cold starting Tohatsu saildrive 6hp - very happy with it

I have had the Tohatsu for a while now
it is very economical, produces more drive than the hull can handle, is a great starter now that I have the technique. I had to remove the little i safety rule inspired device made of plastic crud and coat hanger wire they added to stop you starting it in gear. Now I am very pleased with it

[@TheBadaren]

Happiness is having a motor that never fails. My old 6 hp Suzuki always starts on the second try and purring like a cat, it allows me to have patience with it smokes a bit before it gets hot. :-)

[@kylemccann]

I recently purchased the 6hp Tohatsu and have been inspired by you and a few others to start making my own videos of my progress of refitting my first sailing boat.

[@Ger1ger]

-to get back to the 2-Stroke discussion you started at the WBF: that engine doesn't sound all too much quieter than our old 2-stroke 3kW Tohatsu, which starts cold at third pull too. One service since I bought the boat twenty years ago -- no geargrease change as the workshop couldn't figure out how to do it. However, the enginge only runs for a few hours every year (trip around the lake, getting off and back to the dock when the wind is foul or non-existent), I'd like a set-off tank, though

[@KeepTurningLeft]

the issue with two strokes is not about the noise or the starting - it is about the pollution they create in the lake you love so much - they inject a third of the fuel stright into the water

[@tedb.5707]

The modern oils leave a considerable film behind on the bearing-surfaces, and the quite-recent engines are designed with very thight clearances compared to 20-30-years ago so they are less dependent on oil pressure for those critical first few seconds. That's one reason they're so thin by traditional standards; 10w vs. the old 30w or 50w oils.

[@joseraful]

Buenos motores los Tohatsu.Tengo un Jeanneau Tonis con un Tohatsu 9,8 hp y nunca me falla.¡ Maravilloso motor!

[@matbailey7730]

My safety start "thingy" has also been removed, also starts the same as yours with quite a lot of revs. I tend to only use half choke now, the last bit of choke seems to really open the throttle if you look under the hood. Must be ok they seem to all be this way.

[@KeepTurningLeft]

first service done by the book. Second service ditto third service it will get when I get home. D

[@KeepTurningLeft]

oil and plug change yesterday

[@wysiwyg2006]

i have a completely different boat now, engines for sale £450. serviced last year

[@KeepTurningLeft]

it is the way Tohatsu set it up when it arrived the revs drop back automatically as soon as it has started D

[@BobLinton]

I hope I am using this saying correctly, "Spot on!" Easy start! :+)

[@chrisflower2218]

Hi good engine BUT have you had the 1st service yet? This is VERY important the gear oil needs changing as the original oil is for bedding the gears in and now needs changing and of course the engine oil and filter needs changing, plus it is worth changing to water pump impeller as you spend a lot of time in muddy water which wears down the rubber.

[@KeepTurningLeft]

home on sunday... lots of blogs with stills on the website

[@KeepTurningLeft]

time Tohatsu had a look at changing the design of the safety feature I reckon

[@BobLinton]

Well Dylan you've been gone long enough. The flapping of a sail is calling your name. "Dylan, flap, flap, Dylan." :+)

[@wysiwyg2006]

got a tohatsu 6hp saildrive a month ago. had enough of the honda bf5 that came with my boat an intro 22. i find the tohatsu swivels though and i have to keep putting the engine stright as i use the rudder/tiller to steer. the honda had a steering lock which is the only thing it had over the tohatsu. frustrating though. also the fact that the carry handle is at the front meants i cannot raise the engine bracket as high and then tilt it when im using sail only

[@8180634]

On the very back of the motor down near the above water exhaust outlet is a little knob. Tighten that up and it tightens the steering. You can crank it down until the motor won't move if you want.

[@wysiwyg2006]

Matt South says in the manual not to tighten the wing nut as it can damage the shaft

[@8180634]

Maybe they don't want you to get crazy with it, but its purpose is to put tension on the steering so it's OK to tighten it some. I tighten it on mine when I'm trolling and I want the boat to go strait without me having to hold the tiller handle the whole time and it works well.

[@wysiwyg2006]

had another club member make me a bracket that does in the bracket pivot and under the engine that stops its movement now

[@Ger1ger]

Have you seen the revival of the "Seagull" discussion at the Wooden Boat Forum?

[@JoMoMoss]

I always thought revving an engine from cold does the most damage .... doe it not!? It surely must start without excessive revs.

[@shakeymay4643]

Hi , love to know how the Tohatsu is performing Now if you still have it ? Thinking of getting one for my Folkdancer27 . Thanks for all the Vids

[@KeepTurningLeft]

bloody brilliant engine - reliable frugal - ran it hard for three years - then some bastard nicked it

[@shakeymay4643]

Oh Bugger !!! Muppets !! For the money and feedback Tohatsu seems the way to go . Thanks

[@21pbeck]

how much does your boat displace? I'm considering this motor for my own boat.. thanks

[@KeepTurningLeft]

+Patrick Beck 1000Kilos

[@21pbeck]

+KeepTurningLeft and I saw another of your videos, the 6hp Tohatsu driving a 3.5 ton boat? (~7,500 pounds??). Was it enough power?

[@chrismccartney8668]

Was the engine some bastard nicked out of your garage ??

[@KeepTurningLeft]

the number of innovative ways the petrol wasting and oil squirting seagull advocates seek to justify their unsociable and dirty habits always brings a wry smile