Need new motor on my C22...6 HP Tohatsu?

[kito]

My 35 year old 9.9 Chrysler needs to retire. I am looking at a 6 HP Tohatsu long shaft (20") for my Catalina 22. Looking for input as far as going with the XL shaft (25") or just the long. The XL version has a 12v 5a alternator installed. I am not sure if the alternator is worth the $120 adder just for day and weekend sailing on lakes. Anyone have this model on their C22?. Is the 20" shaft long enough to prevent cavitation in rough water?

 

[Chief RA]

Get the extra long shaft. If you check, it may also have the 4 blade prop as well as the gen..
Chief

 

[coolista]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Briggs-Stra...led-/191599129591?hash=item2c9c32b3f7&vxp=mtr is something different. You buy the bottom end, then buy a 4-stroke 5-6 HP lawn mower engine to place on top. The big deal for me is maintenance: mower engine gets sick, dump it and buy a new one virtually anywhere in the world. Air-cooled so one less thing to fail.
Buy the bottom end once, and three-to five mower engines for the same cash as one new outboard motor. I have not made this choice yet for my Electra, and have not found reviews of this bottom-end... I think boating media is not very interested in promotion over outboard manufacturers who buy advertising...

 

[Chief RA]

Those lawnmower motors will NOT make a suitable outboard! Chief

 

[Johnb]

I would spring for the charging capability. If nothing else it guarantees that at night you have power for running lights. Combine that with arm powered starting and you have made the batteries non critical.

When conditions get rough no shaft length is too long.

 

[solodare]

I posted in another thread, Im telling every one and any one who will listen, lol, but I just got a new tohatsu 6hp sailpro and could not be happier. pushes my venture 22 like there's no tomorrow! I haven't even been above 30% throttle yet! Cranks on the first pull ever time. Really loving it. Only been out 3 times with it and its got me out of trouble at least 6 times!!

 

[Brian S]

A couple things to note: Small engine charging systems do not put out much current at all, and only near their rating at close to full throttle. Most sailors of small boats do not use the outboard enough and at high enough RPMs to get meaningful charging. Solar would be better.

That being said, a Sailpro model Tohatsu 6hp with extra long shaft and high thrust prop is a great motor for a 22 footer.

The Tohatsu/Nissan/Mercury (and one other brand that escapes me) are all the same powerhead. And the 4 stroke models all have very, very small low speed idle jets for fuel economy and pollution issues. Use ethanol free gas if you can get it! www.pure-gas.org Treat the fuel with Sta-Bil and Seafoam additives, to make sure that the low speed idle jet doesn't get gummed up. I use both even on my non-ethanol gas. If you can't get non-ethanol gas, either use up your fuel quickly, or frequently change it out by dumping in the car and replacing with fresh. Maybe even more frequently than 1x month.

This should keep that 4 stroke carb happy. If not, if you continue to have trouble getting it to start or idle, a very good mechanic might want to drill the idle jet out a wee bit...

I have a '99 5hp Nissan which gets run at least 2x week on ethanol free gas, and I have not had any problems. However, this season, it's only been run once every other week or less. It's been hot and humid the past week, and I'm hoping she keeps her stellar operational record. Heck, for that matter, I hope I can get back to my regular 2-3x week sailing schedule soon!

 

[inarathree]

I had the Tohatsu 6HP sail drive on my H22. The sail drive is the extra long shaft, which I needed being on the Gulf, and the alternator. I had the alternator cabled to the battery, but i don't know how much it really charged, as i could usually get by the weekend out at the islands without charging the battery. So its not like I needed the alternator. The motor always started on the first or second pull, and in the four years I had my H22 it never gave me problems. I maybe flushed it with fresh water once a month, and took it to the mechanic every year for maintenance.

 

[kito]

A couple things to note: Small engine charging systems do not put out much current at all, and only near their rating at close to full throttle. Most sailors of small boats do not use the outboard enough and at high enough RPMs to get meaningful charging. Solar would be better.

That being said, a Sailpro model Tohatsu 6hp with extra long shaft and high thrust prop is a great motor for a 22 footer.

The Tohatsu/Nissan/Mercury (and one other brand that escapes me) are all the same powerhead. And the 4 stroke models all have very, very small low speed idle jets for fuel economy and pollution issues. Use ethanol free gas if you can get it! www.pure-gas.org Treat the fuel with Sta-Bil and Seafoam additives, to make sure that the low speed idle jet doesn't get gummed up. I use both even on my non-ethanol gas. If you can't get non-ethanol gas, either use up your fuel quickly, or frequently change it out by dumping in the car and replacing with fresh. Maybe even more frequently than 1x month.

This should keep that 4 stroke carb happy. If not, if you continue to have trouble getting it to start or idle, a very good mechanic might want to drill the idle jet out a wee bit...

I have a '99 5hp Nissan which gets run at least 2x week on ethanol free gas, and I have not had any problems. However, this season, it's only been run once every other week or less. It's been hot and humid the past week, and I'm hoping she keeps her stellar operational record. Heck, for that matter, I hope I can get back to my regular 2-3x week sailing schedule soon!

That's what I was thinking. The 5a alternator would be putting out maybe a trickle charge at lower rpm. Not sure if it's worth the $120 adder.....plus having to run the wires down my air cowl for it. I know the Sail Pro has it standard. I was hoping others had luck with just the standard 20" version with external tank on C22. It's $300-$400 cheaper than the Sail Pro. Not sure if I would need a high thrust 4 blade prop either. The C22 is a fairly light boat and I wouldn't have to fight currents on Lake Norman anyway.

 

[Chief RA]

Brians approach is definitely overkill! Seafoam added to your ol' 10% alcohol will keep your carb clean & going. Chief

 

[coolista]

Those lawnmower motors will NOT make a suitable outboard! Chief

Chief: Not too sure you are correct. Same torque, same basic load characteristics compared to a hydrostatic drive, better air cleaner system, built for more rugged shock. If you said consumption rate is greater, I might not question, or water-resistance might need be improved, but you simply spouted an opinion. Your response sounds condescending.

 

[Chief RA]

My title is Chief Warrant Officer, not Indian! I don't cut much grass when I am sailing.
Chief

 

[LANCE ON CLOUD NINE]

if you measured it with a decent instrument, I would bet the air cooled engines might be 5 times louder than water cooled. just a guess from years of messing around.

 

[kito]

The lawnmower engine is not an option in my case anyway. The last thing I want to hear when sailing is a fricken lawnmower. Plus, I like putting around on windless days. The B&S motor would drive me nuts.

 

[HukilauMike]

I have a 20" long shaft, and I would love to have a 25" long shaft. I get some cavitation in flat water on a sharp turn. Go longer and you won't regret it; way worth the extra cash. As for the alternator issue, I can't say if its worth it for you; I think it's too dependent on your personal battery use. My 8hp Nissan has electric start and an alternator. I charge up the battery over the winter a few times and fully charge it before installation in the spring. I don't need to charge it again for the entire season. Granted, I use it mostly for starting the engine, running the chart plotter/GPS/fishfinder/depthsounder and the occasional radio call, but still, the alternator has to be doing something useful. YMMV.

 

[kito]

I have a 20" long shaft, and I would love to have a 25" long shaft. I get some cavitation in flat water on a sharp turn. Go longer and you won't regret it; way worth the extra cash. As for the alternator issue, I can't say if its worth it for you; I think it's too dependent on your personal battery use. My 8hp Nissan has electric start and an alternator. I charge up the battery over the winter a few times and fully charge it before installation in the spring. I don't need to charge it again for the entire season. Granted, I use it mostly for starting the engine, running the chart plotter/GPS/fishfinder/depthsounder and the occasional radio call, but still, the alternator has to be doing something useful. YMMV.

Well, my math was wrong. It's $120 total difference between the 6 hp 20" standard and the 6 hp 25" Sail Pro with built in alt and lower pitch prop. Kind of a no brainer. I'll be putting in an order for the Sail Pro when I can scrounge up $1529 (includes shipping and tax)

 

[CaptDon01]

For what it's worth, my experience with the Tohatsu 20" Sail-Pro has been a GREAT outboard. The Sail Pro's come with the alternator, and high thrust prop. The prop requires a bit more RPM to move the boat, or at least mine, to hull speed, which also helps the charger voltage get up better. Our Tohatsu 6 HP 20" Sail-Pro pushes our MK-II version, (about ~3,600 Lbs), at ~ 5 to 5.5 Knots at slightly over 20 MPG.

I did not get the 25" shaft for a couple specific reasons. My 20" shaft Honda was never an issue with cavitation, so I expected the same with the Tohatsu,(and it hasn't). So I figured why spend the extra money. But the biggest reason is that we sail out in the ocean, and we have sometimes large kelp paddies floating around, and kelp beds. Getting mixed up with on of these can easily shear the pin in the prop. It's hard enough to replace the shear pin with a 20" shaft, add another 5" and for me, it's now impossible to reach. On a minor point, on the C-22, motor up on a starboard tack, less likely to drag the prop when healed over, not a big issue...

I caught mine on sale with free shipping from an outfit online, )I believe they are in Tenn.), two years ago and paid no tax, and was right at $1,300.

GREAT outboard, so easy to pull start I thought the spark plug was missing! Maybe the 25" shaft is needed on other boats, but not on a C-22.

Don

 

[Chief RA]

Dons got the 22 so he should know as mounting location is a big factor. Chief

 

[solodare]

for me the alternator feature was just a bonus. Maybe not a big bonus but why not? I have not even hooked mine up yet. good advice on the no ethanol and or treatment! I had completely forgot about reading that in the manual.

If you don't mind me asking in your thread...
I can find Ethanol free gas but its all 87 octane. I had wanted to use strictly 93.
Embarrassingly now that I say that out loud I realize I have no reason to back up that desire. I guess I just assumed it would burn cleaner. Any thoughts on that?
I think I went ahead with the ethanol free but cant remember now. Guess I should burn the rest in my car as suggested just incase.....IDK

The Tohatsu is very quiet at idle speed! I had thought it was going to cut off it was so quiet and actually kept trying to choke it, which of course it did not like. at 30% it does have some shake and a little noise but I feel like its not that bad. (this is my first outboard) so that and $5 will get you a grande latte

BTW kito Im actually closer to lake wylie but I have a summer cabin on Norman. near hwy 150 down in Doollie. Maybe I will see you around some time!!!

 

[Benny17441]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Briggs-Stra...led-/191599129591?hash=item2c9c32b3f7&vxp=mtr is something different. You buy the bottom end, then buy a 4-stro...

The idea seems great but I do not think in practice will work as good. The main selling point is the ability to install and replace a cheap motor of your choice. Well, what guarantees you that the bottom end will last long enough to see any of those replacements? I agree with others the noise and exhaust fumes would just drive me crazy. We have a small trailerable Starwind 223 which we take on the road to different sailing destinations for 7-10 day trips. We were sailing the Long Island Sound on our way to Mystic Harbor the day after a storm and we were encountering 5+ waves and 20 knot winds. Twice or motor head got dunked completely underwater for a few seconds and it continued running without a hitch. There must have been enough air inside the cowling to keep it running and the cowling effectively kept water out of the electronics. That is what I expect of an outboard motor and the lawn mower is just not going to do it.