Mercury/Tohatsu 6HP 4 Stroke Range and MPG Test

Testing a Mercury/Tohatsu (same motor) 6HP 4 stroke outboard Jon Boat motor on a Coleman Crawdad 12’ flat bottom Jon Boat. Can a Jon Boat go farther on a gallon of gas than a Nissan pickup?
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We will do a gas mileage and range test on Mercury/Tohatsu 6HP outboard jon boat motor to see how far we can go on a tank of gas and get this Mercury outboard’s MPG.
Will it be better than my Frontier Pickup Truck? Can a Jon Boat go farther on a gallon of gas than a Nissan pickup? Watch to see!
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Fun fact: all Mercury/Tohatsu/Nissan outboards under 25HP are the same motor manufactured by Tohatsu Japan! Only under different branding!
Coleman Crawdad Jon Boat weight as loaded in the video: 379 lb. Length 12’
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ENGINE DETAILS
6HP Mercury four stroke outboard
Feature integral fuel tanks with an external fuel-shutoff valve. For extended range, they can also be connected to a remote fuel tank. Great for aluminum tiller, inflatable soft hull, jon, utility, and sail boats.
Four Stroke
SPECIFICATIONS - 6HP / kW
6 / 4.4
Engine type
1 cylinder
Displacement (CID/CC)
7.5 / 123
Full throttle RPM
5000-6000
Fuel induction system
2-valve pushrod (overhead valve)
Boat: 12ft Coleman Crawdad
379lbs loaded
Mercury/Tohatsu 6HP 4 Stroke Outboard

[@ErickMartinSucre]

I got the external tank for my Tohatsu and I went camping at Shell Key on January, spent the entire day in the water and only used about 3 liters of gas. The tank is 3 gallons and came back with most it left over. Super efficient little motors

[@Skinnyriver]

Mine came with a 6 gal external tank and honestly it’s so big I don’t even take it. I just keep a 1 gal gas can in the boat and I have never needed more.

[@ErickMartinSucre]

@@Skinnyriver Yeah 1 gallon is more than enough

[@JamesJones-cx5pk]

Great video. My 4 stroke Suzuki 30 can get about 18 mpg with 2 people, gear on 16" deep V Aluminum.

[@ErickMartinSucre]

@@JamesJones-cx5pk Nice!

[@sharonbraselton4302]

yañmatr dusél 28 gets veter

[@lancet.346]

Thank you for this video! I am in the process of choosing a motor for my solo skiff and this was the motor I was leaning toward. I appreciate you making my research that much easier. Have a good one!

[@Skinnyriver]

Awesome! I appreciate the support! Thanks good luck

[@diywaterworld]

Just discovered your channel and so glad I did. I really enjoyed watching this video, you’re great on camera and have a great demeanor/ overall comfort in your vids with great info as well. Subbed! Thanks for sharing / doing this test. I’m getting ready to do the same test this week with my 6 Hp and randomly was thinking…. Surely someone has done this before! I’ve owned several of these 6hp motors through the years and really must say they are worth their weight in gold. I have a Suzuki 6hp now and while it’s great, it doesn’t really compare to the Merc / Tohatsu. Cheers from Florida!

[@Skinnyriver]

Awesome! I appreciate the views and sub! Let me know how it goes with the Suzuki. I’ve never had one, but I hear they are awesome. Many like them more than mercs and Yamahas!

[@Skinnyriver]

PS: love your channel just subbed! ESP Florida to the Bahamas and the skiff build

[@bringonthesnow99]

I have the same boat and tohatsu 4 to 6 hp conversion…. Only go 10 mph but have wood decking throughout and a 53lb trolling motor battery….. great setup…. Love my Coleman crawdad!

[@Skinnyriver]

Awesome setup! I’m ready for spring!

[@oneida80100]

Thanks for a fuel efficiency video. Nicely done.

[@Skinnyriver]

Appreciate it! Thanks for the view

[@SombraEnMovimiento]

I have two of these motors and i always run them dry after use. Sometimes i forget to pull the fuel connector off before i reach my destination. I then let them run dry on idle. I timed that, and it takes over 6 minutes! And then there is not much fuel in there. Only in the hoses, the fuel filter, the fuel pump and the carb bowl. It can idle on that little fuel for over 6 minutes!

[@Skinnyriver]

Yeah I started to run it dry and sat at the ramp forever lol. It’s crazy how little fuel these little motors use. I don’t run it dry every time but I will start once I get that carb cleaned

[@Soladaddy]

Just bought a used boat with a 2006 Merc 6HP with no internal tank but a 6 gallon external. No wonder it had bad gas.

[@pauleliot6429]

best video i saw today

[@Skinnyriver]

Thank you so much, I really appreciate it

[@cmatiazzoify]

I was watching all your videos and I am a proud owner of a Brand New 2022 Tohatsu 6 HP MFS6DWDS Outboard with the internal tank as well and I went ahead and bought a 3 Gal external as well, but just now I realized something, last time I watched this video I was under the impression that the internal tank had a 1 gal capacity and that with that, you could go 9 miles, so I was like, man If I buy a 3 gal external tank , I will be able to go 27 miles, but now watching your new video, I went to check the manual and realized it is a .3 Gallon tank and you can go 9 Miles??? LOL

[@Skinnyriver]

Lol yeah it’s crazy. It really depends on your boat, weight, and setup but you should be able to get between 18-30 mpg. Test it with your boat and always have emergency gas backup. But with a 3 gal external you should be able to run it most of the day :)

[@fleetwin1]

Would have bet on the Frontier, pretty impressive

[@prynceal6762]

Glad I discovered your content ...I think I am sold on then 6hp Mercury...I think it will be perfect for Native Titan 13.5.

[@Skinnyriver]

Awesome! This vid shows the only issue I have had kzbin.info/www/bejne/qnWVlpiIbMenjtU if you can swing the $$ for an 8 or 9.9 HP there is a big difference in power and how quite they run, but if you want something super light and reliable and something you can take off and on the boat, the six is perfect

[@Skinnyriver]

The eight and 9 hp have two cylinders which makes it much heavier but they run better. But six sounds perfect for your set up

[@prynceal6762]

@@Skinnyriver Oh yea no doubt...6 is a perfect weight...8 wud be pushing it but I might try it anyway

[@Skinnyriver]

Yeah I think a 6 would be perfect since you can’t leave it on the boat. The 6hp is 54lbs the 8 is 84lbs. I don’t think the 2hp is worth the 30lbs. 84lbs is pretty heavy to have to carry around.

[@prynceal6762]

@@Skinnyriver yeaaaa thats a lil too heavy....question what shaft length is your motor? 15 or 20"?

[@timhudson1846]

I am so impressed with you'r videos. We've talked about this 6hp you have Im wanting to buy a tohatsu 6 for my alweld jon boat 14/36.. Because their bulletproof, and your rave reviews. Im 290# I just wondering if i could ever get it up on plane . Me and a cooler of cold drinks. Cruise tge rivers. Hate to buy something tgat wouldn't work..

[@Skinnyriver]

I really appreciate the kind words! Man I really don’t know, I would look at going up to the 9.9hp or even a 15hp if you boat is rated for it AND if the motor will stay on the boat AND you are wanting some speed. If you need to take the motor off the boat and just want to put around I’d go with the 6hp (lighter) but I really think you would enjoy the 9.9 or higher more. I think the 6hp would get you up on plane but honestly top speed would probably be around 12-15mph.

[@timhudson1846]

@@Skinnyriver thank you very much for the advice! Will I keep the motor on the boat ? That's a great question.. I'm interested in building a cocktail racer.. they (the cocktail racers organization) recommend the tohatsu 6 HP. Soooo?? 12-15 mph, for just putt+putting down the river.. would probably work. Will I ever get a cocktail racer built ? Idk... Getting old and slow. That video you made about the 9 miles with only .03 gallon . Was just simply amazing. Economy is important to me also. I'm dreaming of a lazy day . Cruising the sac river.. Do I need flat out speed ? Probably not... I'm just going to have to keep thinking about it. I already own the boat.. and a 14' flat bed utility trailer.. (my boat trailer)... Ok? Thinking out loud.. Buy the 6hp.. And borrow my son's Evinrude 9.9.. And be happy.... Appreciate your thoughts...

[@craigweis6576]

The 9.9 Merc 4 cycles have an accelerator pump, and each twist of the throttle floods the engine with a shot of gasoline. Don't flood the engine, with or without the engine running.

[@Skinnyriver]

Good point, I didn’t realize that. Thanks for posting

[@aarohivijh]

If you could post what throttle setting you used, and how long it ran for, that would help people with boats other than yours. Thank you.

[@Skinnyriver]

The only throttle setting I use is wide open… yeee haw and you measure runtime in distance not time

[@mattp6515]

What size boat is that? I’m wanting to put a 6hp on my 16 ft heavy boat (440lbs dry) just need to put put around faster than a trolling motor without dealing with batteries. Just setting and checking jug lines and limb lines not breaking any speed records. It’d be so much simpler to just put gas in the top and bring the whole motor in in winter. I wish I could buy a 9.9hp with self contained fuel tank. Thanks

[@Skinnyriver]

My boat is 12’ only 130lbs. Ideally you get a 9.9+ for that size boat but if you get a good deal on a 6hp it would work just would be slow

[@jonathanandrews5559]

Dude sick video! I just recently bought a crawdad cheap and did a rehab similar to you! Send me your email and I’ll send pics I think you would be able to get some nice ideas from my mods! Thanks bro subbed!

[@Skinnyriver]

Thanks man! There is a Coleman Crawdad group on Facebook, you should check it out and post your pics there! A lot of good ideas get posted!

[@Outdoors-pb2sc]

What RPM were you running cause that plays a big factor in fuel efficiency.

[@Skinnyriver]

I am getting a tach but currently don’t have one. I was going 3/4 thrott the whole time. was probably running 3800.

[@FishingwithGabriel]

How stable is that Jon boat? Can you stand up while on it? And do you know the weight capacity?

[@Skinnyriver]

Fishing with Gabriel it is super stable. I have tried to flip it but couldn’t. Capacity is 420lbs. Awesome cheap flat bottom

[@FishingwithGabriel]

Skinny River Outdoors awesome thanks

[@Skinnyriver]

I just subbed to your channel! Awesome vids, esp Jon to Bass series! Looking forward to part 2

[@FishingwithGabriel]

Skinny River thanks!! My new video taking out the finished boat actually goes up today!

[@Skinnyriver]

Fishing with Gabriel it looks like we are both starting pretty new channels. Would love to touch base with you at some point to see what you feel is working and not! I’m looking for all the help I can get lol.

[@flanker0761]

Bro I’m returning the 3 gallon external tank and fuel line I just bought. Fuck that lol

[@Skinnyriver]

lol yeah I just have a small emergency tank that fits under my seat. Huge space saver. I have a 6 gallon external tank and have only used it a few times. I mainly use it just to store extra gas in my shed.

[@SB-qh8ps]

That’s impressive...

[@Skinnyriver]

Yeah, I was thinking it would be around 10MPG lol these little motors can go forever

[@SB-qh8ps]

@@Skinnyriver thinking of getting one... I’m debating between Yamaha and merc/any of the ones made by tohatsu.

[@Skinnyriver]

Man that’s a tough decision. I have a special place in my heart for a Yamaha 2 stroke (no longer can sell new ones in US). For a new 4-stroke my dream is a 25hp Yamaha. But Tohatsu is the world leader in small motor manufacturing, they make more than anyone else.

[@Skinnyriver]

www.cruisersforum.com/forums/f54/best-6hp-outboard-127470.html Here is a good conversation Merc/Tohatsu vs Yamaha.

[@SB-qh8ps]

@@Skinnyriver I think I’ll tentatively go with Yamaha. Yamaha is the gold standard as far as i’m concerned. That being said I wouldn’t turn down a tohatsu If there was a good deal on one. It really depends on what is in stock/how fast can they get one at my local dealers. Both are good and any modern 4 stroke outboard is pretty reliable unless you get a lemon...

[@FishHeadsIV]

Where do I get the app for speed and distance?

[@Skinnyriver]

There are a few of them in the apple App Store , the one I got is called “GPS Speedometer and Odometer”

[@mendiviloutdoorstv]

What kind of fuel do you use ?

[@Skinnyriver]

Ethanol free 87 octane, sometime 93 but I’ve never noticed a difference

[@mendiviloutdoorstv]

@@Skinnyriver oh ok, I have the same motor and I always use 91 but the manual recommended 87 , excellent video by the way

[@Skinnyriver]

Thanks! I appreciate the view

[@eddieknox9874]

try that on a metal jon boat, vs your plastic crawdad boat

[@Skinnyriver]

Yeah, wish I had a metal one. The motor would definitely perform better on a ‘real’ boat lol

[@romeroharris6008]

@Skinny River bro I swear I ran into on the neuse river if not there is a guy with the same exact setup.

[@Skinnyriver]

lol nah man, wasn’t me. I would love to fish in NC one day though!

[@romeroharris6008]

@@Skinnyriver yeah makes sense his setup wasn't as clean but you have a twin with the same setup in NC lol 😆

[@captainchrisfishing]

Why would you compare a single cylinder motor to a truck with 8 cylinders of course a boat motor would do better .

[@Skinnyriver]

If I compared it to a 6 cylinder car it would have done worse.. so not so obvious

[@captainchrisfishing]

@@Skinnyriver boats have drag like a boat anchor hardly no comparison at all

[@Skinnyriver]

lol - dude i was just curious if a boat can get better gas mileage than a truck… and it did. You aren’t making any sense, first you say of course it will get better gas mileage because its a single cylinder. Now you say of course it won’t get better gas mileage than a car because it has drag like an anchor. Make up your mind

[@captainchrisfishing]

@@Skinnyriver hey asshole my point is there is no comparison their is too many variables dumbfuck

[@eddieknox9874]

a tohatsu is not a mercury, tohatsu is made in japan,

[@Skinnyriver]

So are

[@Skinnyriver]

Tohatsu Marine was established in February 1988 as a joint corporation of Tohatsu Corporation and Brunswick Corporation of the United States. Brunswick is the parent company of Mercury Marine, a major outboard engine manufacturer, and decided to procure products with Tohatsu, which had been improving its technology and the productivity of outboard engines.