Last reviewed: 2026-05-07 --- > Quick answer: Mercury portables run 2.5 to 20 HP, light enough to carry, simple enough to maintain. The 9.9 is the most popular small-boat motor in Canada. All current portables are FourStroke tiller motors. Key choices: size, shaft length...
Last reviewed: 2026-05-07
Quick answer: Mercury portables run 2.5 to 20 HP, light enough to carry, simple enough to maintain. The 9.9 is the most popular small-boat motor in Canada. All current portables are FourStroke tiller motors. Key choices: size, shaft length (short vs. long), and manual vs. electric start. No rigging required, drop-in install. Configure at mercuryrepower.ca.
Why portable motors are the right answer on small boats
Mercury portable outboards are simple, reliable, and well-suited to the most common small-boat applications in the Kawarthas: cottage tin boats, small fishing rigs, sailboat auxiliaries, and kicker setups on bigger boats.
The 9.9 MH in particular is something we sell in volume at HBW every year. It's the workhorse of the Canadian small-boat segment, you bolt it to the transom, attach the fuel line, pull the rope, and go fishing. No rigging. No console. No controls to run. It just works.
What changes the right portable Mercury for your application
Boat size and weight. A 12-foot tin boat needs less HP than a 14-foot heavy-duty aluminum fishing rig.
Use case. Solo fishing is different from a sailboat auxiliary, which is different from a kicker on a bigger boat. The right choice for each varies.
Storage and transport. Smaller portables (under 15 HP) are genuinely hand-carry portable. Larger portables (15–20 HP) are tiller-friendly but heavier, easier with two people.
Manual vs. electric start. Manual (rope pull) saves money and weight. Electric start adds convenience at a cost premium and requires a battery.
Shaft length. Most small boats need short shaft (15 inches). Sailboats and deeper transoms need long shaft (20 inches). Getting this wrong causes problems, cavitation if too short, drag if too long.
The Mercury portable lineup
Mercury 2.5 MH (2.5 HP)
Very small dinghies, ultralight applications. 1-cylinder 4-stroke, manual start.
Mercury 3.5 MH (3.5 HP)
Small dinghies, sailboat auxiliaries, very small fishing boats. A common choice for sailor-auxiliary use.
Mercury 5 MH and 6 MH
8 to 11-foot small boats. Lightweight and portable.
Mercury 9.9 MH (9.9 HP)
12–14-foot tin boats, kicker motors on bigger boats. The most popular small-boat motor in Canada. 2-cylinder 4-stroke, manual start. The standard cottage fishing setup.
Note: The 9.9 ProKicker is a different, purpose-built fishing kicker variant, see the ProKicker guide for that specific application.
Portable Mercury sizing
What are you actually pushing?
The portable Mercury lineup covers a wide range of jobs. The right choice depends less on the hull and more on what role the motor plays.
Dinghy, canoe, or small jon boat
- ✓Tender for a larger boat at anchor
- ✓Solo or two-person fishing on a small pond or river
- ✓Boat under 12 feet, light aluminum or inflatable
- ✓Want one-hand carry and easy stowage
Mercury 2.5 to 6 HP MH
Small fishing boat or backup kicker
- ✓14 to 16 foot aluminum used regularly
- ✓Trolling for walleye or bass on Kawartha lakes
- ✓Backup or kicker for a larger main motor
- ✓Need electric start and remote tiller options
Mercury 9.9 to 20 HP EH or ELH
When in doubt:A 9.9 EFI is the most versatile motor in this range. It carries like a portable but punches like a small kicker. Most owners who buy a 5 wish they'd bought the 9.9 within a season.
Mercury 15 MH and 15 EH (15 HP)
14-foot tin boats, slightly larger small fishing applications. Available in manual or electric start.
Mercury 20 EH (20 HP)
Larger tin boats or smaller aluminum console boats with tiller layouts. Electric start. The top of the portable range, more boat-moving capability, meaningfully heavier.
Manual vs electric start
Manual start (MH models):
- Lower cost, typically a meaningful saving over electric start
- Lower weight, no battery, no starter motor
- Simpler, fewer parts to fail
- No battery maintenance over winter
Electric start (EH models):
- Easier for operators who prefer not to rope-pull
- More convenient for older operators or when physical access to the pull start is awkward
- Requires a battery and ongoing maintenance
For most small fishing applications, manual start (MH) is fine. For older operators or when convenience matters more than weight and cost, electric start (EH) is worth the premium.
Shaft length
Short shaft (15 inches): Standard for most tin boats and small dinghies.
You can build a live CAD quote for your repower online at Mercury Repower Centre.
Long shaft (20 inches): Required for sailboat auxiliaries, deeper transoms, some larger small boats.
Wrong shaft length is the most common portable motor mistake. If the shaft is too short for the transom, the motor cavitates at speed. Too long and the lower unit drags unnecessarily deep.
At HBW, we measure transom depth before recommending shaft length on any portable motor sale. If you're buying a drop-in install for a boat you know well, measure transom depth yourself. The rule: cavitation plate should be roughly level with the bottom of the hull at the prop location.
Storage and transport
Portable motors are designed for easy transport, but they need proper care:
- Storage: Use a motor stand or wall mount. Horizontal storage is okay with the correct orientation, check the owner's manual.
- Transport: Most portables under 15 HP are one-person carry with the built-in handle. 15+ HP models are easier with two people.
- Fuel: Drain the system or add fuel stabilizer if the motor will sit unused for more than a month. Untreated fuel gums up carburetors.
- Mounting: Transom clamps must be tight before every launch. Loose clamps = motor loss in deep water.
Common portable motor mistakes
1. Wrong shaft length. The single most preventable mistake. Measure before you buy.
2. Buying too small for the boat. A 5 HP on a 14-foot tin boat with two anglers is underpowered. Right-size for actual loading.
3. Skipping fuel stabilizer. Portable motors sit unused for stretches. Untreated fuel creates carburetor problems.
4. Skipping break-in. Portable motors have the same break-in requirements as larger Mercurys. Skipping it shortens motor life.
5. Loose transom clamps. Check them before every launch. This one gets people in trouble.
Related posts
Ready to buy a portable Mercury?
Build a quote at mercuryrepower.ca, live pricing in CAD on the full portable range. Or call 905-342-2153. We sell portable Mercurys every season and can match the right motor to your specific application.
FAQ
What's the most popular Mercury portable outboard in Canada?
The Mercury 9.9 MH. Workhorse of cottage fishing, kicker motors, and small-boat applications across the Kawarthas. Reliable, manageable weight, and easy to transport.
Do I need rigging for a Mercury portable motor?
No. Portables are drop-in installs with transom clamps and a separate fuel tank. No control rigging required for tiller variants.
Can I use a 9.9 as my main motor on a small boat?
Yes, for 12 to 14-foot tin boats with one or two passengers on sheltered water. The 9.9 is plenty for solo or two-person fishing on smaller Kawartha lakes.
Manual or electric start?
Manual start (MH) is lighter, cheaper, and simpler. Electric start (EH) is more convenient. Both are reliable; choose based on your preference and budget.
What shaft length do I need?
Most small boats need short shaft (15 inches). Sailboats and deeper transoms need long shaft (20 inches). Measure transom depth before purchase, cavitation plate should be roughly level with the bottom of the hull.
How do I store a portable Mercury?
Motor stand or wall mount. Stabilize fuel if storing more than a month. Check the owner's manual for correct orientation.
Is the 9.9 MH the same as the 9.9 ProKicker?
No, the 9.9 MH is a general-purpose portable motor. The 9.9 ProKicker is purpose-built for fishing kicker applications, with a high-thrust gearcase, larger prop, and longer shaft for big-boat transoms.
Can I use a portable Mercury on a sailboat?
Yes. Long-shaft (20-inch) variants are typically required for sailboat transom depths.
Do portable Mercurys need annual maintenance?
Yes. Annual fluid changes, fuel system service, and inspection are recommended. The cost is small relative to motor replacement. We service portables at HBW.
Ready to price it out? Build a live CAD quote for your repower online at the Mercury Repower Centre.
