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I tried searching, if there are reviews on Tohatsu outboards, please share a link.
What do Tohatsu owners think about their engines? How long have you owned them? Anyone have experience with a 6hp single cylinder extra long shaft? They can be had online for $1500, this is considerably cheaper than a 20" 5hp merc from my local dealer.
I owned an 18hp tohatsu, electric start, for about 6 or 7 years, which made it about 10 years old, when I traded it in. Started every time. Ran very quiet. I changed the oil twice per year and the plugs about every other year. Never had any major maintenance failure. I ran it dry and stored it outdoors each winter (which is not ideal).
The shop told me that one of the cylinders was losing compression, but you would have never known.
Anecdotally, I see a ton of tohatsu OBs on charter boats, which would suggest they are a good value and reliable. They are not top of the market, which I think is reserved for Yamaha.
As for buying a used OB, it can be a real crap shoot. You can't know how it was cared for, let alone broken in. Many don't realize they really need to full full power for the first hour or so, to set the rings. If that wasn't done properly, you can never recover.
I have a Nissan 6, which is the same motor as the Tohatsu. The fuel economy is amazing. It uses about 1/3 gal hr., maybe a little less. It's a single cylinder, so it's not as smooth sounding as a 2 cylinder, but it starts and runs reliably, usually one pull. I got it used, and thought about replacing it, but had a couple minor adjustments made, and everything's fine now. I love it!
I have seen many reports online that Tohatsu manufactures Mercury's small engines, up to 6 hp. The people who said it sounded like they knew what they were talking about. :wink
Mercury, Nissan, Tohatsu and possibly others are all from the Tohatsu plant.. in the smaller HP ranges. Interestingly Nissan offered double the warranty than the others.
Tohatsu's are VERY reliable, especially if you use only 'fresh' gasoline, ethanol free gasoline; or if not, then 'religiously' used with a stabilizer formulated for ethanolated gasoline. Otherwise drain/discard the fuel after 60 days. This will insure quite trouble free operation.
The downside to most all recent small HP Outboards is the inability to adjust the air/fuel mixture in order to compensate for gum/varnish formation in the 'fixed' carburetors. There is a 'fix' for this but not appropriate for discussion within the USA.
Clean fresh fuel is a 'must'.
Consider to run the carb 'dry' before moderate term storage (a few weeks), also drain the carburetor bowl for long term (winter) storage and then flushing (then immediately draining) the carburetor bowl with isopropyl alcohol - IPA.
Replacement of the cooling water impeller is a real complicated PITA - typical of Japanese engineering; but, you'll quickly learn 'the trick' to realign the 'linkage' inside the shaft housing after a few times of changeout.
This engine will instantaneously destroy its impeller if run 'dry' for only a 'few seconds'.
With the 6HP, a standard 9-10 ft. inflatable dinghy with a 200lb. single passenger will easily plane with the standard pitch prop. If you need to carry more load or another passenger, consider reducing the prop pitch; but, then be VERY careful of not exceeding max. rpm when 'single handing'.
Indeed Tohatsu is the manufacture of the 'power heads' for many outboard brands. Some other brands are simply 'full' Tohatsu OBs with different 'cosmetics' and private label brand names, etc.
Good and quite reliable outboard engines; but, 'heavy' ... at about 57 lbs.
I have a 6 hp Tohatsu extra long. I've not had it long and only used it last season. I only use ethanol free gas in it along with a double dose of Blue Marine Stabil. Lots of power. pushed my little 1500 lb sail boat pulling a 10 ft beamy dinghy through chop and 15 mph wind AND AGAINST THE TIDE at 4.2 knots using only 1/3 throttle. nOT AN ISSUE. Great little engine.
Sat on the mooring for two weeks, and a tropical storm. Started right up.
Have a Tohatsu 3.5. I've had it for a few years, although I'm a pretty light user (mostly row). It needs a bit more throttle to start, but has been perfectly reliable. I just fired it up after 18 months of sitting on the hard. Fresh gas and she fired in four pulls. Only thing I did was run it dry before putting it away.
From what I've read, all the small Mercs, Nissans and I think Suzuki are made by Tohatsu. Only Honda is unique.
I'll chime in - we purchased a Tohatsu 6 HP 'Sailpro' in 2014 from an online supplier. We wanted the extra-long (25") shaft for our Beneteau 210 Classic.
Two recommendations:
(a) To prevent fuel flow problems, such as the motor stalling out at low throttle, replace the 'EPA' cap on the 3 gallon tank with an old-style cap that has a simple screw-type vent. This is in addition to the usual precautions, such as running the carb dry and using non-ethanol gas if available.
(b) You will find that the adjusting nut cannot be tightened enough to keep the motor pointed straight ahead - in fact, Tohatsu recommends against 'over-tightening.' This is no help at all if you want to take your hand off the outboard throttle/steering arm for any reason. Tohatsu sells a "steering lock" that you can get from Defender. It will secure the motor oriented straight ahead. Because it is bolted on, you lose the ability to steer the boat around tight spots using the motor as well as the tiller. There might be another solution, such as rigging bungee cords to keep the motor in position, but we went with the steering lock and proceed through the marina as if we had an inboard.
Since we solved these problems the motor has been terrific.
I guess I'm the only one who missed the koolaide. Had a Tahatsu 5 hp which was nothing but issues. Despite following rigorous guidelines about stabilizer, running the carb dry it varnished every two years causing me to find it unreliable and buying a new carb every two, the handle on the pull broke as did the clips.
I bought a Lehr and it starts first pull ALWAYS. No need for gas onboard. Lighter at same hp.
I guess I'm the only one who missed the koolaide. Had a Tahatsu 5 hp which was nothing but issues. Despite following rigorous guidelines about stabilizer,
Chef2sail, I'm chuckling at the irony as I read your response. Prior to the Tohatsu, we had a Lehr 5 HP. Nothing but problems! (Internal propane line broke, pee tube clogged, metal band holding the little green tank sliced my hand more times than I care to count, etc., etc.) It's sitting in my garage - I tried to sell it but no takers. I'd offer you another, but it would cost more to ship than it is worth!
We got the a free fiberglass 6 lb tank so no messing with that band or the bombs.
This is my second full year with the Lehr and it's been flawless except I had to bleed the propane into the carb at the years beginning but it started first pull
the second 18 was bought after the first blew up when a year old. NB they do not seem to honor the 5 year warranty at least not in the Eastern Caribbean.
One negative comment is that compared to a Yam 15 they sound like a bag of spanners at medium to high revs.
All mine have started reliably and run well. The first 18 gave plenty of warning that it was failing but I could not get the local dealer to honor the warranty.
It is worth noting that the charter companies in my area use Tohatsus.
I tried searching, if there are reviews on Tohatsu outboards, please share a link.
What do Tohatsu owners think about their engines? How long have you owned them? Anyone have experience with a 6hp single cylinder extra long shaft? They can be had online for $1500, this is considerably cheaper than a 20" 5hp merc from my local dealer.
Can't be beat!! Had that one (sail pro), a 9.8 electric/hydraulic, a 5 hp - HIGHLY SATISFIED with ALL (PS they make the Mercs).I wouldn't buy anything else!!
I tried searching, if there are reviews on Tohatsu outboards, please share a link.
What do Tohatsu owners think about their engines? How long have you owned them? Anyone have experience with a 6hp single cylinder extra long shaft? They can be had online for $1500, this is considerably cheaper than a 20" 5hp merc from my local dealer.
I have a 2 year 6HP Tahatsu. It's worked fine and gotten easier to start as it broke in. The only thing that took getting used to was in not taking the choke off too fast as that would flood it out and take a while to restart (haven't done it in a year now)
I've always been careful to make sure that the choke is on long enough to not need it. How many seconds, about, do you leave the choke on, do you think?
About 50/50... Left Va late Dec, so due to weather most of the trip to Charleston was on the inside. Outside run to Savannah then 7 months or so in Tybee Island working and visiting friends. Second half last fall was mostly outside. Ran down Florida Bay rather than Hawks Channel due to earlier than normal NE gales plus better anchorages.
Little SailPro pushed along fine even in areas with high tidal flows. Boat has motor well in the lazarett so 25" shaft never comes clear even in a heavy following sea.
I have the 4hp long shaft model, which has the internal tank. I converted it to the 6HP model by adding the 6HP carburetor (the only difference between the 4-5-6hp motor is the carb), and then added the high thrust prop. Cost me $160 for the upgrade, and now I basically have the Sail Pro but with an internal tank (also still has the hookup for external). Great motor that starts every time and runs without a hiccup.
does your 4 horse also have the generator on it? the 6 hp has a 5 amp alternator/generator
also, what vessel are you using the 4 hp on?
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