The outboard is also equipped with a tilt lock feature which locks the tilter angle at 73°. In response, Mercury designed an adjustable down stop which allows boaters to quickly change the vertical operating angle of their tiller handle between -5° and +10° for easy reach and relaxed operation. Mercury Marine’s user research highlighted this need. Today, boaters lack the possibility to adjust a tiller’s vertical operating angle. A common possibility for right-handed boaters, this option is now offered to left-handed yachtsmen, too. Of course, the throttle grip rotation, too, is reversible: when you speed up, boaters intuitively “open their twist” and therefore rotate the back of their hand upwards. And it can be adjusted whenever you want with the help of just a few tools.
Using hand tools, boaters can adjust the tiller arm’s horizontal angle 18# port and starboard from the center, for a total of 7 different positions. The advantages offered by this tiller handle go beyond because, unlike conventional outboards, it can now be positioned to the most convenient location to operate the engine. However, Mercury Marine’s user research found that a significant percentage of boaters prefer to control the tiller handle with their right hand. Traditionally, tiller handles are mounted on the port side of outboard motors, intended for left-hand operation. Consequently, they decided to built an engine which could offer ambidextrous control. However, Mercury Marine’s user research found that a significant percentage of boaters prefer to control the tille handle with their right hand. Traditionally, tiller handles are installed on the left side of outboard motors because yachtsmen are generally expected to prefer left-hand operation. It can be adjusted in order to provide a more intuitive and comfortable boating experience, regardless of driving-hand preference.
Mercury motor 20hp portable#
At the Marine Equipment Trade Show (METS) in Amsterdam, where the outboard enjoyed its world debut, John Buelow, Mercury Marine VP of Global Category Management, defined the new product as ” an engine easy-to-start, intuitive-to-operate, lightweight, fuel-efficient, silent, powerful and reliable”.Īs already mentioned, the distinctive element of this engine is its multi-function tiller handle which delivers a new level of features and functions never seen before on portable outboards. With a displacement of just 333 cc and an overall weight of 45 kg, the new propulsion system is 10% lighter than its predecessor. The new Mercury Marine EFI FourStroke 12/20hpengine is the world’s first portable outboard equipped with an efficient tiller handle which can be adjusted for right- and left-hand control.