Comments on mounting a 9.8 Tohatsu on a 22ft Crusier

[PvL]

I am planning to mount a 9.8 Tohatsu Long shaft (20") on the transom of our 07 22ft cruiser, next to my 90 Honda (port side). Yes I do have trim tabs. Does any one have this set up? If so are you happy with it? I am looking for pros and cons.

Thanks

[starcrafttom]

Hi, I had that set up on my old 22, which I sold two years ago. I like the motor for the most part. It ran well, started easy, pull or electric start, idled well. I like that it had a larger altanator then most kickers. There were several time that the batteries died in the night and I was able to pull start the kicker and let the alt run for a hour while I had breakfast and then start the main.

Now for the bad. I had a hard time keeping the engine in the up postion. The release/ catch is not very good. I had to use a bungee cord to keep it in place. That model would be 8years old so maybe they have changed it. Many times in rough water the kicker would fall into the down postion. It was also hard to put the engine in the up postion unless you have long arms and legs, which I do. Susan could never put the motor in the up postion by herself. Its not the act of pulling the motor up but reaching down the side of the motor and releasing the lock. Its a long reach even for me. Most motors have the release on the front of the motor near the handle. The motor idles well but would not hold a set rpm. The throttle lock never held well and the motor would slow down all the time unless you had your hand on the handle. Of all the kickers I have used on others boats I think the yamaha 8 to 9.9 is the best. Hope this helps.

[sculpin]

Similar problems with the motor unlatching and falling to the down position. I have the 8 hp. But the motor has worked flawlessly otherwise and I would buy another one, especially for the price.

[PvL]

Thanks for the info. Did you use a long shaft and was it mounted on the transom? Did that work ok?

[starcrafttom]

Mine was mounted on a plate that was mounted in the motor well. should be able to find a pic in my album. I had les at E.Q. do the install if you need advice on how. Les is always willing to talk about how he did some thing.

[Matt Gurnsey]

Bt installation seems to be to use the mini jacker plate here: http://www.thmarine.com/products/Outboard-Jack-Plates/Small-Outboard-Brackets/Mini-Jacker-

It raised to motor up a couple of inches and pushes it back far enough to clear the trim tab when in the down position.