Outboard Motor

[gfspencer]

My 8 hp, 2-stroke Tohatsu is 18 years old.  I'm not sure I trust it anymore and I can't find anyone to work on it.  So I'm thinking about a new outboard.  I have a few questions:

1.  Do I need a long-shaft or a short-shaft outboard?  I'm not sure what  I have now.  The boat has the standard motor mount that pivots up and down.

2.  Will a 6 hp 4-stroke be enough to push a Com-pac 23/3?  I'm on a lake so I don't have to worry about currents or tides.  (An 8 hp motor is $700 more expensive and a lot heavier.) 

3.  I've read that I can get a prop that has more torque than the standard prop that comes on a 6 hp Nissan or Tohatsu outboard.  Does anyone know about props?

Thanks

[rmotley]

6 HP 25" shaft will more than likely be plenty on a "inland lake" - The Great Lakes are another entirely different scenario.  If you ever intend to trailer to a coastal or Great Lake site - I would consider upgrading for that event to at least an 8 HP High Thurst.

[Bob23]

Hi GF:
  I also have a Nissan (same as Tohatsu). Mine is a 1988 8 hp 2 stroke and I wouldn't trade it for the world. Sure, it's 24 years old but starts first time everytime.
  Why don't you trust it? Has it crapped out on you? I think 95% of the outboard problems are due to gas issues. I always use premium gas with stabilizer and always use fresh gas.
  Definitely get a long shaft. And I think a 6hp would be fine with no tides or currents to contend with. My 8 hp has pushed my 23 into opposing tides and winds just fine. Not too fast but it pushed the boat.
  Can't help you with props but I'll be watching this thread for someone who does!
bob23

[Shawn]

I use the Tohatsu 25" 6hp SailPro on my 23/3 with no problems at all on the ocean. I've motored into 25knot headwind without issue. Replaced an 8hp Johnson 2 cylinder 2 stroke.

Be sure you get the SailPro edition however as it has the elephant ear high thrust prop on it. I've seen reports of others using the non-Sailpro 6hp version on similar sized boats and being unhappy with it. The wrong prop keeps the engine from getting into its power range.

Shawn

[Bob23]

Shawn:
   Does the prop have a different name other than elephant ear? I may look into that.
bob23

[Shawn]

Bob,

Tohatsu has two versions of the "High Thrust" prop that fits on their 6hp engine. From testing I saw in a thread when I was considering the Sailpro the "elephant ears" version was considerably better on a displacement hull. I think the part number is: 399B645121M
http://www.internetoutboards.com/partdetail.asp?id=719

The prop comes standard on the "SailPro" model.

Don't think it will fit your 8hp engine though. You should be able to find a 6" pitch prop for your engine if you wanted to.

Shawn

[Billy]

It's all in the pitch. Power VS Speed. Or should I say low end vs top end.

I have the tohatsu 6hp sail pro extra long 25" shaft on my 19. I have used it in some pretty strong tides into a strong head wind and it doesn't even break a sweat. I understand a 19 is a much smaller boat, but it reaches hull speed at 25% throttle. It's all in the high thrust prop. I think it would be fine for a 23'.

There are lots of threads about outboards here. Just non about props that I'm aware of.

Bob, you really should look at your prop. A little more low end torque can make a lot of diffence. How do you know your prop isn't for some 20' aluminum John boat?

[rdcvsmith]

I love my SailPro too! works great my 19, I would think it would be super on a 23 as well.

-Ray

[Bob23]

Billy:
   I really don't know; that's why this is so interesting. My Nissan is a long shaft but I'll look into the prop issue before spring launch, which seems to be delayed this year.
   But I do love the dependability and simpliciy of my 8 hp. Everytime I get tempted to buy a new 4 stroke, I remember the "start on the first pull" feature. I do confess to being an extreme motor (and truck) maintenance freak!
bob23

[gfspencer]

Hi GF:
  I also have a Nissan (same as Tohatsu). Mine is a 1988 8 hp 2 stroke and I wouldn't trade it for the world. Sure, it's 24 years old but starts first time everytime.
  Why don't you trust it? Has it crapped out on you? I think 95% of the outboard problems are due to gas issues. I always use premium gas with stabilizer and always use fresh gas.
  Definitely get a long shaft. And I think a 6hp would be fine with no tides or currents to contend with. My 8 hp has pushed my 23 into opposing tides and winds just fine. Not too fast but it pushed the boat.
  Can't help you with props but I'll be watching this thread for someone who does!
bob23

Thanks to everyone for all the information.  Good stuff!

I'm a bit concerned about the old Tohatsu because I can't get anyone to service it.  I second your concerns about fuel so  I do use premium gas with a stabilizer.  It starts after the second or third crank (electric start).  I guess I'm just a worrier by nature.

For everyone who uses the "sailpro" are you also using the "standard" adjustable motor mount?

[Billy]

Mine is a gerlick or similar. I think it is rated for 60lbs maybe 80 and adjustable. I do think the sail pro is right about 60lbs.
And Bob, the new ones have the "start on 1st pull" feature as well. Heck, even the admiral can start it!

There is a Tohatsu dealer in St. Petersburg, FL named Star Marine and you can get one for about $1,300 bucks. They're light, dependable, super efficient, and plenty strong. The sail pro has a really nice tilt so when tilted up the pro clears the water easily. The shaft is long enough, I usually don't even need to lower the mount (unless it is really rough).

[Davo]

My 8 hp, 2-stroke Tohatsu is 18 years old.  I'm not sure I trust it anymore and I can't find anyone to work on it.  So I'm thinking about a new outboard.  I have a few questions:

1.  Do I need a long-shaft or a short-shaft outboard?  I'm not sure what  I have now.  The boat has the standard motor mount that pivots up and down.

2.  Will a 6 hp 4-stroke be enough to push a Com-pac 23/3?  I'm on a lake so I don't have to worry about currents or tides.  (An 8 hp motor is $700 more expensive and a lot heavier.) 

3.  I've read that I can get a prop that has more torque than the standard prop that comes on a 6 hp Nissan or Tohatsu outboard.  Does anyone know about props?

Thanks

I have a short shaft, I sail on an inland lake and the short shaft is fine for the most part, except sometimes if I'm solo sailing and jump up front to lower a sail while the motor is going, the prop actually lifts up out of the water.  If I was buying new,  I'd go ahead and spring for the long shaft motor.

[Shawn]

I think wind is a bigger issue than tide. If the outboard has enough power to get you to hull speed a bigger engine won't change that. As such tide isn't really a factor... going with the tide or going against the tide your hull speed (speed through the water) does not change.

Shawn

[gfspencer]

What do our boats weigh?  I see that the displacement is 3,000 lbs.  I'm not sure how that figures into boat weight.  The reason that I ask is that I've been e-mailing Online Outboards and they say that the 6 hp Tohatsu Sail Pro is too small for a Com-Pac 23/3.  I don't want to have a 8 hp outboard (90+ pounds) hanging of the back of my boat.

[Shawn]

Displacement is boat weight. It is a measure of how much water you displace to keep it floating. Add onto that all the weight of your gear and your passengers.

The SailPro is fine for the 23/3. There are a number of 23s with the Sailpro.

Shawn