New to Tohatsu/nissan

[chiefcatchemall]

Hey all I have been looking a lot at new outboards. I am ready for new. Ive been doing a lot of research and I keep going back to the these Tohatsu/nissan. In particular, I am thinking about a 2012 nissan 4 stroke 20 hp. Reliability is everything out on the water, and I know how reliable they make their vehicles. I've read numerous reviews on these and it seems like they are a very nice reliable, quiet, fuel efficient motor. I just want your honest input on what you guys think about these. Its kind of a big investment. Thanks for your time and happy boating!

 

[fishndirk]

Re: New to Tohatsu/nissan

Don't waste your time or money with the Nissan unless you like spending $300 on a sticker on the side of your motor. The new Nissan 20 and Tohatsu 20 are th same motor internally but Nissan charges a lot more becaue of the company name. I own a 2010 20hp Tohatsu 4 stroke and it is an outstanding motor. Very reliable, smooth running and a lot of torque. Besides all Nissan and Mercury outboards 25hp and bellow are made by Tohatsu. Save your money and go with the Tohatsu. If you are going to be putting it on a light boat between 12 and 16 feet you will not be dissapointed. I run mine on an Alummacraft 1442 NCS, total load is normally around 700lbs and it gets it on plane in a heartbeat, runs wide open at 26mph and cruises nicely at 21-22mph. Hope this helps

 

[chiefcatchemall]

Re: New to Tohatsu/nissan

Yup I did read that as well. I was a little surprised hearing that smaller mercs were made by tohatsu as well. I will be putting it on my deep V 14 ft aluminum sea nymph

 

[fishndirk]

Re: New to Tohatsu/nissan

Its all in the marketing. If the V14 your running it on has a total load of anywhere under say 900 lbs it will still do very well on it. I ran my Tohatsu 20hp on a V12 before my 14 flatbottom and it had almost identical performance. The Merc guys don't like hearing that smaller motors with the same name they have are made by Tohatsu, especially the die hard optimax guys. But there is nothing wrong with Tohatsu. I've known several people with them and their all tuff as nails. Hope it all works out for you

 

[chiefcatchemall]

Re: New to Tohatsu/nissan

Haha yeah I would imagine the hardcore merc guys dont like the fact. But oh well! Yeah my aluminum is WELL under 900 lbs!!!

 

[pvanv]

Re: New to Tohatsu/nissan

Don't waste your time or money with the Nissan unless you like spending $300 on a sticker on the side of your motor. The new Nissan 20 and Tohatsu 20 are th same motor internally but Nissan charges a lot more becaue of the company name. I own a 2010 20hp Tohatsu 4 stroke and it is an outstanding motor. Very reliable, smooth running and a lot of torque. Besides all Nissan and Mercury outboards 25hp and bellow are made by Tohatsu. Save your money and go with the Tohatsu. If you are going to be putting it on a light boat between 12 and 16 feet you will not be dissapointed. I run mine on an Alummacraft 1442 NCS, total load is normally around 700lbs and it gets it on plane in a heartbeat, runs wide open at 26mph and cruises nicely at 21-22mph. Hope this helps

Actually, Tohatsu is the Factory behind quite a few labels. They make ALL Nissan OB's, All Mercs of 30 and below, and for 2012, all Evinrudes of 15 and below.

 

[fishndirk]

Re: New to Tohatsu/nissan

I didn't know that, thought it was just 25hp an bellow but thanks for setting the record straight. I did hear about Tohatsu taking over the smaller Evinrudes though. Even more towards the point though. I just can't fathom why somebody would spend more for the name on their motor. If your going to spend that much money you owe it to yourself to do the research and find out the facts before just saying, "oh I'm gonna buy a merc because I like merc", or "I heard this", or "I heard that". Out of all the smaller outboards, the 20hp ones are most similar too. Compare the specs on the Nissan, Merc, and Tohatsu 20's. Their practically identical.

 

[Sea Rider]

Re: New to Tohatsu/nissan

Stick with Tohatsu, to our dissapointement found that on Merc's 20 HP 4 strokes motors the cooling water pick up screen is located under the anticav plate compared to traditional lower leg on Tohatsu's. Keep this in mind if using standard ear muffs which you cannot use on Merc if flushing after use.

Happy Boating

 

[cs90453]

Re: New to Tohatsu/nissan

Well I just purchased and installed my new MD75 Tohatsu. Can't say alot yet due to still in the break in but I agree that the engines are getting more and more interest in our neck of the woods. I too researched the brand and they have been around since 1953 and are currently making a number of different engines for a couple of brands. I took mine out on the initial test drive and I'm pleased with my purchase. A friend of mine was working for a dealer and explained to me what the brand was all about and how serious they are with the engineering of their products so imo I would say it's a safe buy. Stay away from nissan and get the tohatsu...savings will get you a season's worth of fuel.