Tohatsu 4 Stroke

[paullee]

Hi guys
I never knew these existed until someone I know repowered with a 140 and loves it. I’m thinking about repowering my HH560sf. Can’t seem to find any threads mentioning the Tohatsu 4 strokes. Anyone got one or know much about them?

Cheers,
Paul

[Noelm]

Not really new, They are just rebadged Honda's, since about 2013, but now I think it's only above 115 or 150HP are Honda's, can't remember what HP they are up to these days. Tohatsu have started making their own 4 strokes and working their way up the HP range.

[Noelm]

Just to add, most still spread the old internet myth that Honda's are heavy, when in fact it's just not entirely true, some models are heavier than competitors, some models are lighter, and recently Honda was offering a full 7 year manufacturers warranty, not some half arsed third party crap offered by some others, so with that in mind, a Tohatsu would be fine, but, as it stands, they are not cheaper than a Honda, and don't have "name" in the boating sector.

[disorderly]

Having a bit of a squiz on the internet and its a little bit confusing to find who makes what where....

Apparently Tohatsu makes up to 30hp in their plant in Japan then the rest of the range is Japanese made Honda's..

Yamaha makes motors in Japan, France and Brazil...

Mercury rebadges Tohatsus up to 30hp then makes 40-50-60hp in China with the rest made in various countries including the USA, Mexico, Belgium..not sure which or where as they have sterndrives and inboards as well...

Honda and suzuki are all Japanese with the exception of the 3-6hp which Honda produces in China..

I hope I got that right..::)

[Noelm]

Pretty close I reckon, except Tohatsu are making their own 4 strokes in bigger HP now, when they started the Honda/Tohatsu thing, they were all rebadged

[disorderly]

Pretty close I reckon, except Tohatsu are making their own 4 strokes in bigger HP now, when they started the Honda/Tohatsu thing, they were all rebadged

Good to hear Noel..the more players in the market the better..

[Noelm]

Yeah maybe, Tohatsu has never really taken off, they have been around for years and years, but just kind of exist without growing bigger.

[paullee]

Hi again thanks for the info I haven’t had much time for research since my original post. Yes it’s confusing as to what is made where by whom. Surprised to see there are at least 3 or 4 Tohatsu dealers on the Gold Coast alone. I can only assume I will notice them more and more now I am aware of them selling in dark blue and white options. Getting prices for a repower at the moment across most brands.
cheers..Paul

[Noelm]

What HP are you after and what boat? Makes a difference to what brand might fit you boat best.

[GBC]

Hi again thanks for the info I haven’t had much time for research since my original post. Yes it’s confusing as to what is made where by whom. Surprised to see there are at least 3 or 4 Tohatsu dealers on the Gold Coast alone. I can only assume I will notice them more and more now I am aware of them selling in dark blue and white options. Getting prices for a repower at the moment across most brands.
cheers..Paul

In the commercial/yachting sector they have a great name. Overseas they are also badged as Nissan outboards.

[paullee]

What HP are you after and what boat? Makes a difference to what brand might fit you boat best.
Hi Noel,
it’s a Haines Hunter 560sf with a 130 etec 850 hours still going fine but I always said 10 years and I would repower. Not sure yet though. The 130 has enough punch for it…I still haven’t got in to looking at weights and torque comparisons etc. so far the Tohatsu 140 has come in at $2500 more than the yam 130 and $3000 more than the Zuke 140. Waiting on a quote for Merc 135.
Cheers..Paul

[Noelm]

The 130 e-tec is no lightweight, most new 4 strokes around that HP will be similar, I think the Mercury is heavier, but, bigger capacity. The Tohatsu are not cheap it would seem, might be the reason they are not big sellers?

[stevet]

so far the Tohatsu 140 has come in at $2500 more than the yam 130 and $3000 more than the Zuke 140. Waiting on a quote for Merc 135

to my eye at those prices the Zuke 140 is the standout. it has a solid rep and good lean burn technology.

The e-tec weighs around 177kg's


I think the Mercury is heavier, but, bigger capacity

the Mercury 135 is 3 litres and comes in at 206kg

FourStroke 75-150hp | Mercury Marine (https://www.mercurymarine.com/en-gb/au/engines/outboard/fourstroke/75-150-hp/)

the price on a merc 115 would be interesting - it has a larger capacity at 2.1 than the others and weighs 165kg

it's the tough decision on a new motor and will often come down to who offers the best service and backup

Are there any warranty differences such as warranty periods?

[Noelm]

I thought the Merc was heavier, not too sure the 115 would be enough HP, it certainly would be "adequate" but is adequate OK? The price sure puts the Suzuki in front so far.

[paullee]

Hi the merc came in at 22k so 2k more than the zuke. The zuke quote was only a verbal over the phone so not sure about What it comes with in terms of gauges etc. A week out from Xmas everyone is flat out even just to get quotes. The Tohatsu would come in a bit cheaper than the 23k quoted but I have asked for seperate ignition sw and flush mount control on that one. I will try to get more official quotes this week or in the new year. Closest dealer to me is merc but I’m not super excited by the mercy’s but that is only my gut and nothing else except bad memories from a blue band in the late eighties!
cheers..paul

[Noelm]

Haha, I think everyone has those same memories from old Mercs......the new ones are fine, but that said, if you have that feeling in your gut, it will always be there! Get firm quotes, get specs of all brands, get warranty details (full manufacturers warranty, not third party add on) and dealer reputation and location to you, availability might also come into play, gather all that and make your decision, put the brand aside for a while as you get your details together.

[ozscott]

Yeah maybe, Tohatsu has never really taken off, they have been around for years and years, but just kind of exist without growing bigger.

In Australia yes. However about 70 years of outboard and motor production over 100 years and the second biggest outboard manufacturer in the world. Reliability of Tohatsu 2 stroke in commercial settings has always been second to none (even Yammy) and their 4 strokes are likely to continue that reliability. As an example Yamaha 2 stroke carbs were always tender - very susceptible to varnishing up the jets. Tohatsu dont seem to suffer the same problem and just go and go even when abused. Both have typically been great but i reckon Tohatsu is slightly ahead. They have always dominated the south east Asian commercial fishing fleets.

Cheers

[Flex]

Tohastu are making thier own stuff now in the 4 stroke range i think? only up to 140hp?

I tried to buy a 250hp tohatsu from a few dealers last year(honda copy) and they dont offer anything above 140 anymore. maybe their co-op with honda has ended?

As for the mid range HP mercs, 150hp and below. I think they are reliable but dont have a great reputation for economy.
not to mention the 1.9:1 gear ratio of the merc v the 2.5 of the suzuki (add in lean burn, digital shift and the suzuki is miles ahead on economy)

Suzuki much bettter ratio for offshore fishing boat