Outboard Motor Question

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Sam Morgan

Somewhere I have heard that there are a few companies making outboard motors and putting several different brand names on essentially the same motor. For example, isn't there a Japanese company that sells their own motors and also sells the same motor under the Mercury name. Does anyone have any information about this matter?
 
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Frank Walker

Twins (fraternal or Identical)

Sam, the smaller Mercury motors sure look a lot like the Nissans, which look like the Tohatsus. I think the paint job is the only difference.
 
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Chuck Wayne

clone motors

the 15 horse down motors are essentially identical-the three have minor differences, like more or less tilt positions, but they're the same motors. Look for dealer support and warranties as the main issues as you evaluate price
 
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S. Cohen

Identical

I purchased a 3.5 Tohatsu. The dealer had the 3.5 Nissan and Tohatsu and they were identical. The only difference was the Nissan was $30.00 more. The dealer said the only difference that he knew was the decal on the engine. Just make sure if you get a small horsepower engine that you get the one with Neutral and Forward, not Forward only.
 
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Sam Morgan

Thanks for the information

I am interested in these motors because my Suzuki 9.9 was stolen a few weeks ago from the mount on my H-260. I have insurance but there is a $560 deductible plus the insurance company will deduct for the age of the motor as mine was a 2001 model. I am looking for the best (cheapest) way to replace my motor. So, I am looking for clones that may be cheaper as well as the cheapest place to buy a replacement motor.
 
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Davor

Tohatsu

Tohatsu is one of the largest outboard motor manufacturers. They make and custom lable many motors for Nissan, Mercury and Mariner. They are probably the best buy there is. Their motors are reliable and simple but some models and the clones are a bit noisy compared to Honda, etc. I've got a single cylinder 5-HP 2-cycle long leg with charger on my h-23 for almost 10 years now (about 500-hrs) without any problems. Cleaned the carburator once and change the spark plug and leg oil every second year. She always starts on the second pull. No problem reaching hull speed at 6 knots in the ocean. It originally had only the small internal tank but I connected a 25 litre (7 us gal)external to the fuel valve. The internal is used as an emergency reserve only. Fuel consumption is about 15 litres (4 us gal) to motor, without sails, the 6 hours and 35 knotical miles to Vancouver island. s/v Miss Brandy h-23
 
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Mic Fry

Tohatsu

Hello Sam: Go with a Honda. I made a mistake a few years back and Bought a Tohatsu 5 hp 4 stroke and even after the dealer in Costa Mesa replaced it would not run slow enough at idle to park my Dinghy next to the boat with out shuting it off. If you adjusted the idle screw it would die as there is no mixture adjustment on the new motors. Before that motor I had a 5hp 4 stroke honda built in the 80's that was a great motor untill my son rolled it in to the surf. My opinion is that all small engines sould be two strokes as they have more power vs weight than 4 strokes. I used a Mariner 8 hp 2 stroke on my 25.5 Hunter and it was a great motor. Hope I helped
 
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