Suzuki or Tohatsu ??? Please help me to make decision :)

[lifeisfun]

Hi folks,
I'm new to boating
Got this spring new 10.6' inflatable and 2hp 4 stroke Honda but like to upgrade to faster motor
I can get decent deal on new Suzuki DF9.9 or Tohatsu 9.8 ( both 4 strokes)
What would be better choice ?
The Suzuki look more sophisticated than the Tohatsu

Please help newbie to make decision - THANKS


Edit: I also tried to found Suzuki user manual on line just to get some more info but can't find it anywhere including Suzuki web site. manual for Tohatsu is available for download on the Tohatsu website ...

 

[JB]

Re: Suzuki or Tohatsu ??? Please help me to make decision

Both are excellent engines.

Tohatsu are top sellers worldwide and very popular with commercial operators, BUT they do their own maintenance. Probably lower price. Pretty basic engines. It is rumored that Tohatsu makes the low hp outboards for many brands. Nissan is a Tohatsu.

Suzuki can be serviced at many locations. Local availability of parts and service would be a big plus for many folks.

 

[lifeisfun]

Re: Suzuki or Tohatsu ??? Please help me to make decision

Thanks for reply !
My dilemma is that I can get the Suzuki for same price as the Tohatsu ( about 1400)
That looks like sweet deal ... what you think ?

 

[dreamchaser]

Re: Suzuki or Tohatsu ??? Please help me to make decision

Hey life...i owned a 1990 70hp tahatsu...... It was a great motor,great on gas ,run all day at WOT,,my friends used to call it the Tomato ...but more times then not guess who left the dock first....me...Only thing i found was that the usual replacment parts were $$$$$$$$

 

[dreamchaser]

Re: Suzuki or Tohatsu ??? Please help me to make decision

hmm??? Dont no what happened there. Moderators Pls Delete it shows nuttin. Hey L I F ,,,I owned a 1990 70hp TAHATSU ,,,It was a great O B ,.cheap on gas would idle right down for trolling and would run all day long at WOT. My friends used to call it the "Tamato" but more times then not guess who left the dock first?.... Me!!.... the only thing i can say bout em that the usual replacements maintanance parts were $$$$$$$$ .good luck.

 

[TOHATSU GURU]

Re: Suzuki or Tohatsu ??? Please help me to make decision

Go with the dark blue one.

 

[deejaycee_2000]

Re: Suzuki or Tohatsu ??? Please help me to make decision

Suzuki ...... most definately ......

 

[cobra 3.0]

Re: Suzuki or Tohatsu ??? Please help me to make decision

Towhatsu? Sounds like a Japanese food processor. Suzuki would be my choice.

 

[TOHATSU GURU]

Re: Suzuki or Tohatsu ??? Please help me to make decision

In order of number of authorized dealers in the U.S.

Mercury
Yamaha
Evinrude/Johnson
Nissan/Tohatsu
Honda
Suzuki

 

[lifeisfun]

Re: Suzuki or Tohatsu ??? Please help me to make decision

Perhaps better product doesn't need so many service locations

 

[TOHATSU GURU]

Re: Suzuki or Tohatsu ??? Please help me to make decision

Or...Maybe the number of locations is meaningless in regards to the quality of a product. My only point is that the myth of there being a lack of Tohatsu/Nissan dealers is just that...A myth. I never hear anyone comment about the lack of Honda dealers or Suzuki dealers. It's just perceptional myth that, by repetition alone, has become accepted Truth. I think that local service and parts availability are the second and third most important criteria that should be used in making a purchase for anything. And I do agree that reliability is the most important thing to consider. As to which brand is the best...They are all the same to me with some brands having some gems and some brands having some turdsd

 

[lifeisfun]

Re: Suzuki or Tohatsu ??? Please help me to make decision

Thanks

 

[lifeisfun]

Re: Suzuki or Tohatsu ??? Please help me to make decision

deejaycee do you have problem to plane the inflatable ? I tested the motor today and it works great but I need to have someone to sit all the way to the front of the inflatable to get it plain. ( Once there, virtually no power is needed to keep it plaining)

Thanks

 

[swist]

Re: Suzuki or Tohatsu ??? Please help me to make decision

In remote harbors in coastal Maine, all kinds of workboats have Tohatsu engines. And there is not much in the way of dealer support over such a wide sparesly populated area. I think that says a lot.

 

[wbeaton]

Re: Suzuki or Tohatsu ??? Please help me to make decision

Lifeisfun,

You might have to play around with your motor height and trim settings. A 9hp should get a 10' inflatable on plane with ease. We used 9.9hp OMC motors on our 12' Zodiacs for years and they would get up on plane with no problem. We now use 15hp OMC and Yamahas and our boats are rated at 25hp. What is your boat rated for?

 

[steelespike]

Re: Suzuki or Tohatsu ??? Please help me to make decision

If ypu buy or make a tiller extension so you can sit more forward it should plane easily.

 

[steelespike]

Re: Suzuki or Tohatsu ??? Please help me to make decision

If you buy or make a tiller extension so you can sit more forward it should plane easily.

 

[lifeisfun]

Re: Suzuki or Tohatsu ??? Please help me to make decision

Yes, that's it .... I need more weight in the front since the boat will plane faster if someone is sitting there.
The boat is rated for up to 15HP.
The motor is 20" shaft but I extended the transom from 15" to 20" ...do you think that I should push it even higher ?

 

[wbeaton]

Re: Suzuki or Tohatsu ??? Please help me to make decision

Its not exactly about being higher. You want the anti-cavitation plate to be about the same level as the bottom of the boat. You should also try running it at different trim levels. Since the 15hp is at the max rating for the boat you should get on plane pretty quick and easy. Do you have a solid or inflatable floor? I find that an underinflated floor will sometimes make it harder to plane. Of course, you'll also have a pretty bouncy ride.

I usually place my weight forward when I'm taking off in the Zodiac to get the nose down faster, but it only takes a few seconds to get on plane. I sit about mid-ship when I start out (I have long monkey arms) and move back as I plane. With all the weight in the back they do tend to launch the bow into orbit. Could be that your boat is running "how they run". Could also be that the extra height and wieght of your motor is partially balancing the bow weight at take off. It might take the bow an extra couple seconds to overcome the stern weight and drop down. I guess if it takes you 10 seconds or more to get on plane then you need to start moving things and making adjustments otherwise just get used to it handling like that.

 

[lifeisfun]

Re: Suzuki or Tohatsu ??? Please help me to make decision

If I'm riding my self I have to get full power to get it on plane. With double the weight (friend sitting at front) only 1/2 to plane.
Here is link to the boat ( I opted fro plywood floor)
http://www.hfboats.com/hsd.htm ( model 320)
The anti-cavitation plate is about 2' below the bottom of the boat. ( Existing transom was 15" and I built 5" extension on it since the Suzuki is 20" shaft) Trim is all the way down to keep the nose down when accelerating, unfortunately it will still lift the front like a wild horse