2017 Tohatsu 20 HP MFS20DEFTS Outboard Motor (Power Tilt)

The 2017 Tohatsu MFS20DEFTS pairs a 15-inch short shaft with power tilt, electric start, and tiller steering on the 20 hp carbureted platform, built as the short-shaft, power-tilt option in the family. Tohatsu aims it at a heavier or larger skiff, jon boat, or inflatable where quick trim adjustment matters more than on a lighter hull.

Short shaft plus power tilt

Short-shaft motors suit lower transoms, and power tilt lets you trim the motor up for shallow water or down for running depth through five positions, with no manual lever to reach for. Confirm your transom height calls for a 15-inch shaft before ordering, since choosing power tilt doesn't change what shaft length fits your boat.

Engine and fuel

A twin-cylinder, 351cc carbureted engine spans 5,400 to 6,100 rpm at full throttle, fed by an externally mounted 3.1-gallon tank through a quick-connect line. The motor's built-in 145-watt alternator supports electric start and keeps a battery topped off.

Q: What boats is this sized for? Heavier or larger skiffs, jon boats, and inflatables that benefit from a short shaft and powered trim rather than a manual lever at the motor.

Tohatsu covers the MFS20DEFTS for 5 years, and the spec table on this page lists bore, stroke, and gear ratio in full. Keep the carburetor fed with fresh fuel rather than letting gas sit through an off-season, since stale fuel is the most common cause of hard starting on carbureted outboards.

Specifications