Tohatsu 3.5 two stroke

[m1taylor]

You all (regular forumites) seem to love this engine - so I am interested in what it can do. I am working on a Seagull QB longshaft which still has several problems to resolve. I was thinking about whether I should get a Tohatsu 3.5 longshaft while I still can as a back up/in case seagull problems continue and parts are scarce.

So boat is 17ft sloop (wooden clinker) - used estuary, and inshore in benign conditions. Issues - if kept on the boat, will it clog its water channels quickly, or will beginning/end of season flushing do. Advantages - weight is very low, but disadvantage - would need refueling if run for more than one hour (tank capacity). So at the bargain price it is, can it be more than a tender engine?

 

[duncan]

I have just converted my 4 to run off a remote tank - if the 3.5 can be similarily converted then that handles that issue.........

I can't speak for the waterway's issues but it has been suggested on here that remedial action with flushing agents every now and then is as good as messing around flushing every trip.

Again I use a 4 on a tender and for the last 4 years it has never had the fuel in the carb run off (assume it evaportes and gumms up the carb with gum and oil all the time) flushed it ever........but I do change the gearbox oil and grease it plus spray the powerhead with rock oil. It starts 1st or second pull with a healthly water tell tail flow every time.

 

[trouville]

I have both! Not onboard(the main engin being a jhonson 6hp)

The seagulls wonderful looks great gets a lot of attention and always(being long shaft)starts first time.It is very reliable but just dosent push as well its very very loud and needs more oil i use 50;1 It also uses more fule for the same journey and weights in comparison a ton!

Have both!One for the wooden tender on sunday the other for everyday!I did use mine once(in Italy)just to show that the seagull is still a good engine and had lots looking at it but for everyday??

The Tohatsus just a really light simple and so far reliable engin!For the dingy

 

[sailorman]

i have just "fired-up" a Yamaha 2hp ( Tohatsu in different clothes ) it has points rather than the solid state as is now the norm.
it was laid-up in the shed for 4 yrs with fuel in it . emptied the tank loaded with fresh fuel, pulled over a few times ( fuel off ), turned on fuel applied choke it went 2nd pull. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
the engine is at least 20yrs old always used in salt water, water ways rarely gets washed out.
as you intend to use the engine as an auxilary it might be better to have a 4 stroke if weight isnt an issue

 

[Stemar]

IMHO the advantage of the lightweight engines is that you can take it off and take it home with you, rather than have someone else do it for you /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

I run mine in fresh water most times when I get home, and always run it dry if I won't be using it for a few days. It's 4 years old and still runs like new. It'll push my 2 ton, 24 foot bilge keeler at 4 knots in smooth water, tho 3 knots is a more sensible cruising speed. The tank isn't huge: from memory, Tohatsu claim 1 1/2 hours at half throttle, 20 mins flat out.

 

[mikejames]

I would agree , the Tohatsu 3.5 can push my 2 ton GK24 also at just over 4 knots in flat water, when I tried its use as a backup for the diesel inboard.

The rest of the time it is used on the Avon Redcrest with an air deck floor which can show a fair turn of speed of more than the usual 4 knots, if you put your weight on the tubes rather than on the floor, and steer by moving your body weight . Just remember the kill cord

Its actually overpowered for the Redcrest in plod-along mode but the clutch like the Seagull makes for easier handling than the smaller engine (2.5) where it tries to take off as soon as it starts.

But its good for pushing along the rigid dinghies I can borrow from my club to get to my mooring and which tow a beard of weed.