Boating – May 2018

MOTORHEAD

increments), so it can be oper-
ated comfortably from either
side of the boat. A thumb screw
under the tiller enables verti-
cal adjustment from minus 5
degrees to plus 10 degrees. You
can even reverse the throttle-
grip rotation. Most people pre-
fer to rotate the throttle down
to accelerate, according to
Mercury. Combine all of these
adjustments and it’s possible
to set up the tiller for ideal
comfort in any boat, for any
operator, regardless of arm
length and seat position.
Designed by Mercury with
its small-motor partner,
Tohatsu, an improved intake
helps the new 333cc twin-
cylinder powerhead produce
more torque than the 352cc
motor it replaces, according

to Merc, and weight is reduced

by a significant 10 pounds to

just 99 pounds for the light-

est model. The 327cc Suzuki

DF20 weighs 97 pounds. The

362cc Yamaha F20/15 has

a carburetor and weighs 111

pounds. New motor mounts

better isolate vibration of

the little Merc from the boat

and operator. The “lash for

life” valve train never needs

adjustment. There’s even a

drain for the oil filter to make

maintenance less messy. The

new Merc 20/15 is available in

15- and 20-inch lengths (plus a

25-inch 15 hp version for sail-

boats), with manual and elec-

tric starting, manual or power

tilt, and a tiller or remote con-

trol. For more information,

visit mercurymarine.com.

New motor

mounts signifi-

cantly reduce

vibration passed

to the operator.

PHOTO: COURTESY MERCURY MARINE

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