Tohatsu 6 hp any opinions?

yotter · 20 May 2014

Hello,
I am considering parting with some of my hard earned for a Tohatsu 6 hp outboard (2009 4 stroke), does the panel have any comment about this engine compared with similar spec other makes (there was a suggestion that it may be noise, suffer from vibration), I understand the Mariner amd some other manufacturers use the same power head. I believe it weights around 25kg which is trpical for this spec.
Angus

Lakesailor · 20 May 2014

Mariner and Mercury (and Nissan in the US) use the whole thing. It's just badge engineering.
The 4,5 and 6 are the same unit just with different outputs.
Some have internal tanks, some are dual and some external only.

I've had two. They are the best engine at that size in my opinion. Very quiet, little vibration. (I had a Yamaha which was almost as good)
Dylan has one on his KatyL after exhaustive research.

If buying spares or remote kits or whatever always got for the Tohatsu. They all use the same stuff, but Tohatsu is priced more keenly.

yotter · 20 May 2014

Many thanks Lakey

That sounds positive.
Angus

ProDave · 20 May 2014

The OP is discussing a 6HP 4 stroke.

I was on a boat last weekend with one of those. I'll start by saying it was in a well, so in effect sitting next to us in the cockpit.

BOY was it noisy, and smokey, and smelly.

It made my own 2 stroke 4HP mariner hanging off the back of the transom sound whisper quiet by comparison (and I never notice my own motor as being smokey or smelly even though it's a 2 stroke)

I'm sure most of the extra noise was because it was in a well, bet even so I was surprised just how noisy it was. Are 4 strokes normally noisier than the same size 2 stroke? I know they are heavier.

Lakesailor · 20 May 2014

Nope. I've had both two and four on boats about your size. It does depend if you object to higher or lower pitches (noise, not props). I personally can't do with the higher perceived revs of a two stroke (twice as many power strokes at the same revs as a four stroke. Johnson/Evinrude twins are just too much for me.
The four strokes just chug away and on smaller boats anyway hardly ever need running at any more than half throttle.
In a well the sound may amplify more as the pitch is lower and may resonate the grp around it more.

This is a Tohatsu 5hp at 5 knots (hull speed)

TSB240 · 20 May 2014

ProDave said:
The OP is discussing a 6HP 4 stroke.

I was on a boat last weekend with one of those. I'll start by saying it was in a well, so in effect sitting next to us in the cockpit.

BOY was it noisy, and smokey, and smelly.

It made my own 2 stroke 4HP mariner hanging off the back of the transom sound whisper quiet by comparison (and I never notice my own motor as being smokey or smelly even though it's a 2 stroke)

I'm sure most of the extra noise was because it was in a well, bet even so I was surprised just how noisy it was. Are 4 strokes normally noisier than the same size 2 stroke? I know they are heavier.

I have directly compared 6 hp two stroke and 4 strokes Tohatsus in the same well of our old boat. The 2 stroke which is a twin was much smoother not noticeably smokier or smellier than the 4 stroke. However the noise of the single cylinder 4 stroke was much thumpier and very intrusive. You have little choice if buying new but in my opinion in a well go for a two stroke. Oh and you can get another 3.8 hp for the same weight. Just don't try lifting a 9.8hp 4 stroke without a crane.

CAPTAIN FANTASTIC · 20 May 2014

This is not a 2 stroke v 4 stroke debate.
I have a Tohatsu 6 hp four stroke which I bought some 8 years ago. I have used it extensively for my inflatable, day in day out and as a back up on my heavy Macwester Wight. Always starts, it has never failed me, almost maintenance free, very very economical, high torque, lean, smooth, very well made, very robust and faultless; could not do without it.

TSB240 · 20 May 2014

CAPTAIN FANTASTIC said:
This is not a 2 stroke v 4 stroke debate.
I have a Tohatsu 6 hp four stroke which I bought some 8 years ago. I have used it extensively for my inflatable, day in day out and as a back up on my heavy Macwester Wight. Always starts, it has never failed me, almost maintenance free, very very economical, high torque, lean, smooth, very well made, very robust and faultless; could not do without it.

Not in a well then?

Nothing would make a Macwester resonate other than an atom bomb!

neilf39 · 20 May 2014

Can't comment on the 6HP but had an 8HP 4S on my last boat and it was very quiet and smooth. It was 2 cylinder. I would have another one. Only issue was it weighed 45KGs so just as well I only took if off when overwintering.

yotter · 20 May 2014

Many thanks everyone,
Outboard was purchased at tea time today. Did not seem too noise, but was running in a large bucket! I think that if in a well, any outboard will seem noisier due to the reverberation of the noise, also any flat panels around the well will produce high noise levels with the vibration from the engine.

I went for a 6 HP, although my dinghy will take an 8 HP, the 8 is a twin cylinder and around 38kg as apposed to 25 kg for 6, I was pleased to find that it does not seem much heavier than my Yamaha Malta. I have invested in an outboard hoist, and keep a 2 HP on standby (2 stroke :-0).
All the best
Angus