Tohatsu 9.8 on my Zodiac 285

[lightning]

I have the opportunity to buy a Tohatsu 9.8 2-stroke engine

I have a Zodiac 2.8m SIB with a solid floor and air keel. At present I have a Mercury 6hp 4 stroke on it, and it's a good engine.
The boat will plane with two adults on board, achieving about 14mph on the GPS. However with three of us on board (rare) it won't plane.

The Tohatsu weighs the same (26kg) as my existing engine, and offers an extra 4hp. also it can be carried and stored at any angle. Is it a single or twin cylinder?

Would this be worth buying for my boat? I use it in various waters, from trolling on the canal to higher speeds on Scottish Lochs.

I was wondering if the Tohatsu would be more refined, as the Mercury is flat out when planing and also vibrates a bit through the tiller.

Will the Tohatsu 9.8 2 stroke sit at idle speed on the canal OK? And how is it for noise levels at lower speeds? On the canal we are generally at 2-4 mph which is about 1/4 throttle on the Mercury.

[willk]

They don't like idling for too long and need the odd "blip" to keep them running. I'd imagine it would HAVE to be noisier than the 4 stroke. They're a refined enough unit at revs - I don't notice any big vibration at close to WOT. At low speeds, they're not overly loud.

The performance should improve, especially the time to plane (hole shot). However, the extra 4hp won't make a massive difference to your top speed, but might mean that you can plane with three, on calm water.

With a similar SIB, my max speed was 18kts, one up, sweet FA on board.

Go on - buy it - you know you want to!

[Ribtecer]

If I where you I would, I bought one in the Autum and its great.

[SIBer]

Details here
TOHATSU 9.8 HP 2-STROKE prices, specs, manuals and brochures.

Its a 2 cylinder and as its a 2 stroke you can lie it down anyway you like.
Its a bit noisy on low speeds but a bullet proof engine.

[moonshadow]

Highly reccomend the 9.8 tohatsu,i have one from new and will probably never sell it,currently pushes my Avon 3.1 tender with jockey console easily on the plane with myself and the youngfella at about19/20 knts.

[clydeoutboards]

Hi

As a dealer for these engines we have found no problems with them and are great value for money.

if you are comming up to the scottish lochs you can always bring it in a drink camerons naff coffee why we check it over but I doubt it will need it.


However if you are pottering on the canal at 1/4 or less throttle I would stick with a 4 stroke.


Dave

[Max...]

I've got one so I guess I'm biased and agree with others here. Almost ridiculously simple engines to maintain and for the size very light. However, as others have said for canal pootling a 4 st may be better - running the Tohatsu at 2 - 4 mph it will be quiet enough - but up it to 6 - 8 (maximum displacement speed) it can get noisy.

WOT with 1.5 to 3 people on our Zodiac top speed varies but max is just over 17kts (20mph).

[lightning]

Thanks for the advice.

It looks like the Tohatsu engine will not be ideal for the canal.

I think the best thing would be to have two engines, one for open water and a lightweight 4-stroke for the canal (maybe the Honda 2.5hp) which would be a fair bit lighter than my existing engine and plenty fast enough.

[Max...]

Beware - I think the baby Honda is air-cooled and not so quiet.

[mister p]

Very correct about the noise issue on the baby Honda