Tohatsu 6 hp as Kicker for 22

Tortuga · Posted: Sun Mar 01, 2009 10:33 pm Post subject: Tohatsu 6 hp as Kicker for 22

I'm thinking about buying a Tohatsu 6 hp as a kicker for my 22. It's a light engine -- admittedly with less power than may be optimal. But, I like the weight (55 pounds) and I like that I can use it on my dink as well.

Plus, a friend is selling it cheap (it's a 2006 and he wants $500). He got it for an inflatable kayak but (not surprisingly) it isn't working out -- too much flex.

It's a 20" so it would fit the boat well -- if a bit long for the dink.

Any thoughts? I've run a Ranger 26 sailboat all over the San Francisco Bay area on an old Evinrude 6 with no problem. The Ranger is heavier, though has less windage.

Anyone running a 6 hp as a kicker??

Matt

amy and karl · Posted: Sun Mar 01, 2009 10:52 pm Post subject: Tohatsu 6hp

Hi Matt,

We have the exact motor on C-Daisy. It works great on the dinghy but is marginal on the 22. It is fairly easy to move from the 22 to the dinghy. We added a strap handle to make it easier. We have done some trolling with it on flat water and it gets by. Certainly not the optimal trolling motor though. Good luck. For $500 we'd certainly do it again.

Karl

Robbi · Posted: Sun Mar 01, 2009 11:30 pm Post subject:

I run that motor as a kicker on my 19. It will push the boat about 5 or 6 knots with no current or wind. I guess it depends on where you use your boat and what your needs are. If you want a "slow", lightweight kicker that you can mount on your dink, go for it. Great price!
Robbi

thataway · Posted: Mon Mar 02, 2009 12:07 am Post subject:

My thought is that it is plenty for a kicker--you will get hull speed. I have used an 8hp 20" shaft on a dinghy--it was OK--but if you are going to try to plane the boat, it will be a bit squirrelly, with the prop lower. Also it will be more difficult to get the lower unit to clear the bottom as you come to the shore--it will probably not be all of the way out of the water.

C-Pelican · Posted: Mon Mar 02, 2009 11:49 am Post subject:

I have the exact same brand and hp motor you spoke of and it moves the boat at 5 mph and I too transfer it to my dinghy and it does well.

Had it two years now.

Jeff

Tortuga · Posted: Mon Mar 02, 2009 6:27 pm Post subject:

Thanks for the feedback -- I appreciate all of the experience. I'm gonna move on to step two and borrow the engine to see how it pushes the boat. Seems like it will be a good fit -- and save some $$.

Matt

416rigby · Posted: Mon Mar 02, 2009 7:57 pm Post subject:

Be sure to check your local area for service folks. We have an 8hp Nissan, which is somehow related to Tohatsu...and there are darn few places here to have one worked on. We found a local gent who did some work for us. Just food for thought.

The 8hp is a great kicker.

Rick

Tortuga · Posted: Mon Mar 02, 2009 9:19 pm Post subject:

Sam Walker · Posted: Mon Mar 02, 2009 10:18 pm Post subject:

Good Evening, Folks. The Nissan and Tohatsu are the same motor. They are both made by Tohatsu and badged differently. (Think Chevrolet and GMC Trucks). I have a 6 hp Nissan on for my small boat. It runs great. Thumbs Up

Just make sure that you change the impeller annually. Disgust

T.R. Bauer · Posted: Tue Mar 03, 2009 9:22 am Post subject: Re: Tohatsu 6 hp as Kicker for 22

Robbi · Posted: Tue Mar 03, 2009 10:09 am Post subject:

I find the Tohatsu to be pretty smooth for a single. As I recall, I was told that the Honda and especially the Johnson were real shakers. Most new twin 6 hp are much heavier, I think the Yamaha is over 80 pounds, which defeats your dual purpose. Not sure what the older Evinrude weighs, but I do know that it is a highly sought after outboard at my husband's duck club.
BTW, I believe that the Merc 6 hp is also the same engine as the Nissan-Tohatsu.

Robbi

SeaSpray · Posted: Tue Apr 21, 2009 3:43 pm Post subject:

H i Matt,

Did you buy the motor? If so - how is it working out?

Thanks,
Steve

Tortuga · Posted: Tue Apr 21, 2009 9:41 pm Post subject:

I did buy the motor, and it seems to push the boat pretty well -- about 5 knots in a modest breeze. I don't yet know how it will push in current or heavy wind -- but I'm pretty confident the engine will perform as I need it to -- as a backup that will get me out of dangers way. It really seems to push well. At 50 pounds it seems like a reasonable compromise.

I'm going out to the Islands again tomorrow so if I see anything surprising re the motor I'll post.

Matt

Knotcute · Posted: Tue Apr 21, 2009 10:20 pm Post subject:

I have been running a 20" inch Tohatsu 6 HP on my 16 cruiser for about a year. No problems so far, its been easy to start, easy on gas and it even got me home safely once when I lost my main. While I know this is not exactly the help you were looking for, I thought I would share my experiences with this motor anyway. Good Luck! Smile

jennykatz · Posted: Wed Apr 22, 2009 6:31 am Post subject: 5 hp short shaft

How would a 5 hp short shaft (15 in ) work on the cc-23 a little heavier then the c-22 .My concern is the short shaft I would put a garlick retractable eng bracket on the transom change the prop .
Boaters world has the tohatsu for $900 Just some c-brats thoughts