Tohatsu 5 2-stroke VS Tohatsu 6 4-stroke

[Distant Shores]

We are upgrading from our Honda 2.3 and wonder if people have had luck with either of these engines. We do not want the bigger 9.8 since it needs a separate tank. I've been looking at the Tohatsu 5 2-stroke (available here in St Martin). Any thoughts on maintenance issues with either motor? Our dinghy is the Avon 10 foot lite ...

Thanks

Paul

[ontherocks83]

I have a 2003 Nissan 6hp 4 stroke (Tohatsu makes Nissan) and am very happy with it. It has been very reliable, easy to maintain and has not given me any problems. I would definitely recommend it.

As far as 2 stroke vs 4 it's a personal thing. I like 4 strokes but thats me. Others swear by 2. Thats your call unless you have a specific question between the 2 of them

[MarkSF]

Any chance of a Yamaha 6hp or 8hp 2-stroke in the neighborhood? Both are twin cylinders, so smoother, and very well engineered. They are the same engine - the 6hp is detuned with a different carb and exhaust. You can turn a 6hp into an 8hp easily (changed the carb, de-restrict the exhaust) and they both weigh 57 lbs.

[Distant Shores]

Yeah we had an 8hp 2 stroke Yamaha years ago and it was a great motor indeed. Only thing I didn't like was finding a separate place to store the tank. These integral tank motors simplify things...

[sailsw00]

Is engine weight a factor? I love the cleanliness of a four-stroke, but a two-stroke of the same power is a lot lighter.
I've got a 6 hp four-stroke on my dinghy, adn I'm getting a 9.8 two-stroke the next time I'm in St. Martin, adn both weigh about the same.

[Distant Shores]

Weight is an issue - my upper limit is the 9.8 Tohatsu which we had a few years ago (gr8 engine!!) but also I prefer 2 stroke for simple servicing. Our Honda is a bear to service.

[WiliWali]

We have an older (early 2000's) 5 HP Tohautsu 2-cycle on our 10' Avon which has given good service, but I sure wouldn't want to go much smaller with the wife and I plus two big dogs .... The lightness and portability over the heavier 2 cylinder motors is a big advantage though.

As said, 2 cycle vs 4 cycle is pretty much a personal choice. I like 2 cycle because that's what I have always had - I understand how they work, know how how to maintain and troubleshoot, and love the smell of 2 cycle smoke in the morning .....

[Cheechako]

The internal tank is handy sometimes. But if you are going exploring and need to take a gas can along... you haven't gained anything over external tank....

[Distant Shores]

Thx Wiliwali, Our dinghy is an Avon 10 Lite - similar to yours? I assume it will plane with one person but not with 2 people and Your Tohatsu 5 X 2 Stroke?

[hamburking]

I use a yamaha 4hp 4 stroke. I'm pretty happy with it.

4 stroke will weigh more

2 stroke is easier to maintain.

4 stroke uses HALF the gas of a 2 stroke.

4 stroke is theoretically quieter, but rarely is.

4 strokes need an oil change now and then.

Hope this helps. There is no "right" answer. Or rather, the "right answer" is the one you buy.

[svJasmine]

The 2 stroke every time

[TenaciousH]

I have a Tohatsu 4-stroke 6hp and I LOVE IT

Its very easy to find parts for it since its the same as the Mercury 6, its surprisingly powerful, and its almost as quiet as the Yamaha motors. I will say you've really got to keep some extra fuel filters and be sure and check the carb every now and again, but she's pushed my 9' inflatable like a champion. I've towed my 25,000lb sailboat a few times with it too.

[Distant Shores]

In this case the 2 stroke weighs just 44lbs vs the 57lbs for the 4 stroke, plus easier to service... service has been difficult on our little Honda

[secrabtree]

We have a Mercury (I think made by Tohatsu) 5 horse 4 stroke with an external fuel tank. When we bought the primary requirements were:
4 stroke (distance we could travel with the fuel aboard)
External tank (I've tried refuelling an outboard internal tank while at sea)


Sure, a 2 stroke is lighter for the same power. And at our ages we can't even carry a 2 stroke from our pushpit to our Walker Bay 10. Using a crane, the 4 stroke is almost as easy as the 2 stroke.
But often we went places where the amount of fuel needed was greater than we could carry in our dinghy. And a 2 stroke is easier to service, but it needs more servicing than the 4 stroke.
My wife likes the fact the 4 stroke is more friendly to the environment.

[micky]

I'm just repowering my 5hp Tohatsu-1999 model-it has been excellent since new and buying-yes you guessed it- a new 5hp Tohatsu.
Light, easy maintenance, plane with one person 2.5M rubber duck and external tank for adventuring.
Cheers
Michael