Looked through your photos. Looks like a twin to my boat - 1983 Cat 22 sail number 11619. My old outboard was an Evinrude 4.5, same design as yours. I've really enjoyed this boat.
Tohatsu Sail Pro starting issues
- Thread starter brockangelo
- Start date
Oh yep, ours are very close! I'm getting closer and closer to being ready to put it on the water. Hoping to have all the initial mods done this weekend so I can get it out next week for my maiden voyage. I'm planning to start at the nearest lake (Clinton Lake) in the next week or so. We're pretty familiar with the lake, spent three years with our pontoon there. I'll probably stick to Clinton while I get all the improvements made and get familiar with the handling; then I'll be looking for road trips. 
IIUC, @brockangelo has a brand new motor. I would think the plug should be fine ?!? If not, is that a normal part of break-in (I've never had a brand new outboard), or something he should complain to the vendor about?
FWIW: I bought my Tohatsu 6 a few years old with <50 hours on it. It's always preferred a different starting sequence than the Honda that preceded it. My Sailpro likes:
- ~1/3-1/2 throttle
- Choke on
- Pull cord ~2-3x (it rarely fires on the first pull, but usually on the 2nd or 3rd)
- Reduce throttle to near idle (engine starts to rev, since we're starting at 1/3-1/2 throttle)
- Gradually push in choke over 5-10 seconds (I've never had to wait minutes for it to warm up)
And, of course, your copy of the same motor will probably want a completely different sequence. Small motors are all possessed by malevolent spirits.
I’m apologizing in advance for hijacking this thread, but I have similar issues.
Bought my sailpro 6 last season and had it serviced over the winter.
My issue last season and this is that it starts on the first of second pull when cold - that’s not a problem - but after sailing for 1 - 2 hours it takes about 50 pull to start it.
i definitely recognize the choke issue you all discussed when starting cold or warm, and I’ll follow that in the future - ease the choke gradually.
I’ll also go easy on the bulb when restarting and try to be sensitive to flooding it on restart.
Do you think it would be useful to disconnect the gas line and run it out of gas before pulling it out of the water before my sail - definitely a PITA but could do that.
Regards
Perfect Partner
Bought my sailpro 6 last season and had it serviced over the winter.
My issue last season and this is that it starts on the first of second pull when cold - that’s not a problem - but after sailing for 1 - 2 hours it takes about 50 pull to start it.
i definitely recognize the choke issue you all discussed when starting cold or warm, and I’ll follow that in the future - ease the choke gradually.
I’ll also go easy on the bulb when restarting and try to be sensitive to flooding it on restart.
Do you think it would be useful to disconnect the gas line and run it out of gas before pulling it out of the water before my sail - definitely a PITA but could do that.
Regards
Perfect Partner
I pull my fuel line every time as I come back into my slip. Motor will run for another 5-7 min or more before it finally quits. I then give it a half pull. Has been working great for 3 years with just an oil change. I never use choke after initial startup for the day.
The spark plugs may have accumulated carbon deposit as a result of running rich. Checking them is a good idea.
I do the same as @morbidfollower -- When I arrive at the mooring ball, or the dock I disconnect the fuel line and let the motor shut off by itself. I also swear by premium gasoline and sea foam. Some people don't like sea foam, but another sailor turned me onto it, and I now add it to every tank of 2-stroke I make. I don't know if it makes a difference, but after having my 1990 Mercury gone through by an authorized service center 4 years ago, I haven't had to touch it since.
Ethanol is at the root of 99% of all small engine problems. If you're not using ethanol free fuel, that is the first problem you need to address.
I finally got rid of my starting anxiety with my 5hp Honda - I sold it and bought an EPropulsion Spirit+ (basically 3hp equivalent performance). No more starting anxiety. No, I don't have the same top speed I did with the Honda - it's 1/2 knot less. But I don't have the noise, the weight, carburetor cleaning, having to lay it one side up in the car when trailering, the tank taking up space in the footwell of the cockpit, etc. Don't need a test tank or motor stand. Last year when I bought, a new Tohatsu Sailpro was $1800, the Spirit+ $2500. Sold the Honda for $600 being honest about the issues.
Reverse is a twist of the throttle, starting is placing the deadman magnet and pressing the on button. I have reliable 12+ nm range - 4 hrs at 3.5 knots, 3 hrs at 4.2 knots, 1+ hr at full throttle (5.5 kts). Range is more than the integral tank on a gas outboard, less than a 3 gal tank in the cockpit. I did 1 mile runs in the creek upwind and downwind and averaged the GPS readouts.
Count me in as a convert. I had done all the recommended - non-ethanol gas, running dry at the end of each sail, carb cleaned, tried different choking procedures, and still had starting issues. Some people have better success with small gas outboards than I do. I'm too old to own another gas outboard that doesn't have electric start. When I need it to start, I need it to start. Now motoring in a sailboat is actually a pleasure, and I motor more than I did with a gas outboard.
Fred W
Stuart Mariner 19 #4133 Sweet P
Yeopim Creek, Albemarle Sound, NC
Reverse is a twist of the throttle, starting is placing the deadman magnet and pressing the on button. I have reliable 12+ nm range - 4 hrs at 3.5 knots, 3 hrs at 4.2 knots, 1+ hr at full throttle (5.5 kts). Range is more than the integral tank on a gas outboard, less than a 3 gal tank in the cockpit. I did 1 mile runs in the creek upwind and downwind and averaged the GPS readouts.
Count me in as a convert. I had done all the recommended - non-ethanol gas, running dry at the end of each sail, carb cleaned, tried different choking procedures, and still had starting issues. Some people have better success with small gas outboards than I do. I'm too old to own another gas outboard that doesn't have electric start. When I need it to start, I need it to start. Now motoring in a sailboat is actually a pleasure, and I motor more than I did with a gas outboard.
Fred W
Stuart Mariner 19 #4133 Sweet P
Yeopim Creek, Albemarle Sound, NC