Anyone buy a Chinese outboard?

[jzk]

Not exactly. They were developed in partnership with Tohatsu, Mercury, and Nissan. They’re all the same, but not “re-branded” anything.

Yeah, they are. Pretty sure that all Mercury outboards less than 30hp are made by Tohatsu in Japan. I also had a "Nissan" outboard which was also just a Tohatsu.

What is slightly misleading is saying that Mercury and Tohatsu have the "same" engine. They are the "same" because only one of them makes the engine, Tohatsu.

 

[Monkey]

Yeah, they are. Pretty sure that all Mercury outboards less than 30hp are made by Tohatsu in Japan. I also had a "Nissan" outboard which was also just a Tohatsu.

What is slightly misleading is saying that Mercury and Tohatsu have the "same" engine. They are the "same" because only one of them makes the engine, Tohatsu.

Thanks for the head’s up. I appreciate learning new nonsense on the internet. It’s actually 60 and less that are part of the partnership. Some made in Japan, some made in China. Just because Tohatsu handles the manufacturing for below 40 and Mercury does the 40-60 range doesn’t mean everyone isn’t involved. I’m just an engineer at Mercury though, so I’ll defer to an expert from the internet. Thanks for the education.

 

[jzk]

Thanks for the head’s up. I appreciate learning new nonsense on the internet. It’s actually 60 and less that are part of the partnership. Some made in Japan, some made in China. Just because Tohatsu handles the manufacturing for below 40 and Mercury does the 40-60 range doesn’t mean everyone isn’t involved. I’m just an engineer at Mercury though, so I’ll defer to an expert from the internet. Thanks for the education.

Are any made by Mercury?

 

[FlyingCircus2]

Thanks for the head’s up. I appreciate learning new nonsense on the internet. It’s actually 60 and less that are part of the partnership. Some made in Japan, some made in China. Just because Tohatsu handles the manufacturing for below 40 and Mercury does the 40-60 range doesn’t mean everyone isn’t involved. I’m just an engineer at Mercury though, so I’ll defer to an expert from the internet. Thanks for the education.

Ha. So it's your fault.

Seriously though, Why do outboards seem so tempremental compared to inboards or cars?

 

[ROADKILL666]

Good luck getting parts in a timely manor.

 

[El Borracho]

Good luck getting parts in a timely manor.

I’ll let myself out…

 

[Monkey]

Are any made by Mercury?

Yes.

 

[Monkey]

Ha. So it's your fault.

Seriously though, Why do outboards seem so tempremental compared to inboards or cars?

I’m innocent. I’ve only had minor involvement in improving quality of the little outboards. I mostly deal with inboards, so “thank you!” The reality is that outboards are a never ending fight to increase power to weight, and reduce size, so they’re a bit more twitchy at the extremes. The little guys have very little profit, so don’t get much love. The bad ass ones are marvels of tech, but come with the headaches. The “normal” bigger outboards are pretty damned solid from every company. There’s also that whole issue of “marine environment” when comparing them to cars.

 

[Monkey]

JZK, I’m not out to argue. I was just trying to correct a few things you said. I fully understand that it’s a big confusing mess trying to sort out the weird partnership. I was a little cranky when I responded yesterday.

 

[Raz'r]

JZK, I’m not out to argue. I was just trying to correct a few things you said. I fully understand that it’s a big confusing mess trying to sort out the weird partnership. I was a little cranky when I responded yesterday.

you many not be out to argue, s/he most certainly is.

 

[jzk]

All good, Monkey. Here she is now. One of the best things I have ever bought for my cruising experience. Quiet, very little exhaust smell, electric start, 12amp alternator to power my refrigerator, power tilt, easy to pull start if you should ever have the need....

 

[Monkey]

you many not be out to argue, s/he most certainly is.

I know, but I’m trying to be a nice guy. I’ve abused my privileges at work to help out more than a few folks from this site, so misinformation drives me nuts. If JZK is who I think he is, there’s actually a nice guy hiding inside.

 

[Go Left]

Is a Chinese outboard anything like a Bangkok dancehall outboard?

 

[Monkey]

All good, Monkey. Here she is now. One of the best things I have ever bought for my cruising experience. Quiet, very little exhaust smell, electric start, 12amp alternator to power my refrigerator, power tilt, easy to pull start if you should ever have the need....
View attachment 592823

On the plus side, you can feel better knowing about half that engine was designed in America. (I think that’s a 20, but admit they all start to look the same).

 

[jzk]

On the plus side, you can feel better knowing about half that engine was designed in America. (I think that’s a 20, but admit they all start to look the same).

I went with the 20 because I am already pushing my davits to the limit. Plenty of power for 2 people.

 

[Monkey]

I went with the 20 because I am already pushing my davits to the limit. Plenty of power for 2 people.

That’s your problem. If you’d bought a 600 like a responsible American, we could have avoided this entire conversation! 😂

 

[jzk]

That’s your problem. If you’d bought a 600 like a responsible American, we could have avoided this entire conversation! 😂

Just one?

 

[jzk]

I know, but I’m trying to be a nice guy. I’ve abused my privileges at work to help out more than a few folks from this site, so misinformation drives me nuts. If JZK is who I think he is, there’s actually a nice guy hiding inside.

Thanks for the kind words. Always nice to help people out by eliminating misinformation such as no parts being available for Chinese outboards. I think it is great that Hangkai is making outboards. The more choices that are available, the better off we are. If Hangkai makes a crappy engine, they will suffer the consequences in the marketplace. America wins by having more choices available.

 

[Monkey]

Thanks for the kind words. Always nice to help people out by eliminating misinformation such as no parts being available for Chinese outboards. I think it is great that Hangkai is making outboards. The more choices that are available, the better off we are. If Hangkai makes a crappy engine, they will suffer the consequences in the marketplace. America wins by having more choices available.

I’m still not saying what I said is misinformation, but it could be. It all depends on the company’s ethics. I referenced Chinese mopeds earlier in this thread for a reason. They advertise service parts, but don’t seem to supply them. They just show up as backordered once you try to buy them. I have no reason to believe their outboard industry is any better until proven otherwise. This has nothing to do with my job. Quite frankly, those little engines don’t affect our profit.

Edit: There are plenty of great companies in China, unfortunately judged by the shady ones. I sincerely hope these guys are legit. We like competition!

 

[Sailabout]

Had some guys at our club bought a china 4-6hp cant remember but stopped pumping water one day after it was a few months old..
Drive shaft was steel and had rusted away, lol
Another I saw same thing happened to the shift shaft..

I guess the workers take turns on what to steal from the boss, even then is the whole supply chain.. so a decent boss trying to do a quality job still gets shafted.
Once Mao said "to be rich is glorious" the locals interpreted that as get rich today any way you can.
Heard planty of stories from stainless pins in yachts ( one out of a lot was shiny metal) to $100,000,000 Oil n Gas projects where somebody shafted the boss and cost them dearly.