Tohatsu propane-powered outboard
Soundings TradeOnlyToday Magazine
Tohatsu America Corp. said its new 5-hp liquefied petroleum gas outboard will be available for purchase in April.
Tohatsu said the new motor, which it introduced at IBEX last October, is powered by propane. Compared with gasoline, LPG exhausts 12 percent less carbon dioxide, which Tohatsu said makes it a cleaner option for boaters.
“The most appealing feature is that sailors are no longer forced to carry gasoline on board,” Tohatsu America Corp. vice president Jim Morgenthaler said in a statement. “We know this is something that has been requested for many years, and we are excited to finally offer an LPG outboard to our customers.”
Tohatsu said the LPG motor features easier starting, quieter operations and requires less maintenance on fuel-related parts. The outboard comes in a variety of shaft lengths, including short, long and an ultra-long Sail Pro model.
Tohatsu is also debuting the 40/50hp Four Stroke outboard in Beluga White for 2017. The engine was introduced in 2014. Tohatsu said the additional color option, which will be available in May, will help boaters choose which color best fits with their boat.
Tohatsu also announced a 9.9/15/20-hp, battery-less electronic fuel injection outboard, which the company said is the lightest in its class. Tohatsu said the motor offers excellent fuel efficiency and is user-friendly because it starts easier and there is a decreased possibility of ethanol-related problems. Tohatsu anticipates that the outboard will be available in the fall.
Originally published here.