Calling Tohatsu Guru

[Drowned Rat]

Hi there. I'm interested in your expert opinion of the Tohatsu 15hp vs. their 18hp 4 stroke motors. The price is only a couple hundred different. They're basically the same motor, same weight, same size, etc... Is the 18hp a noticeable step up from the 15hp? Also, how difficult is it to add the battery charger to the motor? The manual start models don't come with it standard. The motor is going on an 14' inflatable.

Thanks!!

 

[TOHATSU GURU]

Re: Calling Tohatsu Guru

The engine has the altenator coils pre installed so it's a 1 minute operation to bolt the rectifier in place. The 15 and 18 share the same frame size and have the same displacement, but the porting is different on the block. Since they are the same weight I would go with the 18 for the additional top end. Depending on the 14' inflatable that could be anything from a 2 to 5 mph difference at WOT with the same hole shot.