20 HP Tohatsu vs. Yamaha vs. Suzuki in a Highfield 310 CL

[Maybe A Dancer]

The Tohatsu is lighter and has a 5 year warranty vs the Yamaha at 3 years

Tohatsu seems to be higher regarded than the Yamaha.

All three EFI, electric plus pull start 15" shaft

Comments?

BEST !

RWS

 

[ttmott]

Tohatsu

 

[Blueone]

I just bought a Tohatsu based on price and the fact I had good luck with one a few years ago.
Weight and warranty is important as well

 

[Strecker25]

I bought the Suzuki because they had it in white. So far so good with about 120 hours on it in a couple seasons. I did have to check the valves at 50 hours but it’s an easy job, the rest is just fluids. It is absolutely silent running but I’d expect they all are nowadays. Mine is pull start so it’s very light as well

 

[Maybe A Dancer]

Never had a hard bottom dink.

Never had anything over 9 HP

Never had electric start, bilge pump or a battery onboard

Will add a battery disconnect and separate in line fuel filter/water separator.

Assuming I DO NOT need electric trim.

Is this assumption correct?

BEST !

RWS

 

[Jus Cruisin]

I think Mercury rebrands the small tohatsu. I'd rather look at that.

 

[Shaps]

I think Mercury rebrands the small tohatsu. I'd rather look at that.

Agreed. I think 20hp and under mercury outboards are rebranded tohatsu. ( might even be 25hp and under)

 

[Maybe A Dancer]

I've been told all the smaller Mercurys have been built by Tohatsu for quite some time now but with a different tiller and cowling.

 

[Strecker25]

You do not need electric trim. Add the Hurley trim tabs designed for the Highfield. They really help plane at low speed especially with a couple of people on board. I considered adding a spin on water separator in the forward fuel locker, but this Suzuki has an easily drainable water separating filter under the cowl so I didn’t bother.

 

[Blueone]

The Tohatsu is lighter and has a 5 year warranty vs the Yamaha at 3 years

Tohatsu seems to be higher regarded than the Yamaha.

All three EFI, electric plus pull start 15" shaft

Comments?

BEST !

RWS

I don’t think electric start is important. With efi the thing will start right up. Then you are lighter and one less battery to deal with every year
Same with electric tilt once you find the right position you never touch it again

 

[Maybe A Dancer]

I'm on board with no need for electric trim/tilt.

Really want the electric start to assist while I get old (but not dead ........ YET .........) and the battery will be hooked up to an all around light and electric bilge pump, which for me is important, especially as I have seen the current airfloor/airkeel dink take on water when running at plane - YES i had the drain plug out.

I do have a cover, but it's a PITA.

I will cover when not using it and when its on the home dock but for a long weekend out, no thanks. That swim platform on the 450 is far too narrow to allow me access all the way around. On an extended trip, of course I will cover it.

Hopefully the new hard bottom Highfield will ride higher than the air keel Achilles, reducing the propensity to take on water.

BEST !

RWS

 

[Strecker25]

Are you getting the console as well, or using a tiller? The console adds a fair bit of weight but gives a nice place to hide the battery.

FWIW I step into ours on the h20 to cover it. I try to limit movement and step over where the davits are, but I haven’t broken it yet.

 

[Maybe A Dancer]

Tiller

For me the helm is far too little juice for the squeeze.

Then there's all that extra weight

The H30 is a different design with more of the weight centered over a smaller area.

Really hoping I don't have to add the extension - ugh !

Currently wrapping up the negotiations.

Based on all I've read and CSR member recommendations, deleted the Yamaha and going with a white Tohatsu, 20 HP electric start..................... 5 year warranty vs. 3 is an additional bonus !

BEST !

RWS

 

[Strecker25]

Tiller

For me the helm is far too little juice for the squeeze.

Then there's all that extra weight

The H30 is a different design with more of the weight centered over a smaller area.

Really hoping I don't have to add the extension - ugh !

Currently wrapping up the negotiations.

Based on all I've read and CSR member recommendations, deleted the Yamaha and going with a white Tohatsu, 20 HP electric start..................... 5 year warranty vs. 3 is an additional bonus !

BEST !

RWS

Good call, I think the white looks great and shouldn’t be quite as hot in that Florida sun.

 

[Blueone]

FWIW I step into ours on the h20 to cover it. I try to limit movement and step over where the davits are, but I haven’t broken it yet.

I do the same.. a little precarious leaning over the side to get the cover on....since you are relying on the straps

 

[Maybe A Dancer]

Not too sure I'd stand on that dink on the H30 . . . . .

 

[Blueone]

Here is mine…… I’m not going to hang out in there….. I just need to slip the cover over the rear of the tube

 

[Maybe A Dancer]

Appears the hard bottom rides up higher than the air floor/keel.

And it doesn't bend like my Achilles does !

BEST !

RWS

 

[Strecker25]

Definitely. We had an airfloor prior and it sat much lower.

 

[ocgrant]

You do not need electric trim. Add the Hurley trim tabs designed for the Highfield. They really help plane at low speed especially with a couple of people on board. I considered adding a spin on water separator in the forward fuel locker, but this Suzuki has an easily drainable water separating filter under the cowl so I didn’t bother.

I just installed a set of those. Looking forward to testing them in the Bahamas. Mine struggled to get on plan with 4 people.