Small outboard motor recomendations

[marlyn]

Im going to be looking to repower my 12' gregor with a 15hp,does anyone have any insight into which brands in that HP range?I know some are the same motor just branded differently?I think tohatsu builds like five brands in their factory that are all basically the same in the under 30hp category.My mariner runs perfect and starts first pull but its a 2 smoke and i dont want to be restricted by lakes requiring a 4 stroke.

 

[pacificscout]

My brother has a Honda and he is happy.
I like the Yamahas’.

 

[butcherboy]

You're right about Tohatsu. Bulletproof if maybe less refined. A 9.9 should be ok in 12 footer.

 

[ShadBurke]

Fuel injected whatever brand you feel most confident with. I prefer Yamaha but depending on shaft length, some manufacturers in that lower hp class do not have power trim tilt…

 

[tuner]

I run the Tohatsu 20hp EFI on my 12' Klamath. It runs like a champ and sips fuel. The short shaft is under 100lbs and does not require a battery. I have the electric start with charging, it adds about 10lbs

 

[plj46]

I have a Tohatsu 90 two stroke (i know not a smaller motor) and love it.Not a problem going on five years.Everything on that motor says "made in Japan"

 

[af dreamer]

2X Tohatsu!Tom

 

[cortezpirasea]

I ran a 20hp honda and it was great!

 

[MATTANZA]

when i worked at kettenburg marine , i sold a ton of tohatsus. absolutely great motors. no problems that i can remember.

 

[hbouldin1216]

have a Yamaha 25 efi on my 14 footer and my only complaint is that the tiller comes straight out of the engine, not offset at an angle. Depending on your seating set up, it can be awkward to drive. The Mercurys have an adjustable tiller offset that I wish I would have spent the extra money on. Even my old Evinrude that I replaced had the offset tiller and it was much more comfortable to run. The Yamaha does have an RPM adjuster where you can raise or lower the RPMs at idle with a push of a button to control your troll speed

 

[marlyn]

Since their is very little price and no weight difference between 15 and 20s im kind of leaning towards a 20hp now.

 

[One_Leg]

Some lakes have horsepower restrictions. Boaters have been known to place a bigger carb on the 9.9 HP Mercury to get 15 HP.