Tohatsu 8hp conversion from tiller to remote.

[rolmops]

I just bought this little 2020 8 horse Tohatsu to use as a trolling motor for my 19 foot islander. It will be here next week with a conversion kit in the crate. My question is if it is really hard to do this conversion from tiller to remote and if there are specific tricks and or problems doing this conversion.
Thank you,Cornelis

 

[pvanv]

Pretty easy. Remember that you must adjust the control cables correctly.

 

[rolmops]

Thank you.
Finally I will be able to troll for salmon without a lot of noise and smoke

 

[Sea Rider]

I just bought this little 2020 8 horse Tohatsu to use as a trolling motor for my 19 foot islander.

Will this motor will be used as a main/trolling one or work side of a main one ?

Happy Boating

 

[rolmops]

It is intended to push my 19 foot Islander at speeds of up to 3 mph while trolling on Lake Ontario for Chinook salmon. And in case of need to get me back to port at 5 mph in case my main engine, a 3 liter mercruiser breaks down.

 

[pvanv]

I assume you bought the tiller version because the Remote versions must be installed by a dealer. Remotes cannot be shipped in a box. Why get the detuned 8 hp, when it's identical to the 9.8?

 

[rolmops]

I assume you bought the tiller version because the Remote versions must be installed by a dealer. Remotes cannot be shipped in a box. Why get the detuned 8 hp, when it's identical to the 9.8?

Good points.
I did buy the tiller version because ,as you say, it is very easy to convert it to a remote system, specially when the salesman throws the conversion kit in the crate. Besides, there is the issue of weight. The 8 horse is only 90 # which together with it being de-tuned will allow me to put it on my Evinrude auxiliary bracket where if I would have chosen the 9.8 version,I would have had to change it to a 4stroke bracket because of increased vibration. And last ,but not least. The real difference between the 8 and the 9.8.is a few hundred dollars. My desire is not for speed, but for minimal noise and lower rpm is less noise.
The only problem that I can foresee is buying the right remote control setup. Is the power cable outlet 8 pin or 10 pin? what type of throttle and gear control cable should I buy that will give me a 4 inch radius bend. I know that I do not have room for the 8 inch radius cables.

 

[Sea Rider]

Which parts will be needed to be swapped to turn that 8 to a 9.8 HP ? if costly, other alternative would be to install an induction tach and tach the motor's rpm at wot and check max achieved revs, ideal would be for that mootor to run towards its max wot rpm range as loaded. It's a small portable motor to push back safely to terra firme such a long boat if main motor fails, specially if encountering harsh winds and unpleasent water conditions.

Tohatsu's NOTE : It is highly recommended that the outboard be checked with a tachometer to ensure that the engine is operating within the correct MAXIMUM RPM RANGE.

Happy Boating.

 

[rolmops]

Actually I just read the specs on the 9.8 again and it appears that my previous post was wrong. In fact, the 9.8 is a bit lighter than the 8 and the rpm range for WOT is the same. So the difference must be elsewhere. I will probably install a "Tiny Tach " tachometer on the dash.The 8 horse is $200 dollars cheaper ,that is also a consideration.

 

[pvanv]

Actually I just read the specs on the 9.8 again and it appears that my previous post was wrong. In fact, the 9.8 is a bit lighter than the 8 and the rpm range for WOT is the same. So the difference must be elsewhere. I will probably install a "Tiny Tach " tachometer on the dash.The 8 horse is $200 dollars cheaper ,that is also a consideration.

No.
The 8 and 9.8 are identical except that the 8 has a small carburetor. Everything else is identical.
If you must change brackets for the 9.8, you would also want to do that for the 8.
Weight is not the issue. The newer 4-stroke brackets handle the improved low-end thrust of the 4-strokes. Yes, they are costly, but dumping a running motor and bracket off the boat is even more expensive.

 

[Sea Rider]

Although both motor models runs at same wot rpm range there's a 1.8 HP difference that will benefit a 19 footer heavier boat. Just prop it right with an induction tach to run towards its max wot rpm range as usually loaded.

Happy Boating

 

[rolmops]

After I read all your very sound comments, I decided to change my order from the 8 horse to the 9.8. Thank you all for the very sound advice. Now I am scouting for another heavier auxiliary outboard bracket to replace the lighter evinrude bracket.(Anybody want to buy a nice white evinrude bracket with gas piston?)
And so as in everything boating, the whole thing will cost me about $500 more than originally planned. But with retirement coming up soon, it is good to do it now while I can still afford it.
Thank you all and happy boating.