[FONT="]Hi All, This is my first post here. I came in hopes of getting some better answers to the following question I have. I am wanting to buy a new outboard for my 3500 lb Corsair 31 trimaran. Any opinions or experience on the following two similar outboards? Both are 4 stroke engines, with e-start, have 25" shafts and both have very similar power output, but there are some major differences.
The Tohatsu 9.8 has a carbureted 200+cc (smaller) engine and a 80 watt alternator and at 95 lbs is a savings of about 17 pounds over the 9.9 engine.
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[FONT="]The light weight is very nice but I wonder if the smaller engine is higher stressed?
This carb version is easier to fix than EFI in the field but might be more of maintenance issue.
The smaller 80 watt alternator may be adequate, I am not sure.
The 9.8 costs a few hundred dollars less than the 9.9.
The Tohatsu 9.9 has an Electronic Fuel Injection 300+cc engine (same block at the 15 & 20HP), a 145 watt alternator and at a listed 112 lbs weighs 17 lbs more than the 9.8.
The EFI is attractive if it does not break down and will likely give better mpg. Is the Tohatsu EFI reliable?
The 145 watt alternator is also attractive.
The larger engine makes me think it will be less stressed and maybe last longer than the smaller 9.8.
The 9.9 costs a few hundred dollars more than the 9.8.
What are your opinions between the two engines and the points I listed above?
Should I expect one to last longer and be more reliable than the other?
I think its interesting that Tohatsu makes these two very similar HP output engines in their product line and I wonder why?
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Thank you for any light you can shed on this comparison.
Steve
The Tohatsu 9.8 has a carbureted 200+cc (smaller) engine and a 80 watt alternator and at 95 lbs is a savings of about 17 pounds over the 9.9 engine.
[/FONT]
[FONT="]The light weight is very nice but I wonder if the smaller engine is higher stressed?
This carb version is easier to fix than EFI in the field but might be more of maintenance issue.
The smaller 80 watt alternator may be adequate, I am not sure.
The 9.8 costs a few hundred dollars less than the 9.9.
The Tohatsu 9.9 has an Electronic Fuel Injection 300+cc engine (same block at the 15 & 20HP), a 145 watt alternator and at a listed 112 lbs weighs 17 lbs more than the 9.8.
The EFI is attractive if it does not break down and will likely give better mpg. Is the Tohatsu EFI reliable?
The 145 watt alternator is also attractive.
The larger engine makes me think it will be less stressed and maybe last longer than the smaller 9.8.
The 9.9 costs a few hundred dollars more than the 9.8.
What are your opinions between the two engines and the points I listed above?
Should I expect one to last longer and be more reliable than the other?
I think its interesting that Tohatsu makes these two very similar HP output engines in their product line and I wonder why?
[/FONT]
Thank you for any light you can shed on this comparison.
Steve