Advice needed - Tohatsu 90hp 2 Stroke

lewislikesboats · 18 April 2010, 17:06

Looking for some opinions on a Tohatsu 90hp 2 stroke engine, on a 5m Humber Assault we are considering purchasing.

I've had no previous experience with 2 strokes, so really need some help deciding.
It was bought new in 2004, and has been used fairly lightly since.

Is it a decent engine? Should I wait for a 4 stroke to come along, as we first anticipated?
Or is that just silly? :P

Help!

Rogue Wave · 18 April 2010, 17:10

Toahtsus are a little more agricultural than most other outboards, that's not neccasarily a bad thing. the engineering tolerances in manufacturing are not as close as other makes but that means thay can take a bit of abuse!

My experience of the is that they are OK but I wouldn't replace a yamaha with one

Downhilldai · 18 April 2010, 19:26

They're very basic (uncomplicated), which can be a good thing.

spartacus · 18 April 2010, 20:18

Quote:

Originally Posted by lewislikesboats

Looking for some opinions on a Tohatsu 90hp 2 stroke engine, on a 5m Humber Assault we are considering purchasing.

I've had no previous experience with 2 strokes, so really need some help deciding.
It was bought new in 2004, and has been used fairly lightly since.

Is it a decent engine? Should I wait for a 4 stroke to come along, as we first anticipated?
Or is that just silly? :P

Help!

Not sure what your facination is with 4-strokes. Roll up your sleeves and join the 2-stroke revolution. Yes I know they smoke on idle, yes it's a pain to mix fuel/oil (unless it's oil injection), and you they'll hear you before they see you... but a 2-stroke (if properly maintained) is about as good as it gets.

First things first. A Yamaha 90hp, 3 cylinder, 2-stroke is the F1 of 2-strokes in the top-end of the torque/weight ratio. Tohatsu's seem to get a good name from commercial fisherman for their no-nonsense operation and they're 'built like a sh*t brickhouse' so no need to worry about bits 'dropping off'.

Regular maintenance is key here. Low hours can be as problematic as something that's been thrashed. If as suggested it's 2004, I'd be looking at a mint engine. I bought a 2006 Tohatsu 60hp and can recommend. Matched to a 5m Assault is a perfect match, as long as it's in decent condition too.

davej · 18 April 2010, 21:32

2 strokes I love um. Well maintained they are reliable, light and quick. However, they do smoke a bit and are perhaps a little thirsty but overall it terms of cost of ownership, ease of use and simplicity to service etc they can't be beaten, in my opinion!

A full set of service parts for my 60 merc costs £70 from Keyparts and I am guessing that for the Tohatsu 90 it wouldn't be much more.

If its in mint condition and runs well, I don't think you would have any concerns, I guess you could look at the gearbox oil and check the compression on all 3 pots.

Davej

Rogue Wave · 18 April 2010, 21:54

to quote Robert Duvall ' I love The Smell of 2 Stroke in the Morning'

yoyo · 19 April 2010, 16:01

Since 2002 I have owned 3 tohatsu's, 9.8hp, 50hp and my current 70hp. None of them have ever let me down once. They are indeed "old school" basic outboards which makes them very nice for DIY servicing.

I luv the sound ov em screamin along.

abc · 29 April 2010, 11:59

I replaced a Mariner 4 stroke 90 HP with a Tohatsu 90 TLDI on a 5.6m Avon Adventure.

It actually starts and runs reliably which the Mariner never did, and the power to weight advantage has transformed the boat.

They don't have much "badge image" but I would not even begin to think of going back to what I had before. Buy one, you won't be disappointed.

abc

ollyit · 29 April 2010, 12:35

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rogue Wave

to quote Robert Duvall ' I love The Smell of 2 Stroke in the Morning'

TMB · 03 May 2010, 10:22

Quote:

Originally Posted by lewislikesboats

Looking for some opinions on a Tohatsu 90hp 2 stroke engine, on a 5m Humber Assault we are considering purchasing.

I've had no previous experience with 2 strokes, so really need some help deciding.
It was bought new in 2004, and has been used fairly lightly since.

Is it a decent engine? Should I wait for a 4 stroke to come along, as we first anticipated?
Or is that just silly? :P

Help!

Hi Lewis,

They are a good engine, I have one on my Driver 560. If you dont go ahead and get the engine would you send me the link to it or location as I am after another 2004 90hp tohatsu myself

9D280 · 03 May 2010, 14:00

If my transom could take the power, I'd have one!

As said before, unless you do a lot of idle pottering, you won't notice the difference in fuel consumption between 2 & 4 stroke. 2- strokes also a lot lighter for a given horsepower, so that just leaves your view on emissions to sway you! However you then need to worry about the most environmetally friendly way of disposing of however many litres of used oil every service........

If it's in budget, you could do a lot worse than one of them.

chewy · 03 May 2010, 15:15

Quote:

Originally Posted by 9D280

However you then need to worry about the most environmetally friendly way of disposing of however many litres of used oil every service........

Spraying it on the underside of the Land Rover works for me!