Thread: New 25hp Outboard Reviews?

Anyone have one of the recent model Tohatsu or Yamaha 25hp EFI 4 strokes? I'm looking to get one or the other but am having a hard time deciding and would appreciate some opinions. I'm looking for a short shaft electric start model. Would like trim but only Tohatsu offers that in the short model. It's also a hard choice because it's not really apples to apples between the two....the Tohatsu is a 3 cyl with more displacement and is about 45 lbs heavier. The Yamaha is much lighter but is only 2 cyl with less displacement and shares the platform as the F15/20. As I understand both have the variable rpm trolling setting, battery-less ignition, and EFI. Since Yamaha doesnt have trim in the short shaft models I got a quote from my local dealer for $3500 which results in $3815. Tohatsu with the same features is $4099 plus tax whatever that equates to. So Tohatsu is a good bit more (which surprised me) but they have a 5 year warranty vs the Yamaha 3 year. Tohatsu also comes standard with a larger multifunction tiller handle which would prob be better for a 1648 like I have with a decent size rear deck plus I'm running 6" of setback.

I don't think I could go wrong with either but I like to get all the info I can before making a big decision like this. I'm not going to act like price isn't a factor, because it is...but this will be my first ever brand new outboard purchase and one I will hopefully keep for a long time so I want to go with what I am happy with over saving a few hundred bucks. Also worth noting is I have two local lakes which have a 25hp restriction hence why I'm in the 25hp market.

I have a 50 Tohatsu. Recently upgraded from a 2018 20 hp Tohatsu. Two of the best running motors I've ever owned.
Course Yamaha is good too. That's their new design lightweight 25. Dont know much about it but i can promise the Tohatsu is a great motor.
I'm surprised the Tohatsu is more. When I bought my 20 the Yamaha 25 was $1000 more.

Originally Posted by SeaRay

I have a 50 Tohatsu. Recently upgraded from a 2018 20 hp Tohatsu. Two of the best running motors I've ever owned.
Course Yamaha is good too. That's their new design lightweight 25. Dont know much about it but i can promise the Tohatsu is a great motor.
I'm surprised the Tohatsu is more. When I bought my 20 the Yamaha 25 was $1000 more.

Yes the price disparity was surprising to me as well. Those 20hp Tohatsus are very nice little motors. A lot of guys around here run them on these restricted lakes due to how much cheaper they are than the 25hp. I think the same dealer advertises the 20hp as being $2999 so I can see how saving $1100 for 5 less hp is their reasoning. I'm wondering if the higher displacement and different gear ratio will allow the 25hp to hold a load a lot better though and turn a bigger prop. I run pretty light but my 1648 has enough room it can get heavy fast depending on the people.

I run a 2001 25 Tohatsu and it runs like a champ! I did have to have the head gasket replaced this year but after 19 years, I'm not complaining about that. My dad had a 25 Yamaha back in the 80's that was HORRIBLE! I mean EVERY time we took it out, we were either paddling back or getting towed back! So I have a bad taste for Yamahas although dad's was probably a lemon. One other thing I have heard is Tohatsus are very easy to work on compared to other motors. I know this doesn't really answer your questions but just wanted to give my input on the 2 different brands.

Originally Posted by shadow

I run a 2001 25 Tohatsu and it runs like a champ! I did have to have the head gasket replaced this year but after 19 years, I'm not complaining about that. My dad had a 25 Yamaha back in the 80's that was HORRIBLE! I mean EVERY time we took it out, we were either paddling back or getting towed back! So I have a bad taste for Yamahas although dad's was probably a lemon. One other thing I have heard is Tohatsus are very easy to work on compared to other motors. I know this doesn't really answer your questions but just wanted to give my input on the 2 different brands.

Thanks Shadow.

Forgot to mention, I run my 25 Tohatsu on a 15' X 44" Express aluminum boat so I don't see any problems pushing your boat. Also forgot to mention, I had mine turned into a 30 instead of a 25 (had restrictor plate removed) I run between 26 and 28 mph whether empty or loaded down.

I see Zuki makes a 15'' 25 EFI/ power/tilt electric start I don't have one, I have a 9.9efi Zuki kicker that is used on my deep v for trolling 2017 model it has 200 hours now, seems to be a good motor.

Originally Posted by Central Minn

I see Zuki makes a 15'' 25 EFI/ power/tilt electric start I don't have one, I have a 9.9efi Zuki kicker that is used on my deep v for trolling 2017 model it has 200 hours now, seems to be a good motor.

Thanks. I kinda forgot about Suzuki. Don't see many of them around here aside from some of the bigger models. I'll look up my local dealer and get a quote though.

I bought a new 20 hp tohatsu electric start with power tilt and trim its a 2019 and its nothing but awesome for sure!

Originally Posted by impdog

I bought a new 20 hp tohatsu electric start with power tilt and trim its a 2019 and its nothing but awesome for sure!

Will that motor trim down while at wide open throttle? Was told it wasn't powerful enough to and was more a tilt assist unit.