2018 Tohatsu 5 Hp MFS5CL Outboard Motor

This new 2018 Tohatsu MFS5CL pairs a 5-hp, single-cylinder, 123cc four-stroke with a 20-inch long shaft, tiller steering, and manual start. A 3.1-gallon external tank with a quick-connect fuel line ships with the motor.

Where a 20-inch 5-hp fits

The longer shaft here suits taller transoms than Tohatsu's 15-inch version of this same 5-hp engine, which is the main thing to check before ordering. Once sized correctly, it works well as main power on jon boats, skiffs and inflatables, and just as well as auxiliary power on a sailboat or as a trolling "kicker" behind a larger fishing boat's main outboard.

Construction details worth knowing

This engine runs a sealed digital ignition system, pairs a low-oil warning light with an automatic over-rev cutout, and leans on marine-grade metals, a stainless pump-housing liner and zinc-coated passages among them, to resist saltwater corrosion over time. A twist-grip throttle with tension control, an integrated carrying handle, and a forward-mounted gear shift selector round out the control layout, and the motor can sit in several storage positions.

• Displacement: 123cc (7.5 cubic inches)
• Full throttle: 4,500-5,500 rpm
• Gear ratio: 2.15:1

What's in the box? The 3.1-gallon tank, the quick-connect line, a 3-blade aluminum propeller, and the printed manual with its tool kit. Shaft length? 20 inches.

Specifications