Tohatsu 9hp vs other brand options

[Charly]

Hi guys, I am shopping for a pair of long shaft outboards to go on the back of a new cat I am building. It needs to be remote shift. What do you all think of Tohatsu vs Honda, Yamaha, etc.? I can save a lot of money with the tohatsu if I buy a tiller model and a separate shifter/throttle box, and mount it myself, so I am leaning towards that option. Anyone have any advice?

 

[hoytedow]

I shopped all over central Florida and finally settled on the Boat Superstore for my 9.9 Honda. They had the best price in 150 miles.

http://www.boatandmotorsuperstores.com/

 

[DCockey]

The Tohatsu and Nissan 9.8 HP outboards appear to be the same engine with different cosmetics.

 

[keysdisease]

All good reliable brands, and I think Tohatsu brands small motors for someone else besides Nissan too.

And don't be so quick to think switching a tiller controlled motor to remotes is an easy task, I believe you will find it more challenging than you might think.

Steve

 

[troy2000]

The Tohatsu and Nissan 9.8 HP outboards appear to be the same engine with different cosmetics.

I believe Tohatsu is the source; they make the motors that are sold under the Nissan brand.

 

[Mr Efficiency]

Best choice may depend on what the boat is, if it is heavy and not a speed machine, you may be wise to select a high-thrust variant.

 

[dskira]

Nissan and Tohatsu are the same. Tohatsu also make the Mercury till 20hp.
They used to make the Honda also 15 years ago.
I have a Tohatsu 15hp, it is the best outboard I ever had.
The ratio power/weight/reliability/price/maintenance/repair is difficult to beat.

 

[Charly]

All good reliable brands, and I think Tohatsu brands small motors for someone else besides Nissan too.

And don't be so quick to think switching a tiller controlled motor to remotes is an easy task, I believe you will find it more challenging than you might think.

Steve

Good point, Steve. I took a tiller arm off of a Johnson once and made up a homemade throttle/shifter. I don't remember the details, but it was a pretty big mess.
I see that over here
http://www.onlineoutboards.com/Tohatsu-9-8-hp-Outboards.html
I can buy a Tohatsu w/25"shaft and remote shifter for about $2900.No tax. free shipping, so the savings of buying separate and doing it yourself might not be worth the trouble. The only wrinkle is that they wont sell you a motor with remote shifter and send it to your doorstep like they will a tiller version. It seems to me that if they send it to a local dealer (we have one) the dealer has to get a piece somehow? How does that work? I still have to sort that issue out, but overall I am reading mostly good recommendations for the Tohatsu brand.

Thanks

 

[Charly]

Best choice may depend on what the boat is, if it is heavy and not a speed machine, you may be wise to select a high-thrust variant.

Tohatsu has a 25 inch shaft option with a four blade prop. I have been wondering if this mod makes any difference on the wear at the power head or any other negative effect?

edit: this is for a 36' cat

 

[hoytedow]

That should have no effect on the power head but it does put more strain on the motor mount due to the longer lever.

 

[PAR]

On a 36' cat, see if a high thrust model is available.

 

[Mr Efficiency]

I'd like to have 25" leg for sure on a 36 foot boat, and those usually have the high thrust option in 9.9 hp motors.

 

[hoytedow]

That option does exist on the Honda 9.9.

 

[Charly]

That option does exist on the Honda 9.9.

Tohatsu literature calls their 25" version w/four bladed prop a "high thrust", which in my mind prompts the question: what, if any other modifications are made to make it a "high thrust"?

 

[Angélique]

Tohatsu literature calls their 25" version w/four bladed prop a "high thrust", which in my mind prompts the question: what, if any other modifications are made to make it a "high thrust"?

The only other modification is probably to utilize a higher gear ratio which gives the "high thrust prop'' lower rpm vs the ''standard'' version since the "high thrust prop'' moves more water per revolution.

For outboards the total set up between ''standard'' and "high thrust'' versions usally only differ in the gear ratio and the applied prop. You can see if this is the case by comparing the specs for power and torque output, crankshaft rpm, the gear ratio and the prop specs.

Good luck !
Angel