How much would you pay for the Holy Grail

smallribber · 28 March 2021, 11:17

So many times the Tohatsu 9.8 Two stroke Short/Standard shaft has been hailed on here as the Holy grail of outboards for sibs.

I have potentially got the chance to pick one up for a friend (I already have one). But if he doesnt want it I would just keep it as a spare.

How much would you be happy to pay for what I am told is one that is in very good condition ?

Fenlander · 28 March 2021, 11:23

Different prices for grey as opposed to "black" which are actually a very dark blue.

But I guess a minter black 2006 model with tank, tools and manual £1250?

smallribber · 28 March 2021, 12:03

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fenlander

Different prices for grey as opposed to "black" which are actually a very dark blue.

But I guess a minter black 2006 model with tank, tools and manual £1250?

Thanks I am not sure which colour yet this one is and it has effectively I am told got a new powerhead on it. I think the asking price might be a little above that. But your price is very helpful especially as you have I think just bought one.

Just finding one is a result to be honest

Fenlander · 28 March 2021, 12:05

The "new" powerhead would ring massive alarm bells. Should never be needed in decades of leisure use... was it actually new... used and older than the motor... or worse of all a DIY garden shed rebuild??

smallribber · 28 March 2021, 12:16

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fenlander

The "new" powerhead would ring massive alarm bells. Should never be needed in decades of leisure use... was it actually new... used and older than the motor... or worse of all a DIY garden shed rebuild??

No this is not a garden shed rebuild it is a dealer rebuild and will come with some sort of warranty I understand.

Mind you you do several DIY garden shed rebuilds and I would have no hesitation buying one of yours..... Not all garden shed stuff is bad

Fenlander · 28 March 2021, 13:05

Thing is I use a workshop manual... OE parts... and a torque wrench... not all do. But re the one for your mate you can only judge by the plausibility of the dealer's story.

Searider · 28 March 2021, 16:58

They are about £1500 + VAT new minus whatever discount you can get.
Anyone offering for sale one later than 2006 will have bought it for their business and claimed the VAT back - so probably costing them £1200 ish.
I'd think £1200 absolute tops for a mint engine without a dubious history.

Fenlander · 28 March 2021, 17:05

As an actual price sold a few weeks back one of the older grey models in longshaft and quite tatty made £1180 on Ebay. All three of those factors would have reduced the price below that of a shortshaft mint later black one.

So their prices are really robust currently.

smallribber · 28 March 2021, 17:06

My view is you could end up paying between £1100 to £ 1400

Fenlander · 28 March 2021, 17:12

Agree. And the truth is if you want it and it 100% suits your need then it might be worth a few hundred more than to someone who didn't care about weight and could have a much wider choice.

I don't think they will ever lose money.

Max... · 28 March 2021, 18:13

[tin hat on]

They are OK but IME not *that* great (or reliable!) - give me a 15 Merc/Mariner for the same money and a few more KG but 50% more power, much better build and user friendly gear shift, one hand tilt etc.

smallribber · 28 March 2021, 18:26

Quote:

Originally Posted by Max...

[tin hat on]

They are OK but IME not *that* great (or reliable!) - give me a 15 Merc/Mariner for the same money and a few more KG but 50% more power, much better build and user friendly gear shift, one hand tilt etc.

I have both 9.8 Tohat and 15 Merc. Yes the 15 is more powerful and you will never need to worry about getting on the plane. The weight difference is substantial and makes all the difference to be honest.

So as a sub question how much would you be prepared to pay for a 15 hp 2 stroke Merc/Mariner

Max... · 28 March 2021, 18:32

I've had a few 9.8's and a few Merc/Mariner 15's and a Yam 15. Always sold the engines for the same money (pre-Covid) - like everyone else - £1100 to £1200.

Same advice as always though - don't overpay for an engine but buy an *outfit* - boat/trailer/engine/accessories. Keep what you want/sell the rest...repeat.

Try different set ups/find what works for you/make profit and after a few outfits you end up with virtually a 'free' boat and engine.

Fenlander · 28 March 2021, 18:43

Light the blue touchpaper eh...

It is slightly difficult to reply Max as I still feel some retained guilt that you had so much trouble with carb deposits and poor slow running on mine which you bought all those years ago... however we'd used it loads inc out in the sound of Jura with no other craft with us and no backup motor. For us it was totally reassuring and reliable.

I don't think the quality is less than the Mercury/Mariner because as you will know they make many of the same motors in a joint factory just each with their own logo. It's mainly that the Tohatsu 9.8 is based on the 6/8hp so everything is of a lighter build... and trust me for a daily inflate setup if you have any degree of concern re back, neck or age related issues it's not just a few kg lighter... its 10kg weight saving makes a huge difference to handling off the boat.

But probably what is most telling is that I've experienced some 8+ outboards since I've been sibbing from a Seagull to the efi Suzuki 20 and have happily just paid through the nose for a very tidy Tohatsu because I know just how unique their balance of features is for our current circumstance.

You can take your tin hat off now!

Max... · 28 March 2021, 19:00

No worries David - the other one I had off someone else was just as iffy!

Searider · 29 March 2021, 20:18

There’s one just popped up on Facebook in Cowes. Black.
£1000.

Fenlander · 29 March 2021, 20:27

That's a minter and under priced... who will get there first??

Searider · 29 March 2021, 21:05

I’m ordering a new one.
So, I’m out of the race.

Or maybe I should pop over to Cowes in the morning and flip it.

Not really!

Ribtecer · 30 March 2021, 17:52

I've got an absolute beauty I bought from a gentleman on here, must be 7 or 8 years ago.

It's the silver one, with one small scratch on the cowling.

These days I don't use it much, but when I connect it to fuel and water off it goes.

Runs like a sewing machine. I dont think I'd ever sell it.

smallribber · 30 March 2021, 18:05

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ribtecer

I've got an absolute beauty I bought from a gentleman on here, must be 7 or 8 years ago.

It's the silver one, with one small scratch on the cowling.

These days I don't use it much, but when I connect it to fuel and water off it goes.

Runs like a sewing machine. I dont think I'd ever sell it.

Just went out with out 9.8 Tohatsu today and it performed flawlessly. Like you I cant ever see myself selling it