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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

General Sailing Forum

New option for outboard.

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atgep
Master Marine Consultant

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1009 Posts

Initially Posted - 08/06/2005 : 21:59:21

For the people who want a lighter option for a 25 in outboard have to wait no longer.There is a new 6 hp with ultra long shaft.
Check out the latest offering from Tohatsu.

http://internetoutboards.com/partdetail.asp?id=365

Tom.

PO of 1988 Wing HN 5775
"Cote d'Azure"
Fleet 25

Edited by - on

Arlyn Stewart
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
2984 Posts

Response Posted - 08/07/2005 : 10:55:45

I'm impressed... finally a choice of engine with extra long shaft without weighing a ton. Looking forward to hearing reports on performance.

Edited by - on

Tom Potter
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1913 Posts

Response Posted - 08/07/2005 : 11:20:57

Hey Tom, haven't heard from you in awhile.
The Tohatsu is a good engine I have a 8hp, the only draw back I see with the 6hp its just a 1-Cylinder. Not that that's a problem, just my preference is to have a 2 cylinder.

Edited by - on

tinob
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1883 Posts

Response Posted - 08/07/2005 : 11:58:37

25", 1 cyl, 57lbs, manual start, alternator?

Think it'll push a 25?

Too iffy for me. I'll pass.

Thanks for the info though.

Val on Calista # 3936

Edited by - on

Gloss
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1916 Posts

Response Posted - 08/07/2005 : 12:19:59

I had the Nissan/Tohatsu 6 hp 4 stroke long shaft on my Catalina 22. This motor in an extra long shaft may work on a C25 used on lakes where you may not have to push through heavy seas. I would definitely get the 7" pitch prop vs. the standard 9" The optional alternator doesn't put out much power, and it needs to be installed in a shop as you have to have a flywheel puller to install it. I made that mistake. That motor definitely vibrated more than my current Honda 2 cylinder.

57 lbs is a big plus, and it definitely is priced right.

Everything in life is a compromise

Edited by - on

Jonathan Cuff
Navigator

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Cayman Island
173 Posts

Response Posted - 08/07/2005 : 18:11:07

Sounds perfect for the C25. I have a Honda 5hp 20" which pushes the boat along at 5.2 knots if flat calm. Even with a decent head wind we still normally manage 4.5 knots. The only thing we could do with (sometimes) is more prop depth to avoid cavitation when a little rough. This is when you lose all power and slow down. This new engine would seem to be the best of both worlds, as to me the last thing you want hanging off your transom is a big lump weighing over 100 lbs. After all a C25 is meant to be a sailing boat!!

Edited by - on

Frank Hopper
Past Commodore

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Pitcairn Island
6776 Posts

Response Posted - 08/07/2005 : 18:45:42

It sounds great. If you are in conditions where you need more than 6hp then you should be either sailing or motorsailing. My new 89 came with a Honda 9.9 that is too powerful. I miss calm exits from the slip, now it is Katy bar the door, I hope my act is together 'cause here we come!!

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matsche
Captain

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USA
280 Posts

Response Posted - 08/08/2005 : 10:04:13

I've had the Tohatsu 6hp (long shaft) for 3 years now and for me, it's been a great motor. The one cylinder is not as smooth as the 2 for obvious reasons, but it's still relatively quiet and smoother than any 2 stroke that I ever owned.

It does well against strong headwinds, as Jonathon indicated, but is a little light in the butt if you come into the docks too fast and expect 4 wheel antilock disk brakes! The prop is smaller than the 8 so don't come into the docks at hull speed and you'll be fine.

Since the long shaft is 23" instead of the standard 20", cavitation has never been a problem on my lake. But, for ocean going vessels, I imagine that extra long shaft would be very welcome. And at 55 lbs, taking it off at the end of the season is a piece of cake.

Edited by - on

atgep
Master Marine Consultant

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1009 Posts

Response Posted - 08/08/2005 : 18:49:51

When (seems like if) I replace my cranky old sailmaster, I will go with the 9.8. I just know there are quite a few of us that don't need or want that kind of iron hanging of the stern. I thought the charging option would be nice as it puts out the same as the 9.8. Given the higher rpm the smaller engine will run at, it would likely charge better than the bigger engine.

It is pretty nice that a company is producing products that people want.

Now, for another option, Mercury which re-badges Tohatsu, has finally put together the 25in, lightweight 4 stroke. The thing about the Merc, is the single throttle. The twist grip also shifts for you allowing one handed operation. Now, I have to find out how much it costs.

I love options.

Tom.

Edited by - on

stampeder
Master Marine Consultant

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1608 Posts

Response Posted - 08/08/2005 : 22:36:48

Frank - why is a honda 9.9 too powerful?

I was caught in a sudden storm recently, head into the wind with sudden gusts from aside, and with big waves coming at me, all this in a narrow channel with a strong current between two mountain lakes...I was thankful that I had recently done a tune up and oil change. My Honda 9.9 was working hard to keep me moving. I don't have much experience with my C25 but it sure felt like anything less than a 9.9 would have been too small. I was fully confident that my 9.9 was capable of getting me out of that jam, but I sure would have liked to be moving a little faster. The waves were breaking and coming over the bow - if I would have had to turn around, those waves would have been dunking my OB.

When I dock, I like the way the power of my OB can bring me to a quick stop, or reverse me from forward motion in tight situations. I'm in a very tight slip - I have room for fenders on one side only, and I'm sandwiched in-between a public dock and a dock used for Houseboats...and, there's a fairly strong current running through there. Without strong quick thrust, I'd have Catalina paint on every boat in the marina. I just can't see how a 6hp lightweight should even be considered when you have to move a 6,000LB + boat.
On calm sunny days, you think about your cooler and your bimini - on nasty days, you think about safety issues.

Edited by - on

oldsalt
Admiral

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USA
578 Posts

Response Posted - 08/11/2005 : 09:41:44

I also believe that a 9.9 isn't overkill. When you need the thrust to get you out of trouble it's nice to know it's there for you. I consider my outboard a piece of safety equipment, not just something to get me in and out of my slip in perfect conditions.

Edited by - on

matsche
Captain

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USA
280 Posts

Response Posted - 08/11/2005 : 14:57:40

Roughly speaking, HP is a measure of power output at full throttle. Torque is a better measure of how quickly you can come up to speed and is much more important for docking and "getting out of trouble". The Tohatsu 8 and 9.9 have the same amount of torque which is why they have the same prop. In fact, they are the same engine with the 9.9 "tweaked" to reach higher RPMs. Both the 8 and 9.9 will get you hull speed with plenty of throttle left to spare and no faster. So, the extra 1.9 HP isn't really buying you anything. There are other good reasons to buy a 9.9, but HP isn't one of them. I can't speak for Frank, but maybe that was his point.

I think everyone would agree that the 6 (smaller prop) is slightly underpowered for the Cat 25. My original motor was a 15HP Mariner, so I can attest to that. Everybody has their preferences, but the 6 is not a dangerous little weakling by any means. It's plenty for any lake condition and with a little care would probably do fine in most ocean conditions as well.

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Champipple
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
6855 Posts

Response Posted - 08/11/2005 : 15:52:03

I'd venture to say a six on Lake Erie with 6 foot waves might be underpowered. There have been times that I wish my tohatsu 8 had a bit more juice.

I'd like Arlyn's opinion on the 6 hp. He's sailed the Great Lakes a number of times.

Edited by - on

stampeder
Master Marine Consultant

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1608 Posts

Response Posted - 08/11/2005 : 16:28:02

I too look forward to a qualified report on this issue. My OB weighs 98 LBS , so if I could safely shed 25 or more LBs - I'd get busy weighing the financial options of trading in a 6 year old 9.9 Honda on a new 6 HP OB.

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atgep
Master Marine Consultant

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1009 Posts

Response Posted - 08/11/2005 : 19:56:09

Is a 6 hp enough? Depends. The real issue is area of the prop. It will have a much smaller "bite", likely half of what the 9.8 hp. That will result in much lower torque available for docking or pushing against a headwind or chop. It will also mean a lower speed while idling in gear.

Now, If you sail protected waters and go out in nice weather, it could work well. I am talking about the guys who use 3 gal all year. If you cruise, or go out in water that CAN get snotty, the bigger motor makes sense.

Tom.

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kenobie51
1st Mate

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USA
35 Posts

Response Posted - 08/12/2005 : 08:57:09

Tom,
Your right about the prop area. It's not the horsepower thats the issue, it's the small prop surface on the smaller motors. We have all seen how big power boats can stop on a dime when coming into a slip. It's not HP, it's the huge props they have. If someone would design a 6HP with lower gearing to turn a large prop we would have the push we want for docking or rough conditions and a light weight. The trade off would be a reduction in top speed. Actualy, Yamaha did offer this type of engine at one time, but it was big and heavy. Ever see one of the old 9.9 HP sail models? They had a huge 11 inch diameter, 4 blade prop. Yamaha does offer what they call a high thrust model in 8HP. It is the smallest engine, biggest prop combination that I know of.
Just for information. I have an 8HP Tohatsu 2 stroke. 10 years old, never any problems, quiet, light weight. Has enough prop for my inland lake. Do wish it had the 25" length.
Regards to all,
Don't motor much anyway.

Edited by - on

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