Tohatsu 8HP | MFS8BL

Skipping electric start is what sets the MFS8BL apart from its MFS8BEFL sibling. The same two-cylinder, 209cc engine rated at 8 hp carries over, mounted on a 20-inch shaft with tiller-only control, but pull-start only, at a noticeably lighter 84 lbs, built to meet the US EPA and CARB 3-star emission standard.

What dropping the starter buys you

Without a starter motor or alternator to carry, this version stays lighter and simpler to maintain, suiting owners who want a dependable pull-start motor rather than one with electrical components that eventually need attention. The two-cylinder, SOHC design keeps the block compact for its output either way.

Standard equipment

Equipment here starts with the service tool kit and a stop switch lanyard, adds the propeller, and finishes with the fuel side of things: an external 3.1 gallon tank and its fuel line hose, plus the owner's manual.

Is a charging option available on this version? Not as standard; confirm with us whether an alternator can be added to this specific unit. Coverage runs 5 years.

How does this compare with the electric-start version? Both share the same two-cylinder, 209cc block and 8 hp rating; this one simply trades the starter and alternator for a lighter overall package.

What boats is this suited to? Small jon boats, inflatables and dinghies, plus use as a sailboat or trolling auxiliary where weight and simplicity matter most.