Outboard Opinions for Dink

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PKFK

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Jul 12, 2004
206
Hunter 36 Ottawa
Hi -

I am considering a new outboard for the Dink......from my reading, Tohatsu are basically Nissan without the name and price....and apprarantly they also make Merc.

Looking for a 4-stroke that is not overly heavy - likely 4-6 HP.

I am located in Canada - but it looks like that carries about a 50% premium on the price tag - and since we live 45 mins from the boarder, am considering ordering from these guys :

http://www.onlineoutboards.com

Any experiences good or bad with Tohatsu or the website listed ?

Thanks,

Paull
 
M

Mel Elliott

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Feb 15, 2007
47
Macgregor 26D Gautier
Online outboards

I bought an 8hp 4 cycle from them in 06 and was verypleased with their service. I see their prices have gone up, but what hasn't?
 
RichH

RichH

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Feb 14, 2005
4,773
Tayana 37 cutter; I20/M20 SCOWS Worton Creek, MD
I ordered my most recent Tohatsu through www.internetoutboards.com/ with good price and FAST delivery.
Tohatsu now manufactures probably most of the 'powerheads' for most of the other 4 cycle brand offerings.
Only problem so far with my Tohatsu: gasoline must be 'fresh' and/or well stabilized or you WILL have 'carburetor problems' - but this now affects almost all small hp gasoline engines thanks to the ethanol component in gasoline.
 
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Winkfish

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Jul 28, 2010
914
Boston Whaler Montauk New Orleans
As for stabilization, use Sta-Bil in your tank, especially if it's going to sit for any length of time. Get the blue kind, which is designed for gas with ethanol. Also, Sea foam is a great product to use to clean out and cut down on carbon buildup. You can use them both at the same time.
 
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gfrazzle

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Aug 26, 2007
272
Hunter 41DS Ventura, California
I bought an 8HP Nissan from Online: Great customer service, best price anywhere, FAST ship! Highly recommended.

I ended up not needing it- sold it to a guy in FL (still in the shipping crate ) who thought it was a 2 cycle!!!!! Put the oil in the gas, not the crankcase- it didn't last long. Wanted his money back.
 
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Benny

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Sep 27, 2008
1,149
Hunter 320 Tampa, FL
I have had excellent experience with a 4 stroke 5HP Tohatsu but for our dingui I pack a 2 stroke 3.3HP Mercury from the same stable. At 28 lbs I can carry, raise and lower it with much ease. It all depends on the size of the dink and its intended use but I would advise to go with the lightest engine that would meet your needs. The Tohatsu weighs somewhere around 55 lbs.
 
Joe

Joe

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Jun 1, 2004
8,220
Catalina 27 Mission Bay, San Diego
A quick comparison of the two sites mentioned above and it appears RichH's site has much better prices... at least in the models I am interested in. 9.8 or 15 remote, long or extra long shaft... noticed a new model with power tilt/trim.... NICE...
 
Sumner

Sumner

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Jan 31, 2009
5,254
Macgregor & Endeavour 26S and 37 Utah's Canyon Country
Joe said:
A quick comparison of the two sites mentioned above and it appears RichH's site has much better prices... at least in the models I am interested in. 9.8 or 15 remote, long or extra long shaft... noticed a new model with power tilt/trim.... NICE...
Click to expand
Hi Joe, we got a 9.8 extra long shaft electric start from Online a while back and really liked the quick service. We also ordered a second 7 pitch 4 blade prop and prop kit and filter at the same time and since it was all ordered at the same time they paid the freight on all of that.

I've mounted the 9.8 on a higher ....



http://purplesagetradingpost.com/sumner/macgregor2/outside-25.html

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=COMAPYd5WTg&feature=channel

....mount for lakes and easy of getting to the controls, but it can be dropped for the ocean if ever needed.


I don't see the price difference that you talked about for the model we got. In fact OnLine is 1 cent cheaper ;). I'd order from them again in a moment.

We also have a 5 HP Nissan long shaft that we bought used for the dinghy and like it. We got the long shaft so that it could be used as a back up for the Mac. I .....



....raised the transom on the dinghy to work with the long shaft.

I'd vote for Tohatsu,

Sum

Our Trips to Lake Powell, UT - Kootenay Lake, Canada - Priest Lake, ID

Our Mac Pages

Mac-Venture Links
 
Joe

Joe

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Jun 1, 2004
8,220
Catalina 27 Mission Bay, San Diego
From: www.internetoutboards.com

[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]4-STR/9.8HP-Ultra-Long Shaft (ELECTRIC START, REMOTE CONTROL) FREE SHIPPING(RESTRICTED)[/FONT][FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]
[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Product #: M21 MFS9.8A3EPUL 2010 [/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Retail Price: $2,836.00 [/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Online Price: $2,309.99 [/FONT]

[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]4-STR/15HP - Long Shaft (Elect Start/Power Trim/Remote Ctl) FREE SHIPPING(RESTRICTED) [FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]
Product #: M26 MFS15CEPTL 2010
Retail Price: $3,811.00
Online Price: $2,999.99
[/FONT][/FONT]
[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif][FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]From: www.onlineoutboards.com:[/FONT][/FONT]

MFS9.8A3EPUL 25" Shaft
(X-Long)Electric
StartRemote
Control93.7 lbs$2875.00
No Shipping

MFS15CEPTL
Power Tilt 20" Shaft
(Long)Electric
StartRemote
Control137.8 lbs$3575.00
No Shipping



[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif][FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Note.. internet outboard will ship remote control units to your dealer for installation as mandated by Tohatsu corp. Online outboard will not deliver remote control units... period.. they must be picked up and installed by their techs at their location in Tenn.[/FONT][/FONT][FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]

[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]AHA!.... I will recant my general statement on who has better prices... because.....[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]I have noticed that OnlineOB has a sale on tiller model electric start 9.8 hp with tilt/trim for a couple hundred less than InternetOB. It pays to shop!![/FONT]

[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]OnlineOB:[/FONT]

[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]MFS9.8A3EFTUL [/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Power Tilt 25" Shaft[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif](X-Long)Electric[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]StartTiller[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Handle98.6 lbs$2299.99[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]
[/FONT]

[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]InternetOB:[/FONT]

[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif][FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]4-STR/9.8HP-Ultra-Long Shaft (EL START & POWER TILT) FREE SHIPPING[/FONT][FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]
[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Product #: M18.1 MFS9.8A3EFTUL 2010 [/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Retail Price: $3,277.00 [/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Online Price: $2,550.00 [/FONT]
[/FONT]
[/FONT][/FONT]
 
P

PKFK

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Jul 12, 2004
206
Hunter 36 Ottawa
Thanks all for the comments and inputs. These forums are great for pre-purchase research - especially with on-line stores that we may not be familiar with.

The 2-stroke suggestion sounds good (lighter to carry) - but I am not seeing many small (6hp or lower) 2-strokes listed....most of them seem to be 4-stroke (heavy) these days....

Paul
 
Andreas T

Andreas T

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Oct 2, 2008
30
Beneteau Oceanis 40CC Vancouver
I bought a 4HP Tohatsu from a local dealer in Vancouver 2 years ago and am very pleased with it. Good performance, easy to start, weight still okay to lift from the stern rail into the dinghy without a lift device (but shouldn't be heavier). Price was C$ 1362 incl tax.

I haven't seen clean and reasonably smooth 2-strokes in that power range, so the Tohatsu is a good choice.

Andreas
 
Joe

Joe

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Jun 1, 2004
8,220
Catalina 27 Mission Bay, San Diego
PKFK said:
Thanks all for the comments and inputs. These forums are great for pre-purchase research - especially with on-line stores that we may not be familiar with.

The 2-stroke suggestion sounds good (lighter to carry) - but I am not seeing many small (6hp or lower) 2-strokes listed....most of them seem to be 4-stroke (heavy) these days....

Paul
Click to expand

For the past ten years there has been a growing number of areas (especially in California) that restrict the use of 2 stroke engines in personal watercraft, snow mobiles, outboard motors etc... Check in your boating area for any restrictions that may affect your purchase and intended use. I don't know how "green" Canada is but if you buy from a local dealer they will know the llimitations. When you buy online the delivery of the unit may be restricted to areas where they are "legal" As I said, just ask around in your area... call a dealer or two and you'll be wiser.

As to why there are less small HP 2 strokes... one reason may be that the larger hp motors use a fuel injection system to restrict emissions... not so in smaller hp motors.... so the 4 stroke design is used to comply with most areas' restrictions.
 
dscribner

dscribner

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Nov 9, 2008
1,338
Pearson-O'Day 290 Portland Maine
I'm a trailer sailor but we cruise when we can. My dinghy is 8'-0 fiberglass that I picked up wick'd cheap. We power it with a trolling motor. It isn't fast, but it's quiet, doesn't stink, cost less than a hundred bucks and will run for 2+ hours on a charge. It's nice if you're trying to sneak into an estuary without scaring the wildlife. There's also the Torquedo but I really don't know much about them.
 
B

Benny

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Sep 27, 2008
1,149
Hunter 320 Tampa, FL
Check out Suzuki outboards, the make a 2.5HP 4 stroke that weighs 30 lbs.
 
W

Winkfish

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Jul 28, 2010
914
Boston Whaler Montauk New Orleans
Suzuki is a great make. quite o few fishing guides in my area love them, though they're generally using bigger outboards.

The "green" thing is exactly right. Check your local regs. But a lot of the newer 2-strokes now comply with the emissions standards. As Joe said, your local dealer should know. If not, check with a local outboard mechanic. They should know as well.

The trolling motor is a great idea.
 
BobM

BobM

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Jun 10, 2004
3,269
S2 9.2A Winthrop, MA
The only downside to Suzuki, in my experience, is that parts availability and support for the small outboards isn't very good. If you don't absolutely need reverse, smaller and lighter is better if you don't care about speed.
 
P

PKFK

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Jul 12, 2004
206
Hunter 36 Ottawa
Lots of good comments and suggestions...thanks !

FWIW - I currently use a Minn-Kota 38 lb thrust electric trolling motor with a group 27 deep cycle battery.

It is nice and quiet - however - over a 3-4 day weekend I have to be careful or I run out of juice....and the group 27 battery weighs almost 60 lbs - so the lightness of the electric motor pales when I have to schlep the battery into the dinghy....hence the investigation into a gasoline outboard.

Interestingly, I noticed that the 4HP Tohatsu actually weighs MORE than the 5 or 6 HP motors, due to the internal fuel tank......
 
Sumner

Sumner

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Jan 31, 2009
5,254
Macgregor & Endeavour 26S and 37 Utah's Canyon Country
PKFK said:
......Interestingly, I noticed that the 4HP Tohatsu actually weighs MORE than the 5 or 6 HP motors, due to the internal fuel tank......
Click to expand
Not sure if anyone mentioned it, but the 4, 5 and 6 Tohatsu/Nissan are all the same except for the carb. You can make a 4 or 5 a 6 with a carb change. I think that costs about $140 the last time I checked.

I don't think it makes a difference though. Most engines torque are pretty much based on their displacement and since all three of these have the same displacement I'll bet the torque curves are almost identical. Also the 1 and 2 HP difference are only at the max HP rpm not everywhere in the RPM range. At part throttle, which is where you are 90% or more of the time I'll bet the HP difference is in the tenths of a HP difference.

I'd take a 4 with a high thrust prop for our application any day over the 6 with the stock prop. I put a 6 pitch on our Nissan 5 and it would power our 26 foot Mac into 25 mph winds at 4-5 mph on 1/2 throttle or less. It would of gone faster, but there was no need.

We have been very happy with the 5 HP and I'm sure we will be just as happy with the new 9.8 HP.

c ya,

Sum

Our Trips to Lake Powell, UT - Kootenay Lake, Canada - Priest Lake, ID

Our Mac Pages

Mac-Venture Links
 
P

PKFK

.
Jul 12, 2004
206
Hunter 36 Ottawa
Hi Sumner -

I did notice that the 4/5/6 were basically the same - however the 5/6 do not have the internal gas tank, and therfore are lighter than the 4HP.

For my application - I have an 18HP inboard Volvo diesel for moving the sailboat - so I just want the outboard to move the dink - FAST.....big torque is not needed - but moving the zodiac along quckly is the purpose of this engine.
 
W

Winkfish

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Jul 28, 2010
914
Boston Whaler Montauk New Orleans
PKFK said:
Hi Sumner - For my application - I have an 18HP inboard Volvo diesel for moving the sailboat - so I just want the outboard to move the dink - FAST.....big torque is not needed - but moving the zodiac along quckly is the purpose of this engine.
Click to expand
On our recent bareboat charter, we had a 2.5hp Tohatsu as our dingy motor. It moved the dingy, a smallish rib, with 5 people on it very nicely.
 
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