18hp or 15hp??

[slate1234]

Hi all could do with some advice, I'm looking at getting a new outboard, I am looking at the 18hp tohatsu 41kg or yamaha 15hp 36kg, so is the extra 3hp worth the extra weight ??

[slate1234]

Should of added it's for a 3m ribtek
Thanks

[Fenlander]

Slate when I wanted to upgrade my Mercury 15 I looked very hard at a "hooky" new Tohatsu 18 2-stroke vs the Suzuki DF20 4-stroke that I ended up with.

Are you upgrading from a 9.8? I would have thought either a 15 or 18 would be a good power increase on a small RIB which must have a pretty efficient hull. What sort of speeds are you seeing now?

Assuming used I'd be tempted to go for the best condition you could find be it a 15 or 18.

[slate1234]

I sold my 9.8 it wouldn't get two adults and a child on the plane so I'm going to buy new, It has to be 2 stroke because I lanch from the beach so weight is a factor, on my own in the boat with a 9.8 I'm getting 18 ish mph, with myself and nephew 15 ish, but with the three of us it wont plane

[Fenlander]

How does price stack up?

One reason why I found it hard to take the Suzuki 20hp 4-stroke vs Tohatsu 18 2-stroke comparison past an initial interest was the supplier of the Tohatsu wanted more than the local dealers did for the Suzuki. That was enough to reinforce the 4-stroke advantages for me.

[slate1234]

I can get a 15 Hp yamaha for £2100 and the 18 Hp tohatsu £1900 just wondering if the extra 3hp is worth the extra weight

[Fenlander]

Extra 3hp is 20%!

I'd go for the Tohatsu 18... in fact had I been offered one at £1900 new I may have one now! I was being quoted something over/around £2400.

[slate1234]

Thanks fenlander sounds like it's the 18 then

[Fenlander]

I honestly don't think you could go far wrong with one. They are easy to work on and have a great reputation for bulletproof build.... always hold their money second hand too.

[jeffstevens763@g]

The Suzuki 20 is only 44 kg and would be better fuel economy giving 50% extra power over your original engine also giving you some throttle redundancy.

Cheers

[Fenlander]

>>> Suzuki 20 is only 44 kg and would be better fuel economy...

Yes I know Jeff but the Tohatsu is very appealing at £400 under the Suzuki... and do you know I reckon in 30yrs time it might be the straightforward Tohatsu outlasting the complex Suzuki??

[jeffstevens763@g]

Point taken my take is not engine make but guess the Suzuki is the lightest it's the fact that the bigger engine will give more scope in the future easy to throttle down and £400 now better than possibly more in the future.

Cheers

[ashtonmarine]

I would lean towards Jeffs last post. Resale value is something to consider, fuel consumption.noise level the suzi wins there and the simple hassle of a 2 stroke ie its another thing to think about and with boating there is enough of that for me all ready. The suzi will aslo be better if the boat is fully laden but the counter argument is the tohatsu will accelerate better.

Having said that both are good outboards and what you get from forums like this is both sides to the story so you can make an informed decision

[slate1234]

Only problem with the suzi, there are no dealers near me.

[jeffstevens763@g]

I know I am biased I have had 3 Df engines now two 2009 & one 2015 and 5 in total in all that time I had a fuel pump go on a 25 two stroke not got a dealer near me now and not worried but if I have to travel so be it. Same for any make though. Japanese fisher men use tohatsu says a lot!
cheers

[bedajim]

Originally Posted by slate1234

I can get a 15 Hp yamaha for £2100 and the 18 Hp tohatsu £1900 just wondering if the extra 3hp is worth the extra weight

Have you got to get the 18 delivered + pay some duty ?

[jeffstevens763@g]

Quicksilver RIB Boat With 20hp 4Stroke Outboard & Snipe Road Trailer | eBay

might be of interest if you want to go 4 stroke.

[slate1234]

Thanks for the heads up but I like the rib I have I can launch and retrieve it on my own, I just need to sort my trailer out to make life a bit easier

[slate1234]

At last it has arrived, I picked it up this morning with new 2016 decal's

[jeffstevens763@g]

Spot on slate better with the 18 enjoy

Cheers