Advice please Tohatsu 9.8 2 stroke or 4 stroke?

[jamesdestin]

I am looking for an auxillary outboard for my 25ft Coronado sloop. She was designed with an outboard well in the lazarette, but had an inboard for years (now removed). I intend to open up the well and put an outboard in it. She is kept in Cardiff Bay and cruises the Bristol Channel. This means some big tides! The boat weighs in at something over 2 tons.

I can get both the 2 & 4 stroke Tohatsus with saildrive at a reasonable price, although the 2 stroke is £275 cheaper and 8 kilos lighter. I'm tempted by the light weight and simplicity of the 2 stroke. I'm satisfied that either will be powerful enough but am I just being a luddite about the 4 stroke?

The opinions of this erudite forum would be appreciated

 

[glandorebay]

I had a SEAL SINBAD with a 2 stroke in the well. It was smoky, vibey and noisy.
I upgraded to a TOHATSU 6HP SAILDRIVE (extra long shaft), 4-STROKE, with HIGH THRUST PROPELLERand ALTERNATOR.
This was the best outboard I have ever owned in over 40 years of seafaring.
FUEL ECONOMY was amazing if RUN AT THREE-QUARTER THROTTLE. This is recommended for HT PROPS and NEGLIGIBLE SPEED LOSS.
A few years ago, SAILING TODAY did a GROUP-TEST on 9.8HP outboards and the TOHATSU had the STRONGEST BOLLARD PULL.
In the well, in use, there was no exhaust fumes, no vibration and OH SO QUIET.
It pushed the SINBAD, 1.2 Tonnes Displacement at HULL SPEED - 5.5 knots on 3/4 throttle.

My opinion, for what it's worth.
DEFINITELY TOHATSU and DEFINITELY 4-STROKE IN A WELL.

 

[Lakesailor]

[ QUOTE ]
am I just being a luddite about the 4 stroke?



[/ QUOTE ] Finger on the pulse there. I see Glandorebay is of the same opinion.
There'll be a lot of 2 stroke junkies along in a moment to tell how fab they are. Don't listen. They have been deafened by years of shrieking 2 strokes and can't hear the peace.

 

[cliff]

Sorry, but I ran 2T's went 4T then went back to 2T OBs for TENDERS due to weight and storage problems, not that either would really apply if permanently mounted in a well. That being the case I would for the 4T version, I would however not recommend a small 4T for use on a tender - not while 2T are still available.
--------------------

"Artificial intelligence is no match for natural stupidity"
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[aran01]

Hi Tony_M,
Whatever you do spend a few quid more on a high thrust prop. It will make a huge diff. I moved from a tohatsu 9.9 2S to a yam 6hp 4S with a high thrust prop. It made a huge difference and the 6hp pushes the boat a lot better.Cost about 100EUR but well worth it as the standard prop is not great.

 

[Lakesailor]

That's a sensible opinion. It's horses for courses of course. (is that too many courses?)

 

[AngusMcDoon]

For an outboard as a main engine which will be permanently mounted, I reckon 4-stroke too.

My son has a 9.9hp Yamaha on a 2.2 tonne boat, with a Hight Thrust prop. It's quiet, reliable, starts every time with the electric start, keeps the batteries charged, and does 22 NM per gallon at 5.5 knots. I expect the Tohatsu will be similar.

No fuel/oil mixing either.

 

[Kawasaki]

If your cruising in "The Bristol" there,s lots of water going on there!

Don,t no nuffinc about sloops, stinkie myself.

However you,l need plenty of "poke" 2 stroke 4 stroke debate?

Fuel consumption , not much of a debate here cos you,l be sailing mostly, one presumes?

Different torque (power out put power delivery) 2 verses 4 stroke.

Prop size /type most important factor I think + biggest engine comfortable wherever it sits, don,t get to hung up on this 2 verses 4 thing.

Think about the best lump (engine) that will get you home when you,r punching that 6/8 knot ebb!

 

[jamesdestin]

Thanks all for your constructive comments. Because the motor will be permanently in the well I think I'll go for the 4 stroke. ( I have a small 2 stroke for tender/backup).

thanks again

Tony