Tohatsu 60HP | MFS60AETL

Either a tiller arm or a remote console can steer the MFS60AETL, Tohatsu's 60 hp, three-cylinder, 866cc four-stroke with electric start and a 20-inch shaft. At 215 lbs, it carries EFI induction and a full-throttle ceiling in the 5000-to-6000-rpm band.

How the engine gets its response

Paired intake valves per cylinder, piston crowns with an anodized finish, and a roller rocker arm reworked for this generation are what shape the throttle feel. A variable idle control lets idle speed be set anywhere from 650 up to 950 rpm, useful for trolling speeds, and the lower unit carries a flushing port built in so rinsing the block after a run does not need a separate flush kit hooked up by hand. A 21 amp alternator, rated for high output, backs a gear ratio biased toward low-end pull rather than top speed.

Picking a steering setup

Because this model is offered with tiller or remote mechanical steering, decide which one the boat is rigged for, or will be rigged for, before ordering; a tiller needs no console hardware, while remote steering calls for a helm and a cable run already installed.

Rounding out the package: power trim and tilt, plus a charging system, the service kit, a stop-switch lanyard and the owner's manual — all covered by Tohatsu's 5 year factory warranty.

Will the idle adjustment need a technician? It is a built-in control meant for the owner to use when trolling or docking, not a shop-only adjustment.

What size boat does this suit? 60 hp at this weight typically goes on pontoons, aluminum fishing boats and smaller center consoles.