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Tohatsu vs. Mercury, Johnson etc (Small Outboard opinions??)

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Hello!
I'm new to the boating world and i'm looking to get some opinions on small outboard motors (6hp, 8hp, etc...)
I picked up a 13' aluminum v-hull and will most likely buy a new motor this week. My research tells me that Mercury seems to be one of the better engines but I've also been looking at Tohatsu (8hp) which seems to be a few hundred dollars cheaper.
Use?.... I intend to take the kids (7 thru 4) out on the river for crabbing or fishing so speed i really do not need.
I need a good reliable "best bang for the buck" type of engine.
Any help is greatly appreciated!!
Ken

Follow Ups:

Re: Tohatsu vs. Mercury, Johnson etc (Small Outboard opinions??) - Young Jim Hawkins 08:26:43 05/24/02 (0)
I'd opt for a 4 cycle engine regardless of brand. They are heavier but much better then mixing fuel and smoking down the lake. The small Nissan, Honda lines are extremely dependable. I have a 9.9 Honda with electric start. It weighs in at just about 118lbs, where a 2 cycle will weigh about 85lbs.
Small Outboard opinions? - Thom V 09:40:57 04/21/02 (4)
Hi Ken,
Hopefully you have received an Email or two on your question... Guess maybe you have purchased your outboard by now for the 13� aluminum boat. My vote would have been the Tohatsu 8hp. at 59lbs �light�(powerful and reliable). An other way to go would be with a second hand Johnson 15hp at 74lbs--If the hull is qualified for the bigger motor. These particular motors behave like a 10hp until the last 10% of the throttle twist when they �kick in� that extra 5hp.
Ken, do let us know what you purchased and how it behaves pushing your skiff about the bay.
- Re: Small Outboard opinions? - kenwagner@netzero.net 17:47:02 04/22/02 (3)
  nope, you the first response i've gotten.... - Thanks!
  i haven't bought yet but i'm heavily leaning towards a Mercury 9.9 (4 stroke)..... i'm waiting to here if i can pick one up used since a new one will run me approx $1850 (ouch!)
  What do you think? do you have a Tohatsu 8hp?? how fast does it push you? My concern is that it won't be enough out in the Navesink River (NJ)
  i don't know what the hull is qualified for since the boat does not have a rating on it (it's a 1960 Duranutic).
  Thanks again for your response
  Ken
  - Tohatsu or Mercury...? - Thom V 16:18:13 05/09/02 (2)
    Hi Ken,
    Yes, I do have a Tohatsu but it's a tiller 25hp. Very powerful, ultra reliable... Sure the Merc, would be fine if a little heavy. I still like the 15hp from Johnson or Evinrude (2-cycle) as they behave like 10 horses through most of the throttle range with good idling for trolling, then have this 'giddy-up'-- of 5 extra ponies -- at the end of the throttle twist! If you think you might need a little reserve power, this might be the way to go...
    So what motor did you end up with and how does it work for your boating conditions?
    - Re: Tohatsu or Mercury...? - ken 17:50:46 05/16/02 (1)
      well...i ended up with the Tohatsu 9.9 4 stroke. i haven't had a chance to get it out on the river yet..... weathers beena little chili in NJ recently.....
      hopefully i can get this thing out on the river by next weekend.....
      - Re: Tohatsu or Mercury...? - TH 18:38:42 12/31/02 (0)
        
        In Reply to: Re: Tohatsu or Mercury...? posted by ken on May 16, 2002 at 17:50:46:
        
        I HAD A TOHATSU 9.9 LOVED IT TRADED IT FOR A 9.9 4 STROKE NISSAN MADE BY TOHATSU ONE OF THE BEST MOTORS IVE EVER OWNED THANKS TH

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