20HP Outboard Motors: Mercury vs Suzuki vs Honda Buying Guide

A 20HP outboard is a popular size for smaller fishing boats, inflatables, tenders and lightweight utility craft. It offers considerably more capability than the smallest portable outboards without immediately moving into the size and weight of larger midrange engines.

But choosing a 20HP outboard isn’t simply a matter of deciding between Mercury, Suzuki and Honda. Shaft length, starting system, steering, controls, trim features and compatibility with your boat can matter just as much as the brand.

This guide compares the 20HP outboard configurations currently available from Alexia Motor Yacht and explains what to check before choosing one.

20HP Outboards Currently Available

Alexia currently has several different 20HP configurations worth comparing:

Mercury F20M EFI 20HP Standard Shaft Manual Tiller
Standard/short shaft, manual start and tiller control. Current listed price: £2,760.95.

Mercury F20ML EFI 20HP Long Shaft Tiller
Long-shaft version for boats requiring the longer configuration. Current listed price: £2,760.95.

Mercury F20ELPT EFI 20HP Long Shaft Remote Power Trim
Long shaft with electric start, remote controls and power trim. Current listed price: £3,540.95.

Suzuki DF20AS 20HP Standard Shaft Manual Tiller
Short/standard shaft with manual start and tiller control. Current listed price: £3,150.95.

Suzuki DF20AL 20HP Long Shaft Manual Tiller
Long-shaft manual-start tiller configuration. Current listed price: £3,150.95.

Honda BF20LHU 20HP Long Shaft Manual Tiller
Long-shaft four-stroke with manual start and tiller control. Current listed price: £3,260.95.

These prices reflect the current Alexia listings and should still be confirmed along with availability before ordering.

Mercury 20HP Outboards

Mercury gives buyers several substantially different configurations within the 20HP range.

The Mercury F20M EFI is aimed at boats requiring a standard/short shaft and straightforward manual-start tiller operation.

The F20ML EFI changes that to a long-shaft configuration while retaining tiller control.

The F20ELPT EFI is quite different. It combines a long shaft with electric starting, remote controls and power trim, making it more appropriate for boats using a helm rather than direct tiller steering.

This illustrates why searching for only “Mercury 20HP” isn’t enough. The complete model and configuration matter.

Suzuki 20HP Outboards

The two Suzuki models currently available provide a straightforward shaft-length choice.

The Suzuki DF20AS is the standard/short-shaft version, while the DF20AL provides a long shaft.

Both listings use manual-start tiller configurations and four-stroke EFI engines.

For buyers who already know they want a relatively simple tiller-controlled 20HP outboard, the key decision between these two models is therefore whether the boat requires the short or long shaft.

Honda 20HP Outboard

The Honda BF20LHU provides another option for buyers requiring a long-shaft, manual-start, tiller-controlled four-stroke.

That puts it into a useful comparison with the long-shaft Mercury F20ML EFI and Suzuki DF20AL.

The final choice shouldn’t be based on price or brand alone. Consider compatibility, weight, servicing, included equipment and the configuration required by your boat.

Short Shaft vs Long Shaft

This is one of the most important distinctions between the 20HP models above.

An engine can have exactly the horsepower you want and still be unsuitable if its shaft length doesn’t match your boat’s transom and mounting arrangement.

Don’t choose the shaft length based on appearance or horsepower.

Check the boat manufacturer’s documentation and verify the transom requirements before ordering an engine.

Our How to Choose the Right Outboard Motor for Your Boat guide explains the broader compatibility checks in more detail.

Manual Start vs Electric Start

Manual starting keeps the system relatively straightforward and is common on portable and tiller-controlled engines.

Electric starting adds convenience, particularly where the engine will be started frequently or incorporated into a more sophisticated helm arrangement.

Among Alexia’s current 20HP listings, the Mercury F20ELPT EFI provides the most feature-rich configuration, combining electric start with remote controls and power trim.

That doesn’t automatically make it the correct choice for every boat. A smaller craft designed around tiller steering may be better suited to one of the simpler configurations.

Tiller vs Remote Controls

A tiller-controlled outboard is operated directly from the engine.

Remote-control engines are intended for installations where throttle and gear controls are positioned elsewhere on the boat, typically at a steering console.

Before buying, determine which system your boat uses and what additional rigging is required.

Controls, gauges, harnesses and other equipment may vary by model and listing, so confirm exactly what is included with the engine.

What Does Power Trim Change?

Power trim allows the engine angle to be adjusted electrically.

Among the 20HP engines currently listed, this is an important distinction of the Mercury F20ELPT EFI.

Whether you need it depends on your boat and intended use. Don’t confuse power trim with horsepower—they describe very different aspects of the engine.

EFI on a 20HP Outboard

Several models in this comparison use electronic fuel injection.

EFI is worth considering, but it shouldn’t become the only factor in the decision.

Compare the complete engine specification, including:

• Shaft length
• Engine weight
• Starting system
• Steering/control arrangement
• Trim system
• Rigging requirements
• Service requirements
• Included equipment
• Price and availability

The correct configuration is more important than selecting an engine because of one feature.

What Boats Use a 20HP Outboard?

Twenty-horsepower outboards can be suitable for various smaller craft, but suitability depends on the individual boat.

Possible applications include smaller fishing boats, inflatables, tenders and lightweight utility boats.

Always follow the boat manufacturer’s horsepower and engine-weight limits. Never assume that a boat can safely accept a 20HP motor simply because another boat of similar size uses one.

20HP Outboard Buying Checklist

Before ordering, confirm:

• The boat manufacturer’s permitted horsepower range
• Required shaft length
• Maximum permitted engine weight
• Tiller or remote steering requirements
• Manual or electric starting preference
• Whether power trim is required
• Steering and control compatibility
• Gauge and wiring requirements
• What rigging is included
• Whether a propeller is included
• Current engine availability
• Delivery timing
• Installation requirements

Mercury vs Suzuki vs Honda: Which Should You Buy?

There isn’t one 20HP outboard that is automatically right for every buyer.

Start with your boat.

If it requires a short-shaft manual tiller, compare the Mercury F20M EFI and Suzuki DF20AS.

If it requires a long-shaft tiller, compare the Mercury F20ML EFI, Suzuki DF20AL and Honda BF20LHU.

If you need a long-shaft engine with electric start, remote controls and power trim, the Mercury F20ELPT EFI represents a different configuration from the manual-tiller alternatives.

Once you’ve narrowed the options by configuration, compare price, included equipment, servicing considerations and availability.

Compare 20HP Outboard Motors

Alexia Motor Yacht currently carries 20HP models across the Mercury, Suzuki and Honda ranges.

Browse the individual product pages for specifications and current pricing, and confirm the exact model, shaft length, included equipment and availability before ordering.