Tohatsu 15HP | MFS15EL

The Tohatsu MFS15EL is a tiller-steered 15 hp four-stroke with manual rope start and a 20-inch shaft, built for boats where the operator sits at the transom rather than a remote helm. At 97 lbs it stays light enough for one person to mount or remove without a hoist.

Shaft length and steering

Match the 20-inch shaft to the boat's transom height before ordering; a shaft that runs too long or too short changes how deep the propeller sits and affects handling. Tiller steering keeps throttle, shift, and steering all at the motor rather than a console, which simplifies rigging on a small boat and leaves nothing to wire through the hull.

What comes with it

• Propeller
• External fuel tank (3.1 gallons)
• Fuel line hose
• Service tool kit and parts
• Stop-switch lanyard
• Owner's manual

Having the tank and hose in the box means this motor is set to run once fuel is added, unlike the console-steer versions in the lineup that leave the tank and line as separate purchases. A 333cc two-cylinder EFI block supplies the power, topping out somewhere between 5,400 and 6,100 rpm at full throttle.

Q: Can I start it without pulling a cord? No, the MFS15EL is manual-start only; there is no battery or electric starter to maintain between trips.

Q: Is there a warranty? Yes, Tohatsu covers it for 5 years.