Tohatsu / Mercury 20HP Quick Review and First Impressions plus quick lake run

[@briansewart5885]

Thanks for the info, Im buying a 20hp Tohatsu this week. Great idea for the Taco and Hr meter. Some beautiful country in Florida

[@commonsensesolutions6662]

It’s a great motor! Let me know how it works out for you.

[@michaelkaine345]

Thanks man you've really helped me out..

[@SeauT]

Nice motor. Thanks for sharing your knowledge.

[@commonsensesolutions6662]

Thank you!

[@silviuflorescu6838]

I want to buy my first outboard, the same Tohatsu model as yours, for using in my camper trips. I will create a box between my chassis bars to store it perpendicular on the driving direction. Do you think it is wise to do that? Would the lateral movements of the car affect anything? Also, what side should I lean on during transport? Left or right? And what angle shoud it be up from the engine head so I don't get oil leaks? Is the tiller easy detachable? I might need to do it every time because of limited space in the transport box. Thanks!

[@KC-cx7pi]

Thanks for the quick overview. Can I ask what kind of boat you have it mounted on? What is the top speed? Can you pull a kid on a tube with that setup?

[@commonsensesolutions6662]

Kyle Cole It’s a Lowe 1448 mod V. With the stock 10p prop fully loaded and with myself, wife, and 2 kids it tops out at 24mph. However it’s slightly over revving according to my tach so I’ll be trying some other props. I do have plans to pull the kids on a tube and I’m confident that there is plenty of torque to do so but I’ll also need a lower pitch prop to put on when I do that.

[@KC-cx7pi]

Thanks! I’m hoping to get into a similar setup soon. This was very helpful.

[@mehmetdtx]

I have a 30 hp tohatsu on a 16' flat bottom. It maxes out on 32 mph, had no issue pulling kids or adults on a tube. It slows down when you also have a boat full of people though :)

[@commonsensesolutions6662]

@@mehmetdtx try installing the tach and see where your rpm is when loaded like that, you might have some room to tweak it. The 30 is really strong!

[@KC-cx7pi]

Do you tie the rope to the handles when pulling a tube? Are riveted handles strong enough? Or does the handle need to be welded?

[@martyfint854]

Your videos convinced me to get the Lowe 1448M with the Tohatsu 20hp. Reached the point in break in where I can make a few full throttle runs of a minute or so. I weigh 214 lbs, 2 1/2 gals of fuel,battery, and 55lbs up front . Topped out at 25.6 mph before hitting rev limiter. I have the stock 11.5 pitch prop, trim set in 3rd slot on a standard shaft engine. I’m sure I could get a bit more speed with a 12 pitch. Thoughts?

[@commonsensesolutions6662]

Cool deal! It’s a great combo. I’m sure you could get a little more top end if you propped up a bit, it has the power, you’ll just sacrifice a little off the hole shot. It’s always good to have a spare prop anyway. I use the live well on mine for storage of prop, tools, gear, etc. Did you add the hour meter and Tach? Sometimes if I don’t have time to swap the right prop on for my load I’ll just watch the Tach and keep it about 100 rpm off the top rather than hit the rev limiter.

[@martyfint854]

@@commonsensesolutions6662 I added the tach/hr meter combo unit. I took my daughter and granddaughter with me today. I really appreciate your videos.

[@ia6980]

From owners of this motor people say that it does not start from first try due to EFI system. Is that the case with yours? How many pulls do you need to do to start it? Sounds like Outboards with carburetors were a lot more efficient at starting these outboards Tohatsu outboards? What is your experience? My 6hp tohatsu starts with 1 pull when properly primed

[@commonsensesolutions6662]

Mine starts first pull, even when cold

[@martyfint854]

Just got mine mounted yesterday. Added oil to the crankcase. I was wondering if you trusted the factory fill of lower unit gear oil, or did you check the level before running your engine for the first time?

[@commonsensesolutions6662]

Good deal! I checked before running then changed after break in period. It’s an easy process. I should do a vid on it. 👍🏻

[@martyfint854]

@@commonsensesolutions6662 If you wouldn’t mind sharing how you checked I would be grateful. I followed the steps per the Tohatsu website. Put wire in horizontal about 2in. Wiggled it around. Spotty places of oil on wire. Not completely coated. Ran the motor on idle , in neutral with prop shaft submerged for 10 mins. Checked gear oil again, same result.

[@martyfint854]

@@commonsensesolutions6662 I admit I am a little paranoid due to the fact this is my first outboard engine.

[@commonsensesolutions6662]

@@martyfint854 hey no worries! I understand your concerns. Well, if you have some patience, it’ll probably be towards the end of the weekend before I can upload a quick video showing how to do a quick check and fill.

[@martyfint854]

Thanks for responding. I talked to TOHATSU and decided to drain the lower unit and add new gear oil. Upon draining the unit I found plenty of oil, so my concerns were eased. I replenished the oil per the TOHATSU directions and am good to go. Still waiting for the paperwork, as I purchased engine online from Tennessee.

[@eddygoldman8811]

Can you do a diy video on installing a tack and he meter on your 20?

[@commonsensesolutions6662]

Sure, great idea, I’ll do it next

[@ia6980]

Can you show us how us tacometer installation pls

[@commonsensesolutions6662]

I have a video of that Tohatsu / Mercury Tach & Hour Meter kzbin.info/www/bejne/oWOqkJSQnayMbck

[@markbaker53]

Hey there, I have a new 2022 Tohatsu still in the box waiting for me when we get back to Florida. My question is did you put on your SE 200 hydro foil right off the bat? Also did you use the no drill kit or bolt directly? My boat is a Sea Eagle 12.6 inflatable with a drop stitch floor. Thanks

[@commonsensesolutions6662]

Hi Mark, I added it later after I determined the boat needed it. I drilled it to ensure stability. Not a fan of the no-drill kits. Enjoy the new motor!

[@shannonyork5300]

Is your motor bolted on for attachment, or do you just use the two screw handles to tighten the motor to your attachment? Does your motor have the Power Tilt? Thank you.

[@commonsensesolutions6662]

Once I got it to the height that was optimal for my boat after testing, I screwed it in place for added safety. The 20 is not like a 9.9 or 15 that you can easily take on and off the boat and put on a stand. You could, but it’s a bit on the heavier side for doing this all the time, so I found the right mounting location that I liked and bolted it in place.

[@commonsensesolutions6662]

No power tilt, I did not want the added weight but looking back I would now have ordered this option. Changing the tilt on this motor is easy but electric tilt is easier for sure.

[@RUDYAKAHALIBU77]

Lots of power 👍👍👍👍👍

[@sharonal1261]

Sad to see no one wearing a life jacket. I lost a friend last weekend due to not wearing a life jacket ( drowned) SAD!!!!

[@commonsensesolutions6662]

That is sad. Sorry for your loss.

[@catfishandwhitetails]

how tall is your transom? Did you get long shaft? I have a 17 inch transom and leaning towards long shaft and using a jack plate to get it just right. Thank you!!!

[@commonsensesolutions6662]

Hi Ryan, I’m not sure but it’s a short transom. At the time all I could get was a long shaft Tohatsu so I had to be creative to make it work optimal; which it does. I’m actually glad it went this way because it’s a great setup. Excellent setback (huge advantage), balanced, exact height, simple, solid, and affordable. I plan to do a video on how I did it very soon. Thanks for watching 👍🏻

[@catfishandwhitetails]

@@commonsensesolutions6662 thank you for the reply. I have a long shaft 20hp mercury on the way. I'm about to order the on the fly jackplate

[@commonsensesolutions6662]

@@catfishandwhitetails My transom is 16” and to get the cav plate at the optimal height for this engine I had to get the engine up 7” That jack plate you are looking at is very nice but that one and the other adjustables I was looking at would not get my engine up high enough so I elected to go with a solid custom set up. You will really enjoy that engine Tohatsu built them very well

[@mehmetdtx]

how did you optimize the prop size with respect to the RPM, etc?

[@commonsensesolutions6662]

Hi, first you have to install a tachometer. Next you have to look at the specifications for your engine’s maximum operating range. On my 20 hp it is 5400-6100 RPM so you want to find a prop pitch that when you are cruising at wide open throttle with the typical load that you carry that you do not exceed the high end of your max number (or are below the minimum). Ideally it would be somewhere in the middle. If you are over or under your motor’s range that means you are either over or under propped. For my light boat (Lowe 1448) I have multiple props if I have the whole family loaded with coolers and swim gear vs if I’m alone or just me and my dad. The prop is so simple to change you just need to get a box full of the stainless split pins and use a new one each time. It takes just a few minutes to change the prop I also put plenty of marine grease on the shaft each time. I also keep an extra prop onboard for emergencies so it never hurts to have a couple props.

[@mehmetdtx]

@@commonsensesolutions6662 super helpful info, thanks!

[@happy_hartshornes]

I’m getting a 20hp for my inflatable boat soon. Do you have any opinions on this tohatsu vs Honda?

[@commonsensesolutions6662]

Hi! I really don’t have any experience with Honda marine engines but I know their lawn equipment is good stuff. If you really like the Honda motors perhaps do some comparisons of weight and how their warranties compare, Tohatsu has an awesome warranty. Something else to consider is availability and cost of repair parts and maintenance items including props and water pumps. Also do tons of Internet research and look at reviews on the Honda motors. Just some ideas.

[@happy_hartshornes]

@@commonsensesolutions6662 thank you!

[@OZD-mb2bs]

my 2021 20hp oil light stays on 10 seconds after starting engine. Have You noticed the same?

[@commonsensesolutions6662]

Yes, mine does for a little bit as well. Never really noticed how long though. I think it is a system check that runs on start up, or perhaps it stays lit until oil pressure is up and stable…but I will check with my contact at Tohatsu and find out exactly what the story is and post an update. Thanks for watching! 👍🏻

[@OZD-mb2bs]

@@commonsensesolutions6662 thanks for the reply.

[@commonsensesolutions6662]

@@OZD-mb2bs Got a message back from Tohatsu and they confirmed that the computer runs checks during this time then the light will stay lit until oil pressure is satisfactory. I went out today and watched the LED each time I started the motor. Mine stayed lit from 3 to 5 seconds on average. When is the last time you checked or changed your oil? Are you running the lighter weight oil? Perhaps change your oil and filter as a first step. Ten seconds does seem like a long time, but I seem to recall last winter when I ran the motor in near freezing temperatures that the light did stay on when I first started it for longer than I was used to seeing. Are you up north?

[@OZD-mb2bs]

@@commonsensesolutions6662 WOWI! Thanks for the reply. I just bought the motor new and it seems they all do this. I really appreciate the feedback, the motor runs awesome I really like it. Thanks!

[@OZD-mb2bs]

@@commonsensesolutions6662 the motor only has 3 hours on it. Thanks for the feed back!

[@grinchyface]

Who did you buy it from? An online vendor? Would like to pick one up

[@commonsensesolutions6662]

Best price I found was at www.onlineoutboards.com

[@John_D2]

Whats the name of the place you bought it ? thx

[@commonsensesolutions6662]

Hi! onlineoutboards.com/pages/tohatsu-outboard-motors

[@John_D2]

@@commonsensesolutions6662 thank you !

[@alanmilne8216]

Hi, how easy is it to lift I believe it is 43kg thanks

[@commonsensesolutions6662]

It’s a bit heavy for one person, but I have had it on and off about 5 times. With two people would be really easy, the main issue is getting a good grip on it when lifting it on and off of the transom. Boat engines are an odd shape and the weight is mostly up high. Once it’s on the ground the carry handle works well.

[@SK-ps1mo]

Mercury same motor Pretty sure Japan version

[@commonsensesolutions6662]

Seems that Tohatsu makes all of Mercury’s 20HP and down models, so you know Tohatsu has been doing something right...