hand-starting 25HP 3-Cyl. 4-stroke Tohatsu / Nissan

[Ralf]

I am contemplating to buy a 25HP 4-stroke Tohatsu/Nissan outboard for that costco "dinghy" (Extreme-XL) I have on order. I know the boat itrself is too heavy and too big to really be a dinghy and the putboard (at over 150lbs) certainly would test its the useability as a dinghy severely.
So, it's not a dinghy, just for fun - I admit it...

Here is what I wonder about:
Can such an engine really be handstarted?
I am contemplating to buy the discontinued 2003 handstart only model, as there seems no point to burden oneself with a big battery in a little inflatable and thus there seems to be little to no point in spending extra money on the e-start.

Since they sold it as hand-start only I thought it ought to work - but then they discontinued it and, when calling them, they also say they won't allow internet dealers to ship these any more (hand or e-start) because of the complex adjustment on the three carbs.... Warranty would be voided if I won't have a dealer set it up... It may be tough to start as it's three cylinders (no decompression feature as with smaller engines)...

On the other hand a dealer tells me that yeah, he has a 2003 in stock and no, it's all factory set, he just needs to put in the oil...

So, I have a dealer who wants to sell something he can't get rid of contradicting Nissan / Tohatsu quite a bit and am not sure what to think about the whole thing.

Any advise / experience?

Ralf

[Don B]

Is it a "High Compression" engine or "Low Compression" engine ?

IMHO Low compression with No Compression release would be easier to pull start than a High Compression with No compression release.

I have started plenty of snowmobile engines with pull start, But they were 2 stroke not 4 stroke and around 25 to 30 HP.

-Don B

[Duane Dunn, Allegro]

Last summer one of the boats on the San Juans trip was able to hand start their Tohatsu 50 hp two stroke without any trouble. I'm not sure if a 4 stroke would be harder or easier, but I would think think if they sell it with a built in pull cord it shouldn't be any problem.