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purvisgs · 02-05-2016, 11:24

The tohatsu/nissan/mercury 6hp extra long shaft is a good one for its power to weight ratio. About right for 28ft. although others have bad things to say about its noise or etc, i have nothing but good experiences with this and other tohatsu made outboards. For the next size up, yamaha 9.9 high thrust ex long shaft is nice but much heavier.

It also will depend on windage of the boat in question. And where the outboard is located: side of main hull, well, or transom. Either way the ex long shaft will probably be appreciated in choppy conditions.

An experienced multihull surveyer would be recomended before considering making an oöffer.

Boatguy30 · 02-05-2016, 11:37

Perfect advice. The new 9.9 is lighter than old at only about 100 lbs with manual titl.

purvisgs · 02-05-2016, 14:27

A few more notes.. the 4/5/6 tohatsu/merc/nissan 4 stroke are all the same with just a 6hp carb required to upgrade the 4 to the 6, for example. They weigh 57-60lbs. Tohatsu makes a "high thrust"/larger prop which will make all the difference on this motor, and is worth the $60-80. This is the prop that comes stock on the "sailpro" versions of the motor.

As boatguy mentions the newest yanmar 9.9 is based on their 8hp and somewhat lighter than earlier generations, not sure about the gearing on it however, the important thing about yanmar 9.9 is to get the high thrust version with the lower gearing along with larger prop. 4500rpm with a larger prop vs 5500 to 6500rpm with a smaller prop. This pushes larger boats much more efficiently than most other small outboards that were designed with small boats in mind.

The tohatsu/nissan 9.8 two stroke is also very light for it's power (60-65lbs longshaft/ultra longshaft), if you can track one down (rare and of course no new 2 strokes in the us)

Finally the old (2002 and earlier) 3.5 tohatsu/nissan/mercury3.3/johnson3.3 is actually not a bad choice where weight is critical (27-30lbs longshaft) and you just need a motor to get in and out of the harbor, or to be race legal.

ejlindahl · 02-05-2016, 15:57

If you go the 3.5/3.3 2 stroke route: The Merc 3.3 and a few other clones (I think Mariner, Evinrude, Johnson) have an option of a fwd/neutral gear shift. No reverse. Get that one. Most are forward only so you gotta hunt around for the shifter variety, especially if you are looking for a long shaft. I've never seen a long shaft with the gear shift. When you see one buy it now and pay the asking price or you will lose out to the next guy. They are very sought after. I have one for the dink and a spare get home motor that slides onto my swim ladder bracket. At 28 lbs I don't think I will ever sell it. If it doesn't shift easy there is an easy fix that usually solves the problem. Several threads on them in CF

clockwork orange · 02-05-2016, 20:04

I have 2 of the older white Yamaha high thrust electric start manual tilt motors and the owners manual states 96 lbs weight , great motors but a bit heavy for a 28ft tri maybe

Bad Sailboat · 04-05-2016, 08:29

Hello Everyone!

I am sorry I have not responded sooner. I honestly kept the page open and didnt see a reply. Then finally noticed a page was added to the thread and here is all these responses. I am taking down everyone that has contributed since my question and looking into everything you are saying. If anyone comments after this with known information on what a trimaran will need to be effective on the pacific coast. Please add. Till that time we are looking at it this weekend and I am also getting a marine surveyor. Not because I have money to blow. Because i want to know exactly all the repairs I need to set up for on this project boat so nothing is over looked. I appreciate everyone's help. This forum has been the best thing I have found to date.
Thank you!

Aodhan