I was sort of looking around at small outboards for my square stern canoe. Well, the small 2.5 HP +/- are pretty nice but almost all of them have gasoline impairment issues. I had looked at the Lehr propane outboards previously but the comments in various places, forums and buyer comments, made them sound like a disaster. They are made in China as I recall, work well when they work but apparently have extremely low reliability once they "act up."

Well, Tohatsu, made in Japan, just came out with a propane outboard and they have a 5 HP model. No, it doesn't have a screw in port for one of those 16 oz. green bottles most of us have used for camping related things (Lehr does), but it appears to be much better made, has a pressure regulator and some other things the LEHR doesn't.

And, it comes with a 15" transom height model.

Propane eliminates the gas issue so many outboards have these days.

I'd sure like to see something in the 2 to 2.5 HP range even though my Sportspal has a rating for up to 5HP.

Interesting! Glad to see more of these hitting the markets.

Brad

Timely post. I didn't know until about a week ago that propane outboards existed.

Bug-e,

I think we'll see many more of these hit the market soon, certainly in the smaller horsepower range where the tiny fuel injectors apparently get clogged up, and just all of the gasoline issues, with gas motors.

Hmm? A 2.5 HP would be great; but, I think someone might try to bring something in even smaller, around 1 HP, super light and where you'd just pack one or two of the 16 oz. green bottles and off you go. It might be great for running down river, then motoring back up against the current. Or, crossing lots of lake acreage, then paddle/pedal from there, then power home. An alternative to a TM and a 55 lbs. battery!

Brad

Interesting...

Is it quieter than a gas outboard?

Would you use a grill size bottle of propane? Prettty weird to think about.

A video that answers my question
https://youtu.be/xKZ0AInG0TM

Lehr makes a 2.5 Hp propane outboard at West Marine.
https://www.westmarine.com/buy/lehr--2-5...93?recordNum=24

I'd like to try one of those on a Soloskiff. TexasJim

Sorry for the delay. Yes, Lehr makes a small propane outboard but it has a questionable reputation as regards its quality. I love the way one can screw in a 16 oz. green cannister and take off. The Tohatsu version just now coming out doesn't have that but would accept any size propane tank via a pressure line.

I did get a response from the Tohatsu rep here in the USA and he said he knew of no plans for any other models. As I said before, I'd like to have a 2.5HP or smaller to greatly reduce the weight. Most in that HP range weigh 29 to 37 lbs. as I recall.

A small reliable propane outboard would be a lot less weight than a typical TM and a 55 lbs. battery to lug around.

So, for kayaks/canoes, we could use either some smaller outboard options or a really big drop in lithium battery prices. Either event could really change how we move around on the water.

Brad

Brad: I saw a Youtube clip of a guy who converted his 2.5 Tohatsu to propane. Looked pretty easy. You just need to keep safety in mind. Those green propane cylinders are re-fillable, which would make it more economical.
Good luck! IslandJim

I've seen that clip, islandJim, and it sort of reminded me of the coverage on TV and elsewhere several years ago of a guy who converted a gas or diesel engine in a van . . . to run on used french fries oil. It worked fine, its exhaust just smelled like french fries as it drove down the road.

As I recall, the mods for that conversion were very elemental. The guy who did it said the old oil had to be processed a bit, and I think one thing that was added to it was lye, a few other things most people can access.

In the end, liquid gasoline is injected as a fine spray in modern cars so it makes sense that injecting it as a gas would work really well.

I'm surprised more aren't doing it.

*** You can buy a little kit to re-charge propane tanks from larger ones where its cost is much less.

I'd sure like to see some more of these make it to the market.

Brad

It answered my question too. I was thinking why propane and not CNG but he said most sails boats already have propane for cooking.