6 Best Quiet Propane Outboard Motors For Fishing That Won’t Spook the Fish

Picture a glass-calm morning, mist rising off the water as you glide into your favorite fishing cove. The only sounds are the gentle lapping of water against the hull and the call of a distant loon. Suddenly, that peace is shattered by the sputtering, smoky roar of a traditional gas outboard, and you watch the tell-tale ripples of spooked fish fan out from your boat. For anglers who value stealth and serenity, the solution isn’t just a paddle—it’s the quiet, clean power of a propane outboard motor.

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Why Choose a Propane Motor for Quiet Fishing?

The biggest advantage of a propane motor is what you don’t get: the noise, vibration, and fumes of a gasoline engine. Propane burns cleaner and combusts differently, resulting in a lower, less intrusive engine tone that doesn’t carry as far across or through the water. This means you can approach your spot without announcing your arrival to every bass and trout in the vicinity.

Beyond stealth, propane offers serious practical benefits. You can say goodbye to the headaches of ethanol-laced gasoline, which gums up carburetors and degrades fuel lines over time. Propane doesn’t go bad, making winter storage a breeze—there’s no need to drain the tank or run the carb dry. Fueling up is as simple as screwing on a standard 1lb green camp stove canister or connecting to a larger 20lb BBQ tank for longer trips.

Of course, there are trade-offs. Propane has a slightly lower energy density than gasoline, so you might see a marginal difference in top-end speed compared to a gas motor of the same horsepower. But for most fishing applications, where trolling speed and quiet operation are king, this is a trade worth making. The convenience and reliability often outweigh any minor performance dip.

Mercury 5hp Propane FourStroke: Reliable Power

When you need a dependable workhorse for your 12-foot aluminum boat or a larger inflatable, the Mercury 5hp Propane FourStroke is a top contender. This motor comes from a brand synonymous with marine reliability, offering peace of mind and an extensive service network. It delivers consistent, easy starts and enough thrust to push a decent-sized craft against a light wind or current.

The design is focused on user-friendly operation. It features a simple, forward-neutral-reverse gear shift and a multi-position tiller for comfortable control. Mercury also incorporates a through-prop exhaust, which vents underwater to further reduce noise. This isn’t just a motor; it’s a well-engineered tool for anglers who value performance and don’t want to fuss with their equipment on the water.

This motor is ideal for the weekend warrior who fishes on small to medium-sized lakes and needs more than just a trolling motor. It strikes a fantastic balance between being powerful enough for confident navigation and quiet enough for serious fishing. If you prioritize proven reliability and easy serviceability, the Mercury is a rock-solid choice.

Tohatsu MFS5LPG 5hp: A Quiet, Efficient Choice

For the angler who appreciates refined engineering, the Tohatsu 5hp propane outboard is an exceptional option. Tohatsu has a long-standing reputation for building incredibly durable and smooth-running motors, and their propane model is no exception. It’s often praised for its low vibration and exceptionally quiet operation, even when compared to other propane outboards.

Functionality and safety are at the core of the Tohatsu design. It features a safety fuel shut-off valve that automatically closes when the engine is turned off, preventing any propane leakage during transport or storage. The large, comfortable carrying handle and multiple trim positions make it easy to manage both on and off the boat. This motor is built for efficiency, sipping fuel from a 1lb canister or a larger external tank.

Choosing the Tohatsu often comes down to prioritizing a premium, quiet experience. While it may not have the same brand recognition as Mercury in some regions, those in the know recognize its quality. It’s the perfect fit for the angler who wants a smooth, efficient, and almost whisper-quiet motor to power their fishing adventures.

Lehr 2.5hp: Ultralight for Kayaks & Small Craft

If your fishing vessel is a kayak, canoe, or a small dinghy, weight is your biggest enemy. Lugging a heavy outboard to the water’s edge can ruin a trip before it starts. The Lehr 2.5hp is the answer, tipping the scales at a mere 37 pounds. It’s a truly portable motor that one person can easily carry and mount without breaking a sweat.

This motor is all about convenience. It runs cleanly on a standard 1lb propane canister that screws directly into the engine cowl, eliminating the need for external fuel tanks or hoses on a small, cluttered craft. It provides just enough power to get you to your fishing spot faster than paddling or to hold your position while you cast, making it an incredible upgrade for paddle-powered anglers.

Let’s be clear about its purpose. This is not the motor for pushing a heavy boat across a windswept lake. It’s a specialized tool for specific applications. Its primary strengths are its light weight and simplicity, making it the perfect companion for small watercraft on calm days.

Mercury 3.5hp Propane: Portability & Performance

Sometimes, 2.5 horsepower isn’t quite enough, but a 5hp motor feels like overkill. The Mercury 3.5hp Propane outboard hits that perfect middle ground. It offers a noticeable step up in power from the ultralight models while remaining incredibly portable at around 41 pounds.

This motor is packed with features that make it a joy to use on a small boat. With full 360-degree steering, it offers exceptional maneuverability for navigating tight spots or pulling up to a dock. The tiller handle is designed for comfort, and its light weight makes tilting it out of the water effortless. It’s an ideal power source for a square-stern canoe or a 10- to 12-foot jon boat.

Think of this as the versatile go-getter. It has enough power to give you confidence if the wind picks up but is still light enough that you won’t dread taking it on and off your boat. For many anglers with smaller vessels, this motor represents the sweet spot of portable, quiet, and capable performance.

Lehr 9.9hp: Serious Thrust for Larger Jon Boats

When you’re fishing from a heavier, 14- or 16-foot jon boat or a small pontoon, you need more than just a little push. The Lehr 9.9hp is the answer for anglers who are fully committed to the benefits of propane but require serious power. This motor provides the thrust needed to get a boat on plane, cover significant distances, and handle bigger water with authority.

This is a full-featured outboard, not just a kicker. It often comes with options like an electric start, which eliminates pull-cords entirely, and is designed to run off larger 20lb propane tanks for extended range. Many models are also compatible with remote steering and throttle controls, allowing for a proper console setup on a larger fishing boat.

The trade-off is size and weight; this is a much heavier and more substantial piece of equipment. It’s not designed for portability. This motor is for the dedicated angler whose boat stays on a trailer or in the water and who wants a clean, quiet, and powerful primary engine without the hassles of gasoline.

Lehr 5hp Propane: A Versatile Mid-Range Option

As a pioneer in the consumer propane outboard market, Lehr brings years of focused experience to the table, and their 5hp model is a testament to that. It stands as a strong competitor to the offerings from Mercury and Tohatsu, providing a reliable and straightforward power source for a huge range of small fishing boats.

The Lehr 5hp is built with a focus on durability and simple, effective mechanics. It offers all the core benefits you expect: easy starts, no carburetor issues, and quiet operation. It’s a no-nonsense motor that does its job well, making it a great choice for anglers who appreciate a product from a company that specializes in this specific technology.

For someone looking at the 5hp class, the Lehr is an excellent option to consider alongside the bigger brands. It’s a versatile and capable motor perfect for powering a day of fishing on your local lake or reservoir. It proves that you don’t need a household name to get fantastic performance on the water.

Matching Propane Motor HP to Your Fishing Needs

Choosing the right motor isn’t about getting the most horsepower; it’s about getting the right horsepower for your boat and your style of fishing. An overpowered boat is inefficient and can be dangerous, while an underpowered one can leave you struggling against the wind.

Use this simple framework to guide your decision:

• 1-3.5 HP Range: This is the ultralight category. Ideal for kayaks, canoes, small tenders, and inflatables under 10 feet. Perfect for trolling on calm lakes and rivers where portability is your number one priority.
• 4-6 HP Range: The all-around sweet spot. This is the workhorse class for most anglers, perfectly suited for 10- to 14-foot aluminum boats, jon boats, and larger inflatables. It provides enough power to move at a good clip and handle moderate conditions with confidence. This is where versatility shines.
• 8-10+ HP Range: This is for primary propulsion on larger, heavier boats. If you have a 14- to 16-foot boat or a small pontoon and need to get on plane or travel across large bodies of water, this is the power you need. The focus here is on capability and range.

Before you buy, check your boat’s transom plate for its maximum horsepower rating and never exceed it. The goal is to create a balanced, efficient, and safe fishing machine that lets you focus on the fish, not the motor.

Ultimately, the best propane outboard is the one that gets you on the water with minimal fuss and maximum stealth. Don’t get lost in spec sheets. Think about your boat, the water you fish, and what will make your time outside more enjoyable. The right motor will fade into the background, leaving you with the quiet hum of the engine and the thrill of the chase.