Tohatsu vs. Mercury

[Cbrown1802]

I’ve recently purchased an Alumacraft MV 1648 SS and now I’m ready to buy the motor. I plan on getting a 30hp tiller, electric start and power tilt/trim.

 

I have dealers that service all major brands in my area so that isn’t a factor. I’d prefer the best performing, light weight engine. 

 

The Tohatsu and Mercury 30hp are almost the same price. The Yamaha 25hp is the same price as the 30 in the others (the 30 Yamaha is too heavy and expensive).

 

Can anyone help me find the right motor? I appreciate your help!

[Deleted account]

Its the same motor with different cosmetics.

[Scott F]

Tohatsu makes the smaller motors for Mercury. I’m not sure what the cutoff point is. Everyone I’ve ever spoken to about Tohatsu has had nothing but good things to say about them. They run well and have been very dependable. I bought a 2 stroke Tohatsu jet last year. I haven’t run it enough yet to give an educated review. If you have a dealer nearby who can do warranty work if you need it, I think it would be a good safe choice.

[Cbrown1802]

Got it. Thank you!

 

I live in northern Florida and plan to hunt out of the boat as well as red fishing around the edges of the bays. Hope the 30 and this boat model will be a good fit for that.

[Catt]

Actually Honda makes em both 

 

Just went through this a couple years ago with 40 horses.

 

Highly impressed with the Tohatsu ?

[Cbrown1802]

I’m leaning Tohatsu. I believe that’s what the dealer recommends. He was actually saying a 25hp would be fine since the boat weighs 320lbs. But if it can support a 35hp max, I don’t see the harm in having a 30hp.

 

My main concern with Tohatsu over other brands is resale value. I’m not sure that it carries as good of a “name” as Mercury, Yamaha, Honda, etc.

 

Am I wrong?

[Catt]

3 hours ago, Cbrown1802 said:

I’m leaning Tohatsu. I believe that’s what the dealer recommends. He was actually saying a 25hp would be fine since the boat weighs 320lbs. But if it can support a 35hp max, I don’t see the harm in having a 30hp.

 

My main concern with Tohatsu over other brands is resale value. I’m not sure that it carries as good of a “name” as Mercury, Yamaha, Honda, etc.

 

Am I wrong?

 

Don't know where ya live but Tohatsu is highly regarded down here ever since their Mega 25.

 

On a 1648 hull most round here are running 40 horses which is max in our marshes. 

 

I've had a Tohatsu since 2014 ?

[slonezp]

3 hours ago, Catt said:

Actually Honda makes em both 

 

Just went through this a couple years ago with 40 horses.

 

Highly impressed with the Tohatsu ?

I looked into this recently. Tohatsu makes 60hp and lower motors for Mercury. The Tohatsu 60 to 250hp are made by Honda. So, the only Mercury made by Honda is the 60hp 

[Catt]

5 minutes ago, slonezp said:

I looked into this recently. Tohatsu makes 60hp and lower motors for Mercury. The Tohatsu 60 to 250hp are made by Honda. So, the only Mercury made by Honda is the 60hp 

 

Ya better keep digging! ?

[slonezp]

2 minutes ago, Catt said:

 

Ya better keep digging! ?

I found a press release from 2013 https://www.boatingmag.com/boats/honda-to-private-label-large-outboards-tohatsu#page-2

[Cbrown1802]

Catt - thanks!

 

I live in the panhandle of FL. Most of the boats here’s are fiberglass bay boats and boats for the Gulf.

 

Anyways, I think Tohatsu will be the one for me. I’m not planning to sell it anyways.

 

Not sure what kind of boat you have, but do you have any experience with adding a floor to a MV? Seems like a floor for a flat jon is simply but the modified v not so much.

[Catt]

11 hours ago, Cbrown1802 said:

Catt - thanks!

 

I live in the panhandle of FL. Most of the boats here’s are fiberglass bay boats and boats for the Gulf.

 

Anyways, I think Tohatsu will be the one for me. I’m not planning to sell it anyways.

 

Not sure what kind of boat you have, but do you have any experience with adding a floor to a MV? Seems like a floor for a flat jon is simply but the modified v not so much.

 

I'm currently running a Alweld 1652 that has welded in floors, sides, & a tunnel hull.

 

I've put floors in both flat bottoms & mod-v

 

@slonezp that from 2013, it says their motors stop at 115 hp & their 30 is the biggest 4-stroke. My 40 is a 2014 4-stroke & they go up to a 250. What I found was on a business website the showed the connections between Honda, Tohatsu/Nissan, & Mercury. I also talked to Jerry Pettefer owner of Jerry's Marine one if the top Mercury race teams in the world.

[Deleted account]

12 hours ago, slonezp said:

I looked into this recently. Tohatsu makes 60hp and lower motors for Mercury. The Tohatsu 60 to 250hp are made by Honda. So, the only Mercury made by Honda is the 60hp 

Yeah, its a mess, Yamaha has manufactured a bunch of Mercs too.

[Cbrown1802]

Catt - your floors look great. 

 

Ive considered either plywood or closed cell foam with a rubber mat or hydro turf screw in on top.

 

Is your floor welded in aluminum?

[Catt]

Just now, Cbrown1802 said:

Catt - your floors look great. 

 

Ive considered either plywood or closed cell foam with a rubber mat or hydro turf screw in on top.

 

Is your floor welded in aluminum?

 

Yelp aluminum!

 

Those floors & sides were factory installed but I've done several.

 

Aluminum sheet & aluminum welding around here is almost cheap as doing it with plywood.