Newby introduction & Tohatsu Question

[Dave_H]

Tickleish, about 12 months ago I retired an old 60hp Evinrude and replaced it with a 90hp M90 (carbied 3cyl 2-stroke) Tohatsu. I must admit I anguished about the extra weight over the old outboard (as stern/transom freeboard was an issue for my boat), however the extra weight makes negligible difference to the way my boat handles. In fact as the boat has half again as much Hp than before and I can actually trim the boat properly now (as the old Evinrude was a power tilt only set-up, not trimable except for a static setting) I am finding that with a 17 inch SS Vengeance prop my overall fuel consumption is quite comparable to the old outboard..... apart from the times when I just can't help myself when I find some smooth open water....

The only dowside that I feel is that the idle is a little lumpy when compared to a DI 2 stroke or a carbied/injected 4 stroke, however that isn't really an issue that really annoys me much.

Servicing has been reasonable cost effective, around $75 for the first service at 10 hours and about $120 for the first annual. I have only had one issue with a trim solenoid which ended-up being a bit sticky and needed a bit of use is all.

I'm very happy with mine.

Regards,

Dave.

[Wayne_Red]

Years ago a mate of mine had a vc with a 70 jono on it and it went ok and most of them ran 70's. My brother also had one at the same time with a 55 jono and upgraded to a 90 v4 jono. I spent plenty of time in both boats, they were like chalk and cheese with the 90 being far superior in ease of getting on the plane, holding revs in a sloppy sea, towing tubes, 3&4 up,etc etc. Weigh was not noticable. Fuel, the 90 (it was a 1990 model) was getting @45km/25l tank consistantly. My 70 yam (2002)on a 445r haines consistantly gets @45km/25l tank. DI and 4s are great but your getting up around 2.0km/l anyway and extra cost is hard to justify.
When I bought my 70 I paid 7.4k the 90 was @8.5k so you have to weigh up extra cost for the 90. The 70 goes great on my boat wot 55km but the vc's are a bit bigger and heavier. The 90 toh or yam would be my choice if $ are ok. The yams still have the same shape they had in the 80's, I like the look of the tohatsu. The black and blue DI looks great, are the carbed ones the same colour?
Regards wayne

[dnej]

105kg for the 70 Yam, and 120kg for the 90. I went through the same exercise, and went for the 90. Gives me some power in reserve.
David

[Tickleish]

Dave H, thanks for the useful information.

Wayne, yeah i'm now leaning towards the 90, that eaxtra power for not much more weight or money. the carbied tohatsu's are red and black instead of blue and black.

[Steeler]

Hey Tickleish,thought you might come around LOL

Steeler

[Tickleish]

Steeler - I've succombed to peer group pressure..

[Moonlighter]

Tickleish

I guarantee that if you get the 90 you'll NEVER say "gee, I wish I didn't have all this extra horsepower!" but if you get the 70....... No Guarantees of the same thing!

I recently bought a new boat (Surtees 5.5 Workmate) and debated long and hard over a 90hp or 115 Suzuki, when 115 is max hp for the hull. I too eventually succumbed to the peer pressure and went for the 115 - and am glad I did! With max hp, the motor is always working "easier" and you use less throttle for the same speed.

Plus you have more in reserve, so when you need to say "go" it just goes!

Cheers

ML

[onerabbit]

First of all Tickleish,

congratulations on your purchase of a real classic, you wont go far wrong with a VC, the older seafarers are legendary.

It is worth remembering however, that these older seafarers were built on Marante timber, probably spelt wrong, this timber was light and strong, until it gets wet........then it loses much of it's appeal..ditto for the transom.

Should you find any problem with your floors, ribs or stringers, all is not lost,
although there will be an added expence, I can fully recommend getting these timbers replaced.

My old girl is a mid 80s Vermont, the 5.25 version of your VC, after several wonderful years with her I became concerned about the state of the timbers and transom, and had the lot cut out and replaced, floors replaced with 3/4 marine ply
instead of the masonite they were origionally made on, and a new core-mat fibre-glass transom.
What this has done is put a heap more weight down low and really made a great boat even better, she handles better in the rough water and is like a spear across the top of swells,
to a point, the faster she goes, the better the ride is.

As far as your choice of motor is concerned, dont even think about it, go for the 90 in whatever breed takes your fancy, as others have said, is always good to have a little extra up your sleeve, even if you never use it.

Just my opinion,

Muzz

[Coontakinta]

Tickleish
welcome to ausfish . any new outboard is going to be good , so get the motor that has the best dealer in your area .
Stuie

Agree 100% with this statement.
I also agree with what moonlighter has written, and whilst I'm happy with my 90TLDI the let down is the lack of dealer committment in my view. A well educated and willing dealer will bring out the best in these motors and who knows might even help sell more of them.

If you do head down the TLDI path, factor in the cost of a good stainless steel prop, a vengence made a very BIG improvement in my performance (thanks monlighter ) and ensure the dealer is prepared to back & support you through the long haul and not just whilst your considering the product.