4 HP Yam or 5 HP Tohatsu Kicker

[Frugal Floater]

I can either get a brand new 4-stroke 4 HP Yamaha kicker or a 5HP Tohatsu for about $1,000 out the door (including shipping). Any advantages of either motor...I have a 90 HP Yamaha and very happy with it; however, I can get an extra 1 HP for the same price if I go with a Tohatsu kicker.

Also, what is a reasonable installation price to install:

transom motor mount (bolted to transom)
fuel line tapped into main line
EZ steer
outboard

I am just getting this so I can get on some horsepower restricted lakes and put around and don't want to deal with electric due to bow mount limitations, etc... I have an 1800 lb SeaPro.

 

[tommays]

Re: 4 HP Yam or 5 HP Tohatsu Kicker

The F4 is a 1 cylinder, i have never been to happy with any brands 1 cylinder

Any good 2 cylinder motor is just much smoother running



Tommays

 

[Frugal Floater]

Re: 4 HP Yam or 5 HP Tohatsu Kicker

Yea I realize that it might not be as smooth as a twin, but I read there have been a lot of improvements within the past few years to reduce the vibration. I have been on a Zodiac with single cylinder motor last year and I don't remember it being that bad. Anyway, 8 HP twins are out of my price range. The only motors I have found around 5HP that are about 1,000 bucks are the 4 HP Yamaha and the 5 HP Tohatsu....Just can't decide.

 

[steelespike]

Re: 4 HP Yam or 5 HP Tohatsu Kicker

Make the decision on a close reliable dealer for parts and service.
If you don't have one I wouldn't buy the motor.You will need service and parts and if they aren't easy to get you could end up with an anchor.
How about a good used E/J or merc twin.It appears Evinrude,Johnson made twins down to 2.5 hp.
Routine parts back to the 50s for many of these motors are available right here at Iboats.

 

[TOHATSU GURU]

Re: 4 HP Yam or 5 HP Tohatsu Kicker

Whatever you do don't buy a Tohatsu. The closest dealer to you is less than 3 miles away. That's way to far to drive when you need something fixed ten years from now

On a serious note...They are both equally good. No matter which one you end up with you will be pleased beyond your wildest dreams.

 

[Frank Acampora]

Re: 4 HP Yam or 5 HP Tohatsu Kicker

I know you said that you can't afford anything bigger but do you realize how slow you will be going with either engine? I would seriously investigate a used 9.9 for HP restricted use. At least with it you would get 3-5 mph. Look up some auctions, or see what I boat is selling. Look in your local "Penny Pincher " mag.

 

[Frugal Floater]

Re: 4 HP Yam or 5 HP Tohatsu Kicker- MPH?

Re: 4 HP Yam or 5 HP Tohatsu Kicker- MPH?

No matter what HP kicker I buy, I will never get above 9-10 mph unless it could plane my boat. My 18' boat weighs about 2200 lbs fully loaded. Based on info from many other forums and this one, I think WOT with a 5HP kicker will get me close to 6mph....So I am thinking 3/4 throttle will get me up around 3mph. The lake I will be going to most is not that big (about 4 miles long). Does anyone have an opinion on what MPH I can obtain with a 5HP on my boat? This link has a pic that is what my boat looks like (except I have 90HP 2-stroke):

http://www.oneillsmarina.com/seapro/176cc.html

 

[narog177]

Re: 4 HP Yam or 5 HP Tohatsu Kicker

fresh water-yamaha 5 hp 4 stroke

salt water -tohatsu 5 hp 4 stroke

 

[TOHATSU GURU]

Re: 4 HP Yam or 5 HP Tohatsu Kicker

Somewhere between 5 mph and 7 mph...Whatever hull speed is on your boat

 

[tommays]

Re: 4 HP Yam or 5 HP Tohatsu Kicker

This is as easy to push and light as is gets with a 6 Hp twin so i would say 5 MPH would be about it


Tommays

 

[Frank Acampora]

Re: 4 HP Yam or 5 HP Tohatsu Kicker

My 21 foot cuddy weighs about 2300 fully loaded. With a 10 hp kicker using a 3 blade prop, I get 3 mph GPS.

 

[Frugal Floater]

Re: 4 HP Yam or 5 HP Tohatsu Kicker

So I think I have decided on the 5hp Tohatsu for my kicker...I will post a new topic on mounting options...any help on this would be great.

Thanks for your input!

 

[deejaycee_2000]

Re: 4 HP Yam or 5 HP Tohatsu Kicker

....... go with the yamaha