Tohatsu 3.5HP MFS3.5CS Outboard Motor

This is Tohatsu's 3.5HP four-stroke portable outboard, the MFS3.5CS, built on a 15-inch shaft with manual tiller steering and a single-cylinder, 86cc carbureted engine. At 41 lbs, it is light enough to lift onto a transom or dinghy by hand.

Who it suits

Small boats, inflatables and sailboats that need a lightweight kicker motor are the main fit for an engine this size and weight, rather than anything needing sustained higher-speed running.

Before you buy

Check that a 15-inch shaft matches your transom height, since that measurement cannot be adjusted once the engine is mounted. A four-point vibration absorption system in the mounts is built in to cut down on shake transmitted into the hull.

Handling and storage

The cowl is shaped with front and back handles for one-person carrying, and the engine can be stored in more than one position without spilling oil; follow the owner's manual for the exact storage and transport steps.

What to expect in daily use

A small, single-cylinder engine like this needs less warm-up than a larger four-stroke, and its light weight makes it easy to tilt up for beach launches or shallow approaches.

Specifications

The engine is single-cylinder at 86cc, uses carburetor induction, and reaches full throttle between 5000 and 6000 rpm. Starting is manual pull-start only, with no electric start option on this configuration.

Common question

Does this engine have electric start? No, it is pull-start only; Tohatsu covers it under a 5-year warranty regardless.