2018 Tohatsu 9.8 Hp MFS9.8BEFUL Outboard Motor

The 2018 Tohatsu 9.8 HP MFS9.8BEFUL is the ultra-long-shaft member of this family, running a 25-inch shaft for boats with unusually tall transoms, at about 92.6 lbs with electric start and manual trim and tilt. Tohatsu positions the 9.8 line as carrying every feature of its smaller 8 hp sibling plus a larger carburetor and propeller for more usable power.

Why a 25-inch shaft

Sailboats with deep auxiliary wells, houseboats, and some pontoon setups need a shaft this long to keep the propeller properly submerged; a shorter shaft on the same hull would cavitate or run partly out of the water. Measure your own transom carefully rather than guessing from the hull type, since this exact 25-inch figure is what matters here.

Power and handling

A twist-grip throttle with tension control pairs with a simple forward-neutral-reverse shifter, and steering friction is adjustable to taste. It carries a four-blade, high-thrust wheel rather than the three-blade prop used on shorter-shaft siblings, which helps push heavier, slower-moving boats. Cooling is thermostatically controlled and rated for saltwater, and the usual safety lanyard will cut the engine if you're thrown clear of the helm.

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

Coverage? A 5-year Tohatsu factory warranty applies.

Specifications