4-stroke Tohatsu 9.8 vs. 2-stroke Johnson

[gregb]

I'm debating between buying a new 4-stroke 9.8hp<br />Tohatsu or a used 2000 2-stroke 9.9hp Johnson, with<br />about 30 hours on it. The new Tohatsu would be<br />about $500 more, but would also come with a<br />warranty. I'm going to be using it to push a light<br />14' porta-bote and want it to be able to idle down<br />slow for trolling. <br /><br />Which would be the better motor? How much better<br />fuel economy (range) would I get with the 4-stroke?<br /><br />I would appreciate any advice or opinions.<br /><br /><br />Thanks,<br />Greg

 

[DJ]

Re: 4-stroke Tohatsu 9.8 vs. 2-stroke Johnson

Both are good engines. Make sure you have someone local that can, and will, fix the Tohatsu.

 

[phatmanmike]

Re: 4-stroke Tohatsu 9.8 vs. 2-stroke Johnson

parts will be cheeper and easier to get for the johnson. i prefer tohatsu, i have 3 of them , they always run and never stop.... but dealer network is sparse.... there is only one dealer in my county for tohatsu.... but its a 4 stroke, and i am refering to their 2 strokes, i have never owned a tohatsu 4 stroke though.... so i can only comment on what i have<br /><br />ironicaly enough, the tohatsu 4 stroke weighs less than the 2 stroke johnson...

 

[enegron]

Re: 4-stroke Tohatsu 9.8 vs. 2-stroke Johnson

I think you're OK either way. I was in the same predicament. Wife game me the OK to buy a new Tohatsu 9.8 4 stroke for my new Meyer Laker 12 tin boat. I have a one yr old 3.5 Tohatsu I was gonna trade in for $500 credit. I comparison shopped & the only new engine that looked better (on paper) was the Mercury -- and it looks like Tohatsu makes that for them. It has more features on the tiller.<br /><br />However, I ended up buying a '90 Evinrude with extremely low hours (maybe 5), for $600. Runs pretty good. Weighs 72lbs according to the OMC service manual specs. Very, very common engine. Seems to pust my boat 25-30 mph!<br /><br />If two-stroke restrictions are a concern, then go with the Tohatsu, or look at the new Mercury. If not, you can find lots of these OMC 9.9s around.

 

[quantumleap]

Re: 4-stroke Tohatsu 9.8 vs. 2-stroke Johnson

If I was in your shoes, I would prefer a 4 stroke over a 2. The Tohatsu/Nissans have a good rep. Plus getting a brand new motor w/warranty is probably worth the extra coin. Good luck.