Tohatsu 9.8 vs Everrun vs Enduro

[Franziska]

We are about to buy a new dinghy outboard, and, many have recommended the Tohatsu 9.8 two stroke with its superb power to weight ratio.

We have a chance to get our hands onto a brand new one ��

A lot of people have recommended the Tohatsu also for its reliability, sturdyiness and longevity.

Still I was just wondering if this is based on this motor:
https://www.tohatsu.com/marine/int/o...ds/M9.8B.html#
,which we are about to get,
because I just found out that there is also a quiet heavy one called Everrun.
https://www.tohatsu.com/marine/int/o...ds/MX15E2.html
Unfortunately that one is way to heavy for us.It seems to be the competition to the Yamaha Enduro line and used to be a 9.9.

So, I guess the question is, is the lighter Tohatsu M9.8B also a very reliable and long living motor?

I am not expecting it to be as robust as the Everrun or Enduro engines, but, we need a very sturdy motor which can be fixed in remoter places.

As spares I'd get a carburetor, CDI, spark plugs and an impeller.

[Chotu]

can you get the Tohatsu 9.9 fuel injected model where you are?

if you can, I highly recommend it because you won’t need to carry any spares. It just works all the time.

i got one in 2020 and you know i live at anchor like you. in 4 years i’ve had no problem which is a world record for an outboard. Ethanol gas goes right in, i run last year’s gas if it sat a while, etc.

just impeller and drive leg gear oil as preventative maintenance

starts and runs like a car

[rslifkin]

There's also a new EFI version of the Tohatsu 9.8 4 stroke (which is heavier than the 9.8 2 stroke, but lighter than the 9.9 4 stroke). The M9.8B is as light as it gets for that power output though, nothing else is even close. At equal weight, the biggest 4 stroke is only a 6hp.

If the light weight is critical, the M9.8B has a good reputation. If you can handle a little extra weight, I'd go for the EFI 9.8 4 stroke (84 lbs), not one of the heavier commercial 2 strokes.

[Franziska]

Originally Posted by Chotu

can you get the Tohatsu 9.9 fuel injected model where you are?

if you can, I highly recommend it because you won’t need to carry any spares. It just works all the time.

i got one in 2020 and you know i live at anchor like you. in 4 years i’ve had no problem which is a world record for an outboard. Ethanol gas goes right in, i run last year’s gas if it sat a while, etc.

just impeller and drive leg gear oil as preventative maintenance

starts and runs like a car

Very nice engine, but way to heavy for us, as we take the engine off frequently.

[Franziska]

Originally Posted by rslifkin

There's also a new EFI version of the Tohatsu 9.8 4 stroke (which is heavier than the 9.8 2 stroke, but lighter than the 9.9 4 stroke). The M9.8B is as light as it gets for that power output though, nothing else is even close. At equal weight, the biggest 4 stroke is only a 6hp.

If the light weight is critical, the M9.8B has a good reputation. If you can handle a little extra weight, I'd go for the EFI 9.8 4 stroke (84 lbs), not one of the heavier commercial 2 strokes.

So, the M9.8B it is then, as weight is a major factor for us.

Thank you.

[barnakiel]

I have used, extensively, both Tohatsu and Yamaha (includes Enduro) 2 strokes. Now I have also been using a 2 cyllinder 4 stroke Yamaha outboard (recent).


No doubt, Tohatsu and Yamaha are good outboards. All of them.



I will probably throw some grit into your decision machine when I say the 2 cylinder 4 stroke Yamaha is by far the best. Fewer starting problems, less vibration, less smell.


Is it more difficult to fix than the Enduro ? No. It has never broken. It has never failed to start. It is about 6 years old now. About 1000, maybe 1200 engine hours.


Downsides ? Yes. Weight.


If you can tolerate the weight, consider a 2 cyllinder, 4 stroke Yama.



Cheers,
b.

[Franziska]

Originally Posted by barnakiel

I have used, extensively, both Tohatsu and Yamaha (includes Enduro) 2 strokes. Now I have also been using a 2 cyllinder 4 stroke Yamaha outboard (recent).


No doubt, Tohatsu and Yamaha are good outboards. All of them.



I will probably throw some grit into your decision machine when I say the 2 cylinder 4 stroke Yamaha is by far the best. Fewer starting problems, less vibration, less smell.


Is it more difficult to fix than the Enduro ? No. It has never broken. It has never failed to start. It is about 6 years old now. About 1000, maybe 1200 engine hours.


Downsides ? Yes. Weight.


If you can tolerate the weight, consider a 2 cyllinder, 4 stroke Yama.



Cheers,
b.

Thank you my old friend.

Well, weight is the core issue, it will replace a 25year old Suzuki 2stroke with 4hp which weights 24kg.
We even hate lugging that one around, but, we need a bit more power for longer distances and reliability.

So, 26kg with twice the power in a reliable package is hard to beat.

Neither we, the dinghy or the mothership are willing to have anything over 35kg.

[rslifkin]

As far as weight goes, keep in mind that a 2 stroke burns more fuel than a 4 stroke typically. And that means you're likely to end up carrying more fuel for it, which adds extra weight.

[Franziska]

Originally Posted by rslifkin

As far as weight goes, keep in mind that a 2 stroke burns more fuel than a 4 stroke typically. And that means you're likely to end up carrying more fuel for it, which adds extra weight.

While that's true, the fuel comes in 10l jerry cans which are easier to manhandle than a 43kg outboard...

I know what 43kg are because we have two Yamaha 9.9. I'd never be able to lift this into the dinghy and back. Our dinghy will not tolerate that either.

I'd also wonder if a 2024 model 2 stroke is perhaps not a bit more fuel efficient than one from 2000.

[Adelie]

Originally Posted by rslifkin

As far as weight goes, keep in mind that a 2 stroke burns more fuel than a 4 stroke typically. And that means you're likely to end up carrying more fuel for it, which adds extra weight.

Yeah, but the fuel can be placed in the bow for trim control and the weight comes in 2 packages that can be handled separately.

[Adelie]

Originally Posted by Franziska

Thank you my old friend.

Well, weight is the core issue, it will replace a 25year old Suzuki 2stroke with 4hp which weights 24kg.
We even hate lugging that one around, but, we need a bit more power for longer distances and reliability.

So, 26kg with twice the power in a reliable package is hard to beat.

Neither we, the dinghy or the mothership are willing to have anything over 35kg.

You need more power. Do you need 2x what you have now or would 50% more be enough?

6hp 4stroke is 25kg. You save 1kg, which is a pittance, but get much better mpg.
Probably not as reliable as a new 9hp 2stroke but probably more reliable than the 25yr old motor.

I don’t know what tradeoffs you would be comfortable with, just bringing up options.

https://www.tohatsu.com/marine/int/o...s/mfs6c_1.html

[barnakiel]

Originally Posted by Franziska

Thank you my old friend.

Well, weight is the core issue, it will replace a 25year old Suzuki 2stroke with 4hp which weights 24kg.
We even hate lugging that one around, but, we need a bit more power for longer distances and reliability.

So, 26kg with twice the power in a reliable package is hard to beat.

Neither we, the dinghy or the mothership are willing to have anything over 35kg.

Doh.


If weight is a concern, then a 2 stroke for sure. Imho both brands are excellent.


+++big hug



b.

[FlyingScot]

Outside the box, Mercury 2 stroke 9.9 is claimed 26 KG.
https://www.sugarcitymarine.com.au/n...tional%20power.

Not sure how easy it is to buy where you are.

[abroadreachtrvl]

Originally Posted by FlyingScot

Outside the box, Mercury 2 stroke 9.9 is claimed 26 KG.
https://www.sugarcitymarine.com.au/n...tional%20power.

Not sure how easy it is to buy where you are.

The smaller Mercury outboards are a rebranded Tohatsu, I suspect this one is the 9.8B with Mercury stickers.


We had a well used 9.8B for a few months until we upgraded to a bigger dinghy. Very light, easy to start and dead simple.

[Chotu]

Originally Posted by Franziska

Very nice engine, but way to heavy for us, as we take the engine off frequently.

oh yeah. Not The best Outboard to takeoff frequently without some sort of block and tackle or crane. i understand. In my case, it stays on the dinghy and it gets lifted up with the davits