9.9 HP Dinghy Motor Question.

[Tony B]

I am going to buy a new 9.9 HP 4 stroke for my RIB.
My RIB is 10' and I believe the 9.9 will serve me just fine.
I want pull start and no fancy features.
I have only owned Johnson and Evinrude O/B's in the past and was very happy with them.
Is there another manufacturer that can give me a better deal for the price or should I stick with Johnson/Evinrude?
Thanks in advance.

[Emmalina]

I personally swear by Yamaha never been let down buy one and can find spares almost anywhere in the world.

[ranger58sb]

Johnson is history (Suzuki made at least some of their last small outboards, circa '98-'99-ish) and I don't think Evinrude makes small outboards these days.

In our market and with 4-stroke gas engines that size, the normal brands are Yamaha, Honda, Tohatsu (also branded as Nissan and I think the 9.9 Mercury, too), and Suzuki. Lehr is a new entrant in the field, with the propane outboards.

-Chris

[Tony B]

How does the Mercury compare to the Tohatsu?

Do I want the 15" or 20" shaft for my 10' RIB?


If not much difference in price, I will probably get the Tohatsu.

[Sailmonkey]

Small mercury OB'S used to be tohatsu. I don't know about currents deals though. Usually for a dinghy you'll want the 15" shaft unless you've got an exceptionally tall transom.

[bmm32005]

Nissan, Mercury and Tohatsu are all made by Tohatsu up to 20Hp I think. I have the Nissan 8hp and had ond minor issue with the pull cord. I think it's around 5 years old.

[Greg4cocokai]

Why not get a 15hp? Not sure with the 4 strokes but they used to be the same weight. Just the jetting was different. We bought our 15hp, 2 stroke in 2006 before we left cruising, out of Canada as you couldn't get them in Ca.. It's been great being used daily. Had to replace the combo shifter/throttle cable once. We will purchase a Yamaha 15hp 2stoke soon as parts are more available all over the world. Planes 3 on 10' alum rib.

[mikepmtl]

I have a 5 yr old Tohatsu 9.8 that is still doing well.

The only thing I need to remember is to run the carb dry after I use it. As long as I do that it starts right away. If I do not, and I do not want to pull on that starter for ever, I need to drain the carb bowl.

Aside from that I have been happy with it.

It does sem to be a little more difficult to get parts for compared to a Honda lets say, but everything is available online, and there are enough dealers around that it usually not too bad of a drive.

[s/v 'Faith']

Originally Posted by bmm32005

Nissan, Mercury and Tohatsu are all made by Tohatsu up to 20Hp I think. I have the Nissan 8hp and had ond minor issue with the pull cord. I think it's around 5 years old.

Yes, all three are the exact same motor except for the decals... And the price. Mercury dealers may try to say otherwise, but they all come off the same production line.

I am a fan of Yamaha also, but I favor the 2-stroke. Hard to find a decent used one in the US, but easily purchased new abroad (just bought 2 in the Bahamas).

[Stephan]

Originally Posted by Tony B

I am going to buy a new 9.9 HP 4 stroke for my RIB.
My RIB is 10' and I believe the 9.9 will serve me just fine.
I want pull start and no fancy features.
I have only owned Johnson and Evinrude O/B's in the past and was very happy with them.
Is there another manufacturer that can give me a better deal for the price or should I stick with Johnson/Evinrude?
Thanks in advance.

Hi Tony B,
Evinrude is offering a 10hp motor today, but it is manufactured by Tohatsu (with Evinrude decals). Mercury motors under 40hp are also manufactured by Tohatsu. Nissan and Tohatsu are the same motor.

Yamaha builds their own in Japan.
Honda builds their own in Japan
Suzuki builds their own in Taiwan

LEHR, propane motors now available in a 10hp. Built in China. So far no "reportable" issues with those motors.


I think most Cruisers will agree that best "deal" is the Tohatsu, but I typically suggest buying a brand for which you can get local service. If you have a local Mercury guy, buy Mercury. Unless you plan on doing all service work on your own.

Best

Stephan

[Tony B]

Thanks for all the replies
I am on 3 boating forums and asked the same questions in all of them.
Tohatsu seemed to be the most popular and the 5 year warranty is nothing to sneeze at.
They just happened to be on sale till Wednesday for $1899 on the internet.
There is a local dealer that is selling them for $2050. For the $150 difference I would rather support someone local.
He had to order one and it should be here by Wednesday or Thurs.

[ranger58sb]

Originally Posted by Greg4cocokai

Why not get a 15hp? Not sure with the 4 strokes but they used to be the same weight. Just the jetting was different. We bought our 15hp, 2 stroke in 2006 before we left cruising, out of Canada as you couldn't get them in Ca.. It's been great being used daily. Had to replace the combo shifter/throttle cable once. We will purchase a Yamaha 15hp 2stoke soon as parts are more available all over the world. Planes 3 on 10' alum rib.

Looks like in 4-stroke models most 8 and 9.9 hp models are the powerhead, 15 & 20 hp models are the same, etc. Not 9.9 & 15 as in the 2-stroke days...

-Chris