The tohatsu FS9.8A has been on the market now for 6 years and is a good seller, not only because of the price, but also because tohatsu are carving a name for themselves as reliable outboard manufacturers the world over. So what is good about the tohatsu 9.8 hp 4 stroke outboard engine? And why should you part with your hard earned cash to buy one for your new inflatable boat?
Firstly the 9.8hp engine from tohatsu outboards is light weight - 38kg, so whilst not the lightest 10hp engine on the market (that accolade goes to the parsun 9.8hp @ 35kg) it is in and around the right weight, and not far off the old 2 stroke weights of 30 - 38kg so its nicely portable over short distances.
Second of all it is excellent on fuel, and I really mean that, think back to the days when you would use 5 gallons of fuel in a full days inflatable boating with a 2 stroke outboard engine and look now at the modern 4 stroke era, whilst they dont have the grunt that a 2 stroke had (I remember kneeboarding behind an 8hp yamaha 2 stroke when I was a nipper!) they really make up for it in outboard engine fuel efficiency tests. The new tohatsu 9.8hp outboard engine will run at full throttle (5500rpm) and still only sip around 3 1/2 liters per hour!!
What of the competition? Well the mariner outboards 9.9hp and that from mercury outboards are both the same engine as the tohatsu, other than having the patented tiller handle twist grip gear shift on the mariner and mercury outboard engine that is. Yamaha 9.9hp 4 stroke outboard is 41kg so that isn’t even in the game, the new honda 10hp outboard engine is also too heavy at 41kg. And so is the Suzuki 9.9hp 4 stroke outboard new @ 39.5kg. So really this engine has no peers other than the new parsun F9.8 lightweight @ 35kg which really is a game changer!
So which new outboard engine will I put on my family’s next 3m to 3.4m inflatable boat? Will it be the 9.8hp from tohatsu outboards? Well it depends on my budget really. If I want the 5 year limited warranty that tohatsu offers (but I must stick to the outboard engine service regime that they set out) then I will have to shell out around £1700 on the tohatsu outboard engine. However, if I want a no quibble honest to goodness 3 year parts and labour warranty and still have around £300 sat in my wallet then the parsun F9.8BMS will be my choice!
If you want to speak to somebody about these engines then give us a call at bill higham marine on 0161 790 7678 or email us at sales@billhigham.co.uk