Tohatsu 4 stroke 6HP Outboard 2010

[chickendog2010]

Anyone has this outboard please you share your experiences with it. I am looking for an outboard for my 11" air floor inflatable. I have done some researching but i have found reports on older model (2007 or older) People complain the 4 stroke 6hp does not produce the advertised 6hp and vibrate a little too much.

I really want to get this outboard for the price and the weight. But if it is so bad, i may have to consider getting the 9.8HP for "smoother and quiet operation" from having 2 cylinders. I can't afford having the viberation shake my joints loose and ruin the fun.

There only problem i don't want to go with the 9.8 is the weight. It is a bit too much for me at 81lb. I need to hear some more reports before making my final decision. Also, should i buy a 20" shaft instead of 15" (although my boat work with 15") and use with an adapter so i can have more flexibility since we can raise the outboard higher but can't stretch it longer 8)

 

[Wee Hooker]

Re: Tohatsu 4 stroke 6HP Outboard 2010

I've never owned the Tohatsu 6hp 4 stroke but have had a late modle single cylinder 5 hp 4 stroke from another company. IMHO, the vibration is only noticable when running at slower speeds ( same is true for 1 cyl 2 strokes for that matter.). i.e If your going to troll or idle allot, it's going to be noticable. if your running 1/2 throttle + most of the time , they are fine. I would also vote that a small 4 stroke engine seems to be under powered as compared to it's two stroke brothers. Not sure if it's the weight or torque curve but it's noticable. ( My 4 hp 2 stroke would outrun my 5 4 stroke on the same small tin boat.) If it were me, and weight is an issue (when is it not on a small boat) I'd find a nice used 2 stroke in the 5-8 hp range ( 44#-58#) and run that.

p.s. I will say that I currently own both a 5 hp (2stroke) Tohatsu and a 30hp 4 stroke Tohatsu. They do make a very nice motor . ( BTW, you DO know the small Tohatsu 4 strokes are the same motors as the small Mrercs and Nissans.??)

 

[TOHATSU GURU]

Re: Tohatsu 4 stroke 6HP Outboard 2010

"People complain the 4 stroke 6hp does not produce the advertised 6hp and vibrate a little too much."

And when the one guy(aerojude), literally the only person in the world, who posted on every website about his sailboat auxiliary, went to the correct pitch prop(after one and 1/2 years of refusing to do it) the problem went away. Engines are rated at the max RPM. If you have too high of a pitch the engine cannot develop its hp. Also, the engine doesn't vibrate any more or any less than any other single cylinder engine.

 

[chickendog2010]

Re: Tohatsu 4 stroke 6HP Outboard 2010

@Wee Hooker,

Thanks for sharing. 2 stroke is not an option for me as they don't seem to sell them new anymore (maybe i didn't look hard enough) and i dont' want to mess with old stuff. Most importantly, i don't like the smell/pollution and some places wont' even allow two stroke. Gas economy is a plus.

I just read something good about putting a StingRay Junior Hydrofoil which could help the boat plane easier. You should try to install it as it isn't so expensive, too bad walmart is not carrying it yet. Once the boat plane, i guess the outboard would be able to reach the RPM and hit the 6HP mark.

@Tohatsu_Guru,

Obviously the peformance will improve with the correct prop for the boat but everyone seems to agree that 4s is underpowered comparing to 2s with the same hp.

It looks like the main issue is to get a 4s to run at its max designed rpm in order to get to the advertised HP. A 4s outboard it have serious problem doing that do until the boat somehow get on plane. So i guess the trick is to tune-up the engine, better weight distribution, and get a hydrofoil, then i think the 4s will reach its potential. Just my thought.

 

[TOHATSU GURU]

Re: Tohatsu 4 stroke 6HP Outboard 2010

"Obviously the peformance will improve with the correct prop for the boat but everyone seems to agree that 4s is underpowered comparing to 2s with the same hp.

It looks like the main issue is to get a 4s to run at its max designed rpm in order to get to the advertised HP. A 4s outboard it have serious problem doing that do until the boat somehow get on plane. So i guess the trick is to tune-up the engine, better weight distribution, and get a hydrofoil, then i think the 4s will reach its potential. Just my thought"

Actually no one agrees that 4-strokes are underpowered. Its about people not understanding that 4-strokes develop their power differently and are slower to do so. I'll be the first person to say that four-strokes are a poor choice in a perfect world. Unfortunately all small new engines are 4-strokes in the U.S. so complaining about them, as a point in a new engine purchase, is pointless.

 

[chickendog2010]

Re: Tohatsu 4 stroke 6HP Outboard 2010

Ok, i have decided to go with the 9.8. I am young, i guess i can take the 81lb.
I will order when summer is near. Can you recommend me some parts that i should order a long with the outboard?

Thanks

 

[TOHATSU GURU]

Re: Tohatsu 4 stroke 6HP Outboard 2010

The engine comes with everything. Its not Chinese so you don't need spare parts.

 

[Thundra]

Re: Tohatsu 4 stroke 6HP Outboard 2010

I just bought a Mercury 2010 6-HP and it is great. I have it on a 12' MirroCraft rowboat.

It is very quiet and even smooth at idle. It is not until 3/4-WOT that I notice any vibration and even then, it is not too bad. At WOT it is making some noise but not higher pitched like a 2-stroke, just deeper like a 4-S. From 3/4 throttle up to WOT it has great punch and acceleration, in fact, anytime it is up on plane, the power is great.

I only have about 3 hours on the motor so it is still very tight and still needs some breaking in and I'm looking forward to the upcoming weekend so I can spend more time at WOT to help break the motor in.