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Honda vs Tohatsu vs Suzuki Small 4 -Stroke Outboards
Posted on 3/18/19 at 9:51 pm
Posted on 3/18/19 at 9:51 pm
I narrowed it down between the 2.5 HP models of Honda (2.3 hp) and Tohatsu (2.5 hp).
They have near identical specs and price.
Honda positives-
-Ten Pounds Lighter (only 29 pounds)
-Air Cooled (don't have to worry about impeller maint)
-Honda brand name
-Designed to be stored on its side. Easy fuel drain and carb drain for storage.
-Gear Ratio 2.45 : 1 (more speed than Tohatsu[2.15:1], but less power?)
Tohatsu positives-
-Water cooled, quieter operation (but thermostat and impeller to worry about)
-Gear shifter for Forward and Neutral (the Honda is a centrifical clutch that auto-engages with RPM)
-Gear Ratio 2.15 to 1 (more power than Honda, but less speed?)
For my purposes, it is to fart around in a 1436 Ouachita jonboat in a reservoir and fish within a couple miles of the launch. The main use of this boat is electric, but I want something gas-powered for occasional reservoir use 5 or 6 times a year.
Honda
Tohatsu
What is OB's opinion?
They have near identical specs and price.
Honda positives-
-Ten Pounds Lighter (only 29 pounds)
-Air Cooled (don't have to worry about impeller maint)
-Honda brand name
-Designed to be stored on its side. Easy fuel drain and carb drain for storage.
-Gear Ratio 2.45 : 1 (more speed than Tohatsu[2.15:1], but less power?)
Tohatsu positives-
-Water cooled, quieter operation (but thermostat and impeller to worry about)
-Gear shifter for Forward and Neutral (the Honda is a centrifical clutch that auto-engages with RPM)
-Gear Ratio 2.15 to 1 (more power than Honda, but less speed?)
For my purposes, it is to fart around in a 1436 Ouachita jonboat in a reservoir and fish within a couple miles of the launch. The main use of this boat is electric, but I want something gas-powered for occasional reservoir use 5 or 6 times a year.
Honda
Tohatsu
What is OB's opinion?
This post was edited on 3/22/19 at 1:45 pm
9
Posted on 3/18/19 at 11:09 pm to deeprig9
I had an air cooled Tahoatsu many decades ago. It was air cooled and was awesome.
No idea if they are still good. Honda should be a sure thing on quality.
No idea if they are still good. Honda should be a sure thing on quality.
Posted on 3/19/19 at 1:25 am to deeprig9
How far away from you are the nearest authorized service centers for each brand?
And, more importantly, how do the warranties compare?
And, more importantly, how do the warranties compare?
Posted on 3/19/19 at 6:38 am to deeprig9
FYI: the tohatsu is the exact same as the merc 2.5hp, just different stickers.
And I've done an exhaustive amount of research into this for a 15' flatback canoe I have. After reading a ton of reviews, I actually settled on the Suzuki 2.5hp.
It weighs 29lb and has N/F gears (no reverse, you just rotate the motor around if you need it). Its also the cheapest of the options which doesn't hurt but that honestly had no bearing on picking the Suzuki over the other options.
I had an '07 merc 2.5hp on it before (got stolen out of my shed - still pissed about that) and it was a heavier motor but both motors push my boat about the same. Top speed with the merc was 8mph, the Suzuki has hit 7.5mph. You're not going fast regardless, so I went with the lightest, most portable option as I commando launch all the time.
All 3 of the motors have their issues if you do enough research, but the Honda has the most reliability concerns from what I read. The Tohatsu/Merc and the Suzuki are both more reliable than the Honda and both fairly easy to work on.
Another difference between the tohatsu/merc and the Suzuki is the prop. The suzuki prop is metal and the tohatsu/merc is a very hard plastic. I ran through some gnarly stuff with both and never had a problem. Just but an extra prop and plenty of shear pins for whichever one you get regardless.
And I've done an exhaustive amount of research into this for a 15' flatback canoe I have. After reading a ton of reviews, I actually settled on the Suzuki 2.5hp.
It weighs 29lb and has N/F gears (no reverse, you just rotate the motor around if you need it). Its also the cheapest of the options which doesn't hurt but that honestly had no bearing on picking the Suzuki over the other options.
I had an '07 merc 2.5hp on it before (got stolen out of my shed - still pissed about that) and it was a heavier motor but both motors push my boat about the same. Top speed with the merc was 8mph, the Suzuki has hit 7.5mph. You're not going fast regardless, so I went with the lightest, most portable option as I commando launch all the time.
All 3 of the motors have their issues if you do enough research, but the Honda has the most reliability concerns from what I read. The Tohatsu/Merc and the Suzuki are both more reliable than the Honda and both fairly easy to work on.
Another difference between the tohatsu/merc and the Suzuki is the prop. The suzuki prop is metal and the tohatsu/merc is a very hard plastic. I ran through some gnarly stuff with both and never had a problem. Just but an extra prop and plenty of shear pins for whichever one you get regardless.
Posted on 3/19/19 at 8:15 am to deeprig9
quote:
Gear Ratio 2.45 : 1 (more speed than Tohatsu[2.15:1], but less power?)
More than that to take into account for speed. I used the following calculator online, I can't vouch for the accuracy.
https://www.marksmarineinc.com/choose-your-prop-with-the--prop-calculator
Honda Max RPMs are 6000 prop pitch is 7.25 diameter x 4.75 inches/rev pitch
Engine RPM 6000
Prop Gear Ratio 2.42:1 (from Honda's own spec page)
Propeller Pitch 4.75
Assume Propeller Slip is the same .30
Boat Speed 6 MPH
Tohatsu Max RPMs are 5500 prop pitch is 7.4 diameter x 7.0 inches/rev pitch
Engine RPM 5500
Prop Gear Ratio 2.15:1 (from Honda's own spec page)
Propeller Pitch 7.0
Assume Propeller Slip is the same .30
Boat Speed 9 MPH
I used the following calculator online, I can't vouch for the accuracy.
https://www.marksmarineinc.com/choose-your-prop-with-the--prop-calculator
Posted on 3/19/19 at 9:02 am to mdomingue
I thought the 7 inch pitch on the Tohatsu was a typo. Picture of prop doesnt look like 7in pitch.
Posted on 3/19/19 at 9:21 am to deeprig9
I owned a 9.8HP 4-Stroke Tohatsu, and know another guy who owns a 30HP Tohatsu. I loved mine, and he loves his. If I were to re-power my boat, I would not hesitate getting another Tohatsu.
I've heard good things about Hondas from a guy with a ton of knowledge regarding outboard motors, whose opinion I completely trust on that subject. His only negative thing to say about the Hondas was that they were expensive, but you're saying its the same price in this instance, as the Tohatsu, so that doesn't matter in this case.
I've heard good things about Hondas from a guy with a ton of knowledge regarding outboard motors, whose opinion I completely trust on that subject. His only negative thing to say about the Hondas was that they were expensive, but you're saying its the same price in this instance, as the Tohatsu, so that doesn't matter in this case.
Posted on 3/19/19 at 12:09 pm to deeprig9
Get you an old 3 HP gamefisher air cooled and get it done son. See this YouTube link for proof:
baw'in out: gamefisher on canoe
I welded up a transom and bolted it onto an old Old Town Guide 147 and slapped the gamefisher on it and went fishing to see what it'd do.
Went so fast I had to come back from the future.
Caught and killed alot of critters and fish in that skinny water rig.
Got off topic though, sorry about that, I love tohatsu, but I wouldn't be afraid of buying either one and certainly wouldn't be afraid of buying a Suzuki. IMO I wouldn't pay the extra for a merc because IIRC that HP range is still being made by tohatsu for mercury. I Could be wrong though. I frequently am.
I have a 25 HP Tohatsu on my 16 foot crappie boat and also have a Honda 4 stroke 8HP on my Grumman Sportboat (It's NOT a canoe!!) and I love both of em. Pics below are proof, but I'm posting them mainly because I can't help myself. One pic is of the Grumman with the Honda on it, and the other is of a POS Thai longtail that I had on it and gave away when duck season was over. Bought it for $100 off some kid in Greenville, MS, and I DO NOT recommend you or anyone reading this ever buy one new. They'll leave ya stranded. I still haven't registered the SB in MS, and NO I didn't name it Katy, the prior owner did; I just haven't scraped it off. It's gay, I know. The pics:
Both brands will be fine little units for you, from my firsthand experience with both, but like someone else said, the determining factor would be dealership location and support and attitude!
baw'in out: gamefisher on canoe
I welded up a transom and bolted it onto an old Old Town Guide 147 and slapped the gamefisher on it and went fishing to see what it'd do.
Went so fast I had to come back from the future.
Caught and killed alot of critters and fish in that skinny water rig.
Got off topic though, sorry about that, I love tohatsu, but I wouldn't be afraid of buying either one and certainly wouldn't be afraid of buying a Suzuki. IMO I wouldn't pay the extra for a merc because IIRC that HP range is still being made by tohatsu for mercury. I Could be wrong though. I frequently am.
I have a 25 HP Tohatsu on my 16 foot crappie boat and also have a Honda 4 stroke 8HP on my Grumman Sportboat (It's NOT a canoe!!) and I love both of em. Pics below are proof, but I'm posting them mainly because I can't help myself. One pic is of the Grumman with the Honda on it, and the other is of a POS Thai longtail that I had on it and gave away when duck season was over. Bought it for $100 off some kid in Greenville, MS, and I DO NOT recommend you or anyone reading this ever buy one new. They'll leave ya stranded. I still haven't registered the SB in MS, and NO I didn't name it Katy, the prior owner did; I just haven't scraped it off. It's gay, I know. The pics:
Both brands will be fine little units for you, from my firsthand experience with both, but like someone else said, the determining factor would be dealership location and support and attitude!
Posted on 3/19/19 at 12:13 pm to Bigbee Hills
I had a late 80's, possibly 1990 7.5 hp Gamefisher that I used for about 20 years. If you use them alot they are very reliable motors. If you only use them occassionally, they are a nightmare. My Gamefisher days are over.
The last straw was taking it out of storage in 2014 and cleaning the carb and this and that new gas new gas can etcetc...and got it running in a trash can in the driveway. Made a plan to take it to Lake Lanier with fam. That morning, one last check, starts in driveway on first pull. Take it to lake, won't start.
I scrapped it out of the goodness of my heart. Couldnt bare the guilt of makng profit on sending that misery on to someone else.
The last straw was taking it out of storage in 2014 and cleaning the carb and this and that new gas new gas can etcetc...and got it running in a trash can in the driveway. Made a plan to take it to Lake Lanier with fam. That morning, one last check, starts in driveway on first pull. Take it to lake, won't start.
I scrapped it out of the goodness of my heart. Couldnt bare the guilt of makng profit on sending that misery on to someone else.
This post was edited on 3/19/19 at 12:45 pm
Posted on 3/19/19 at 12:40 pm to deeprig9
Ha, I heard that and agree 100%. I've killed two of em. I just had to throw that out there.
The surefire way to kill one of the air cooled ones like I HAD is to turn it up in any shape form or fashion after unmounting it from the transom after using it. Residual water will almost certainly make its way back up into the engine block and seize it up.
SOB's are loud too. That's one thing I don't miss about 2 strokes as well.
The surefire way to kill one of the air cooled ones like I HAD is to turn it up in any shape form or fashion after unmounting it from the transom after using it. Residual water will almost certainly make its way back up into the engine block and seize it up.
SOB's are loud too. That's one thing I don't miss about 2 strokes as well.
Posted on 3/19/19 at 3:53 pm to deeprig9
I own 2013 Honda 2 hp four stroke air cooled , best motor for the money, Its a honda
Posted on 3/19/19 at 5:43 pm to deeprig9
The 2.5hp Suzuki does awesome on my 15' Old Town Discovery Sportsman. I have dubbed it the Rouganoe.
Posted on 3/19/19 at 5:47 pm to deeprig9
quote:Agreed, it doesn’t. I just used that data because that’s what was given
I thought the 7 inch pitch on the Tohatsu was a typo. Picture of prop doesnt look like 7in pitch.
Posted on 3/19/19 at 7:32 pm to mdomingue
I found a Honda 2.3 in classifieds, well-taken care of, but owner says (and has video) that it doesn't want to thottle out of idle with the choke open (knob in), even after it is warmed up. But if you pull the choke out (choke plate closed) it will go wide open.
$450
I have only a couple hours to make the decision before he takes it in for servicing and relists at $450+servicing.
OB, tell me what to do.
$450
I have only a couple hours to make the decision before he takes it in for servicing and relists at $450+servicing.
OB, tell me what to do.
Posted on 3/19/19 at 8:25 pm to deeprig9
Wait til he gets it fixed.
Posted on 3/19/19 at 8:37 pm to TigerBait1971
Are you saying I shouldn't just take it and run some seafoam through it?
Posted on 3/19/19 at 8:50 pm to deeprig9
quote:
Tohatsu positives-
-Water cooled, quieter operation (but thermostat and impeller to worry about)
-Gear shifter for Forward and Neutral (the Honda is a centrifical clutch that auto-engages with RPM)
-Gear Ratio 2.15 to 1 (more power than Honda, but less speed?)
-Water cooled, huge plus despite extra maint. it makes the engine far more reliable and long lasting
- the Honda is a centrifical clutch that auto-engages with RPM. well the worst thing about that design is it is a weak point that gives way rather then engine or lower unit damage if you hit something. a built in weak point that can leave you stranded when it fails, trust me. i had to paddle 6 miles in lake veret just to get far enough to signal for help to get pulled in
-more power than Honda, but less speed? you wont even notice this tiny small difference if there really is any. numbers on a chart are not the same as real world actions so those numbers should be considered as meaningless when making your decision
i have a tohatsu f40 and love it, its a very good quality built motor better then the evinrudes i used to own
This post was edited on 3/19/19 at 9:22 pm
Posted on 3/19/19 at 9:25 pm to keakar
You upvoted yourself after editing your post. Your post is stricken from the record.
Posted on 3/19/19 at 9:33 pm to deeprig9
Depends on how comfortable you are with risks.
Posted on 3/19/19 at 11:01 pm to deeprig9
quote:
Your post is stricken from the record.
by all means ignore the advice you asked for
you clearly didnt want any advice but just reassurance about a choice you already made before making this thread
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