2018 Tohatsu 20 Hp MFS20EL Outboard Motor

The 2018 Tohatsu MFS20EL keeps EFI delivery and the 20-inch long shaft but drops electric start for a manual rope pull, eased by a built-in decompression device. With no electric starter, there's also no alternator fitted, keeping the motor simpler and lighter than its electric-start EFI siblings in the same lineup.

Manual start on an EFI engine

Fuel injection usually pairs with electric start across this family, so the MFS20EL stands out for combining EFI's fuel delivery with rope starting instead; if you want charging capability for house batteries, this isn't the version that provides it, since no alternator ships with it at all. The rated range still runs 5,000 up to 6,000 rpm.

Fuel and fit

Its own tank, close to 3 gallons or 12 liters, handles fuel through a dedicated hose, and an aluminum propeller comes along for the ride up front; manual and tool kit ship bagged separately. Match the 20-inch shaft to your transom before ordering, and know the engine is cleared for saltwater.

Q: Does it charge a battery while running? No, this manual-start version ships without an alternator, so any onboard electronics need their own separate power source.

Tohatsu's 5-year warranty covers the MFS20EL. Without a battery or starter circuit to maintain, upkeep here is mostly mechanical: fresh fuel, a clean plug, and attention to the water pump impeller on a normal service schedule.

Specifications