Tohatsu 6HP vs Honda 5HP

[Tenedos]

We have both a Honda 2.3HP and 9.9HP for our AB 9.5 ft aluminum inflatable RIB. 2.3HP is great to lift easily (admiral can do it herself, that she really likes) and gets us to shore and back. 9.9HP is great to move around in relative high speed. But it is way too heavy, since we need to keep putting it on and off. Sooner or later, we are going to damage something or hurt ourselves. So we are planning to move to a lighter outboard. Contenders are 5-6HP outboards in the 50-60 lbs range.

What are thoughts on new Tohatsu 6HPs (MFS6DD) and Honda 5HPs (BF5)?

Tohatsu is a little more powerful, a little cheaper (around $100) and a little lighter (~5 lbs so we can ignore it), so almost a no brainer. But we really love our Hondas (we also have a portable Honda generator), they keep working, easy to start etc etc.

Worth to switch to a Tohatsu?

[SailingHarmonie]

A shame you don't have access to 2-stroke engines which would be 45 lbs instead of 55 lbs. A significant difference.

But... aside from that: I have had Tohatsu engines (and Hondas too). I think you would be happy with either one. Chose the one that has the specs that you are good with.

For what it is worth, Hondas (other than the 2HP) are rarely seen on cruising dinghies because the mid HP range Hondas are just heavier than the competition, and nobody wants to deal with that.

If your a local cruiser, consider the local parts availability too.

[rslifkin]

I've got a C model of the 6hp Tohatsu (Nissan branded in my case). Bought lightly used and it's been rock solid. It's a bit fussy to start cold (takes a little guessing as far as how much choke it wants today and if you're wrong it'll take a few good pulls to fire, possibly with a choke adjustment). Once it's running it's perfect. Idles nicely and in general it just works. Restarts within a few hours are almost always 1 pull.

Pull start effort is fairly low, so the cold starts are only a minor annoyance. The pull stroke is pretty long though, so watch out for what might be in your swing. I learned that one by almost knocking the dog in the head while starting the outboard.

Power wise, the 6hp Tohatsu will push our 12ft aluminum skiff about 13 kts with about 190 lbs of people and stuff (plus 250 lbs for the dinghy, motor, fuel tank, anchor, oars, etc.). With about 400 lbs on top of the 250lb base weight it'll still plane (after adding trim tabs to the dinghy) and does 9.5-10 kts in calm water.

Tohatsu generally has a good reputation, so considering the weight and price difference plus Honda no longer offering a 6hp, I'd go for the Tohatsu.

[mglomstead]

Have Tohatsu 9hp in Midwest that is stored 8 months. Starts first or second pull in the spring every year for past 10 years. Wouldn’t hesitate to buy. Honda - no experience with outboards but no qualm with the brand for sure.

[sailorboy1]

I bet as long as you use good fuel and change oil regular both those engines will last and perform just the same. I doubt the 1 HP difference makes any difference at all.

[JebLostInSpace]

I have a tohatsu 6 and I hate it. It is the single piece of equipment I own that I loathe. Would not recommend to anyone.

It has never been happy restarting when semi-warm. Super finnicky about the choke position if it's between cold and hot - ie when you run a ~1hr errand in town and try to restart to go back to the boat.

I've had endless carburetor woes. I'm not sure what it is about the carb this engine uses, but I can't seem to keep it happy. Non-ethanol fuel only, I use a seafoam additive to theoretically help clean out the jets. I've replaced the carb twice and cleaned them out dozens of times. I still seem to have constant issues. Currently it's running, but idles way too high for some reason. Like maybe the high speed jet is pulling fuel even at idle? Not sure, but it's obnoxious and no doubt hard on the transmission when I have to put it in gear at a high rpm.

The little fuel lift pump to bring the gas up to the carb can't move fuel if it's dry. So if you run out of gas you have to take the fuel line off the carb and hold it below the tank to get the flow started.

Maybe I just have a lemon, maybe I do something to screw up the carb without realizing, I don't know. But I've been ready to chuck my Tohatsu 6 in the ocean dozens of times. I've been stuck rowing miles back to the boat against current several times. I would certainly never recommend this engine to anyone.

[rslifkin]

Originally Posted by JebLostInSpace

I have a tohatsu 6 and I hate it. It is the single piece of equipment I own that I loathe. Would not recommend to anyone.

It has never been happy restarting when semi-warm. Super finnicky about the choke position if it's between cold and hot - ie when you run a ~1hr errand in town and try to restart to go back to the boat.

I've had endless carburetor woes. I'm not sure what it is about the carb this engine uses, but I can't seem to keep it happy. Non-ethanol fuel only, I use a seafoam additive to theoretically help clean out the jets. I've replaced the carb twice and cleaned them out dozens of times. I still seem to have constant issues. Currently it's running, but idles way too high for some reason. Like maybe the high speed jet is pulling fuel even at idle? Not sure, but it's obnoxious and no doubt hard on the transmission when I have to put it in gear at a high rpm.

The little fuel lift pump to bring the gas up to the carb can't move fuel if it's dry. So if you run out of gas you have to take the fuel line off the carb and hold it below the tank to get the flow started.

Maybe I just have a lemon, maybe I do something to screw up the carb without realizing, I don't know. But I've been ready to chuck my Tohatsu 6 in the ocean dozens of times. I've been stuck rowing miles back to the boat against current several times. I would certainly never recommend this engine to anyone.

That definitely sounds more finicky than my experience. I've found that if it's even slightly warm, setting the throttle to the "restart" position and giving it a pull does the trick every time. It's stone cold starts that require fiddling with the choke a bunch.

From what you're experiencing, I'd be inclined to assume something is wrong with the carb on yours and just put a new carb on it. So far no carb issues with mine. I have no idea what the previous owner fed it for fuel, but there's no indication the carb has ever been removed. I feed mine non-ethanol whenever possible with an occasional splash of Iso-HEET in the tank to make sure it stays dry. And as with any small engine I run, the fuel gets a dose of Stabil marine as soon as I buy it to reduce the risk of fuel going stale.

I've never run mine out of gas though, so I can't comment on fuel pump priming. And I do use an external tank, not the internal one, so I can help the pump out with the primer bulb anyway.

[JebLostInSpace]

Originally Posted by rslifkin

That definitely sounds more finicky than my experience. I've found that if it's even slightly warm, setting the throttle to the "restart" position and giving it a pull does the trick every time. It's stone cold starts that require fiddling with the choke a bunch.

From what you're experiencing, I'd be inclined to assume something is wrong with the carb on yours and just put a new carb on it. So far no carb issues with mine. I have no idea what the previous owner fed it for fuel, but there's no indication the carb has ever been removed. I feed mine non-ethanol whenever possible with an occasional splash of Iso-HEET in the tank to make sure it stays dry. And as with any small engine I run, the fuel gets a dose of Stabil marine as soon as I buy it to reduce the risk of fuel going stale.

I've never run mine out of gas though, so I can't comment on fuel pump priming. And I do use an external tank, not the internal one, so I can help the pump out with the primer bulb anyway.

Yeah from day one it's been the slightly warm starts that are troublesome. Mine actually starts in one or two pulls from dead cold with choke on and throttle on "start." - that is when the carb isn't being a PITA.

I'd agree that I just have a carb with some issue, but this is the THIRD carb I've put on it in about 18 months. And all 3 have treated me badly, needing frequent cleanings despite never having put ethanol in the tank. Don't want to derail the thread diagnosing my persistent carb issues, but I'm at the point where I'll likely just buy a different engine that uses a different model carb rather than keep fighting this one. So my recommendation to OP is against the Tohatsu 6. My experience is that it's bad enough that I'm looking to buy a second brand new outboard in 2.5 years.

[Bill O]

Originally Posted by SailingHarmonie

A shame you don't have access to 2-stroke engines which would be 45 lbs instead of 55 lbs. A significant difference.

The Tohatsu 6hp for stroke is ~55lbs and a Tohatsu/Nissan 5 hp 2 stroke ~44lbs.
The last year in the US for a Tohatsu/Nissan 9.8 2 stroke was 2003 (if you can find one). The weight of a short shaft is only 59lbs and would give you enough power to push the rib at higher speeds w/2 people. In comparison a 2006 Honda 9.9 is 98lbs.

[freshalaska]

I’ve a 6hp four stroke Tohatsu and hate it. Hard starting even I replaced the carb and use non ethanol fuel. My 9.9 Honda is so much better design and functioning engine. Yamaha are very good kickers as well.

[Lrak]

Originally Posted by rslifkin

I feed mine non-ethanol whenever possible with an occasional splash of Iso-HEET in the tank to make sure it stays dry.

Why not buy gas with alcohol or install a fuel/water separator rather than buy alcohol free gas and then add alcohol?

[freshalaska]

Hard starting engines because you are pulling on the a lot more soon the cord breaks or rewind tears up sooner which means another problem to fix.

[rslifkin]

Originally Posted by Lrak

Why not buy gas with alcohol or install a fuel/water separator rather than buy alcohol free gas and then add alcohol?

The splash of alcohol added is less than the amount in E10 gas, so it should be easier on any questionably alcohol compatible rubber parts in the fuel system. Basically, I go for just enough to make sure that I'm not accumulating moisture in the fuel tank. That way if I'm somewhere that it gets filled with E10 gas there's no concern for water in the tank causing it to separate. A separating filter will keep water out of the engine, but it won't keep it from accumulating in the tank.

[sailorboy1]

Originally Posted by JebLostInSpace

I have a tohatsu 6 and I hate it. It is the single piece of equipment I own that I loathe. Would not recommend to anyone.

It has never been happy restarting when semi-warm. Super finnicky about the choke position if it's between cold and hot - ie when you run a ~1hr errand in town and try to restart to go back to the boat.
.

I had one of those and it was the same and torn up my shoulders trying to start it.

Until

The day I took the carb apart and cleaned it and then NEVER put ethanol gas in it again. After it always started fine no matter what the next 2 years.

[thomm225]

It's not the ethanol gas that is the problem it's the operator that doesn't understand that you have to deal with it in a slightly different way.

Number one if you think the gas you bought will be around longer than a month or so you have to add a stabilizer like Sta-Bil.

I am still using ethanol gas I bought in October 2022.

This on my Mercury 5 hp 4 stroke (Tohatsu)

It also helps if you start it weekly