Tohatsu 6hp, Should I carry spare parts?

[Sail22Capri22]

I purchased a new (2021) Tohatsu 6hp long shaft for my Capri 22 last fall. I had used it a couple of times and I am happy with it and its performance. I am good at keeping my equipment clean and maintained. I go by the saying "take care of your equipment and it will take care of you". From what I have read they seem to be reliable but I was wondering if there are any known common failures in any of this engines parts that I should keep on the boat? If so I would like to keep some parts in inventory so if something does happen it will not ruin a weekend.

 

[dmax]

A spark plug and a spare cotter pin for the propeller is what I carry - new outboards are very reliable, bad gas being the most common problem..

 

[JBP-PA]

For ordinary day use, not crossing oceans or being in distant or exotic lands , I carry spare:
plugs, impeller and seals, timing belt, engine oil
Tools to install the above.

 

[JBP-PA]

A spark plug and a spare cotter pin for the propeller is what I carry - new outboards are very reliable, bad gas being the most common problem..

Oops, right. Spare sheer pin & cotter pin, fuel filter.

If you are having a problem with gas, maybe a spare carb. Easier to replace and go rather than clean in situ.

 

[dlochner]

Change the water pump impeller annually before launch. Don't rely on water coming out of the weep hole to know the water pump is working. If the engine gets too hot the electronic ignition shuts down. This can happen even when there is water flow but it is inadequate.

Carry a spare starting cord, shear pins, and cotter pins with the tools to change them.

These engines are otherwise pretty reliable, unlike the old 2-stroke days when plugs would foul.

 

[BarryL]

Hi,

I'm not familiar with that motor so I can't make and specific suggestions. For a regular gas OB I would carry a spare spark plug or two, a fuel filter, a shear pin for the prop, and a spare 'key' for the kill switch

Barry

 

[Sail22Capri22]

All good recommendations thanks! I found a gas station by me that sell Ethanol free fuel so I will only use that for it, at least I will try to.

 

[Rich Stidger]

All good recommendations thanks! I found a gas station by me that sell Ethanol free fuel so I will only use that for it, at least I will try to.

Using E0 fuel is probably the best preventative maintenance you can do. Always carry enough spare E0 so you don't have to use the E10 stuff. This is especially true for 4-cycle engines because the carb passages are much smaller than in 2-cycle ones and the aluminum corrosion in the carb due to water absorbed by the ethanol will plug the smaller passages more easily.
For my older 2-cycle kicker, I carry a spare plug or two, a spare key and cotter pin for the prop, and a spare starting cord. And the tools to change everything. A spare fuel filter would be a good idea; I'll have to add that to my service bag.

 

[JBP-PA]

The vent free fuel tanks help a lot with ethanol problems. They have other constraints, don't store them in sunshine and you need a fuel demand valve, but they cut down on the humidity in the tank.

 

[Crazy Dave Condon]

Use ethanol free gas only and buy a motor muff to flush the engine once in a while with fresh water. When shutting off the engine for the day, shut off the fuel and let the motor run out of gas. Former Tohatsu dealer

 

[TimFromLI]

Spark plug, don't ask me how I know.

 

[Benny17441]

A sailboat is the perfect hybrid. Have had engine failures but the sails have always brought me back to land.

 

[Project_Mayhem]

For a newer outboard do what everyone has already recommended plus see if there's a fuse in your outboard. For older outboards I would also carry a spare power pack as well. They last a long time but can fail without warning as I found out. Took me 2.5 hours to sail back to my slip with nearly no wind. I was only 1.5 miles out!