6hp tohatsu outboard push 6 tonnes?

In this video, I put a 6HP Tohatsu Sail Drive outboard engine to the test. We will see if it moves a 34 foot sail boat that has a total weight of 6 tonnes. This set up is for emergency use if the main engine ever fails. The video also provides useful information on engine performance and fuel consumption compared to the 29HP Yanmar diesel inboard engine. I also perform sound checks to help you make an informed choice if your considering getting a spare engine. It sure beats waiting for a tow or making a call to the emergency services if your main engine fails. You can also appreciate the beautiful scenery along areas of the River Blackwater. We also have a surprise visit from a porpoise which is like a small dolphin. Hope you enjoy and thanks for watching. If you have any feedback or suggestions, please leave a comment.

[@6800891]

For long distance motoring when not enough wind to sail, I have heard that it is significantly less expensive to use a small outboard than to put hours on the inboard engine. Since autopilot uses the rudder to steer, you need only crank the outboard and let it ride.

[@peterstewart1859]

You should give courses on "how to produce a great KZbin video". This was perfect.

[@EastCoastSailing_]

Hi Peter, thanks for the positive comment and thanks for watching. I hope the video helped👍

[@84Rabbitz]

Ive had my diesel engine quit and tied my dingy to the starboard side of a Catalina 30. It has a 5hp honda , it pusshed it no problem. Had some cavitation but got my back to the slip!

[@EastCoastSailing_]

As long as it got you back that's all that matters! Thanks for watching 🙂

[@84Rabbitz]

@@EastCoastSailing_ always have a back up! (Don't tell my wife that...)

[@sailingfishcake]

I had the exact same question on my mind lately and you just delivered it! It was a very interesting watch. Thanks a lot 😃

[@EastCoastSailing_]

Hi @sailingfishcake. There really good engines, super reliable, cheap parts unless its something a bit bespoke. Had to wait 6 weeks for a throttle drum. The hardest challenge you will have is mounting a bracket at the perfect height and dealing with the rake on the back of your boat. Looks very cold where you are! safe sailing and I just subscribed to your channel so looking forward to seeing you get to the Caribbean. All the best Rob

[@sailingfishcake]

@@EastCoastSailing_ looks like a great way to have a spare emergency engine. I can only imagine how difficult it must be to level it correctly though. It is cooold here! I’ve already been to the Caribbean, so now I wanna explore the north. Please keep posting! Great content :)

[@KarenWarner-vh3vn]

Love it, great videox

[@EastCoastSailing_]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@Frana1990]

Love it x

[@JohnCornellier]

Great video. I use this engine as the sole auxiliary on a 2000 kg sailboat and it works fine. Mine motor's white, looks great. So many people use 9.9s on small yachts but I'm not sure if that's just overkill. More weight on the transom has its disadvantages too.

[@EastCoastSailing_]

Hi John. I had it as a primary engine on my last 22 foot sail boat which weighed about 1.5 tonnes. A 6hp will get any smaller boat to its hull displacement speed which was about 5.5 knots and I was pretty impressed it only lost a knot on 5/6 tonnes 34 foot boat on a windy day. Just gives me peace of mind knowing I have sails and 2 engines before I’m in the proverbial s#%t 😂👍 thanks for watching.l and the white outboard are the newer versions by a year or so I think.

[@chrismccartney8668]

Ah Tolllesbury u need an engine and the ability to see under the water and see the mud. I caught the edge of the little cob leaving Tollesbury we missed the The post with the Swan on it !! Got off OK but u need eyes in the back of your head.. Hunter 23 Twin Keel Based at Bradwell.

[@EastCoastSailing_]

Hi Chris, yes it is a very challenging place to navigate but very rewarding. We are just in maylandsea tonight, only a stones throw from out marina. Sometimes the best places are on out door step 😊👌🏼 another episode out next week

[@chrismccartney8668]

@EastCoastSailing_ My mate now sails from Titchmarsh in his Westerly Discus they issue there is don't miss the Pye End Buoy or you are in the sh.t..

[@junk_rig_sailor1698]

Nice and informative video, thanks. nHad a 5hp extra long shaft Merc hi thrust prop on my Contessa 26, will be going to this Tohatsu UL 6hp SailPro for my new (but old) Twister 28. It will be my only auxiliary (no inboard), save perhaps an electric outboard as an emergency back up.

[@EastCoastSailing_]

Hi Junk Rig Sailor. Thanks for watching. Twister looks like a very capable off shore boat. Just took a look at your page. If you have the space I always had 2 of these engines. That way the spares are interchangeable. They are good engines but I have had small issues that stopped it running. If it were not for carrying the same engine as a spare it could have ended a few trips early. You can get these units pretty cheap second hand at 1/3 of the price new. The tohatsu warranty isn’t worth the paper it’s written on. As soon as you do any work your self you invalidate the warranty which is impossible. You will be pleased with your purchase they are great engines that are east to work on. Just keep a few spares on board like a spare carb, fuel pump, water impeller, fuel filter and spark plug. All the best

[@junk_rig_sailor1698]

@@EastCoastSailing_ A spare is not a bad idea, but as ever storage can become an issue on a small boat, but I am sure I will figure something out. Cheers and fair winds.

[@andronclock1]

Very intresting! I bought my first boat recently and I have a 3HP and a 15HP , thinking which one is more apropriate. Its a 400kg fiberglass boat so probably the 3HP will be adequate!

[@EastCoastSailing_]

Hi, I think 15HP will go very fast, you might be able to plain the boat so will go much faster and save fuel but you need to make sure the transom is strong enough to take the weight of the outboard. A 15HP 4 stroke outboard will weight 50 Kg's. The live load going over waves will be significantly more so you may need to strengthen the boats rear end. The 3HP outboard will get you going but if your having to push against a strong tides and against the wind you might not get anywhere. Its always nice to have some power contingency. You also need to consider the weight of the outboard, taking these engines off on your own regularly. If your at a marina and not having to worry about taking the engines off id leave the 15HP on. Are your outboards 4 stroke or 2 stroke as the later generates a lot more hp. Also are you taking your boat out in open sea, tidal areas or closed lakes? Ill be able to advise you better. Thanks

[@andronclock1]

@@EastCoastSailing_ Thanks a lot mate for the reply, reading back my comment I forgot to add that its a 14ft-4.7m boat, and it has a 60hp main outboard (1986 Johnson 60) so im considering having a back up motor just in case. I think the 15hp might be a bit too much, power and weight wise, so on days with no wind, I think the 3hp will be adequate as a back up. And if some days the boat is loaded with people etc, the 15hp might be a better fit cause the 3hp might not be enough

[@user-fu9vj9ix3g]

This was no test. Itwas simply a demonstration of the Tohatsu 6hp outboard - which is an excellent motor, with a Hi-Torque prop. No where in this demo was there any mention or depiction of stopping power. Virtually any outboard will move almost any boat, but stopping and maneuver power at very low speeds when there isn't enougfh way on is just as important as running power. Further, the conditions shown here are absolutely the worst possible to caught in while attempting to navigate with an under powered boat. My advice - as one who has sailed allmy life - is double the HP on any outboard for a sail boat. A trailer sailer of 18ft will behave much better if the motor is an 8hp rather than the typical 3 or 4 hp. Everything matters when you're at the dock - or avoiding those others with tiny motors, who are also at the dock. Open waters are no problem, but - wind, river currents, and tide, can make or break your day.

[@EastCoastSailing_]

Hi, the video as per the thumbnail was to demonstrate If the outboard was powerful enough to propel the boat not stop the boat. This setup as stated in the video was for emergency use only if the main engine ever failed. There’s no remote controls to change to reverse gear without having to step down on the back of the boat and do it manually. Would I attempt to go into a tight marina and berth it with this setup….. well it wouldn’t be my preferred option. Would I attempt to land on a an empty hammer head pontoon clear of boats with good turning room…. yes no hesitation. I think you’re missing the point of emergency use. This setup would be perfect to get your out of open sea into a protected narrow estuary or bay to drop anchor to sort the main problem out or get close enough to the marina to get a tow in? you might be drifting onto rocks if your main engine cut out and there was no wind to sail. Why would an 8hp engine be a good substitute? I’m a strong fella and an 8hp outboard weights 40kg instead of 25kg for a 6hp outboard. The transom would have to be significantly strengthen to take this weight. How would anyone be able to safely lift a 40kg outboard from the bilge locker and put it on the back of the boat moving about. Also an 8hp outboard wouldn’t even fit in locker for storage. Also regardless of the increased stopping power, it still doesn’t change how you have to change to reverse stepping off the boat which is the main limitation of this setup. You sound like you have never sailed in your life.