Tohatsu outboards

[Alex]

Hi Guys'
Has anyone ever owned one and what's your opinion? Tohatsu claim they are "the most reliable", but which manufacturer will tell you their motors aren't reliable?
I need to know good/bad experiences of the end users, rather than sales people's "talking". Are there any models within the 10-25 h.p. range I should stay away of?
Thanks in advance,
Alex

[durko]

alex,
i have a tohatsu 25hp & have found it to be quite a reliable motor,
it's a '98 model , it's had the carby mod done to it,they change the gasget & it's now rated as a 30hp,it also quite got on fuel

[BREAM MACHINE]

They are a great motor,I've a 2002 25hp no problems & would not hesitate buying another,The mercury 30 lite is the same engine just painted black.The local surf life saving clubs are switching over to them because of there reliability & grunt.

[LakeConjolaFish]

I have never owned one but I have a lot of boats going past my house in school holidays and I ALWAYS no when a Tohatsu is coming, there pretty loud.

[AndrewH]

Tohatsu

We have a Tohatsu 40 hp. Never ever failed us, and it’s so easy to pull start. Starts on first pull, and you don’t need to put any effort in the pull. Even if we have electric start on it, it is a good point to get to know your engine, from pull starting it, to see how it goes.

I wouldn’t say they are loud, the new ones, but seriously, going flat out, any engine would make a sound. Idling or just crawling along, you can barely notice the engine going.

There a very reliable engine and they last and work like knew if you take very good care of them, as you should with any outboard.

[Alex]

I have also read few articles in the boating mags where Tohatsu motors are being said to be re-painted in Merc. and Yamaha colours without or little change (re-badging). Some of more famous brands are using Tohatsu heads. This also points in their (Tohatsu) favour.
Any thoughts?

[Big Muddie]

The 30HP Merc lite is a rebadged Tohatsu 25/30HP motor. Not sure about the Yammies though - my impression was that Yammies are all genuine - and that Merc (and some others) use the Yammie powerheads, particularly in their bigger motors.

I have owned a 30HP Merc Lite - it was just OK - finally replaced it with a Yammie 40HP 4-S.

[Benrose]

i was talking to both the mercury and tohatsu dealers at the perth boat show and both told me that the smaller japanese mercury engines up to 30 horsepower are the same. the only different one is the 18hp which is a tohatsu specielty but their very cheap, around$2,300. i know a bloke with one who is stoked with it but the only factor is noise but most two strokes are loud at open throttle.

[Lone Ranger]

Been doing some reading too. Yeah, some of the Mercury and Mariner motors are actually Tohatsu rebadged. I nearly got myself a Tohatsu but ended up with a Mercury (actually a Tohatsu). Tohatsu's are cheaper than Mercury & Mariners, however I went for the Mercury as I believe they have a better resale value, today anyway, may change later on. Never heard of anyone with a problem with the Tohatsu's.

[Benrose]

we have a mercury 30hp lite and its been a great engine. good on fuel and plenty of grunt. it pushes our 4.2m quintrex runabout fine. the hull alone weighs 600kg and we have had it planing with three adults and 3 teenagers. never even need to rev it when it starts. good choice mate !!!

[angler 3.55]

u should just get a honda or a yammie they r the best motors around

[Alex]

Thanks guys,
I am getting a new hornet 4.35 with a 2 stroke Yammy (can't wait!)
Cheers
Alex

[hillbillyfisho]

Hi all

About 3 years ago, I bought a 2nd hand Tohatsu, (3.5 H.P) and it was stuffed full of sand and dirt, from the previous (idiot ) owner, it cost me a small fortune to get it back into action, but once I fixed it, it went like a rocket, as long as you take care of them, they are a good motor.

Hillbilly-fisho

[steve duff]

hi guy's,
i run a 50 hp on my bream boat and have run tohie's on other boats for about 12 years. i can't go past them for reliability as mine have always started first kick every time. this motor is serviced only once a year and the only other maintenance i do is blow it out with fresh water and fill the oil filler (2 stroke). there are only a couple of us on the abt circut that use them, but we all think alike and like what we use. on a previous charter boat we had a 90 hp tohie that was seviced only 3 times in 7 years and started turn key first time every time and still doe's the same today 3 years since i sold the boat. so as you may have quessed i won't go past them, but that's my opinion.

[Coonta Kinta]

Too early for me to comment on my new 90hp TLDi Tohatsu, but so far so good am pretty happy with the choice over the e-tec. Was much cheaper too!

I seem to recall that startlo had a tohie on the back of his webster some years ago. he was given an early model honda 4S to trail for a period and when that period was over he went back to the Tohie.

Does this tell u something!

[Rossco32]

Just to clarify Mercury 15 hp through to the top of the range 50 hp are Tohatsu desighned and built. Thay are reliable outboards without doubt! You can save $$ by buying the Tohatsu branded outboards as Merc puts a premium on them for the name......

They also build the Nissan outboard that are rarely seen in Aus.

[Benrose]

Sorry mate but after doing my homework when I bought my engine I know of a few differences to that. There are two types of mercury and Mariner 2 stroke outboards, American Built and Japanese Built. The Japanese ones and the Lightweigt(LW) 6, 8, 30, 40 and the super 15. These engines are built by tohatsu don't have the same level of features as the Mercs. ie Mercury and Mariner have the prime starter, all in one shift and multiple tilt possitions all with a tilt lock.

When I was buying my American 15 the salesman really pushed for me to pay the extra $400 and American model. He claimed that the japanese ones are often pushed more as they are offered a commission when they sell them.

I hope I'm right but thats all fact as far as I know.

[Rossco32]

Sorry to clarify: The tiller shift 15 is american (and suffers from powerhead corrosion problems).

The 18 - 50 hp mariner/ mercury's are ALL Tohatsu's. They do the basic models and the full electric start, pt & T, oil injected models for merc (my merc 40 hp manual is identical to the tohatsu 40 hp....word for word!!)

Quote from Tohatsu's website:

"Tohatsu makes ALL Nissan outboards and many smaller HP Mercury outboards. We do not sell Mercury outboards as Tohatsu and Nissan are considerably less expensive than the Mercury label. The differance you pay is largely due to branding and marketing strategies."

Quote benrose:" The Japanese ones and the Lightweigt(LW) 6, 8, 30, 40 and the super 15. These engines are built by tohatsu don't have the same level of features as the Mercs. ie Mercury and Mariner have the prime starter, all in one shift and multiple tilt possitions all with a tilt lock."

My merc is a tohatsu, it does not have twist shift, prime starter or more than 1 shallow water postion. My motor is a 2004 3cyl 40 hp, manual start tiller steer.

Lone ranger here has a 2005 30 hp merc, it too has only one shallow water trim position, no twist shift. Her's is an electric start, tiller steer, 2 cylinder.

Just my observations.........

[Benrose]

Mate, the American engines have the multiple tilt positions and the all in one shift and the prime start, the japanese engines Don't. Are you refering to the 2 or 4 stroke range as their might be a differance in it.

[Rossco32]

You said: " These engines are built by tohatsu don't have the same level of features as the Mercs. ie Mercury and Mariner have the prime starter, all in one shift and multiple tilt possitions all with a tilt lock."

No they don't have those features, the 9.9, 15 and super 15 do, not the bigger engines though.

Carol's is a 2 cyl (light weight) 30 hp 2 stroke.

Mine is a 3 cylinder 40hp 2 stroke. (same as the 50 hp except the reed block). Starts first pull and gives my Hornet a top speed of 38 knots...... :D

Rossco

[Ozzy1]

Go check out the Tohatsu website. Tohatsu were originally made and supplied to professional fisherman they worked out that they were so good and were getting so many enquiries about them that they were then made available to the public. The Tohatsu holds the record for the smallest engine to cross the Atlantic Ocean from memory a 2.5hp. I have a few mates that run them and they swear by them a lot of professional guides in the top end run them and also swear by them. As value for money they by all accounts are a brilliant engine. I run a Yamaha 40hp 2 stroke on my Polycraft the only reason I didn't go the Tohatsu was the deal I got on the Yamaha was just to good to pass up.

The Tohatsu's are cheap but a good motor


Ozzy

[Benrose]

I'm not saying that their not great engines but just that not all mercurys are built by tohatsu.


Rossco32: the super 15 is a missprint on the mercury website, it is the japanese engine without all the previosly mentioned features. It however does have an over rev protector which isn't in the american range.

I agree to what you said the mercury built engines have the features, the japanese ones like Carols' and we have a lightweight 30 merc (built by tohatsu-great gutsy engine) will not as their built in japan.

[Lone Ranger]

Originally posted by Rossco32
Carol's is a 2 cyl (light weight) 30 hp 2 stroke.

Mine is a 3 cylinder 40hp 2 stroke. (same as the 50 hp except the reed block). Starts first pull and gives my Hornet a top speed of 38 knots...... :D

.......BLOODY SHOW OFF! So when do I get to check out ya new tub! :D And now I reckon my bloody motor sucks! Just won't start till the 6th attempt! Were you suggesting something Ross? :eek: :p Yeah so much for electric start! :rolleyes: Well, I will be half pulling it apart on Tuesday! ....... it's cool Ross & Ben .... with some professional help ... and change the impellor, oil, grease nipples etc! I now even know why water won't come out of the telltale immediate! :rolleyes: ;)

PS ... hey didn't take you long to put my boat down huh, after taking shots of mine then 'cool boat' too! :p ... only stirring!

[Stu_000]

If it's a merc it probably has a thermostat like my 25 did. I believe when N.O.T is reached the water pump/impellor starts (and therefore cools the engine) and hence the telltale starts.

I was concerned when I first ran it (never owned a merc before) until it dawned on me ;)

[angler 3.55]

u guys should all just buy yammahas they I'm an idiotI'm an idiotI'm an idiotI'm an idiot all over mercs and tohatsu

[Benrose]

Your old mans Yamahas a great advertismant isn't it Luke with the product recall when they wont come out of nuetral.

[angler 3.55]

ben are we talking about 225 hp motors here yeh yeh i didnt think so and that was only for 200 and up yammies

[Brody]

Originally posted by angler 3.55
u guys should all just buy yammahas they I'm an idiotI'm an idiotI'm an idiotI'm an idiot all over mercs and tohatsu


Haha...This guy speaks the truth!...I like it.

Brody

[Rossco32]

Originally posted by Lone Ranger
.......BLOODY SHOW OFF! So when do I get to check out ya new tub! :D And now I reckon my bloody motor sucks! Just won't start till the 6th attempt! Were you suggesting something Ross? :eek: :p Yeah so much for electric start! :rolleyes: Well, I will be half pulling it apart on Tuesday! ....... it's cool Ross & Ben .... with some professional help ... and change the impellor, oil, grease nipples etc! I now even know why water won't come out of the telltale immediate! :rolleyes: ;)

PS ... hey didn't take you long to put my boat down huh, after taking shots of mine then 'cool boat' too! :p ... only stirring!

Nah Carol, Your motor is fine. You just need to stop using the choke every time you start it (and hold the start button for longer than a second.....Up to 15 seconds is o.k) :p Most outboards take 5 to 10 seconds before the telltale starts to spit water.

Yamaha's o :o :rolleyes: ............. Yeah great motors especially the 140 2 strokes........Ours was Recalled twice for powerhead swap over ( crank shafts were prone to shear for no reason), Dog clutches in the leg went south once, oil pump failed (and was removed by the dealer)...... It was a 2000 model on a Carribean Belmont (new mid 2000) sold it 3 years ago....

I'm on the water as of 5 am tomorrow morning......

P.s Carol, your boat is THE reason I bought my Hornet!!!!!!! (I liked it!!):o :o :rolleyes:

[Rossco32]

[i]u guys should all just buy yammahas they I'm an idiotI'm an idiotI'm an idiotI'm an idiot all over mercs and tohatsu[/B]

NEVER see Yammies being raced do you? HMMMM....................Wonder why?

If Mercs are crap why do they hold so many world records?
F1 tunel hulls, Offshore outboard class, Ski racing, Us Bass boats etc etc..... 90% Mercury powered.......


Ah I'm over his Ford Vs Holden crud......

Yep yamaha make a good 2 stroke.......... Shame it's a YZ 250 trail bike donk!! :p

[angler 3.55]

the reson that mercs ans mariners are on all the bass boats is cause they supply the boats with that motor its not because yammaha aint good its just the compny has chosen merc and mariner for a number of years to be on their boats

[TopEnder]

Don't generalise without all the facts to back up your statements thanks. :D Looks like a big YAMAHA to me.

Regards Dave:D

p.s. plenty more where that came from.:rolleyes:

[TopEnder]

My god here is another. Get the idea.

[Nath_18]

This angler3.55 kid doesn’t have a clue what he’s talking about so I wouldn’t listen to him. He’s sounds like one of those kids that thinks Holden are the best and Nike shoes are cool.
All he posts are nothing but negative bull crap about how other people never catch fish. I have never heard one word of good come from him.

I think its time everyone should ignored his crap talking.

cheers. Nathan

[TopEnder]

I agree Nath. I've started to notice that from alot of the 'younger' members. I think they forget that this is all supposed to be fun and informative. It's not all mines the best and the rest of you are wrong blah blah blah. Opinions will always vary but it doesn't need to become a DohDohDohDohDoh fight.

back to topic

Before I did the above posts I was going to say that Tohatsu are great little motors. I had one for about 10years a 15hp 2stroke and my Dad now has it and it is still going stong. I currently have a Yamaha on the back of my TopEnder and that is fantastic too. If I was looking for a 2 stroke I wouldn't hesitate to save a few bucks by buying a Tohatsu. I opted to go 4stroke hence the Yamaha choice.

Regards Dave :D

[angler 3.55]

oi nath man u must feel sik for saying that aye makes u feel big aye man cough faget cough

go catch a bream faget

yeh and holdens are sik

[TopEnder]

Did someone hear something??????????????????????

:rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes:

[spaniel]

jees guys enough dont you think!! and angler 3.55 stop with the immature comments... you always start it....

[BIG PETE]

Originally posted by spaniel
angler 3.55 stop with the immature comments... you always start it....

well said fella

I think I know that spot topender? Is it on the donelly about 200 meters downstream of where Charlies brook runs in? ;)

Tohatsu?

Never heard of em! ;)

Cheers!

[Rossco32]

Originally posted by angler 3.55
oi nath man u must feel sik for saying that aye makes u feel big aye man cough faget cough

go catch a bream faget

yeh and holdens are sik

MEH...... KIDS!!

:o

[Benrose]

Geez Rossco32, I wish I had never started this debate. I hope people see that at least my posts were on topic and mature and we know that what we were talking about is now agreed with between us.

I would really have to look at Mercury and Yamaha to decide between the two but so far I love all 6 mercs we've oned. they've done great while we've had them.

[Nath_18]

Originally posted by angler 3.55
oi nath man u must feel sik for saying that aye makes u feel big aye man cough faget cough

go catch a bream faget

yeh and holdens are sik

Yeah aye it does aye. Went for a fish just before aye. Did ok aye aye aye.

Arguing over the internet is like running in the special olympics. Even if you win your still retarded. Thank about that little boy.

cheers, Nathan

[TopEnder]

Nice try. It's a little further North of there.................O.K. alot further North from there.;) ;)

Hey Ben what we are trying to say is if some of you stayed on topic a little more your comments would be better received. Alex has already posted that he has ordered a Yamaha, so arguing whether a particular Tohatsu and a particular Mercury are the same or different, which ever it may be, really serves no purpose except to cause arguments. Just my 2 cents worth.

As Nath said kids like Angler don't deserve to be on this Forum with comments like that. The sooner we start ignoring the childish stuff the sooner they will get bored and GO AWAY or maybe see the light and have something constructive to say.

Regards Dave:D

[Benrose]

I realise that our discussion may have been off topic but I still like to share what I know with others and learn from them too. I think that although this question was asked by Alex others can still refer to it without having to ask people for advice again. I know i search the threads before I post questions. We finally got to understanding what each other meant and rossco31 and I met on the weekend without any tension between us on the topic. I dont think we were arguing so much as making what we knew clear and I dont see our discussion inappropriate on this thread.

I hope inapproporiate posting stops and if you dont see my posts nessessery I dont mind a moderator deleting them. Lets hope that these forums start to get more informative and friendly and I'll start to watch what I say to make my posts friendlier.

Cheers, Ben

[Nath_18]

Originally posted by TopEnder

As Nath said kids like Angler don't deserve to be on this Forum with comments like that. The sooner we start ignoring the childish stuff the sooner they will get bored and GO AWAY or maybe see the light and have something constructive to say.

Regards Dave:D

To right mate. I used to argue allot of this forum. I did try and contribute though and I have learnt allot since then. I just dont want to see the forum turn to poop again Its a great site and it shouldnt be clogged with degrading comments and negitive bull crap.

Anyways Id love to get the post back on track but I cant comment because I dont own any of those engines...unless the little 8hp yammy counts. Its tell-tail cloggs and fries my engine every second minute. I burnt the crapper out of my fingers jamming wire up there all arvo today. Maybe I should just get it fixed lol

cheers, Nathan

[Lone Ranger]

Just to get off topic even further .... Great boat there Ross! Nice to catch up again, and for you guys to yak about motors whilst I listen and try and comprehend things! :rolleyes: And watch ya stuff ya face with real hot food from the kiosk! Ben & I thoroughly enjoyed chatting with you and checking out your boat indeed. You were right indeed. You didn't get wet, looked rather dry as a matter of fact ... WE WERE DRENCHED! :D

By the way, I don't think it is up to us forum members to say who is posting rubbish, to stay on topic, what is constructive, making negative comments, whatever. It is up to the moderators to do that, I agree with Ben. The part especially about 'kids/younger ones' I think is unwarranted. Well if we are going to start making comments like that, then what about the adult (s) on here who in their last 100 posts, have never have any constructive comments at all, all they do isadd on with a comment like good on ya, well done, pat on the back - basically nothing fishing related just boredom something to do, to get their no of post up, also joins in to critise others, etc crack silly attention seeking jokes, intrude in comps stuff and posts that don't even concern him knows nothing about, and jumps at every opportunity to degrade others? There are also many many adults here who don't stay on topic indeed, happens everyday. It is just what topic interests you most, then suddenly it comes to your attention that it can be annoying. What I am trying to say is you can't have one rules for 'kids' and one for 'adults', or who you know, not what you know .....

After all if we are going to be told off, by Monday, I may as well put in my bit whilst the opportunity is there.

PS It annoys me, so I got to say this ... And Ben may be somehow classified as a 'kid' but his post shows a lot of 'maturity' in my opinion. And also the remember the saying, there is a 'child' in every adult. Actually, Angler 3.55 has made some negative comments in the past (banned for a week too), which actually was in a way targetted at me too you could say, but the past is in the past, and he has also made some positive contributions to the forum as well, from what I can read ;)

[Rossco32]

Originally posted by Benrose
I realise that our discussion may have been off topic but I still like to share what I know with others and learn from them too. I think that although this question was asked by Alex others can still refer to it without having to ask people for advice again. I know i search the threads before I post questions. We finally got to understanding what each other meant and rossco31 and I met on the weekend without any tension between us on the topic. I dont think we were arguing so much as making what we knew clear and I dont see our discussion inappropriate on this thread.

I hope inapproporiate posting stops and if you dont see my posts nessessery I dont mind a moderator deleting them. Lets hope that these forums start to get more informative and friendly and I'll start to watch what I say to make my posts friendlier.

Cheers, Ben

Ben, I totally agree!

Hope you guys didn't get too wet on the home stretch today!

Rossco

[TopEnder]

then what about the one/two adult (s) on here, in their last 100 posts, who never have any questions or advise but just join in to critise others, etc etc, crack silly attention seeking jokes, suck up, intrude in comps stuff and posts that don't even concern him and he knows nothing about, and jumps at every opportunity to degrade others? What I am trying to say is you can't have one rules for 'kids' and one for 'adults' .....

It's comments like that, that get the whole mud slinging going in the first place.

By the way, I don't think it is up to us forum members to say who is posting rubbish, not giving advise, making negative comments, whatever. It is up to the moderators to do that, I agree with Ben.

If the moderators are not around to intervene, then what do you suggest? Let these 'people' (just be polically correct) do what they wish and spoil a perfectly good forum for the 'people' who try to use this forum as a source of information.

The part especially about 'kids' I think is unwarranted.

Be it adults or be it 'kids' that carry on in a childish manner and contribute little towards a topic only to stir things up. I feel that people should either start there own topic or try to keep things going in the right direction.

MEH...... KIDS!!

Rossco was generalising I think, but I'm sure you clarified that with him today didn't you Lone Ranger? I believe I said 'Younger' to be polically correct before calling them 'Kids'.

I know you are trying to stick up for Ben, but he is big enough to fend for himself. He has contributed to this topic, a little off topic, but he made some good points. If you read mine and most other posts here no one is calling Ben a 'kid' I think that term is reserved for Angler and the comments he has made and the lack of anything relevant to this topic and many others I think 'kid' is very warranted. What would you call his behavour? (childish=kid) Ben has shown to everyone in the past that he has some great knowledge and advice to give. Ben has nothing to worry about he is not the issue here. It's the ........(prepare for 'unwarranted' comment) idiotic smart arse comments from as I said first 'the younger members' and adults too, that we could do without.

Hey Ben what we are trying to say is if some of you stayed on topic a little more your comments would be better received

I feel this was and still is good advice and not at all was this having a go. It was just friendly advice and purely an observation. I think he agrees that it would be a whole lot nicer if you didn't have to wade through a hole heap of rubbish everytime you are interested in a particular topic.

And by the way I informed the friendly moderator of the immature comments when they first happened, but they are not always around. It's always a few that spoil it for the rest of us and I'm not the only one who is sick and tired of it. I'm over it:rolleyes: .

Regards Dave:D

[Lone Ranger]

Actually TopEnder, I agree with most of what you are saying indeed. I just used an example, took the long about way, of explaining what I was trying to say. Grabbed the opportunity of the purpose of this particular section of the post in the hope that the Moderators and the culprits we are talking about will read it, get it? ;) :p Couldn't agreed with you more that it is the comments I made re the adults, the comments you and others made, that get the whole mud sling going. Yes, sometimes the moderators are not around. My suggestion would be to PM the moderators but not target the person and embarass him in public (thus bringing about his abusive language, and others starting to jump on him) .... I too intentionally did what I did, as an example and hoping to target the Moderators too, but ensured I mentioned no names. Then people can assume whom ever they like. Agree about starting own topic, I for one have done it. Actually TopEnder, we spoke about types of outboards but nothing about the ongoings on the forums, met like new mates, equals :) Yeah, you're right, I was sticking up for Ben, and also for Angler 3.55 actually .... Just that I have heard a lot of generalisation about kids/younger ones, and I just don't like to hear that when a good mate of mine is actually a younger mature one .... get the picture? :D I am glad we agree be it kids, younger ones, or adults too, it can be a pain. Also sometimes my lack the English vocabulary makes me rather long winded in trying to say what I want to say, sorry re that ;)

Someone besides me has been banned?
My dubious record is in jeapoardy?
I have competition?

I have been banned from more internnet fishing and boating forums than any man alive!:D

Theres a old saying!

If you want to upset someone - tell them a lie!.
But
If you want to upset EVERYONE - tell them the truth! :rolleyes:

I have a bad habit of not holding my tongue and teling it like I see it!

I think I got banned from about 6 US web boards in just ONE night - for posting pics of al jazeera of dead innocent women and kids in Iraq during operation 'Shock & Awe'. :mad:

You know - everyone supported the troops when we went into Korea in the 50's Vietnam in the 70's and here we are still dong the same dumb things 50 or more years later!

The reason I got banned - was cultural...the Yanks all rally round the flag and their troops when they go to war!

They tend to forget that a war of aggression over oil - is immoral!:rolleyes:

Their press censor out any dead wimmin & kids pics - and just refer to them as 'collateral damage'!:rolleyes:

When faced with in on a screen in front of their face they can't handle it!:rolleyes:

So they ban me...

Who cares!

I take it as a badge of honor (that i was right!).

You know only about 30% of Americans now support what Bush has done! ;)

I love being right and ahead of everyone else - but heck, I'm still banned from a LOT of websites usually, it just means the web site owner is beholden ($) to his sponsors/advertisers...and has no moral ethics.

I can live with that! :)

Like I said I wear it as a badge of honour!:D

Hmm - wonder where I can get banned from next!:confused:

Steady Bear, I can see your mooderating finger twitching!

Cheers! :D ;)