Tohatsu...

[sgbernd]

My 4-cycle Tohatsu experience has been less than satisfactory. Purchased new in 2007, it arrived leaned out so much that it would not idle and wouldn't run well under any conditions. By the time I figured out the problem, warranty was up, and two trips to the dealership finally got the mixture adjusted to where it would run ok and idle somewhat. Then it began to intermittently run out of gas (even tho the tank was full) and refuse to start or run at all. (I suspect a sticking carb float). Lots of frustration and rowing back, two more visits to dealership, a brand new carb, good to go. This season, the poly-ethelene plastic fuel tank cracked and all the gas ran into the sea leaving me stranded. Got that fixed. So in 10 years, it has failed or refused to run many times, gone to the shop, got fixed, 5 times. This is an engine that is meticulously maintained, lives in my garage, carb is run dry after each trip, fresh water rinsed every time, gear oil changed, motor oil, etc. All my problems have been fuel related.

Maybe I got a bad one, maybe it wasn't ethanol resistant, maybe they fixed it, but based on my experience, I am not a big fan of Tohatsu.

-S. G. Bernd

[Sea Hunt Video]

SG:

From what I learned several years ago it sounds like your primary issue was ethanol fuel - unless, of course, you were meticulous in pouring in only non-ethanol fuel. If so, then I have no idea of the cause of your problems.

I am not familiar with Tohatsu but am, reluctantly, very familiar with a Suzuki 4 stroke, 6 hp long shaft OB that came with my Cape Dory Typhoon Weekender. Initially, I did not pay attention to the "non-ethanol" issue and used gas station gas. Bad idea. I had repeated problems - much as you describe, albeit the onboard fuel tank did not crack. However, the carb gummed up, the fuel lines gumbed up, etc. I became pretty adept at servicing the carburetor and replacing fuel lines. After a lot of grief and cursing (and reading articles) I figured out it was my mistake in using ethanol fuel in a small 6 hp engine. I switched to non-ethanol (purchased from a marina that swore it was non-ethanol) and used a couple of fuel additives to keep the fuel fresh, no bacteria and limited moisture content.

For the remainder of the time I had that Suzuki I did not have one fuel problem. It worked perfectly. From what has been discussed in various boating mags, the main cause of small O/B engine issues is ethanol fuel (E10). Sadly, apparently the corn farmers have lobbyists who are now persuading our highly respected, honest, dedicated, ethical Congressional representatives in the House and Senate that increasing the ethanol content would be just ducky.

[sgbernd]

Yes, I did use standard Ethanol pump fuel, as that is what was available. And I agree that likely that was the cause of some of the problems (save the cracked fuel tank and lean running from factory). But shipping a brand new engine set so lean it wouldn't run properly or idle seems less than ideal. The dealer said they were all that way to meet EPA or CARB requirements and then the dealers "fixed" them by drilling out the bead of lead in the carb which locked the mixture screw, so he could adjust the mixture properly.

The rest of the engine (mechanically) has proved solid with no complaint. Hopefully Tohatsu has improved the quality of the fuel system components from what was shipping in 2007.

Steve

[s2sailorlis]

Umm......

If buying an outboard from Indonesia into US is anything like DSLR's, you may want to check Tohatsu USA to see if they will warrant the motor in USA. They may consider it gray market, it will have no warrantly and the dealer will tell you to bug off if anything goes wrong. Just a thought.

Shipping is $135.00
Arriving in 3 business days to 02066 Scituate Mass
Response to my shipping price was one day and instructions were thorough

[Jim Walsh]

Shipping is $135.00
Arriving in 3 business days to 02066 Scituate Mass
Response to my shipping price was one day and instructions were thorough

Today you can buy one at Defender for $34.00 more than the price from Indonesia plus shipping. Could have gotten it for less during their annual sale a week ago.

[Big E]

Last week I pulled the trigger and got the 25"shaft...I really wanted the sail prop. Now the next question...I can get ethanol free gas but is the high octane an issue?

Also, what about a water separator...overkill?

All replies appreciated.

[hinmo]

I've been told its ok to use, but would like to hear others opinions as well. I plan to use it also.

http://www.pure-gas.org/index.jsp?stateprov=MA

[Tim Mertinooke]

I am leaning toward this Tohatsu option.

[Sea Hunt Video]

Tim:

Before "leaning" too far I recall reading an article (perhaps more than 1) that discussed some concerns about propane O/Bs. You may want to check this. I tried asking "Mr. Google" before submitting this post but could not find a "quick and clean" reference. Sorry.

[Tim Mertinooke]

My dad has had a Lehr for three years now and likes the platform, so I am familiar with their nuances. I have been waiting for one of the larger manufacturers to start making one and was pleasantly surprised to see last week that Tohatsu stepped up. The timing is perfect as I was planning on purchasing a new outboard this month anyway.

For me the pros are:
-no need to carry or use gasoline on-board
-No fuel-related issues in terms of running the engine like those associated with ethanol
-No fuel degradation issues when stored for longer periods of time
-No lingering gasoline smell that all engines seem to have at some level whether inboard or outboard.
-It will allow me to store the outboard in the cockpit lazerette without transferring that gas smell to everything else in the locker from the tiny bit of gas left in the carburetor even after running it dry.

Cons for me:
-The fuel is harder to source
-The fuel has strict guidelines for storage that must be adhered to for safety as they all do, but propane is denser than air as we all know which can lead to real problems if it worked its way down below. With this con said however, the CD26 outboard well is designed well to vent any spilled propane which will sink out the opening. The cockpit sole is also sloped back slightly to allow for fluids to flow back out the well as there are no scuppers, making storage of propane in the well safe (IMHO).
-The storage tanks are limited in terms of size and shape which may require modification of the well in order to fit them properly.
-It's a new platform in terms of mass production so there may be some growing pains that require the use of the five year warranty, unlike the well-established gasoline models.

There are other pros and cons of course, but these are the ones that helped move me toward propane. With all of this said, as soon as Torqueedo or some other manufacturer makes an electric outboard that has the ability to charge batteries by manually turning the prop while sailing, I will dump fossil fuels in a heartbeat and go all electric.

[hinmo]

Last week I pulled the trigger and got the 25"shaft...I really wanted the sail prop. Now the next question...I can get ethanol free gas but is the high octane an issue?

Also, what about a water separator...overkill?

All replies appreciated.

BTW - gas station in Cataumet (Cape) has 94 octane eth-free in 1, 5 gal. $70 for 5gal with tax.....I'm headed down this week

[pete faga]

There is a gas station in Ossipee NH that sells non ethanol for 3.50@gal right out of the pump.

[hinmo]

There is a gas station in Ossipee NH that sells non ethanol for 3.50@gal right out of the pump.

pete - grab me 5 when you go (jk - capes a lot closer....good tip tho!)

[Joe CD MS 300]

I have been using Valvtect Marine Gas for the last several years and it has pretty much eliminated the issues I was having with the 4HP Mercury 4 stroke on my dinghy. It is available at a lot of marinas:

http://www.valvtect.com/marina_search.asp

Stopped using the 6 gal external tank and just use the internal tank with a small 1-2 gallon can kept in the dinghy to top off frequently.

I believe Valvtect still has ethanol but has additional additives to eliminate the typical issues.

Joe