Tohatsu 9.8 outboard

dlochner · Mar 14, 2017

Tohatsu makes many of the smaller outboards including Mercury and Nissan. They are cheaper because you are not paying for the marque brand name.

Sailm8 · Mar 14, 2017

Tohatsu makes the engine for many small outboards. Companies like Mercury and Nissan slap their own paint and decals on them. I have a 5hp Tohatsu I bought used. Had some trouble after about a year but fixed it with a new carb and non ethanol gas. I would buy another and wish I had a 9.8

Sumner · Mar 14, 2017

Have the extra-long shaft 9.8 on the Mac and love it. Always starts right up and have never had a problem with it. Bought it and a 3 1/2 HP Tohatsu from onlineoutboards.com and no problems with them,

Sumner
=========================================================
1300 miles to The Bahamas and Back in the Mac...
Endeavour 37 Mods...
MacGregor 26-S Mods...http://purplesagetradingpost.com/sumner/endeavour-main/endeavour-index.html
Mac Trips to Utah, Idaho, Wyoming, Canada, Florida, Bahamas

Gene Neill · Mar 14, 2017

RWSlater said:
Do any of you have this outboard? Looking for opinions on a near 10hp motor. I have the 10'2" inflatable so it's limited to 10hp.
I know this is a dangerous question, it's like asking which is better an iPhone or a droid or a PC or a MAC, but here goes ....

Thanks
Ron

I'd buy one in a heartbeat. There are a bunch of us (including me) with the 6HP "Sailpro" version, and it's pretty universally loved.

Tohatsu is Japan's oldest outboard manufacturer. And as was said, any new Nissan or Mercury motor under 40 HP is a Tohatsu in reality.

the_alpine · Mar 14, 2017

Bought my 9.8 2 stroke used and beat up in 2010 for $300. Still starts first pull to this day. Love it.

Joe · Mar 14, 2017

Tohatsu makes great outboard motors. Originally designed for Japanese fishermen to run all day....everyday. I have a 94 2 stroke, 9.9 hp........electric start and remote box. Installed 15 hp upgrade kit a few years back.....which increased fuel consumption a bit. The 2 strokes have no problem with ethanol.
Recently purchased 3.5 hp 4 stroke from onlineoutboards for the dinghy. Nice.

Crazy Dave Condon · Mar 15, 2017

I was a former Tohatsu dealer mostly the smaller ones and pretty much everyone has said what needed to be said. They are I believe now the oldest mfg. in the world as OMC and British Seagull are gone. Getting parts for any engine 25 to 30 years old might be difficult to get for motors long discontinued which includes all brands. The two stroke went by the wayside due to EPA rules by 2006 which is why the four stroke now is dominate as it is more fuel efficient but heavier than the two stroke. With the two stroke you did have to add the oil as it was an oil gas mix but in some ways better than having to change the oil. With any and that includes Toahatsu/Mercury/Nissan small engines which they are all the same, make sure you are careful reading the manual to lay one way when down or oil will spill out from the resivour on the four stroke engines. As for Ethanol, make sure you use the additive and with any fuel suggest that you shut off the fuel to the carb or simply disconnect the gas line to keep fuel from gumming up the jets and fine pores in the engine/carb. I would urge you to pay more and buy the ethanol free gas. I usually say ethanol is corn crap put into regular gas.

SEMPERAVANTI41 · Mar 15, 2017

I own two Tohatsu's, a 6 and an electric start 15. It is a product that I don't think can be made better. Years ago I owned a Evinrude 9.9 which powered my Pearson 26. Used to remove and clean spark plugs every time I needed to use the engine. The Tohatsu 6 is going on 8 years and is still on the original spark plug, never had to clean. Do use an additive such as Seafoam in the gas unless you can get ethanol free.

Gunni · Mar 15, 2017

The Tohatsu 4stroke 8 and 9.8 are the same motor, the difference is the carburetor. So you might as well opt for the 9.8. It is a butter smooth, quiet, low-stink motor. I bought mine to power my old Zodiac 10.2 and it now powers my Achilles 9.2. More than enough power to plane the crew to shore and just enough power to move the boat if the engine will not fire.

It is absolutely essential that you run them with a fuel tank and hose system in very good working order, and keep the vent closed when not in use. Disconnect and stow the fuel hose to prevent fuel flooding the engine.

Karyon · Mar 15, 2017

We have one on our h23.5, that motor starts up right away even after winter storage for 6 months.
As mentioned in previous post Tohatsu builds them for Mercury and Nissan, I would think that cost to buy is more than the Tohatsu, paying for the name.

Joe · Mar 15, 2017

RWSlater said:
Joe, did you buy it in the States and before all the restrictions on 2 strokes.

Purchased used in 2000 from a boat dealer here in so cal. Can't buy new 2 strokes in Calif since mid 2000's. You can purchase used from private parties but some inland lakes have restrictions on use.

I've never had a problem with parts for my 2 stroke here in So Cal...

A side note: The 2 stroke 9.9 and 15 are the same motor... some years back I added a fuel jet conversion kit for $125. So my 9.9 is really a 15... but I can't prove it without showing someone the paperwork if I ever sell it...

As Gunni mentioned, the newer 4 stroke 8 and 9.8 are similarly related....

rbringle · Mar 15, 2017

We had a 9.9 on our trailer/sailer and loved it. It was an electric start and the alternator was all we needed to keep the batteries topped off for our minimal electric needs. Always reliable; highly recommend it.

Benny17441 · Mar 15, 2017

RWSlater said:
Can a 2-stroke even be bought new in the States anymore?

It is not about two strokes or four but about emissions. You can purchase today a two stroke 40HP Tohatsu. It has Air Assisted Direct Fuel Injection and less emissions than the 4 stroke engine. The problem is the manufacturers have opted to just sell 4 stroke engines rather than re-engineer their small two strokes for just the US.

Kermit · Mar 16, 2017

I have a 1999 Tohatsu 9.8 hp 2-stroke on my '99 H260. Crazy Dave was the dealer who sold it to the original owner. I use non-ethanol gasoline and add Stabil and oil each time I fill up. The Stabil may not be necessary but I get good results. I have electric start but the pull rope is good to have in case of battery issues. The only time it fails to start are when the tank is empty or I push the stop button instead of the start button. And the only time it has suddenly died while underway was when a drove over a jib sheet. I like the 2-stroke because I don't ever have to change the engine oil.