Tohatsu 4hp won't plane.

[eatmydirt85]

I have a tohatsu 4hp and a pelican scorpio 10' boat. It will not plane. With one person aboard I spent my day trying everything from moving my weight to the bow, sitting in the bow and different approaches at speed. I even messed with the trim of the motor. It wants to plane very badly, but it really just wants to send the bow to the sky. Has anyone have experience with a hydrofoil? I really think it will help. Also maybe a prop change. Looked around the forum can't seem to find anything about hydrofoils. I don't wanna mess with the carb, I think my mechanic skills do not match. Thanks.

 

[JB]

Re: Tohatsu 4hp won't plane.

What in the world leads you to expect a 4HP outboard to plane any boat, much less a 10 footer?

 

[eatmydirt85]

Re: Tohatsu 4hp won't plane.

I heard other people could do it and this boat is light. Maybe I am kidding myself and need to bumb up the power to an 8hp 2t.

 

[JustJason]

Re: Tohatsu 4hp won't plane.

you need more like a 30hp if your looking for even a light 10 footer to plane

 

[coastalcruiser]

Re: Tohatsu 4hp won't plane.

JustJason you need more like a 30hp if your looking for even a light 10 footer to plane

This is a plastic 110 lb boat 30 hp????

Just read this review not good.

"This boat is fairly stable. DO NOT expect to sit in the back corner of this boat and operate a motor, I weigh 180 and I can not sit there, it nearly submerges the back corner of the boat.On plane this boat doesn't track straight at all, the engine is turned 10 degrees or more to make the boat go straight. If the engine is straightened the boat will turn sharply. This is not caused by my engine because I have used it on other boats without a problem. I just hope [...] will let me return."
Bottom Line No, I would not recommend this to a friend

 

[JustJason]

Re: Tohatsu 4hp won't plane.

Hey I have no idea how much it weighs...
But who ever complained from having TO MUCH power???

 

[eatmydirt85]

Re: Tohatsu 4hp won't plane.

Actually went out today and it finally planed on flat water. I got a Stingray Jr. hydrofoil and it planed out haha. Probably around 10-15 MPH, but enough for plastic

 

[Pat_]

Re: Tohatsu 4hp won't plane.

eatmydirt,

i have similar issue. everything i have read on hydrofoils says that it is hard to fit these on small outboards and it won't help much.

Did you have problems fitting the Stingray Jr to your Tohatsu 4hp?

 

[Sea Rider]

Re: Tohatsu 4hp won't plane.

Actually went out today and it finally planed on flat water. I got a Stingray Jr. hydrofoil and it planed out haha. Probably around 10-15 MPH, but enough for plastic

Get the most out of that motor, if it were a 4 strokes you can update to 6 HP, 4/5/6 have 123 CC and are carbed restricted, same if it were 2 strokes, 4/5 are 169 CC and carbed restricted. Change carburator jets to upgrade to next model engine.

Happy Boating

 

[JB]

Re: Tohatsu 4hp won't plane.

"Change carburator jets to upgrade to next model engine."

Hogwash. Maybe changing carburetors would do something good, but rejetting the same carb would only produce a slug.

 

[mla2ofus]

Re: Tohatsu 4hp won't plane.

you need more like a 30hp if your looking for even a light 10 footer to plane

I disagree. I have a 12' Livingston w/a 55 year old 15HP 'Rude. With just myself in it, I can move the fuel tank and battery amidships and get it up on plane very easy and a livingston is just a displacement hull.
Mike

 

[NYGiants]

Re: Tohatsu 4hp won't plane.

i can get my 12' aluminum rowboat to plane with an 8hp 92 johnson.

 

[pvanv]

Re: Tohatsu 4hp won't plane.

"Change carburator jets to upgrade to next model engine."

Hogwash. Maybe changing carburetors would do something good, but rejetting the same carb would only produce a slug.

True. The difference in power among the 4-stroke 4/5/6 Tohatsu/Nissans is the carb itself. Bigger venturi casting on the bigger carb. Putting the big jet in the small carb would _not_ make it work, and it would run way too rich. You can change to a carb for a 6 and get a boost in power if you need it.

 

[eatmydirt85]

Re: Tohatsu 4hp won't plane.

I actually changed boats. I just bought an Old Town Discovery 15, and it is rated for 5hp. I am going to upgrade it to a six, and see if I can install an alternator.

 

[Sea Rider]

Re: Tohatsu 4hp won't plane.

"Change carburator jets to upgrade to next model engine."

Hogwash. Maybe changing carburetors would do something good, but rejetting the same carb would only produce a slug.

You are right as long each model carb (4/5/6) has wider air/gas passages compared in betwen them, if same internal diameter, just change jets to match given upgraded engine carb.

Happy Boating

 

[eatmydirt85]

Re: Tohatsu 4hp won't plane.

I actually got a Doel-fin stabilizer not a Stingray. It works great, but I do not know how to post a pic on here