2017 Tohatsu 15 HP MFS15DS Outboard Motor

The 2017 Tohatsu MFS15DS is the short-shaft, manual-start build in Tohatsu's 15 HP four-stroke line, sized with a 15-inch shaft for boats with a lower transom and a rope-pull start rather than a key.

Why choose the short shaft

Larger jon boats, skiffs, and bigger inflatables with a lower transom height are the typical fit for a 15-inch shaft; mounting a short-shaft motor on a tall transom leaves the propeller running too shallow. Tiller steering and manual trim and tilt come standard. This short-shaft, manual-start combination is one of four ways Tohatsu packages the same 15 HP engine, alongside long-shaft and electric-start options.

Engine and options

Like the DEFS and DL variants, this is a 351cc, two-cylinder carbureted, saltwater-rated engine running a 2.15:1 gear ratio and a three-blade aluminum propeller. Charging capability is not built in on this base model; an alternator exists as an add-on that a dealer installs separately rather than something that ships wired in.

What's included

Tohatsu throws in a 3.1-gallon external tank, its quick-connect line, the propeller, an owner's manual, a tool kit, and a five-year factory warranty with this motor.

Common questions

Can I add electric start later? This model is built for manual start; an electric-start short-shaft version is sold as a separate model. Does the alternator come preinstalled? No, it needs separate installation.

Specifications