Outboard dilema

[Caladh]

I have a Tohatsu 3.3hp 2 stroke outboard dating from the 90’a probably, but have been offered a 2.3hp Honda - from 2004. It looks vg condition. I don’t know whether to accept it bearing in mind many people say hang on to a 2 stroke with you life !

 

[jamie N]

I have both of these engine's, and find them to be super bits of kit. They both start 2nd or 3rd pull, I spend maybe an hour a year maintaining them; oils where needed, a wipedown with WD40 and a greasy cloth, at the end of the year. The only 'trick' that I'm aware of is that I run the carbs dry each and every time that I use them.
I have my Tohatsu as a spare, and have loaned it out to a couple of mates in the past years. It cost me very ££'s, and is 'now' 100% reliable.
Is the offer to do a swap?
Umhh, I'd probably accept it, but wouldn't be too fussed if I didn't.

 

[Caladh]

I have both of these engine's, and find them to be super bits of kit. They both start 2nd or 3rd pull, I spend maybe an hour a year maintaining them; oils where needed, a wipedown with WD40 and a greasy cloth, at the end of the year. The only 'trick' that I'm aware of is that I run the carbs dry each and every time that I use them.
I have my Tohatsu as a spare, and have loaned it out to a couple of mates in the past years. It cost me very ££'s, and is 'now' 100% reliable.
Is the offer to do a swap?
Umhh, I'd probably accept it, but wouldn't be too fussed if I didn't.

No it’s not a swap.

 

[jamie N]

I guess that it's all down to the price then, as both are good engines.

 

[dunedin]

I suspect the Tohatsu is the better outboard for use on a tender.

I think that is the same as our Mariner 3.3hp 2 stroke - which got just for its Neutral gear for use with grand children, having run a Mariner 2.5hp for decades. Both bought second hand and date from last century but work well.
Not parting with the 2.5 as keeping as spare in case 3.3 is stolen or broken.

 

[jamie N]

Oh, forgot to mention that my Tohatsu is the one without neutral, so requires a little bit of thinking ahead, but not too much.

 

[Fantasie 19]

Keep both..

 

[Rappey]

Is the tohatsu a 3.3 ? I thought the Mercury/ mariner was the 3.3, the tohatsu being a 3.5. Did Google but couldn't find a 3.3 tohatsu.
i do realise all the merc/mariner/johnson/tohatsu share lots of parts.
The death of them seems to be the cylinder water jacket corroding through as that would be a very expensive repair.
How does the honda fair over time ?

 

[Snowgoose-1]

Is the tohatsu a 3.3 ? I thought the Mercury/ mariner was the 3.3, the tohatsu being a 3.5. Did Google but couldn't find a 3.3 tohatsu.
i do realise all the merc/mariner/johnson/tohatsu share lots of parts.
The death of them seems to be the cylinder water jacket corroding through as that would be a very expensive repair.
How does the honda fair over time ?

I have had a Honda 2.3 from when they came out over 20 years . As the engine is air cooled, I'm not sure if water gets round in any way.

 

[Caladh]

Thanks for your inputs. I’ve decided against the Honda the main reason being the centrifugal clutch, whereas the Tohatsu of course has one.

 

[fredrussell]

That’s interesting - to me the centrifugal clutch was my favourite feature of the Honda 2.3.

 

[apogee]

Keep the Tohatsu

 

[oldmanofthehills]

That’s interesting - to me the centrifugal clutch was my favourite feature of the Honda 2.3.

I liked my honda with centrifugal clutch - unless it broke that is. The issue I had with it is that the 3.5hp honda 4 stroke was about twice as heavy as my 2hp two stroke as 4 strokes generally are (more gubbins). So carrying it 1km across the marsh to moorings or lifting outboard onto the yacht was way easer with the two stroke, also the 2 stroke needs less maintenance, though slightly thirstier

 

[stone beach]

I once had a small 2 or 3 hp Tohatsu 2 stroke, only good point of mine was it's weight, I was glad to see the back of it, mine was very temperamental to start but fine once I got it going, I don't think it liked the fuel ..... yes I ran it dry at every stop which helped. If you have one which works well I would keep it.
Also had a 4 stroke air cooled Honda 2.?, lovely little engine, also quite light so convenient to handle but rather noisy to be next to for any length of time. I also liked the centrifugal clutch.