Twin tohatsu/nissan TLDI 135s on bracket?

[KenB]

So I decided to pass on the hondas... it was a great deal but too much of a commitment too soon. I still have about a year's worth of work before I look at engines.

BUT twins got me thinking. I have heard good things about tohatsu TLDI (same technology license as optimax; merc gets 150 hp and above, Tohatsu gets 150 and below)) and I know there is a tohatsu 135 hp on the horizon. This is basically the same engine block as the old 140 (inline 4), but with the orbital low pressure oil injection/EFI. I was over in Japan last fall and was able to visit a few commercial fishing harbors. Everyone had yanmar and yamaha small block inboard diesels. The few big block outboards were either TLDI or Yammy 4s, with nothing over 150 hp. I did talk to one boat yard, and they were very actively pushing the TLDI, making a lot of the same points that the ETEC guys in the US make (i.e. weight, moving parts, ease of use, fuel economy, etc.)

SO my question is; aside from dealer network (which is not an issue for me in the northeast) and the fact that the don't actually exist yet, is there an obvious reason not to do twin 135s?

[whitly]

$

[Snookerd]

Those new TLDI 135's will get a serious look from me down the road as well. As my Merc mechanic states: Tohatsu is responsible for Mercury fixing the Optimax problems early in their release. Low pressure injection has many benefits. Great 2 stroke product at a lower than market price = big sales. Performance and weight is right there too.

[Ryank]

I had on a prior boat twin 150's switched after a year to a single 225, got better performance, and much better fuel #'s with the single, plus cheaper to replace one engine, then two and maintenance was half the cost. Just my 2C worth.

[Fr. Frank]

For trips within 25 miles of shore, a single engine is a better choice, IMHO, but, if you venture beyond normal VHF ship-to-shore range (24 miles assuming 8' antenna), two engines are better, whether they are paired twins, or main with auxiliary.

If you fish the Middle Grounds 85-105 miles off Florida's west coast, losing your only motor 1/3 of the way back is a major bummer, and a potentialy life-endangering event. Even a 15hp auxiliary on a 25' boat can bring you home from 60 miles out in about 10-12 hours. Much better than paying a commercial towing company $200 or more an hour to bring you back, assuming you're near enough to one of the Petrocom cell phone repeaters to call for help. And they charge up to $20 a minute to patch your call through.

I know TowBoat US will generally NOT come get your boat over 25 miles offshore because of their insurance coverages. SeaTow MAY come get your boat, but will likely invoke salvage fees on your insurance company or bill you for extraordinary costs, (which they may do by contract).

That's why I always have two engines; in my case a main and an auxiliary on both boats that go into the ocean.

• On the 20' Seafari: '06 90hp Optimax main and '84 Wards 15hp kicker.
  On the 17' Proline: '78 90hp I6 Merc main and '84 Suzuki 2hp kicker.

The Seafari runs about 8 mph at 80% throttle with the 15hp kicker, the Proline 5 mph at about 80% throttle with it's 2hp kicker. It's enough to get me home, or keep the bow into the seas in a storm. I also carry enough extra fuel to have a reserve of 45 minutes running time at cruise.

Finally, if you go out of sight of land, 406 EPIRB is a must.