Tohatsu 15HP MFS15EEFL Outboard Motor

The Tohatsu MFS15EEFL brings electric start to the 15 hp tiller-steered line, adding a starter motor and a manual pull-cord backup on a 20-inch shaft and a two-cylinder EFI block. At 106 lbs it is heavier than a pure manual-start unit, with the extra weight coming from the starter and its wiring.

Electric start on a tiller motor

Electric start on a tiller model still needs a battery wired to the motor, even though steering and throttle stay at the engine rather than a console; plan for a battery box and cables when rigging a tiller boat for this version instead of assuming it bolts on exactly like the manual-only motor did.

Specifications to confirm against your transom

The 20-inch shaft pairs with a standard transom height, and this EFI engine climbs to a full-throttle band of 5,400 to 6,100 rpm from its 333cc displacement. Tohatsu's 5-year warranty carries over from the rest of the 15 hp range, and the motor is a two-cylinder design throughout.

Q: Will this run if the battery dies? Yes, the manual pull-cord backup means a dead or disconnected battery won't strand you out on the water.

Q: Does it need a console to steer? No, tiller control stays at the motor; only the starting method changed from rope-only, so rigging stays as simple as on the manual-start version.