Tohatsu or Merc

[aligatoe]

I am planning on entering D,stock in 2016.Which do our members think is the superior motor?The Tohatsu,52c.I. or Merc 44 XS.I have both available c/w a couple of props.I am more familiar with the Merc but have an open mind.The Merc is my gut choice.However,if the consensus is the Tohatsu is a stronger motor,that will be it.
Prices are comparable.
Pete

[Team B&H]

Do you race to have fun with friends or do you want to win? If the later, pick the Tohatsu assuming the Canadian rules are similar to APBA rules.

[aligatoe]

I have no friends and like to winCanadian rules for S.O. are APBA.

Thanks B& H
Pete

[Fastjack]

I have raced both engines in DSH.
Go with the 3 cyl- All parts are available new, and the Tohatsu is very dependable .

[aligatoe]

Thanks Fastjack.I,m scratching my head. Canadian rules are APBA.At least for S.O.

Pete

[glen wesanko]

Just bought a new Tohatsu last year and very happy with it. All parts are available new ! When was the last time you heard that ?

[bill hoctor]

SIDEWINDER !

[jeff55v]

The Tohatsu is 42.5 c.i. Not 52.
😊

[daveracerdsh]

The Tohatsu is almost bulletproof. All parts are available from either the mad Russian or your local Tohatsu dealer. A good 44XS is every bit as fast as a Tohatsu, but I had a hard time finding new parts for mine 8 years ago when I built my last 44XS....but they do sound cool!

[ram95]

Pete, get yourself a Tohatsu. I have 4 brand new ones sitting here. And thanks to a favorable exchange rate with J-pan they are now $6600. I keep all the powerhead parts and service manuals on hand.
Give me a call or email me.
Alex
ram95@myfairpoint.net
207-737-4570

[pops67g]

Don't forget that choosing the right boat means a great deal here. The Tohatsu is quite a bit heavier than the Merc and will not work well on the same DSH boat that works with the Merc. The bottom width is the key here. With the Merc a 36" bottom is perfect, however the Tohatsu has most of the increased weight above the transom which makes turning with the narrower bottom iffy at best.

[ram95]

What's most important right now Pete is to get you on the water... in a "D" rig. Pops67 is correct about hydro bottom width. The RAM50 weighs 138, the 44XS about 118. So, back to my first sentence... If you know of a good running D rig with a 44XS already on it with "credentials" (reliable, fast, driveable), you might give it some thought. I would discourage buying into something that "just needs" something (ie $$$), regardless of price. What you could end up spending over the next 3 years could easily buy you a new RAM50 and a new O'Connor D (Bob O'Connor 207-491-8144).
Get moving )

[Bipolarboater]

Ram95 is spot on.....

[DeanFHobart]

Pete, get yourself a Tohatsu. I have 4 brand new ones sitting here. And thanks to a favorable exchange rate with J-pan they are now $6600. I keep all the powerhead parts and service manuals on hand.
Give me a call or email me.
Alex
ram95@myfairpoint.net
207-737-4570

The Tohatsu's CrankShaft needs to be Spotwelded, to keep aligned.............. Not a big deal.

Just an FYI....................................

[LarryR]

ram95 can supply the engine already pre-welded crank (or not). It's true that the boat and prop are best chosen based on the engine that you chose. Bob O'Conner can build your boat for either choice.

[Art K]

I have 2 that have never been welded. One has six seasons on it,no problems. You go upside down with the welded crank and get water your going to at least have bent rods. Under normal race conditions they don`t seem to have problems.
Art K

[DeanFHobart]

Cool......................

[daveracerdsh]

Pops brought up a very valid point....the 44XS boats do not work well with the Tohatsu. It's not just a matter of weight, but also a matter of torque. I tried a few of my 44XS wheels on my new Tohatsu ride....and a 44 wheel that would do 80 would go nowhere with the new motor. The Tohatsu needs large wheels....it turns fewer rpms then a 44XS....which also creates a few boat handling issues, thus the need for a wider bottom. My first Tohatsu D stock got destroyed in a kilo accident in 2010, and I am now running my second boat....have made a few subtle changes to it over the years. As far as welding the crank? Art...you are lucky you have not had issues by not doing that. I am on my second motor, and during the 2014 racing season took a hard "hop" and unloaded the whole boat out of the water.....motor went to around 9k on the tach but kept running.. The next few races it did not seem to be all there....had good compression, you name it. After the race season I took it to my Tohatsu mechanic and had him check everything...the crank had twisted pretty bad, but he was able makes things true again. I would have ALL the journals welded. Just my 2 cents worth. Hamster rancher

[aligatoe]

Thanks guys.Lots of food for thought.I can pick up a decent running 44XS for reasonable money.I,m stepping from BSH (cornpopper) to SJ Tunnel(OPC) to D stock hydro.The D ,no matter the engine or boat will be a new ride for me.

Pete