So who is using what engine in there 235 and are you pleased with it ??

I have the Honda 6hp 4 stroke.L/S
It is very heavy, needs a big pull to start it. Tick over is not smooth. The charging is not very strong. But it does the job and has never let me down.

I would not buy another one.....

Paul Burton.

Parker 235/ 40 Lady Penelope...

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Paul:

I have the Tohatsu 6 and am very pleased with it.

I considered the Honda but wasn't convinced that 2 cylinders were actually any quieter than the single cylinder Tohatsu.

Charges fine, relatively light and cheaper too.

Stephen Godber
235/51 "Exodus"

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I originally had a 2-stroke Tohatsu 5hp saildrive that started first pull, idled well and was quite light. But it seemed very noisy at anything more than the lowest throttle settings, was a bit smokey at times, and was not quite powerful enough to push the 235 into stronger winds.
So I traded it in (excellent deal at SBS) for a 4-stroke Tohatsu 6hp saildrive. First impressions are that the 4-stroke is not much quieter and it is certainly heavier although not unreasonably so. I am still running the new engine in so I do not yet know if I will actually notice the extra 1hp – but it does seem more economical.

Both engines, at higher revs, charge the battery a little, and both are small enough that the boat can be sailed with them lifted - my 6hp engine does not have the integral fuel tank so the cover is lower than some versions that foul the tiller when lifted.


David Pocock
Parker 235/52 Arawa

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I have the 6HP 4 stroke Tohatsu sail drive, being a single cylinder makes quite a difference in the weight. I would not like to have to lift in the Honda twin cylinder unit. A friend of mine has one. It is way to heavy for one person to be lifting about. I have been pleased with our unit. At fast cruising revs it pushes the boat at 5.5 knots in flat calm conditions. Flat out it will achieve a little over 6 knots. The problem comes when you need to punch the tide and wind or in a steep chop. A steep chop will slow you down to about 2.5 to 3 knots and if this is against a running tide, you get nowhere. Having said that, you cannot expect to get the thrust of a 20hp engine from a unit that you can lift in and out. As with all things, its a compromise. I have on the whole been pleased with the Tohatsu, it is now 5 years old and is as good as new. Do not forget to change the water impeller each year, I did and had cooling problems. My own fault, lesson learned etc.

Graham Ebb
235 / 25 Blue Jazz

I also have the 6HP LS Honda. Overall it has been OK, but is heavy and not quiet. Charging is fine, mainly because the previous owner upgraded the connections in the system to reduce losses. I did have one "interesting" moment last year when it refused to start as we returned to the marina. (Later diagnosed that the in gear start prevention system had slipped. It was a bit exciting arriving onto a pontoon under sail, but no damage done.

Graeme Parker

235 no 22 "Gentoo"

I have put my Honda on ebay ....see if it meets my reserve.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws...Name=STRK:MESE:IT&ih=017 

If it sells I will see what deals are about on the Tohatsu in the spring....or at the boat show....

Paul Burton.

Parker 235/ 40 Lady Penelope...

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Paul - definitely best deals at boat show - I missed ordering at Southampton in 2006 and waited until London Show. The deals come from Tohatsu to the dealers, so their hands are somewhat tied.

Retail on my 6hp Tohatsu Saildrive was £997, I got it for £879, so I saved £118.

I got free delivery too (as I bought another 6hp for my tender).

You don't actually have to visit the show, just contact Jamie Parker who's a director of Extreme Marine on 07967 023610. He was really helpful, in fact I spoke to him last October and he said wait till the Show, then he rang me on Jan 2nd with the offers.

Do mention my name, he'll remember me from Mull!


Stephen Godber
235/51 "Exodus"

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Well my service last year was about £150 so add that to the selling price my Honda I'm not that far off a new Tohatsu..

Paul Burton.

Parker 235/ 40 Lady Penelope...

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Hi Paul,Also bought mine from Extreme Marine £930.00
including delivery to Parkers.
Welcome back to Rutland Water.

Be Be 235/49

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Thanks David.....been sailing today...was good..

Paul Burton.

Parker 235/ 40 Lady Penelope...

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Paul,

The Tohatsu 6HP on 235/48 (soon to be mine!) was bought from FAIRWEATHER MARINE (www.fairweathermarine.
com ) for £904.01 in January of this year (the original motor having been stolen and, believe it or not, it did include delivery at £21.28 +VAT !

Chris Cobb

Sold the Honda.... looking for a deal on a Tohatsu...

Paul Burton.

Parker 235/ 40 Lady Penelope...

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I also had a Honda 2 cylinder 6, started well and was economical but was heavy and my wife couldn't start it. Sold it and got one of the last 2cyl Tohatsu 8hp 2 strokes, which weighs only 26kg. It is plenty powerful enough, however it is more noisy, less economical and needs to be revved a little to deliver any power. I think the propeller was under pitched and have bought a new one for next season. However the main objective was to have an engine my wife could start if I was overboard or incapacitated and this has been achieved.

Unfortunately this is not much use to most people as you cannot get them new anymore.

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Not sure my wife would see that as an advantage James....!!!!!

Stephen Godber
235/51 "Exodus"

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A common theme of any discussion about engines is noise. I am trying an experiment to box in the outboard in an attempt to reduce the noise from my Tohatsu 6hp.

I bought a strong plastic box (for £10 from Ikea) that has reinforced edges and corners. Upside down, it fits perfectly across the outboard well when the engine is lowered. As a bonus, it matches the colour of the grey topsides, and makes an excellent cockpit table.

Used like this, it reduces the engine noise in the cockpit a fair bit, and I have not yet made a cut-out for the motor’s handle – which prevents the box sitting absolutely flat and so lets noise out. Unsurprisingly, there is no difference to the amount of engine noise below.

The next step is to insulate the box with sound-deadening foam (£12 from SBS) and see if that makes a significant difference. I am aware that some ventilation holes will be needed but I will add these by trial and error, and the space around the motor’s handle will let some air in. With the cut-out it is still possible to use the throttle, but the box has to be lifted (no problem) to use the gear lever.

I might be wasting my time but nothing ventured nothing gained. I will report back next season when my boat is in the water again.




David Pocock
Parker 235/52 Arawa

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I have been getting quotes for a new Tohatsu 6hp saildrive.

Looking like Extreme are coming out on top.

Don't know whether to order now or wait until Jan ....???

You will have to post some pictures of your "sound box" David sounds interesting.

Paul Burton.

Parker 235/ 40 Lady Penelope...

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Paul - Jamie at Extreme advised me last November to wait to order in January, as Tohatsu can help his price with boatshow offers.

He even rang me on 2nd Jan with the show price, which was about £30 better than he had been able to offer in the November.

Worth waiting I think!


Stephen Godber
235/51 "Exodus"

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Will probably be worth waiting till the boat shows are on. You can usually get the same deals as the show by phone rather than having to visit the show. We got about £100.00 reduction in price and free delivery from Fairweather Marine Ltd, Fareham. Tel: 01329 823927. It was a few years ago now but, might be worth a call.

Graham Ebb
235/25 Blue Jazz

Another vote for Extreme. I have bought 4 engines off them in the past 3 years (1 trade-in) and I have been completely satisfied with prices and service.

David Pocock
Parker 235/52 Arawa

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I've ordered it.....the wife had her eye on the cash for Christmas presents...

Coming Friday from Extreme...I did mention you Stephen and he did remember you...

I am told it comes without any oil.....what oil will I need...?

Paul Burton.

Parker 235/ 40 Lady Penelope...

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