Steve98513
Recruit
- Joined
- Apr 23, 2013
- Messages
- 3
I have never owned or used a Tohatsu outboard, nor have I known anyone who has owned or used a Tohatsu. They are not common in my area, but a local shop is a dealer. He mostly sells smaller Tohatsu outboards in "kicker" motor sizes and a few up to 30 hp and customers seem satisfied. A new outboard is a sizable investment. Yamaha, Evenrude, Mercury, and even Suzuki are relatively common and well known here. I want to repower my 16' Lund. It is a light boat, and weight can be an issue. I use a 4 hp kicker for trolling, already have my fuel tanks near the bow, and the more weight located on or near my transom, the higher the bow rides, and the more difficult my boat is to control in any appreciable wind.
My very old 2-stroke 50 hp jet is 185 lb. I use it on rivers a lot. I thought I wanted a new Yamaha 4-stroke, but the 25 hp jet is about 229 lb, and the 40 hp jet is around 259 lb. So the local dealer also sells Evenrude E-tec that is about 220 lb, but they don't come in jet powered versions. That costs $1,700 to $1,900 extra, but I would have a left over lower unit.
So why this thread? Well, Tohatsu offers a 35 hp jet built on their 40/50 hp block at 196 lb., so the jet pump doesn't have to be purchased separately. It is 2-stroke, but is oil injected like an E-tec. The dealer says it is quiet - for a jet, and like an Evenrude E-tec, is easy on fuel, although maybe not as good as a 4-stroke. Problem for me is that he hasn't sold any and has no reports on motor performance or customer satisfaction. All I have been able to learn thus far is that Tohatsu makes small 4-stroke outboards for Mercury, Suzuki, Nissan, and even Evenrude in the smaller kicker sizes and up to 30 hp for some brands. They wouldn't put their house labels on Tohatsu motors unless they were confident in the quality, durability, and service, etc. However, the model I would consider is a modern advanced 2-stroke technology built on Tohatsu's 40/50 hp engine block. It would give me the most power for the least weight of all the outboard brands I've investigated, and therefore seems like it might be the best choice for my application.
What can the good people in this forum tell me about this outboard? Is it well made? Easy or hard to start? Runs well from idle all the way to wot? Is it really that much quieter than old 2-strokes? Will I regret investing $6 - 7,000 in an outboard brand and model that is all but unknown in my south Puget Sound region?
Thanks for any input.
Steve
My very old 2-stroke 50 hp jet is 185 lb. I use it on rivers a lot. I thought I wanted a new Yamaha 4-stroke, but the 25 hp jet is about 229 lb, and the 40 hp jet is around 259 lb. So the local dealer also sells Evenrude E-tec that is about 220 lb, but they don't come in jet powered versions. That costs $1,700 to $1,900 extra, but I would have a left over lower unit.
So why this thread? Well, Tohatsu offers a 35 hp jet built on their 40/50 hp block at 196 lb., so the jet pump doesn't have to be purchased separately. It is 2-stroke, but is oil injected like an E-tec. The dealer says it is quiet - for a jet, and like an Evenrude E-tec, is easy on fuel, although maybe not as good as a 4-stroke. Problem for me is that he hasn't sold any and has no reports on motor performance or customer satisfaction. All I have been able to learn thus far is that Tohatsu makes small 4-stroke outboards for Mercury, Suzuki, Nissan, and even Evenrude in the smaller kicker sizes and up to 30 hp for some brands. They wouldn't put their house labels on Tohatsu motors unless they were confident in the quality, durability, and service, etc. However, the model I would consider is a modern advanced 2-stroke technology built on Tohatsu's 40/50 hp engine block. It would give me the most power for the least weight of all the outboard brands I've investigated, and therefore seems like it might be the best choice for my application.
What can the good people in this forum tell me about this outboard? Is it well made? Easy or hard to start? Runs well from idle all the way to wot? Is it really that much quieter than old 2-strokes? Will I regret investing $6 - 7,000 in an outboard brand and model that is all but unknown in my south Puget Sound region?
Thanks for any input.
Steve
