I am thinking of buying one for my new inflatable. I am looking at the Tohatsu 3.5 or the Mercury 3.3. Thanks Jim
- Status
- Not open for further replies.
C
Chris Haake
engines
In the March issue of 'Practical Sailor', there is a review of outboard motors. If the magazine is available to you, check it out. Apparently Tohatsu builds Nissan and Mercury, so it's the same enjine. On the stats, I didn't see any differences. Their conclusion is that Tohatsu has the best price. The only upside of buying a Mercury is the availability of dealerships.
In the March issue of 'Practical Sailor', there is a review of outboard motors. If the magazine is available to you, check it out. Apparently Tohatsu builds Nissan and Mercury, so it's the same enjine. On the stats, I didn't see any differences. Their conclusion is that Tohatsu has the best price. The only upside of buying a Mercury is the availability of dealerships.
What size inflatable.
Jim: What size/type inflatable did you get? What type of engine (2 or 4 stroke)? I have one of their larger engines and they are fine. A friend has one of the 4 stroke 5hp engines and it is very quite and start easy. Check out the PS article too.
Jim: What size/type inflatable did you get? What type of engine (2 or 4 stroke)? I have one of their larger engines and they are fine. A friend has one of the 4 stroke 5hp engines and it is very quite and start easy. Check out the PS article too.
F
Frank Walker
Tonisscury
Jim, I have a 3.5 Nissan on my 10' Achillies and have been very satisfied. I call it my briefcase motor because you can carry it around like a briefcase. Always starts and pushes the inflatable pretty well, but obviously no planing. I also have a 5 Nissan but not a briefcase operation. As mentioned, the only difference between the Tohatsu, Nissan, and Mercury is the paint job. PS Get the one with the neutral/fwd shift, it is worth the little extra money.
Jim, I have a 3.5 Nissan on my 10' Achillies and have been very satisfied. I call it my briefcase motor because you can carry it around like a briefcase. Always starts and pushes the inflatable pretty well, but obviously no planing. I also have a 5 Nissan but not a briefcase operation. As mentioned, the only difference between the Tohatsu, Nissan, and Mercury is the paint job. PS Get the one with the neutral/fwd shift, it is worth the little extra money.
B
Bob Cassel
Same motor, different paint and price
I got the Tohatsu 5 for my main motor on my 26S. I shoppped around pretty well, looked at them all and I found the only diffence was paint color and price. Warranties were the same, parts are interchangeable. Go for price.
I got the Tohatsu 5 for my main motor on my 26S. I shoppped around pretty well, looked at them all and I found the only diffence was paint color and price. Warranties were the same, parts are interchangeable. Go for price.
C
Colin
Try to go 4 cycle.
What ever brand you purchase please, try to go 4 cycle, the are much friendlier to the environment. The wildlife will love you for it.
What ever brand you purchase please, try to go 4 cycle, the are much friendlier to the environment. The wildlife will love you for it.
J
Jim A
D
Dave Johndrow
4 cycle is the way
Jim A is right in that the 4 cycle weighs more but with a small motor like this, the benefits of a 4 cycle far outweigh the little extra weight. Not having to deal with mixing oil and gas, quieter running and less polluting. Can you even still get a two cycle? I thought they were going the way of tin bottom paint?
Jim A is right in that the 4 cycle weighs more but with a small motor like this, the benefits of a 4 cycle far outweigh the little extra weight. Not having to deal with mixing oil and gas, quieter running and less polluting. Can you even still get a two cycle? I thought they were going the way of tin bottom paint?
J
Jim A
Dave 2006
is the end of the 2-cycle. Bottom paint will be around a low longer. I am going to keep the outboard on a kicker pad on the stern rail. Transferring it from the stern rail to the back of the inflatable is not very easy. The less weight will make all the difference in the world. I am sure by 2006 4-cycle will reduce the weight but until then a 2-cycle has it hands down. It is kind of like way buy a hi-bred car when you can get a VW TDI that get almost the same gas mile but pollutes more. It makes no sense to the consumer! The VW cost less, has more room and requires less maintenance. They even have a small TDI Golf that get close to 70 MPG.
is the end of the 2-cycle. Bottom paint will be around a low longer. I am going to keep the outboard on a kicker pad on the stern rail. Transferring it from the stern rail to the back of the inflatable is not very easy. The less weight will make all the difference in the world. I am sure by 2006 4-cycle will reduce the weight but until then a 2-cycle has it hands down. It is kind of like way buy a hi-bred car when you can get a VW TDI that get almost the same gas mile but pollutes more. It makes no sense to the consumer! The VW cost less, has more room and requires less maintenance. They even have a small TDI Golf that get close to 70 MPG.
B
Bob
Getting Warmer
I thought Tohatsu was what you asked your friend Sue when she stands too close to the fire. Also, tin bottom paint doesn't work for me, I put it on extra tick.
I thought Tohatsu was what you asked your friend Sue when she stands too close to the fire. Also, tin bottom paint doesn't work for me, I put it on extra tick.
C
Chuck Wayne
tohatsu small outboards
Ditto for us! we've got the mercury 3.5 on our small rollup we carry on board, the engine stows on the sternrail and is very light-definitely get the one with the shift. We also have the 5hp 4 cycle on a 9' inflatable, and it's also great-quiet, reliable, and no mixing oil-but it's a lot heavier to lift onto the rail. As has been said, the 3 engines are all made by tohatsu, so buy the dealer-we happen to have a good merc dealer, and our boats are quicksilvers-made up the price difference on the package. Chuck Wayne H356 WWW.Escape
Ditto for us! we've got the mercury 3.5 on our small rollup we carry on board, the engine stows on the sternrail and is very light-definitely get the one with the shift. We also have the 5hp 4 cycle on a 9' inflatable, and it's also great-quiet, reliable, and no mixing oil-but it's a lot heavier to lift onto the rail. As has been said, the 3 engines are all made by tohatsu, so buy the dealer-we happen to have a good merc dealer, and our boats are quicksilvers-made up the price difference on the package. Chuck Wayne H356 WWW.Escape
J
Jack O'Brien
Tohatsu
The Tohatsu 4, 5 and 6 HP 4-stroke engines are identical except for the carburator. I have the 6 HP and love it. You can get it with an alternator as an option.
The Tohatsu 4, 5 and 6 HP 4-stroke engines are identical except for the carburator. I have the 6 HP and love it. You can get it with an alternator as an option.
W
Warren
- Status
- Not open for further replies.