Re: Nissan Outboards?
The Merc 9.9 is in fact a Tohatsu/Nissan 9.8 "in merc clothing". You just pay a lot more for the merc stickers.
The Tohatsu/Nissan 8/9.8 are the same family -- same frame and same block. When possible (boat rating and budget), I always recommend the 9.8 over the 8, as you get 20% more HP for a couple hundred bux. They are as good as it gets.
FWIW, we just ran on-the-water tests (yesterday) among the Yamaha 8, Honda 9.9, and Tohatsu 9.8. The boats used were PolarKraft 1460's. The Tohatsu was the hands-down winner in quietness, weight, power, and price.