chris.tait
As I thought looks like a good buy, but I did notice that it comes in two forms, one with and one without “gears” Forward/Reverse which one is the UK version?
Administrator
I also waited till my old Yamaha packed-in before buying a new Tohatsu but then I wished that I’d bought one years ago. The Tohatsu is lighter to race and to lug around than the Yamaha and it seems to deliver similar power to the Yam. Pity the tank’s a bit small.
150
I use a Tohatsu 3.5 Long shaft motor on the Medway and find it to be very good, however due to the cooling water ways within the motor it needs to be serviced approx every 18 months.
150
The 3.5 motor only has forward & Neutral, and has to be spun around for reverse.
arni
When my Suzuki 4hp fouled a plug with a flat calm long passage (30mi) to make, I tried using my short shaft Susuki 2.2hp normally used by my tender. To my surprise it worked very well, provided I mounted it at the outboard side of the bracket to get better water flow, and provided I kept the speed up, as this makes the stern dip and keeps the engine from cavitating. I covered the distance at an average of 4.5knots.
Therefore power is not a problem with the engines you are thinking of, and I would agree that light weight is really useful. The only thing I would strongly recommend is to have a motor that can use a separate tank. Refilling the small engine-top tank in a seaway is very awkward and messy. Unless, that is, you are sure you will not make any lengthy passages under engine.
martin hartley
I use a Yamaha malta which has approx 3.3hp This has proved to be very reliable and I find it easy to lug about although I am not sure of its actual weight. This engine has only once not had as much power as I might like – punching into a 25 knot head wind and big seas of Pwllheli. The speed slowed to about 3.5knots – it got us home though. In flat water it pushes us along at very nearly 6knots. I have also been using Shell optimax petrol and this has made a difference to starting and slow speed running. Also seems to increase the power a little.
chris.tait
My Yamaha 4 has just pack in, anyone got any recommendations for a new outboard? Looking at the Tohatsu 3.5 long shaft as the engine gets used on the way back from Scottish Series and that’s it really.
Looking for cheap, reliable and light.