2017 Tohatsu 15 HP MFS15DEFS Outboard Motor

The 2017 Tohatsu MFS15DEFS pairs the same 15 HP four-stroke engine with a 15-inch short shaft and electric start, sized for a lower-transom boat than the long-shaft MFS15DEFL is meant for.

Matching shaft to transom

Short-shaft outboards like this one suit smaller jon boats and skiffs along with larger inflatables, plus sailboat auxiliary and trolling setups, since a 15-inch shaft keeps the anti-ventilation plate at the right depth. Steering is tiller-only, and trim and tilt are manual.

Engine details

This carbureted two-cylinder engine displaces 351cc and is rated for saltwater use, sending power through a 2.15:1 gear ratio to a three-blade aluminum propeller sized for the short-shaft setup. A 12V 145W 12A alternator supports the electric starter, and a 3.1-gallon external tank feeds the engine through a quick-connect fuel line.

What's included

Tohatsu rounds out the DEFS with the fuel tank, its quick-connect line, the propeller, a printed manual, a tool kit, and five years of factory coverage. The same accessory set carries across the DEFL, DL, and DS variants of this engine, so the shaft and starting method are really the only things to decide between.

Common questions

Will this fit a boat built for the long-shaft version? No, shaft length should match transom height, so the short and long builds are not interchangeable without changing the mount. Is the gear ratio different from the long-shaft model? No, both run 2.15:1.

Specifications