"Tohatsu" no model/serial #?

[JonFisher21]

Hi all, first post here so thank you in advance for any help. I just bought my first boat, a little 14' aluminum fishing boat with a ??? motor...

I bought it from "some guy" on OfferUp, and yes, by now I know I paid too much for it and probably got taken in other ways, too. I've got water infiltrating the lower unit, a burnt impeller from the guy starting it "for me" with no water, and an engine I can't identify. The guy couldn't identify it for me, either. (I know, I know! I got caught up in excitement and overlooked a couple of problems.)

The casing said "Tohatsu" at one point, but clearly this has been painted over, scraped off, or both. I've inspected the thing for hours at this point, and there's no sticker/plate with a model or serial number on it. Inside the engine there are several numbers I can't identify, but they don't seem like what I'm looking for.

I do know that it's a 2-stroke engine, and many of the parts are Japanese, so it looks like it may in fact be a Tohatsu.

If I'm going to do the needed repairs, I need the model #, right?

I've attached several pictures. If anyone has any ideas, let me know, because at this point I'm looking at just not being able to use the thing. I've got my first child on the way and I can't afford to go run and buy another outboard...

 

[JimS123]

Can't tell by the pics what it is. Show us a pic of the cowl.

Based on what you have described, its a classic example of a stolen motor.

 

[JonFisher21]

Oof. Jim, these pictures will probably confirm your suspicions. The cowl is just completely black, with the remnants of TOHATSU barely visible on one side. Not even sure if the pictures show that.

So... what do I do? The boat itself was legit, and it's now registered in my name.

I assume I won't be pulled over in the water for a random engine serial number check... but how the hell do I get parts for this thing? Am I just screwed?

People sell used outboards (with the serial number...), but all the ones in my price range right now are very old... as in, pre-1980. E.g., there is one lady selling a 1935 Johnson Seahorse. Can you even get parts for those anymore? I did a couple of internet searches, but nothing definitive...

 

[airshot]

Gonna take lots of searching as Tohatsu made motors for lots of different labels, including there own brand as well as Mercury, Yamaha, and many others. They actually made pretty decent motors so there reputation shows.

 

[flyingscott]

Ask the mod to put this in the tohatsu forum.really knowledgeable guy there who might be able to help you.

 

[JonFisher21]

Ask the mod to put this in the tohatsu forum.really knowledgeable guy there who might be able to help you.

Cool. How do I do that? Do I need to directly message someone? If not, moderator, could you move the thread to the Tohatsu forum please?

 

[ThomW]

The 21012 may be the serial number if it was prior to 2003...the downside is you have to go to Tohatsu.com and send them a message with that serial number to figure out what exactly you have and what parts you will need.

 

[JonFisher21]

The 21012 may be the serial number if it was prior to 2003...the downside is you have to go to Tohatsu.com and send them a message with that serial number to figure out what exactly you have and what parts you will need.

Yeah, I submitted that to them. They ask for the model, though, so I just guessed at that. We'll see if anything happens there... I'm not holding my breath, but it's possible?

 

[JimS123]

Oof. Jim, these pictures will probably confirm your suspicions. The cowl is just completely black, with the remnants of TOHATSU barely visible on one side. Not even sure if the pictures show that.

So... what do I do? The boat itself was legit, and it's now registered in my name.

I assume I won't be pulled over in the water for a random engine serial number check... but how the hell do I get parts for this thing? Am I just screwed?

People sell used outboards (with the serial number...), but all the ones in my price range right now are very old... as in, pre-1980. E.g., there is one lady selling a 1935 Johnson Seahorse. Can you even get parts for those anymore? I did a couple of internet searches, but nothing definitive...

If boats and trailers alone are registered in your name, you are OK. If OBs are registered and titled as as well, you're screwed. (Like Ohio to name one)

It sounds like its a Tohatsu, so maybe a Merc private label. Go to a Merc dealer and maybe he can fix you up.

1935 Seahorses are awesome engines. I have a few. Tune up parts ARE available, but not if you need a gas tank or drive shaft, etc.

An old buddy once told e that he doesn't have a bloat to save money. Boats are expensive. If the Tohatsu isn't workable, save your pennies and WAIT.