New Merc 5hp propane four stroke is clean burning and ideal for inflatables
Jan 24, 2019
Making it’s global debut at the Toronto International Boat Show the new Mercury 5hp Propane FourStroke delivers no-hassle portability, reliability and convenience running on alternative clean-burning fuel – whether it’s powering aluminum boats, inflatables or sailboats.
With a large 7.5 cubic inch (123cc) displacement, the new 5hp FourStroke Propane outboard offers best-in-class power by delivering a true 5hp.
Starting at just 59.5 pounds (27.2 kilograms) the 5hp Propane FourStroke is light and easy to carry or transport. And you can run it on the same conventional propane you’re probably using in your backyard bbq, so there’s no gasoline to haul with the engine. It’s also friendly to the environment with 30% lower exhaust emissions compared to gasoline.
With a safety-first approach, the outboard comes standard with a propane auto shut-off valve on the engine and in the fuel hose connector. The standard 6-foot (1.8-meter) fuel hose threads quickly and easily to the outboard and comes with a standard US POL connector on the tank side. A 20-pound (5 gallon) tank of conventional propane provides approximately 10 hours of boating at full throttle.
“This is Mercury’s first outboard to run on clean-burning propane fuel,” “Propane doesn’t degrade or contain ethanol, so you don’t need to worry about what type of fuel to run or how fresh it is. The pressurized fuel system eliminates priming, making the outboard easier to start, and the auto shut-off valves are there for safety, “ says Jim Hergert, Mercury’s category manager of outboards 60hp and lower.
“In short, it’s a very eco-friendly, easy-to-use, reliable and intuitive outboard.”
Starting is made easy with the manual choke, which enriches the fuel-to-air ratio for fast and reliable starts, particularly when the engine is cold. Auto decompression reduces the pull force when using the starter rope.
Sail Power
Sail Power models are designed for boaters who use a small outboard to pilot their sailboat. The Sail Power model is offered in 20-inch (508 mm) and 25-inch (635 mm) shaft lengths, and additional features include:
• 12 Volt, 4 Amp / 50-Watt alternator charging system with cable allows sailors to charge a battery to run electronics or lights
• Reverse-thrust exhaust relief and high-thrust propeller improves slow-speed handling and control
