Tohatsu comments??

[Compromise]

I'm just in the beginning stages of research on these motors, so far:

1. they appear cheaper than others.

2. they are Nissan engines under a different name.

For those of you who own one, would you recommend them?
Do they come in 2-stroke only?
Problems/issues?
Reliability?

Thanks for the info

[Craig LaForce]

Tohatsu is a very high reliability motor. The old ones are normal 2 strokes, the newer ones are very high tech and rival the 4 strokes in terms of fuel economy and emissions, while maintaining the lightweight and reliability of 2 strokes.

Also, no oil to change on a 2 stroke.

You can look at iboats.com website to get a feel for the issues of different motors.
I think you will see very few complaints about Tohatsu.

Like most 2 strokes, they like to be run hard and often. If you use it only once a year, a 4 stroke might be better.

You can also search on this board to see lots of comparison info.

[Bawgy]

I have a small 8 HP electric start Tahotsu on my V-24 and it has been super reliable and efficient. I have only heard good things about the tohatsu's. I put an Evinrude ETEC 50 on my boat . It does the job

[Compromise]

I have the Yamaha 50 four stroke ('02), but I'm looking into a replacement motor. The Etec seems to have the popular vote but I've also heard the Tohatsu is a decent option.
Keep 'em coming
thanks again.

[Trouts Dream]

I have a 96 Tohatsu that came with my 97 X and my problem is the reliability. I want a new 4 stroke 90HP but can't buy one until this Tohatsu fails (Admirals orders). Based on my experience with this OB and what I have read online, I may never get a new engine.

[Hardcrab]

For what it's worth, the Nissan is a rebadged Tohatsu, not the other way around, as you mentioned in your post. The smaller Mercury motors are also rebadged Tohatsu's.
Maybe those folks know something?

[parrothead]

We opted for a Tohatsu 50 TLDI on our '05 because of the price advantage, good reliability reputation, and fuel injection [the other alternative from our dealer was a Honda 50 with carbs]. What we got was a Nissan for the same price [same motor, different color] because that's what the dealer's local supplier had in stock.

After 3 seasons, I have no complaints at all. Each spring it starts up like it was just turned off the day before. We don't have an hour meter, but have yet to finish consuming our 2nd gallon of 2-stroke oil.

[Compromise]

I have a 96 Tohatsu that came with my 97 X and my problem is the reliability. I want a new 4 stroke 90HP but can't buy one until this Tohatsu fails (Admirals orders). Based on my experience with this OB and what I have read online, I may never get a new engine.

Are you affilliated with Tohatsu boat corp?
That says a LOT

[eric3a]

..

[kmclemore]

Mine is a 1997 carburated 50hp model and it's not as good as I would like. I've had a lot of problems with stalling at slow speed, hard starting, etc. Yes, I know it's probably related to carbs, but I've cleaned them at least twice now and still have the issue.

[Duane Dunn, Allegro]

My '96 50 hp gets next to zero maintenance, starts everytime even on old gas after sitting all winter. As said above, they are bulletproof and unfortunately will run for ever. This means I to will never be able to bring myself to spend the money for a new motor with a perfectly good working one still on the boat.

Mine was starting to stall at idle during docking which was a pain. This isn't surprising as I've done next to nothing but run it over the last 7 years I've had it. Last spring I went over the top and put in new plugs. I also turned up the idle adjust screw just a bit and now I have no problems with stalling. Mine's never been hard to start.

I don't know if it's true of the newer ones, but the old carb'd two strokes like mine have a great amount of redunandancy built in them, 3 carbs, 3 coils, nearly 3 of everything. They can even tolerate some component failures and still get you home.

The bad side of these old two strokes is their noise and fuel consumption. Obviously unlike some above, we have gone through many many gallons of oil even at the 50:1 automix ratio. We motor a lot and the old Tohatsu just keeps on ticking away.

As said above Nissan is a Tohatsu product with different stickers, not the other way around.

[Deeseas]

My Tohatsu 40 hp is a '93, it's never been to the shop, all I do once a year is change the leg oil and fog the motor in the fall and clean the fuel filter and change the plugs in the spring. It still starts first crank and runs great. We have put lots of hours of towing water toys and water skis (kids and adults) and hundreds of hours of fishing at dead slow speed and the Tohatsu hasn't complained once. If I ever need a new outboard it will be another Tohatsu ( Nissan).
Doug

[LOUIS B HOLUB]

I crank it. It starts and runs until I shut it down.
All I want out of an engine, and it's doing it fine.
Based in that alone,I'd recommend.
Eric

Me too --
Mine is a Nissan, 50 HP, 1999, less than 100 hours. Had to clean the carbs once (the prev. owner let it sit), and one new impeller last year. Other than "NOISE" -- its been very reliable -- gets my Mac X on a plane quick. Also, so far it has idled real well, which is a real plus when Im trying to get into the slip without taking out the pier, & neighbor boats.

I notice Kevin's post indicates a problem with the idle. Same here before I had the carbs cleaned.

[jim nolan]

Deeseas, I have the exact same m,otor on my 26x. Its been great! But what fuel filters do you clean? In the motor or in the tanks? thanks jim nolan

[Deeseas]

Jim
The fuel filter in the motor.
Doug