Tohatsu

[25931]

I have just read that some outboards are based on Tohatsu which I find interesting because Tohatsu appear not to have the best reputation. I am looking for a secondhand motor and here ,Algarve, there are quite few on offer and several offered as spares.

 

[dankilb]

because Tohatsu appear not to have the best reputation

Don’t recognise that at all, I’m afraid… I currently run a bomb proof 2006 4hp and crewed a fleet of all-Tohatsu workboats in a previous job and (amazingly despite the abuse and lack of maintenance) never heard of a single issue with them. All 2 stroke.

It is certainly true of the last generation of widely-available smaller 2 stokes that many (Mariner, Mercury) were rebadged Tohatsus. They’re sought after now. Read into that what you will!

If I were in the market for a new(er) motor I might look at Yamaha as their 4 strokes are good, lightweight and available/affordable.

 

[ChromeDome]

Tohatsu Marine Corporation was set up in 1988 as joint venture with Brunswick Corporation, USA. Mercury Marine is a division of Brunswick Corporation and Mercury Outboards up to 30 hp are just rebranded Tohatsu Engines. In addition, the entire line of Nissan outboards are rebranded Tohatsus.
The eight outboards — 60-, 75-, 90-, 115-, 150-, 200-, 225- and 250-hp models — are manufactured by Honda and rebranded under the Tohatsu name.

Can't see why they should have a bad reputation

 

[Bouba]

Tohatsu have a great reputation

 

[vyv_cox]

Bought my 3.5 HP Tohatsu in 2004. Has been excellent ever since.

 

[Fire99]

I've not heard a bad word (until now of course) about Tohatsu. I'm sure they're not faultless but they are a quality product and I'd certainly trust one equally as much as Mercury, Yamaha, Honda etc.

 

[Chiara’s slave]

My Mercury/ Tohastu 4hp is 26 years old. It does have a problem, but the basics are still sound. It will live again, I have no doubt.

 

[wombat88]

My Tohatsu performed faultlessly for years.

Off topic but I am told Honda has a bad reputation or maybe that is simply because they don't offer sales companies a good discount???

 

[KompetentKrew]

The Tohatsu 9.8 2-stroke is very well regarded, as it's the lightest 10HP outboard available.

 

[ChromeDome]

At a certain time Tohatsu developed a 2-stroke version with direct injection (called TLDI).

From 50 hp, still available (on some markets?)

 

[bluerm166]

There have been reports of difficult starting on some smaller 4 strokes .But I suspect that this has generally been associated with bio additives leaving a residue in the carb.This was certainly the case with our 3.5,bought secondhand ,which could not be relied on until I used an additive in the petrol.Since then it has been raring to go and as a result gets a lot more outings.

 

[Stemar]

There have been reports of difficult starting on some smaller 4 strokes .But I suspect that this has generally been associated with bio additives leaving a residue in the carb.This was certainly the case with our 3.5,bought secondhand ,which could not be relied on until I used an additive in the petrol.Since then it has been raring to go and as a result gets a lot more outings.

My Mariner 3.5 4T, which I believe to be a badge engineered Tohatsu, is currently sitting in my garden waiting for me to take the carb apart because it refused to start the other day. It's the first time I've had any problems with it, and I'm pretty sure it's only because, when I used it last, the fresh water tank where I usually run it dry had several inches of ice on it, so the poor thing got put away unrinsed and with petrol let in the carb.

My old 2T Tohatsu had one problem in 15 years, a poor earth on the coil. Apart from that it was faultless. If you can get hold of one, the guy who serviced it reckoned it was worth spending almost anything to keep it going because they are so reliable - and light, compared with anything you would want to buy today.

 

[northwind]

This chap liked them.
SMALLEST MOTOR TO EVER CROSS THE ATLANTIC: 2.5HP TOHATSU BRINGS SEIKO NAKAJIMA SAFELY TO NEW YORK | NEWS | TOHATSU North America
Switzerland to Barbados using a 2.5hp

 

[KompetentKrew]

This chap liked them.
SMALLEST MOTOR TO EVER CROSS THE ATLANTIC: 2.5HP TOHATSU BRINGS SEIKO NAKAJIMA SAFELY TO NEW YORK | NEWS | TOHATSU North America
Switzerland to Barbados using a 2.5hp

During the 27 day open-ocean portion of his journey across the Atlantic, Seiko … ate only crushed nuts and seeds and drank one liter of water per day. The enclosed portion of his boat, in which he spent most of his journey, is barely high enough for Seiko to kneel in and just long enough for him to lie down. He slept only one hour at a time so that he could gauge his position and progress frequently. He did not bring any reading materials with him so that he could keep his mind focused on the trip.​

"Absolute nutters choose Tohatsu" is a marketing slogan now?

 

[Fantasie 19]

I have just read that some outboards are based on Tohatsu which I find interesting because Tohatsu appear not to have the best reputation.

Says who? Best small boat engine on the market in my view.. the long shaft 6hp SailPro is the "go to" engine..

 

[Rappey]

I read that Hondas first ever outboard was a cloned tohatsu.

 

[Graham376]

Have had Tohatsu 9.8s for many years and like them. I rebuilt the old 1994 one and all parts were still readily available in UK. In Portugal, don't see many around but lots of Yamaha dealers, which would be my second choice of engine.

 

[ChromeDome]

Says who? Best small boat engine on the market in my view.. the long shaft 6hp SailPro is the "go to" engine..

Most likely competitors with more expensive brands and larger PR budgets

 

[Steve65]

I read that Hondas first ever outboard was a cloned tohatsu.

Hondas first outboard was a gx engine mounted using a chain to power the driveshaft, the next engines were a volvo engine

 

[Stemar]

Most likely competitors with more expensive brands and larger PR budgets

Who badge engineer Tohatsu engines anyway.

Of course Tohatsu are rubbish. Our badges change everything!