Tahotsu Reliabilty

[swamp snorkler]

I’m looking for opinions on a 70hp Tahotsu 2008 model year. It's powering a 17' Carolina Skiff DLX. From what I've read lots of folks run the hell out of them with no problems, really haven't seen anything bad. I just wanted to get some real world opinions from folks who run them before I get serious about buying this boat.

[breambuster]

Have you ever been in a carolina skiff? They will beat you to death.... shallow draf and very stable but a very rough and wet ride. I would definitely test ride it and make sure it has a slight chop when you do. Good luck!

[Bumfisherman]

I had one and they are absolutely bullet proof engines. If I am correct they are the largest manufacturer of outboards worldwide. I would buy another one in a heartbeat.

[swamp snorkler]

Originally Posted by breambuster

Have you ever been in a carolina skiff?
They will beat you to death.... shallow draf and very stable but a very rough and wet ride. I would definitely test ride it and make sure it has a slight chop when you do. Good luck!

Sure have, when I was a teen my boss let me use his on my own free will. He had a J16 with a 30 HP Tahotsu. That thing would float in spit. He never had problem with his engine.

[SuperDave]

Had a 40 TLDI on my flats skiff and thing worked great! It would run forever on 12 gallons of gas.

[CajunChristian]

Swamp: I would suggest a water pressure gauge on ANY outboard. I raced for the Tohatsu factory from 1992-1999. I raced a "Stock" 50hp, carbbed tohatsu. Our rule was a total weight of 750 pounds after the race. I was allowed to tack weld the crankshaft and add plastic reeds, nosecone the gearcase, NOTHING else, no low water pickups not a scratch inside the motor. My race motor would pump 9 pounds of water pressure at 6000 rpm. When I got the boat up and flying, it would turn 7400 rpm and the water pressure would drop to 1/2 pound. I ran the Parker Marathon with this motor. Parker is 40 laps of a 4.1 mile course, A 10 minute pit stop mandatory. I ran this engine for 160 miles at 1/2 pound of water pressure, never hurt the motor.
When I set the KILO record, Tohatsu sent me 3 engines to sacrifice to get the Kilo record. The kilo is set up where you have 1 mile to get up to speed, hit the traps and run 1 kilo, 1/2 mile to shut down. You must run the kilo 3 times with the same engine, 2 in 1 direction and 1 in the other direction, all within a specified time period. You cannot tune on the engine between runs. I hit the trap at about 1/4 pound of water pressure turning 7600 rpm. Ran the kilo for 3 runs and then the motor seized up from overheating. So that motor ran for about 7 miles at or below 1/4 pound of water pressure before seizing. Racing for Tohatsu of Japan, I set every world speed record for the "Formula 50" Class in APBA. Our class allowed ANY outboard 50hp of 45 cubic inches or less. So I raced against HydroTec's Yamahas, the old 2 cylinder 50hp OMC, the old 4 cylinder Merc's. By the time the class died, Yamaha was allowed to cut their tuners almost off, run 25 pounds lighter, change carbs, and they still couldn't catch the tohatsu's. So yes, I would have to say they are tough units. Here is a pic of my boat during the KILO run. Notice how there is NOTHING in the water? I had to raise the motor fairly high to turn a 12" diameter 23 pitch cleaver 7400 rpm.
And that 70 can be made to really scream.

[swglenn]

There is a lot of talk in the Tohatsu forums about removing the restriction plate in a 40 HP and making it a 50 HP. Some say it works, others point out the intake and ECM are different part numbers. Does anyone know if this works and can prove it with before and after GPS performance?

[Top Dawg]

Pulling the restrictor may give a small boost but you will not turn it into a true 50 unless you change the ecm

[SuperDave]

Originally Posted by swglenn

There is a lot of talk in the Tohatsu forums about removing the restriction plate in a 40 HP and making it a 50 HP. Some say it works, others point out the intake and ECM are different part numbers. Does anyone know if this works and can prove it with before and after GPS performance?

Here. You. Go.

http://www.internetoutboards.com/PartDetail.asp?id=1049

Originally Posted by Top Dawg

Pulling the restrictor may give a small boost but you will not turn it into a true 50 unless you change the ecm

Correct.

[Natural Light Kid]

I had one a couple years ago. I ran it as a 40 and checked it on a gps. While on the water, I removed the restrictor plate. When I checked it again, I gained 2-3 mph. This was as apples to apples as I could get. Same day, same water, same conditions. This was on a 16/50 flat bottom.

[CajunChristian]

Originally Posted by Natural Light Kid

I had one a couple years ago. I ran it as a 40 and checked it on a gps. While on the water, I removed the restrictor plate. When I checked it again, I gained 2-3 mph. This was as apples to apples as I could get. Same day, same water, same conditions. This was on a 16/50 flat bottom.

Our general rule for performance is that it takes 5 hp to gain 1 mph.
D

[boben1968]

The tuner is different on the 50 TLDI also !!