Got a bonus at work and possibly buying a new outboard for my 23.5. Do you own one and what are your thoughts. I know many discussions have happened about outboards but couldn't locate much on this motor (could be my fault). I will sail on inland lakes around KY and WV, so general motoring but want something to get me out of a pinch and back to dock if my greenhorn sailing skills catch me out too late in a storm. I'm no mechanic so weighing the options. I've heard Mercury is the best but would like some sailor input, not dealer input. Thank you all for you're help! Got my new boat out on the water last weekend for a float test and everything went great (albeit it's the end of the season).
Tohatsu 6hp SailPro
- Thread starter wvpackmule
- Start date
xlnt perfect choice. Tohatsu makes great small outboards. The 6hp sailpro is ideal for your 23 footer. I highly recommend OnlineOutboards.com I've purchased two from them. Free delivery, delivered to calif. from their store in Tennessee in 5 business days. AND... they will have the lowest price.
It is said that Tohatsu makes all of Mercury’s smaller displaced motors. I had a Mercury 5 Hp sailpower 4 stroke. It ran like new. 1st or second pull always. I use stabilizer and sea foam in my fuel, always. Throughout the entire year. If I have gas in a jerry can it gets stabilizer and Seafoam. We don’t run our engine at higher speeds. It can carbon up and foul a plug once in awhile. Always carry a new one (no matter the engine brand).
I’m researching the Mercury 5Hp propane now. There is a great deal on one locally. It’s attractive to me as gasoline is getting pricy.
I’m researching the Mercury 5Hp propane now. There is a great deal on one locally. It’s attractive to me as gasoline is getting pricy.
I had one on my H26. It was absolutly the perfect OB for that boat. Get the extra long shaft. I had two 3-gallon tanks but honestly I never went through more than 3 gallons in a season. Pushed my H26 at hull speed at about 2/3 throttle. You will probably never need to go above half throttle unless pushing a head wind.
I guess others really liked it too... it got stollen.
I guess others really liked it too... it got stollen.
Look at the Mercury, I would lean heavily in that direction just for the grip shift. Makes a world of difference not needing to take your hand off the tiller to shift.
I"m really not that familiar with propane motors. I'll have to look into them!
Absolute bummer that it got stolen. I did see from a YouTube video that the cowling got scratched and the oil drain plug is in a tight spot, but wouldn't be a huge inconvenience from what I saw.
I think that's a very fair assessment. I haven't looked into them but will now, definitely!
2 years, easy simply maintenance, plug access no problem, .... but if it was it certainly wouldn't have affected my purchase decision.
Tohatsu 4,5,6 hp use the same block, different carbs. I had a 4hp for about ten years, it ran like a watch. The key in my opinion is clean ethanol free fuel. One thing I didn't like was replacing the impeller because it's a pain to realign the shaft when re-inserting the lower unit.