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Tohatsu / Nissan motors

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Does anyone have any experience with these brand motors? They seem to be used all over the third world, but have a very small market share here in the states...they are very compact and lightweight for their horsepower, which is the reason I am considering them for my hell's bay whipray 16.
Thank you in advance!!
Toby

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Re: Tohatsu / Nissan motors...& a bit more... SBFTV 23:24:55 05/29/01 (3)
Hi Toby,
I have a bit of experience with a Tohatsu tiller 25hp OB purchased in '92. It powers my 15' Gilbert Vic Pacific City dory (260lb.) as shown in the "Fifth Rendezvous" story on the SBF Small Boat Adventure page... In the late eighty's, when the boat was built, we put a Mercury 15hp on her and it went OK---But, when 2 people and all their beach camping and fish gear were added, the boat could only barely plane. By replacing the 15 hp with the Tohatsu 25hp it dosen't matter how much we load the dory, dial the throttle, and she gets up and planes easily, even too fast for comfort at times ( by my self, & no load, the Tohatsu pushes the skiff around 40mph).
This Tohatsu is the long shaft manual version and weighs in about 89lbs. She gets excellent 'milage' with the 6 gal tank, often going 80 plus miles (!) depending on speed. The engine is very robust, never fails to start on 2 pulls even after months of somnolence. After 8+ years there are no hose leaks, no loose fittings, throttle linkage seems in good order, the pull cord is wearing though...
Complaints...? Well, idle can be rough, nothing like a 2 cycle 'big' bore 2 cylinder OB, and, she is noiser than would be my choice. My brother has a 3 cylinder Yamaha 30hp OB on his 14' aluminum skiff--much quieter engine-- but not as powerful, I can get out of the 'hole' faster and top his max. speed...
One thing I use in all my engines is an additive called PSP Fuel Conditioner. OK, now I know what your thinking: "mechanic in a can"... Well, this stuff seems to work giving a smoother idle (plugs stay clean), better milage, sure fast starts (even after winter layover) a bit more power, and, lowers 2 cycle pollution as it protracts the burn cycle... Around here, Seattle area, you can get it by the gallon at Fisheries Supply Co. 800-426-6930. They ship world wide (the code is: PSP MC100SPG. A product of: Petroleum Specialty Products Inc. 5171 Morena Place San Diego CA 92110. Disclaimer: I have NO affiliation w/ either co. just recomending a good product...) If you have it shipped it may be subject to a HAZMAT fee...
So Toby, from your past posts on this forum you mentioned that you have a Hell's Bay Whipray, 16 footer, 360lbs. What engine do you have now? Tohatsu has a new 50hp OB that uses the low pressure Orbital Injection System (developed and patended in Australia) that passes the pollution requirements for 2 cycle outboards '06 and beyond. So 2 cycle engines ain't dead...yet!
Well, hope this helps, let us know if you make an engine change.
Thom V
- Re: Tohatsu / Nissan motors...& a bit more... Tobyw 22:14:20 06/03/01 (2)
  Hi, Thom!
  Thank you for the guidance!
  I have run the Whipray with a tiller 25 mercury for the better pqart of three years. Very shallow draft, 28 mph top speed, and very economical. I decided to do something radical and installed a small console, steering, binacle, and a 60 hp mercury. The weight of the new engine is 220 pounds, up from 112 for the 25. Anyway, the draft of the Whipray has been compromised more than I care to admit, and I would prefer a lighter motor. The 50 hp Tohatsu (without the new injection) weighs 153 pounds, and with your recomendation, and the blessing of several friends who spend alot of time in the Bahamas and swear that these motors never seem to break, I will go forward with the Tohatsu.
  Thankyou again for your response!
  Toby White
  - Re: Tohatsu on the Whipray SBFTV 13:53:04 06/05/01 (1)
    Hello Toby,
    Glad the posts were helpful... Say, when you make the change, from the 60hp Merc to the 50hp Tohatsu, on your Whipray, how about posting an update...? Would also like to hear how the boat handling changed from the 25 hp Merc Tiller Steered, to the 60hp Merc Console Piloted, to the final stage---(are their really final stages to this smal boat tinkering...???---'tis one of the attributes of this small boat 'thang'!) the 50hp Tohatsu. I know that on my mini Pacific City Dory, where the motor well brings the weights forward about a 1/3+ further than transom tiller steering, the ride is very comfortable and stable...
    Thom V
    - Re: Tohatsu on the Whipray tobyw 22:25:34 06/05/01 (0)
      Hi, Thom!
      Here is the low down on the merc 60 upgrade? from the merc 25.
      The whipray is a really wonderful tool, deadly quiet, a dream to pole, and as shallow draft a flats boat as has ever been produced. I have fished the flats 19 years and always wished I could find a boat like this one. The tiller 25, which I lived with for three years on two whiprays, is a super little motor. Very powerful for a 112 pound package. I just got the urge to try a little more...so that's why I went with the larger merc. I also refitted the boat at the factory with a small foam cored center console (12 pounds) and steering and binacle. You see I have fished with the South Florida Flats Anglers and I needed the ample rod storage the tiller boat provided, as the side console molded into the deck cap compromised the rod storage on the starboard side. This is one of the few whiprays with a small center console. the problem came about when I replaced the 112 pound 25 hp motor with the 220 pound 60 hp merc. It has a terrific hole shot, and you can cruise at 3300 rpm which used to be wide open throttle with the 25, but it is when the boat is at rest that I experience the second thoughts of the repower. You see I was used to a boat that had 4 inch draft with the motor, rigging, two anglers and all the gear. The shallow draft cappabilities have been compromised more than I care to live with with the heavy 60. Hence the search for a lighter motor with more hp than the merc 25.
      I will keep you abreast of the motor swap when it happens, which should be in a few weeks...
      Toby

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