Tohatsu 20HP MFS20EEFTL Outboard Motor

Tohatsu markets the MFS20EEFTL as the lightest design in its 20 hp class: tiller control, an electric starter with a rope kept as backup, a 20-inch shaft, and a weight of 118 lbs, with notably low vibration felt at the handle.

Two ways to get it running

Carrying an electric starter plus a pull cord in reserve means a flat battery doesn't strand the boat; pull the rope instead and the engine runs the same. Tiller control keeps throttle and shift at the motor, which keeps the rigging simple on a boat without a console.

Efficiency and fit

Tohatsu's EFI system here is built to stretch fuel at wide-open throttle, by the maker's figure, up to 50% farther than a comparable carbureted engine on the same tank. The 20-inch shaft should match your transom; a two-cylinder, 333cc block pulls the throttle up near 6,100 rpm, and the engine carries a 5-year Tohatsu warranty.

Q: What if the starter battery dies on the water? Rely on the rope backup; it works independent of the electrical side entirely.

Q: Is this really the lightest in its class? That's how Tohatsu positions this design within the 20 hp category.

Q: Does the tiller handle double as the throttle? Yes, twisting the tiller grip controls throttle on this configuration, along with the shift lever built into the same handle.