2017 Tohatsu 9.8 HP MFS9.8BS Outboard Motor

The 2017 Tohatsu 9.8 HP MFS9.8BS is the manual-start, short-shaft version of this engine, built around a 15-inch shaft and weighing just 81.5 lbs. Dropping electric start and the long shaft keeps this the lightest configuration in the 9.8 hp lineup covered here, which suits small skiffs, inflatables, and sailboats that want auxiliary power without extra pounds on the stern.

Rope start, tiller control

Starting is by manual pull cord only, so there's no battery dependency and no charging circuit unless you add the optional 12V alternator yourself afterward. Tiller steering with adjustable friction and a simple front-mounted shift lever keep the controls uncomplicated. The 15-inch shaft is meant for lower-transom boats; measure before buying so the propeller runs at the right depth in the water, since a shaft that's too long or too short both hurt how the boat performs.

Construction and running

This is a carbureted, water-cooled twin-cylinder four-stroke rated for saltwater use, with a three-blade aluminum propeller fitted as standard. A quiet, fuel-efficient ride is part of what the 9.8 hp line is built around, and this short-shaft, manual-start version is the simplest, lightest way into it, with no alternator weight added at the factory.

Does it include a fuel tank? Yes, an external tank with a quick-connect fuel line.

Warranty? Tohatsu covers this engine for 5 years.

Specifications