Spotlight: Tohatsu 60hp four-stroke outboard engine

For example, many of the smaller outboard engines in the Mercury Marine stable are actually made by Tohatsu. Select BRP Evinrude engines and the entire Nissan outboard engine range (not sold locally) were also made by Tohatsu before both brands ceased operating.

Tohatsu also has a tie-up with Honda, although the relationship between these two companies has Honda making outboard engines for Tohatsu; the high-powered 150hp, 200hp, 225hp, and 250hp Tohatsu four-strokes are all badge-engineered Hondas.

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Right now you can also buy 100hp and 115hp Honda-made Tohatsu four-stroke outboard engines sizes. However, they are set to be replaced with the all-new Tohatsu 75hp, 90hp, 100hp and 115hp motors revealed late in 2020 and just now tricking into Australia.

We have yet to sample one of the brand new mid-range Tohatsu four-strokes, but we have sea-trialed the smaller 60hp model and this wonderful outboard engine rivals the best-selling brands in this market segment for technology, performance, economy.

Launched in 2019, the Tohatsu 60hp - dubbed the MFS60A - is a tweaked, uprated version of the popular Tohatsu 40/50hp four-stroke outboard engines; it has an identical 866cc displacement and single overhead camshaft configuration, but with three valves per cylinder instead of two, and roller rockers to reduce friction and improve throttle response.

Similar to the smaller motors upon which it is based, Tohatsu's 60hp has been winning over boaters and anglers with its excellent performance and feature set.

Here are the top five things we like about this diminutive - but punch-packing - little engine.

The Tohatsu 60hp has a relatively small capacity engine, displacing 866cc - as opposed to around 1000cc for most of its rivals.

The Tohatsu also has a three-cylinder engine block whilst competitors Mercury and Yamaha use an in-line four-cylinder configuration.

Despite being the smallest-capacity motor in its class, we found the Tohatsu to be quite a gutsy motor; it performs solidly from idle through to a 6000rpm wide-open throttle.

Our most recent experience of the Tohatsu 60hp four-stroke outboard engine involved testing a pair of these smooth-running units mounted on the back of a 5.3-metre Makocraft centre console.

Dual outboard-engined craft in this size range are rare, so it was fascinating to put the Makocraft/twin Tohatsu 60hp combination through its paces.

Underway, with repeated stop/start runs, acceleration and top speed tests, the twin 60hp Tohatsu outboard-powered Makocraft ran sweetly.

It was not super quick, topping out at just 29.5 knots, but the package had ample power through the midrange with excellent throttle response.

We were also able to get the boat to plane on one engine (with the standard propeller), demonstrating that these new Tohatsu 60s have excellent mid-range torque despite their diminutive size.

Ultralight weight is another bonus for small boaters, particularly in dual-engine applications such as we experienced with the Makocraft 530.

The lightest version of the Tohatsu 60hp (standard 20-inch longshaft leg) weighs just 98.5kg. This is roughly 5.5kg less than the next lightest 60hp engine, the 104kg Suzuki DF60A.

Interestingly, the Tohatsu 60hp four-stroke is also 15 percent lighter than its old two-stroke equivalent, which shows how far four-stroke engine makers have come with regard to cutting weight.

The remaining 60hp four-stroke engines on the market are pretty close in weight. The Honda BF60 hits the scales at 110kg, while the Mercury 60hp weighs 112kg. The Yamaha F60 is the heaviest of the group at 113kg.

So, in a dual-engine application, fitting a pair of the 98.5kg Tohatsu 60s on the transom would save a substantial 29kg in weight when compared with dual Yamaha 60hp longshaft outboard engines.

A 29kg weight saving (in dual-engine applications) is not significant in higher power outboards, as these larger motors are fitted to bigger boats that can more easily carry the weight.

However, having less weight on smaller, lighter craft in the 4.8m-5.4m size range can certainly provide a boost to handling and performance.

I should note that all engine weights listed above were taken from specifications provided on each engine manufacturer's website. Further, I do not know whether these listed weights include engine oil or the propeller.  

Three-cylinder outboard engines are not always as smooth as their four-cylinder counterparts, but that isn't the case with the Tohatsu 60hp four-stroke.

As well as being surprisingly speedy, the Tohatsu 60hp is turbine-like smooth and economical.

This compact engine starts instantly before idling gently with virtually no shaking or smoking; it retains this smoothness up through the rev range.

Without a direct side-by-side comparison, I can't say whether the Tohatsu is smoother than the competition, but I would certainly put it on par with the more popular brands.

Boaters should have no complaints with fuel use, either. At a 6000rpm wide-open throttle, our test rig consumed a maximum of 18.0L/h on one engine while the fuel burn at 4000rpm was just 7.6L/h for the single unit.

The MSF60A will likely use a bit more fuel in single-engine applications, but the above figures provide some indication as to the fuel burn.

An excellent feature for anglers is Tohatsu's variable idle speed control. This allows you to dial the engine revs down to just 650 rpm to troll lures and baits at very slow speeds.

Minnow-style lures in particular often require little forward movement to achieve their best action through the water, so being able to set your boat to a slow troll (so that it is barely moving forward) can increase your catch rate.

This ability to adjust the idle speed on the fly up to 950rpm is by no means unique to Tohatsu, but not all engines in the class can dial the revs down as low as the Tohatsu's 650rpm.

The Tohatsu MFS60A is undeniably modern in design. The slim powerhead profile and angular cowling look contemporary, even futuristic.

The cowling shape is perhaps not as radical as some of the latest designs from Mercury and Yamaha (such as the V6/V8 Mercs and the alien/predator-looking Yamaha F425), but I reckon it blends function with fashion nicely. 

I particularly like the traditional Tohatsu aquamarine blue with the gold lettering (as tested), but you can also order this motor in the optional beluga white.

This latest tech engine has lots of other great features and functions.

Some of the key features include a built-in freshwater flushing port (no need to run the outboard engine to flush it); a 21-amp high-output alternator; a low gear ratio for improved low-end torque; adjustable steering friction and trim tab; a side-mount canister oil filter, bowl fuel filter, and easy access dip-stick for servicing; stainless steel water pump housing; the option for a multifunction tiller handle; and visible warnings for low oil, low battery power and overheating.

The MFS60A is available from Tohatsu dealers throughout Australia. Pricing starts from $9780 plus rigging kit and installation but includes a propeller and a portable fuel tank.

Specifications
Model: Tohatsu MFS60A
Engine type: Four-stroke SOHC 9-valve
Cylinders: In-line 3-cyl
Displacement: 866cc
Bore x stroke: 70mm x 75mm
Maximum output: 60hp
Operating range: 5000–6000rpm
Fuel delivery: EFI
Weight: 98.5kg (lightest model)
Shaft length: 508mm (20-inch), 635mm (25-inch) with extension kit
Alternator: 12V-21A
Trim method: Power trim/tilt
Gear ratio: 2.08:1
Oil capacity: 2.4L
Servicing: Annually/100 hours
Emissions rating:  CARB 3-star
Warranty: 3 + 2 years (recreational use)