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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

General Sailing Forum

Tohatsu 9.8 - brief review

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pfduffy
Captain

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USA
317 Posts

Initially Posted - 05/26/2012 : 15:28:15

I finally launched my boat this weekend and tried out my new Tohatsu 9.8 XLS motor. Motor is mounted on a new 4 spring mount from Catalina direct. First a word about the mount - butter! My old mount was VERY difficult to move. The new one takes no effort to raise, but does need to be pushed down gently to get to the first lower position and pushed with some degree of force to get to the bottom position (which I don't anticipate needing.) Love the new mount!

Purchased the motor from onlineoutboards.com. Service was terrific! I received the motor exactly 46 hours from when I ordered it - free shipping. When it arrived, the box was slightly damaged but quick inspection showed no apparent problems. However, when I unboxed it a few days later, I found that the cowl latch at the rear of the motor was broken. I called onlineoutboards and they replaced it very quickly no questions asked.

Mounting the motor on the boat was difficult only because I was alone when I did it and it is heavier then my previous motor. I used a combination padlock to lock the 2 mounting handles together for theft deterrent.

The night before launch, I filled the oil and started the motor for the first time on the stand with "ear muffs" on the water intake. It started immediately when the starter button was depressed. Upon launch the next day, the motor did not start right up, appeared to be flooded. Once I closed the choke and opened the throttle, the motor started right up. I will need to see if this is a continuing issue.

Minor complaints:
1) The idle seemed to be set too low. Needed adjustment after running for a while.
2) The shift lever takes a bit of getting used to. Shifting from forward to neutral feels a bit sloppy - easy to push it all the way to reverse.
3) Flushing with fresh water using "ear muffs" is troublesome at my dock - difficult to place the muffs on the intake.

Things I like:
1) Electric start! Feels like I'm cheating - no sweating to get the motor started.
2) Deep prop seems to more efficiently move the boat.
3) Reverse does a much better job of stopping the boat (probably because of #2 above.)
4) Quiet and smooth running

Initial impressions about this motor are very favorable! I hope my long term experience is as good!!

Pat Duffy
1984 SK/SR #4113
Slàinte

Edited by - pfduffy on 05/26/2012 15:29:36

Joe Diver
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1218 Posts

Response Posted - 05/26/2012 : 18:16:39

Excellent!

Once you get through the break in period....or even as you do it....try to record your hull speed at various throttle positions, and the water/wind/current conditions.....also fuel consumption as well.

Once you do this, we can combine what you found with my results of the 6HP SailPro into one post and make it a sticky or a tech FAQ for the forum.

Motor performance between the two is a topic of frequent interest.

Edited by - on

britinusa
Web Editor

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USA
5404 Posts

Response Posted - 05/27/2012 : 06:49:50

[url="http://www.cabelas.com/instruments-gauges-sendec-tach-tach-hour-meters-1.shtml?WT.tsrc=CSE&WT.mc_id=GoogleProductAds&WT.z_mc_id1=738213&rid=40&mr:trackingCode=2A0D7452-F5D2-DF11-82EF-001B21631C34&mr:referralID=NA&mr:adType=pla"]We have a Tachometer similar to this one[/url]

Ours is a 'Tiny Tach' but there are many clones.

Works great. I installed ours after our break in period so we had 28 hours on the motor before installation.

Secured it using tiewraps though the two holes in the bar just above the locking bars.

Paul

Edited by - on

delliottg
Former Mainsheet C250 Tech Editor

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USA
4479 Posts

Response Posted - 05/27/2012 : 07:19:54

We use a Tiny Tach on our Tohatsu as well. I think my recorded hours are pretty close to actual, maybe an hour less or so. I found a pack of stainless steel zip ties that I installed it onto my Power Tiller control stick with. Really like having it, makes it easy to know where to set the throttle.

Edited by - on

awetmore
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1144 Posts

Response Posted - 05/27/2012 : 18:40:13

Ours doesn't seem to want the choke unless it is below 50 or so. Leaving the choke on for even a couple of extra seconds also seems to flood it. It also seems to like to start in "Restart" instead of "Start", but that may be due to the low idle that you've mentioned.

We keep our boat on fresh water, so I can't help with the flushing questions. However I have been wondering if we should be flushing the motor with fresh water when cruising, or if going a couple of days on salt water is okay.

Edited by - on

szymek
Navigator

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Canada
209 Posts

Response Posted - 05/28/2012 : 08:55:37

I just installed my 9.8 ultra long shaft a month ago.

I have similar observations as yours. Seems that idle speed is really low. Motor starts no problem after sitting for a day or so, but when i try to start the motor after cruising for couple of hours it takes few tries.

I also installed Hardline Hour/Tach Meter after maybe first hour of use. In the break in procedure it states that first 3 hours we should stay under 1/2 throtle (3000 rpm), but according to the tach it seems that 3000 rpm is 1/4 throtle. So first hours i was doing approx 4000 rpm - but i think it should be fine since it was only 1 hour.

All in all I'm quite satisfied with this motor so for - I only have 5 hours on it :-)

Edited by - on

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The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.