2017 Tohatsu 9.8 HP MFS9.8BL Outboard Motor

Skip the alternator and you get the 2017 Tohatsu 9.8 HP MFS9.8BL: a manual pull-start motor on a 20-inch shaft, tiller steering, and manual trim and tilt, weighing about 83.8 lbs. Dropping electric start is what keeps the weight down compared with the electric-start siblings in this same line, which suits boaters who don't need a charging circuit or simply prefer a rope start.

What manual start means for setup

Because this version skips electric start, the 12V alternator is optional and would need installing separately rather than arriving pre-wired. If you want lighting or a fish finder running off this motor, plan for that add-on alternator ahead of time rather than assuming it's already fitted. Shifting between forward, neutral and reverse happens through a simple lever up near the cowl, not a console.

Handling and fit

Tiller steering includes adjustable friction, and the 20-inch shaft is sized for standard transom heights rather than the extra-long or short variants in this line. It carries a three-blade aluminum propeller, runs on a single carburetor, and the cooling system is rated for saltwater use, so it tolerates coastal running without extra protection, and the wet-sump lubrication needs only routine oil changes to stay healthy.

What's in the box? The propeller, external fuel tank, quick-connect fuel line, tool kit, safety lanyard, and owner's manual.

Warranty length? 5 years from Tohatsu.

Specifications