TOHATSU OUTBOARDS RECEIVES MOTORBOATING MAGAZINE'S 2004 EDITOR'S CHOICE AWARD FOR NEW LIGHTWEIGHT YET POWERFUL COMPACT 9.8HP 4-STROKE

Carrollton, TX - Tohatsu Outboards has received the coveted “2004 Editors’ Choice Award” from Motorboating Magazine for their new lightweight and compact 9.8 hp 4-stroke – the lightest outboard in its class at a mere 81.5 lbs!

Hiroshi Wakabayashi, President of Tohatsu America Corp., the U.S. distributor, noted: “We are honored that the editors of Motorboating have taken notice of our reliable four-stroke technology in a lightweight package. This is Tohatsu’s second Editors’ Choice Motorboating award: the first was in 2001 for our direct injection system, TLDI, which we will be using in all motors of 40 hp and above.”

The magazine’s editors offered congratulations for “a motor that can make for less work on board. The 9.8 hp outboard from Tohatsu makes a job like wrangling a dinghy tender a lot easier.

Depending on which competitor’s engine you compare it to, the diminutive portable power plant weighs form 10 to 30 lbs less than other motors in its class.”

Tohatsu’s new 9.8 hp 4-stroke is a compact 2-cylinder, SOHC engine manufactured to comply with US EPA 2006 & CARB 2008 (3-star rating) emission regulations. The award-winner offers superior performance, a smooth, quiet ride, and remarkable fuel efficiency: around one gallon per hour at wide-open throttle.

The new 9.8 hp 4-stroke is ideal for a variety of small to medium-sized boats such as inflatables, dinghies, sailboats, aluminum fishing boats and small pontoon boats. Its light weight also makes it ideal for use as a trolling motor. The award-winner comes with a choice of 15”, 20” and 25” shafts.

For 2004, Tohatsu Outboards have also introduced an 8 hp 4-stroke with the same outstanding features and same low weight.  Both models come with a 3-year limited warranty.



"Copyright 2004 Time 4 Media, Inc. Reprinted with permission from MOTORBOATING Magazine. All rights reserved. Reproduction in any medium is strictly prohibited without permission from Time 4 Media, Inc. Such permission may be requested from MOTORBOATING Magazine at (203) 299-5988. Website: www.motorboating.com"