Introduction
Electric start lets you start the engine with a key or a starter button instead of a pull cord. This guide covers how it works, what it adds in convenience and cost, the battery you will need, and how to choose the right electric-start model.
How Does Electric Start Work?
An electric-start outboard uses a 12 V battery to power a starter motor. When you turn the key or press the button, the starter turns the flywheel, which spins the engine until it fires. Once the engine is running, a charging coil under the flywheel and a rectifier/regulator recharge the battery (about 6 A on the Suzuki DF9.9B/15A/20A).
Electric-start motors ship without a battery; you supply your own 12 V starting battery and cables. Suzuki’s minimums are 450 MCA / 330 CCA / 70 RC for the DF9.9B, DF15A and DF20A and 650 MCA / 512 CCA / 160 RC for the DF25A and DF30A. The Suzuki battery requirements chart lists every model, and the battery cable and wiring guide covers cable size and hookup.
Advantages of Electric Start
- Ease of use: Turn the key or press the button and the starter does the work. No bracing yourself in a small boat to yank a cord.
- Consistency: Electric start turns the engine at a steady speed every time, which is a real help on cold mornings or for anyone who finds a pull cord hard work. It adds a battery, starter and solenoid to look after, which is why most tiller electric-start Suzukis keep a pull cord as a backup.
- Safety: You don’t need to pull a cord to start the engine, which matters if the recoil kicks back or the cord breaks, and it keeps your hands away from the powerhead while starting.
How to Choose an Electric Start Outboard
- Size: The size of your boat and the weight it carries determine the horsepower you need. Our guide to what size outboard your boat needs walks through the transom rating and load.
- Shaft length: The shaft length keeps the propeller properly submerged. Measure from the top of the transom to the bottom of the hull at the centerline (not to the waterline): about 15 in. takes a short shaft, 20 in. a long shaft, 25 in. an extra-long. See how to measure for shaft length.
- Brand and model: Suzuki and Honda both offer electric start from the 8–9.9 hp class up. Suzuki’s DF9.9B, DF15A and DF20A come in manual and electric-start versions; the DF20AES is the electric-start short-shaft tiller model, for example. Browse the full Suzuki outboard lineup to compare.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are electric start outboards more expensive than pull-start engines?
Yes. Electric start costs more than the pull-start version of the same motor, and you also need to buy a battery, but it is easier to use.
Can electric start be retrofitted to an existing boat?
An electric-start motor can be fitted to a boat that has never had one, but the boat needs a 12 V starting battery and cables. Converting an existing pull-start motor to electric start is only possible on some models; the Suzuki DF2.5, DF4A, DF5A and DF6A cannot be converted.
Do electric start outboards need extra maintenance?
The engine itself follows the same maintenance schedule as the pull-start version: oil changes, spark plugs, impeller. The extra items are the battery and its terminals; keep them clean and tight and check the battery’s charge before the season.