Mercury Marine debuts new 5hp FourStroke Propane outboard

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 7.5 cubic inch (123cc) displacement, the new 5hp FourStroke Propane outboard offers best-in-class power by delivering a true 5hp. 

Starting at 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 grill, so there’s no gasoline to haul with the engine. It’s also friendly to the environment with 30 percent 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,” said Jim Hergert, Mercury’s category manager of outboards 60hp and lower. “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. 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.   

The 5hp Propane FourStroke sports an easy-to-reach shift lever on the engine and has six tilt positions with a shallow-water drive to set the outboard where you need it.  

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

The engine will make its global debut at the Toronto International Boat Show beginning Jan. 18, 2019.