YAMAHA 4 HP F4SMHA OUTBOARD MOTOR

Description

We have the Yamaha F4SMHA for sale, brand new in its box and ready to ship anywhere in the world. It is a 4 horsepower four-stroke on a 15 inch shaft, with a proper forward, neutral and reverse gearbox, a fuel tank built into the motor and the option of running from an external tank. It weighs about 60 pounds.

The 4 sits in a useful spot in Yamaha’s range. It has noticeably more push than the 2.5, and the real reverse gear makes docking and backing off a beach much easier, but it is still light enough for one adult to lift onto a dinghy. If the 2.5 felt too small and the twin-cylinder 8 feels like too much motor, this is probably the one. Below is everything you need to know before you buy the Yamaha F4SMHA for sale from us: specs, model code, which boats suit it, how to fit it, how to look after it, and how ordering works.

Yamaha F4SMHA Specifications

These match Yamaha’s published figures for the F4. If you would like to check them yourself, Yamaha shows the F4 alongside the F6 and F2.5 on its portable outboards page. The Yamaha F4SMHA for sale here is the short shaft tiller model from that family.

What the Letters Mean

Every Yamaha model name breaks down the same way.

• F: four-stroke.
• 4: 4 horsepower.
• S: short shaft, 15 inches.
• M: manual (pull) start.
• H: tiller handle.
• A: the generation of the design.

So the Yamaha F4SMHA for sale is the 15 inch, pull start, tiller version. There is also a 20 inch version, the Yamaha F4LMHA, for taller transoms and sailboat brackets. Same engine, longer leg.

4 HP vs 2.5 HP vs 6 HP: Picking the Right Size

A lot of people land on this page because they are stuck choosing between the small Yamaha portables. Here is the plain comparison.

A few things jump out. The 4 and 6 share the same 139 cc engine and the same weight. The 6 simply makes more power from it. The 2.5 is a different, much smaller engine, and it is a lot lighter.

So why choose the 4? Two reasons come up again and again. The first is the boat’s rating. Many small inflatables and tenders are rated for 4 HP maximum, and putting a 6 on them would be over the limit. The second is price. If 4 HP is enough for your boat, there is no point paying for 6. The Yamaha F4SMHA for sale gives you the bigger engine, the reverse gear and the external tank option without going over a 4 HP rating.

Boats That Suit the Yamaha F4SMHA for Sale

Inflatable dinghies rated for 4 HP

This is the most common match. Many 8 to 10 foot inflatables carry a 4 HP maximum. The F4 gets the most out of them, pushes two adults comfortably and has reverse for coming alongside a yacht or backing off a beach.

Rigid tenders and small hard dinghies

Hard dinghies are heavier than inflatables for the same size. The extra torque of the 139 cc engine helps, especially into a breeze or against a current.

Small jon boats and car-top boats

On a light 10 to 12 foot jon boat with a 15 inch transom, the Yamaha F4SMHA for sale is a good, economical fishing motor. It will not plane a loaded boat, but it moves along at a useful pace and trolls nicely.

Square stern canoes

For canoes it is on the heavy side compared with the 2.5, so check that your canoe’s transom and rating can handle about 60 pounds hung off the back.

Using It Day to Day

Starting

Yamaha built a decompression device into the starter on the F4. In practice that means the cord pulls smoothly without that sudden jerk you get on some single cylinder engines. With a bit of choke when cold, the Yamaha F4SMHA for sale normally starts in one to three pulls. Warm, usually one.

Shifting and reverse

Unlike the 2.5, the Yamaha F4SMHA for sale has a real gearbox with forward, neutral and reverse. You shift with a lever on the side of the motor. Always shift at idle. Reverse is the big practical advantage: coming alongside a boat, backing away from a dock or reversing off a beach is far easier when you do not have to spin the whole motor around.

Fuel options

The motor has its own tank on top for short trips. For longer runs, you can connect an external fuel tank with the right fitting and line. That is a big deal if you use the boat for fishing trips or exploring, because you are not stopping to refill a small tank every hour or so. Ask us and we can tell you what you need to set up an external tank on the Yamaha F4SMHA for sale.

Noise and smoothness

The Yamaha F4SMHA for sale is a four-stroke, so it is quiet and smoke free. Yamaha uses a labyrinth style exhaust on the small portables that keeps the sound down, which helps when you are trolling or coming into a quiet anchorage.

Carrying and storing

There is a carry handle built into the cowling. When you lay the motor down, use the side Yamaha marks with resting pads. That keeps oil where it belongs.

How Fast Is a 4 HP?

On a typical 9 or 10 foot inflatable with one person, the Yamaha F4SMHA for sale will move along at a decent displacement pace, faster than the 2.5 and with more authority into a chop. With a light boat and a light driver, some combinations will just about lift onto the plane, but you should not buy a 4 expecting to plane. Treat it as a strong displacement motor and you will be pleased with it.

If you need planing performance, you are looking at 6 HP on a very light boat, or more realistically the 8 and 9.9 HP twins. The Yamaha F6SMHA and the Yamaha F8SMHB are both worth a look in that case.

Fitting the Motor

You do not need a mechanic to fit the Yamaha F4SMHA for sale. Here is the routine.

1. Check the boat’s rating plate. Make sure 4 HP and around 60 pounds are within the limits.
2. Clamp it on in the centre of the transom.
3. Check the height. The anti-cavitation plate just above the prop should sit level with the bottom of the hull or a little below. On inflatables with a fixed transom height, this is usually right automatically if you have the correct shaft length.
4. Tighten the clamp screws firmly and recheck after the first run.
5. Attach a safety line from motor to boat.
6. Set the tilt pin so the leg is vertical when the boat is moving with its normal load.

Fill with fresh fuel, check the oil, open the tank vent, and start in neutral. Check for the cooling water stream from the tell-tale, then you are ready.

Break-In

Every new Yamaha needs a short break-in, and the Yamaha F4SMHA for sale is no exception. The details are in the owner’s manual, which you can also download from Yamaha’s owner’s manuals page. In plain terms:

• Start with low to medium throttle and keep varying the speed.
• Gradually work up to higher throttle settings for short periods.
• Avoid long runs at full throttle during the break-in hours.
• Check oil before every trip.
• Change the engine oil when the break-in is done.

Maintenance That Keeps It Going

After every outing

• Flush with fresh water after salt or brackish water use.
• Wash the outside and dry it.
• Look at the cooling tell-tale while running. A weak stream means something needs attention.

Every season or so

• Engine oil and gear oil change.
• Spark plug check or replacement.
• Grease the clamp screws, swivel and tilt points.
• Check the propeller for nicks.
• Inspect fuel lines and the fuel filter.

Every few seasons

Replace the water pump impeller, sooner if you run in sandy water. It is a cheap part and it protects the engine from overheating.

Winter storage

Run the carburettor dry or drain it, change the oil, flush with fresh water and store the motor upright or on its correct side in a dry place. Most hard starting problems in spring come from stale fuel left in the carburettor over winter. Avoid that and the Yamaha F4SMHA for sale will start easily season after season.

Why People Choose Yamaha at This Size

There is no shortage of 4 HP motors on the market, so it is fair to ask why the Yamaha F4SMHA for sale. Here is why Yamaha keeps winning the sale.

• Parts and service. Yamaha dealers are everywhere. Parts for the F4 are common.
• Reliability. The 139 cc OHV single is a proven design with a long track record.
• Easy starting. The built-in decompression makes it easy for anyone to pull start.
• External tank option. Not every small motor offers this. It turns the motor into a real all-day option.
• Resale value. A used Yamaha portable sells quickly.

That is why we keep the Yamaha F4SMHA for sale in stock rather than ordering one only when someone asks.

Living With It in Different Places

Coastal and salt water use

Yamaha’s small portables, the Yamaha F4SMHA for sale included, are built with salt water in mind, with anodes and corrosion resistant finishes. What they cannot do is flush themselves. Rinse and flush after every salt water trip and keep an eye on the anode. Do that and the motor will last.

Lakes and rivers

Fresh water is easy on outboards. Your main enemies are weed in the intake and sand or silt wearing the water pump. Tilt up in shallows and avoid running in the mud.

Hot climates

Keep fuel fresh and covered. Ethanol blends absorb water in humid air, and old fuel gums up the carburettor. Buy small amounts often rather than one big can that sits for months.

Cold climates

Use a bit more choke on cold mornings. At the end of the season, let all the water drain out of the motor before it freezes.

Setting Up an External Fuel Tank

The ability to run from an external tank is one of the main reasons people pick the Yamaha F4SMHA for sale over the smaller 2.5. Here is what is involved.

You need a portable marine fuel tank, a fuel line with a primer bulb and the correct Yamaha-style connector at the motor end. The motor has a fuel joint where the external line plugs in, and a fuel tap that lets you choose between the built-in tank and the external supply. Once it is set up, you squeeze the primer bulb until it is firm, switch the tap over and start the motor as normal.

With a 12 litre tank on the floor of the dinghy or jon boat, the Yamaha F4SMHA for sale becomes a true all-day motor. Fishermen like this because they can troll for hours without thinking about refuelling. Cruisers like it because they can make long runs to shore and back without carrying cans around.

If you want us to point you to the right tank and line for your setup, just ask when you order. It is a common question and we are happy to help.

Using the F4 for Fishing

Plenty of 4 HP motors end up on small fishing boats, and the Yamaha F4SMHA for sale suits that job well.

• Slow trolling. The 139 cc single idles smoothly and pulls a light boat along at a gentle trolling speed.
• Quiet running. Four-stroke and a labyrinth exhaust mean less noise on the water.
• Reverse. Handy for backing up to a snag or holding position against a current.
• Range. With an external tank, you can stay out all day.

For a small car-top boat or a light jon boat, it is a nice, simple fishing motor that does not need a battery, a remote or a mechanic.

Running Costs

A big appeal of a small four-stroke is how little it costs to keep. Owning the Yamaha F4SMHA for sale typically means:

• A modest amount of fuel per outing. Four-strokes at this size are very economical.
• About a litre or less of engine oil per change.
• A tube of gear oil per season.
• A spark plug every so often.
• An impeller every few seasons.

There are no expensive electronics, no battery and no complicated systems. If you do your own maintenance, the yearly bill is tiny. If a dealer does it, it is still one of the cheapest motors to keep running.

Common Mistakes With Small Outboards

None of these are unique to the Yamaha F4SMHA for sale, but we see them often enough that they are worth listing.

1. Buying the wrong shaft. Measure your transom first. The F4SMHA is 15 inches.
2. Leaving fuel in the carburettor over winter. This causes most spring starting trouble.
3. Shifting at speed. Always bring the throttle back to idle before changing gear.
4. Laying it down on the wrong side. Oil ends up in the cylinder and it will smoke or refuse to start.
5. No safety line. A loose clamp and a big wave can send a motor to the bottom.
6. Over the boat’s rating. Check the plate. If it says 4 HP maximum, a 4 is the most you should run.

Accessories Worth Having

You can use the motor straight out of the box. These are the add-ons we see owners buy most often.

• An external fuel tank kit for long days.
• A motor cover to protect the cowling from sun and salt.
• A flushing attachment for easy freshwater flushes.
• A motor stand or bracket for storage on land or on the stern rail of a yacht.
• A spare propeller if you run in rocky or shallow water.

None of these are essential, but each one makes life with the Yamaha F4SMHA for sale a little easier.

Ordering the Yamaha F4SMHA for Sale

We are an online dealer of new outboard motors and we ship worldwide. Here is how it works.

1. Add the motor to your cart, or get in touch if you want to talk about your boat first.
2. We confirm your order, address and delivery route.
3. We pack it in the factory box with extra protection for the trip.
4. You receive tracking as soon as it ships.
5. It is delivered to your door as a parcel.

For international orders, import duty and local taxes are paid by the buyer. We provide all the paperwork customs requires. A local customs broker can tell you what to expect before you order.

You can read our refund and return policy, our terms and conditions, and customer reviews on the site.

Other Motors to Compare

• Yamaha F2.5SMHB: lighter and simpler, no reverse gear.
• Yamaha F4LMHA: the same 4 HP on a 20 inch shaft.
• Yamaha F6SMHA: the same engine with 6 HP.
• Yamaha F8SMHB: twin cylinder, more power for heavier boats.

Browse the full 4 HP Yamaha section or all Yamaha outboards.

Questions About the Yamaha F4SMHA for Sale

Is it new?

Yes. The Yamaha F4SMHA for sale on this page is a new motor in its factory box.

Does it have reverse?

Yes, a proper forward, neutral and reverse gearbox.

Can I run it from an external tank?

Yes. The F4 can be connected to an external fuel tank. Ask us about the fittings you need.

How much does the Yamaha F4SMHA for sale weigh?

About 60 pounds, or 27 kilograms.

What transom does it fit?

Around 15 inches. If yours is closer to 20, choose the F4LMHA.

Is a propeller included?

Yes, a standard propeller comes fitted.

Can I use it in salt water?

Yes. Flush the Yamaha F4SMHA for sale with fresh water after each salt water trip.

Do I need to mix oil into the fuel?

No. It is a four-stroke. Use plain unleaded fuel.

Will it plane my dinghy?

Generally no. A 4 HP is a strong displacement motor. For planing, look at 8 HP or more on a boat rated for it.

How long will delivery take?

It depends on your location. We give you an estimate when we confirm the order and tracking when it ships.

A Word About Us

We are an online outboard dealer that ships new motors to customers worldwide. Small Yamaha portables are among our most requested items, so we keep the Yamaha F4SMHA for sale in regular stock instead of treating it as a special order. That means shorter waits and fewer surprises. If you have questions about fit, fuel tanks or delivery, a real person reads every message we get through the contact page. You can read more on our about us page or find buying and maintenance tips on the blog. We would rather spend ten minutes helping you choose the right motor than have you buy the wrong one, so do ask if you are unsure whether the Yamaha F4SMHA for sale is the right fit for your boat.

The Short Answer

If your boat is rated for 4 HP and you want a light motor with a real reverse gear and the option of an external tank, the Yamaha F4SMHA for sale is a very sensible choice. It is quiet, easy to start, cheap to run and supported by Yamaha dealers almost everywhere in the world.

Add it to your cart when you are ready, or ask us anything first. And if you want to see what else we stock, the shop has the full Yamaha range.