, run at varied speeds, avoid holding full throttle for long and change the oil at the first service. On a small boat it is easy to run flat out all the time, so try to stay disciplined for the first few hours.

Inspect the fuel line, the clamps and the tell-tale stream before each of the first outings. After a short run, check for loose fasteners on the clamp bracket.

Maintenance Plan

• Flush with fresh water after each use.
• Change oil and filter after the first service, then yearly.
• Replace gear oil every season and check for water.
• Replace the impeller every two or three seasons, sooner in silty water.
• Check and replace the anode when half gone.
• Replace plugs and the fuel filter per the manual.
• Grease the steering pivot and tilt fittings.

A short shaft motor in a dinghy gets splashed and beached often. Look for sand around the intake after every beach run. Sand wears impellers quickly, so a spare kit in the boat is wise.

Fuel Use and Running Cost

Fuel burn depends on the boat, the load and the throttle. We do not print numbers we cannot back up. What we can say is that fuel injection and four stroke efficiency give the Suzuki DF9.9BTHS5 for sale a clear edge over carburetted motors, and it runs on plain unleaded without mixing oil.

Looking After the Motor Between Trips

Dinghies often sit on davits or on the dock for days. Tilt the motor up, flush it, wipe it and cover it. In a salt environment, spray a corrosion inhibitor under the cowl.

For long storage, flush, change the oil, treat the fuel and keep the motor upright. Put the battery on a charger. When you return, check the oil and the fuel before the first start.

Beaching, Ramps and Shallow Water Habits

Short shaft boats spend a lot of time near the shore, and a few habits protect the motor. Tilt the leg up before the hull touches sand, not after. If you run onto a bar, stop, tilt up and walk the boat free. Reversing off a bar with the prop in the sand wears the propeller and can bend a blade.

At a ramp, lower the motor only when the boat floats and the water is deep enough to cover the intake. Starting the Suzuki DF9.9BTHS5 for sale in too little water can overheat it in seconds. Let it run, check the tell-tale stream, and only then move off.

After a day over sand or mud, flush the motor with fresh water and look at the intake holes on the leg. Clear any weed or shell. Two minutes of work on the dock can save a water pump.

Who Buys the Suzuki DF9.9BTHS5 for sale

Our short shaft customers are a varied group. Some run island ferries and need a tender at the mooring. Some own rental boats and want a motor that is simple and starts every time. Some are retirees with a small aluminium boat and a lake. Others are builders of custom skiffs who want a compact engine that fits a low transom.

What they share is a boat with limited space and a limited transom. For them, the Suzuki DF9.9BTHS5 for sale is a sensible answer: enough power to be useful, electric start for convenience and power tilt for shallow water work.

Short Shaft Against Long Shaft: What Really Changes

The engine is identical. Only the midsection and driveshaft are shorter. The gearcase sits closer to the surface, which suits a low transom. In choppy water, a short shaft motor on a high transom can ventilate in a turn, while a motor mounted deeper can drag.

Weight also drops a little. The 15 inch version is the lightest of the electric start tiller models. For a small boat, those pounds matter, and so does the lower centre of gravity.

If you are close to the borderline, choose by the lowest point of the hull. Boats that run in rough open water usually do better with the longer shaft, and sheltered boats do well with the shorter one. When in doubt, tell us the boat model and we will help.

Choosing Between the Suzuki DF9.9BTHS5 for sale and Remote Models

A tiller is simple and cheap to rig, but you must sit at the stern. In a small boat that is fine. In a bigger boat with a console, a remote model is more comfortable. The remote short shaft version is the Suzuki DF9.9BTS5, which keeps power tilt and electric start but swaps the tiller for cable controls.

The remote model costs a little more and needs a control box, cables and a steering system. If your boat has none of these, the tiller version saves money and trouble.

Basic Safety Kit for a Small Boat

Carry a lifejacket for each person, a paddle or oars, a bailer, a whistle and a charged phone in a waterproof pouch. Attach the kill switch lanyard each time you start the Suzuki DF9.9BTHS5 for sale. Keep a spare propeller, nut and pin. Small boats do not offer much room for error, and a simple kit keeps small problems small.

Checking the Motor When the Crate Arrives

When the crate lands, open it in good light and check the box for damage before signing off with the carrier. Look at the cowl, the tiller handle, the propeller shaft and the clamp screws. Compare the model plate on the motor with the code on your order, which should read DF9.9BTHS5.

Keep the packing until you have run the engine. If something looks wrong, photograph it and contact us straight away with the pictures. Our contact page is the quickest route. Most deliveries arrive without trouble, but a clear photo trail makes any claim simple.

Then fit the motor to the boat, add oil if the manual asks for it, connect fuel and battery, and run it in a tank or on the water. Do not run any four stroke dry out of water, as the impeller needs the cooling flow from the first second.

Quick Fault Finding

No crank. Check the battery and the kill switch lanyard.

Cranks, no start. Pump the bulb, open the tank vent and look for water in the fuel.

Overheating alarm. Stop, tilt up and check the water intake for weed or sand. Replace the impeller if the stream stays weak.

Slow top speed. The motor may be mounted too high or too low, or the prop may be wrong.

Shipping the Suzuki DF9.9BTHS5 for sale

The motor ships in its factory crate. We quote delivery to your nearest port, airport or door before you pay. Once the crate leaves us you get tracking and export documents. If you use a freight forwarder, we can pass the crate to them. We deliver worldwide.

Warranty

Suzuki gives a factory warranty on its outboards. Terms depend on your region and on leisure or commercial use. Keep the receipt and service records, and ask us about warranty in your country before you order.

What Ships With the Motor

You receive the new Suzuki DF9.9BTHS5, the owner’s manual and the warranty paperwork. Fuel tank, battery, cables and propeller depend on stock, so ask us and we will tell you what your order includes.

Buying the Suzuki DF9.9BTHS5 for sale From Us

Every motor we sell is new. The price of the Suzuki DF9.9BTHS5 for sale is shown on this page, and we quote delivery before you commit. We confirm the exact model code and shaft length before dispatch. Read our refund and return policy and terms and conditions, see our customer reviews, learn about us, or order through the contact page.

More Suzuki Motors to Compare

• All 9.9 HP Suzuki outboards
• Suzuki DF9.9BTS5, 15 inch with remote controls
• Suzuki DF9.9BTHL5, 20 inch tiller
• Suzuki DF9.9BS5, 15 inch pull start
• Suzuki DF6ASW5, 6 HP white
• Suzuki DF15AS5, 15 HP short shaft
• All Suzuki outboards
• The full shop

Our blog has more outboard guides. Suzuki’s global marine site, globalsuzuki.com, shows the worldwide range.

FAQ: Suzuki DF9.9BTHS5 for sale

Is the Suzuki DF9.9BTHS5 for sale new?

Yes. New, unused, in the factory crate.

What transom height suits the Suzuki DF9.9BTHS5 for sale?

About 15 inches, measured from the top of the transom to the bottom of the hull.

Does the Suzuki DF9.9BTHS5 for sale have a tiller?

Yes. The H in the code is the tiller handle.

Does the Suzuki DF9.9BTHS5 for sale have power tilt and electric start?

Yes to both. The pull cord remains as a back-up.

How much does the Suzuki DF9.9BTHS5 for sale weigh?

About 120 lb. Check the label on your motor.

Can you ship the Suzuki DF9.9BTHS5 for sale to my country?

We ship worldwide. Send us your location for a delivery quote.

Final Word

For a 15 inch transom, a tiller, electric start and power tilt, the Suzuki DF9.9BTHS5 for sale is the right Suzuki. New, priced on this page and shipped worldwide. Order it today, or message us with your boat details and we will confirm the fit.