Self-contained gas tank

[jgbarry]

I own a dock business and sometimes the easiest thing to do is tow the dock in place. This year ive built a motor mount so I can drive the dock into place rather than tow. Ive looked around and it seems like a 6HP with a self contained gas tank is what I need. Who knows who the best manufacturer is? I know Mercury Tohatsu and maybe one more are one in the same, so why the price difference between them? I need something that I can hook up and go without problems. Any insight is appreciated

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Self-contained gas tank

Are you looking at brand new motors? If not, I grew up using a little Evinrude 4HP that had an optional built-in tank and it was super-light and reliable as heck. Parts are real easy to find for the all the smaller Johnson/Evinrudes. The motor I had looked like this:

They pop up on Craigslist from time to time.

If you're going new, tough to go wrong unless you find some weird Chinese brand. (Tohatsu is not a weird brand and actually makes some other brands small motors)

 

[Krichbourg]

Re: Self-contained gas tank

I know Mercury Tohatsu and maybe one more are one in the same, so why the price difference between them? I need something that I can hook up and go without problems. Any insight is appreciated

I believe the cost difference is due to marketing costs and marketing in general. I have been very pleased with my little 4hp, 4 stroke Tohatsu which I purchased online from the factory in Cookville TN. Good luck.

 

[jgbarry]

Re: Self-contained gas tank

Does your 4hp put out decent power? Some of the docks are large, I'm worried about pushing with a head wind. Do you know if any of the 2 stokes have self contained gas tanks?

 

[Sea Rider]

Re: Self-contained gas tank

If buying Tohatsu better go straight to the 5 HP model 2 or 4 strokes, have better punch than same restricted 4 HP model, comes with double tanks, internal & external ones. Tohatsu makes exactly same models for Mercury, but cost tad less. 6 HP & larger engines just comes with external tanks.

Happy Boating

 

[GA_Boater]

Re: Self-contained gas tank

How big are the docks? And are you planning on river or lake operation?

 

[jgbarry]

Re: Self-contained gas tank

I know the 6hp also come with an internal tank, thats what ive been leaning towards

The average dock I would move with the motor is 5'x30' (some shaped as an "L")

Here is a link to our website

EZ Dock NE

 

[TOHATSU GURU]

Re: Self-contained gas tank

The Tohatsu, Nissan, Mercury and Evinrude are all Tohatsu's with different decals. The price difference between the brands is based on each label trying to get to a price point within it's dealer network. The 4, 5 and 6 hp are the same engine with the carburetor being what determines the hp. IE You could buy a 4 and put a 6 hp carb on it and have a 6. Or, if you were a wimp, you could buy a 6 and put a 4 hp carb on it and have a 4. The integral tank models have the fuel connector preinstalled on the front of the engine, so you would just need to buy a line and tank if you wanted to get away from the integral tank. Average run time on the integral tank at WOT on a 6 is 1 hour, ten minutes. Two hours at 3/4 speed. That can vary depending on wave, wind and altitude.

 

[Krichbourg]

Re: Self-contained gas tank

Does your 4hp put out decent power? Some of the docks are large, I'm worried about pushing with a head wind. Do you know if any of the 2 stokes have self contained gas tanks?

On the canoe, it will push it faster than I need to go in a canoe. 3/4 throttle is the most I go or I get too much backsplash. It's an Oldtown predator, 15'. On the 12' Alumacraft, an old Model R, it will plane but it's not a speed demon. That boat is rated for an 18 so it is underpowered in that case. Hard to guess what it would do pushing a dock. Good luck.

 

[JoLin]

Re: Self-contained gas tank

if you were a wimp, you could buy a 6 and put a 4 hp carb on it and have a 4. /QUOTE]

Sorry, but that comment just made me laugh. Yup, if the 6 is too much for ya, you can turn it into a 4 and catch your breath...

(i have nothing meaningful to contribute)

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Self-contained gas tank

this isn't exactly what you asked, and not to presume that you don't already know, but like others, I can't help wonder if the HP should be the main concern? IOW the tank set up, which is merely for convenience, is way less important than adequate power.

Also, if you don't use it often, you have the stale-gas-in-the-motor issue, where a portable tank (just a little 3 gallon) can be dumped into other boats, if mixed, or anything, if straight.