First try with Tohatsu 18hp 2 stroke.

[tommo]

What a laugh!
Bit of a difference from my little 8 Yam!
Took a bit of trimming on my Honwave t35 alu floor but got 20mph on a windy choppy day with 2 adults and a 7 year old (about 30stone all told)
Engine sounds ace alot quieter than i was expecting and will tow a ringo no probs (which is why i bought it phew!)
Had a go with just myself in the boat and christ does it go!
Didnt measure the speed on my own it took all my strength just to hold on!
Its a 2001 model very good condition and had been serviced before it was put away for 5 years (found that out when checked impeller and gear oil both brand new no white shite and impeller no cracks and nice and flexible!
Very glad i got this engine over the Honda 15hp 4 stroke i was looking at i think that may be a little bit slower?
On a cautionary note on our way home we were admiring a small looking rib with a 25hp Honda on the back towing a skier when the driver misjudged a turn with the skier still on the inside and next minute over goes the boat doing about 15-20 knots!
Went over to help but they were with friends in a bigger boat and said they were ok,the guy did say thats the second time its happend to him what a nutter!
Cheers
Paul.

[al40]

Glad you're happy with it. I'm onto my 5th Tohatsu now and relaly like them. Not quite as sofisiticated as their counterparts but reliable and solid.

If you ever need any help, the engineers at the head office (easy to find on Tohatsu website) are really helpful and a fountain of knowledge!

Have fun.

[catabisis]

I was just thinking about the Tohatsu topic yesterday. I hear they aren't too reliable. I think I read that here. How has your warrantee issues been with the company? I thought I read where the company can be a bit trite about repairs. How much cheaper are they from percentage wise from a motor such as Mercury of Johnson?

[tommo]

Its a 2001 motor so hopefully will never have to find out!
One of my best mates is a trained marine engineer and the good thing about these engines is how basic they are so everything should be easy to fix!
Just happy with the performance at the moment!

[willk]

Originally Posted by tommo

Its a 2001 motor so hopefully will never have to find out!

If it hasn't had a "warrentee" issue by now - it ain't gonna

Originally Posted by catabisis

I think I read that here.

Fairly sure you didn't - do you have link? .

Originally Posted by catabisis

How much cheaper are they from percentage wise from a motor such as Mercury of Johnson?

Not so much. They actually make/made a lot of the smaller Mercury range. Do Johnson actually still MAKE motors? I thought they were rebranded Suzukis?

[Poly]

Originally Posted by willk

Fairly sure you didn't - do you have link?

No I don't remember it either. Their lightweight 2 strokes (9-18 HP) are particularly highly regarded in these parts, and their 50HP take plenty of abuse on the back of the Zapcats.

I've never owned a tohatsu - so no brand bias here. Actually there is very little to separate the main (Mercury/Mariner, Yamaha, Suzuki, Tohatsu) engines for reliability/support from what I can see. If you have a good or bad experience it is more likely to be down to your local dealer.