Tohatsu 20 HP MFS20EEFS Outboard Motor

Description

We have the Tohatsu MFS20EEFS for sale new in the box and ready to ship. It is a 20 horsepower Tohatsu four stroke outboard with a 15 inch shaft, tiller steering and electric start with manual back up.

We sell new Tohatsu outboards to boat owners, fishing guides, sailing schools, resorts and dealers, and we ship worldwide. Tell us where you are and we send a delivery quote before you pay for anything. It is one of the reasons we keep the Tohatsu MFS20EEFS for sale in stock.

Below you will find the full specs, what the model code means, the boats it suits, how it runs, care tips, shipping and the questions buyers ask us most. It is a long page, but a motor is a purchase you live with for years and the details matter.

Tohatsu MFS20EEFS for sale: Specifications

Specs can change slightly between production runs, so the paperwork in the box is the final word. Tohatsu lists the current figures on its Tohatsu MFS20E page.

What the Model Code on the Tohatsu MFS20EEFS for sale Means

Tohatsu codes are easy once someone explains them. MFS means a Tohatsu four stroke and 20 is the horsepower. The E after the horsepower marks the model series. EF means electric start, with the recoil starter kept as a back up. The S at the end means a short 15 inch shaft.

The Lightest 20 in Its Class: the Tohatsu MFS20EEFS for sale

Tohatsu says its MFS20E is the lightest 20 horsepower outboard in its class. At about 43 kg for the base model, it weighs about the same as many 15s.

It uses the 333 cc two cylinder with electronic fuel injection and a digital ignition. EFI gives easy starts and smooth running, with no carburettor to service. You get all of that with the Tohatsu MFS20EEFS for sale.

Twenty horsepower on a light boat is a lot of fun. It is also a popular choice where boats are limited to 20 HP.

Boats That Suit the Tohatsu MFS20EEFS for sale

Aluminium boats

14 to 16 foot boats rated for 20 HP.

RIBs and inflatables

Up to about 4.5 m.

Skiffs and small runabouts

Light, fast boats.

Pontoons

Small pontoons on calm water.

How the Tohatsu MFS20EEFS for sale Runs

The Tohatsu MFS20EEFS for sale is lively. Light boats jump onto the plane and run at a good speed.

It is smooth and quiet for a twin, and the EFI idle is steady for trolling. Ask us if you want photos of the Tohatsu MFS20EEFS for sale before it ships.

About Tohatsu Outboards

Tohatsu is a Japanese company that has specialised in outboards for decades. It is especially strong in portables and mid range motors, and its engines have powered boats under other badges too. For an owner, that means proven designs, wide parts support and a motor that is easy to service almost anywhere.

Getting the Shaft Length Right

This is the most important measurement. Measure the transom height at the centre. Around 15 inches suits a short shaft, around 20 a long shaft and around 25 an ultra long shaft. Too short and the prop sucks air. Too long and you get drag and spray. The Tohatsu MFS20EEFS for sale comes with a 15 inch shaft. If you are unsure, send us a photo and the measurement.

Mounting the Motor

Centre the motor on the transom and tighten the clamp screws firmly. Check them again after the first run, because they can loosen with vibration. Set the tilt pin so the motor sits straight up and down when the boat is moving, with the anti-ventilation plate roughly level with the bottom of the hull. Tie a safety line from the motor to the boat in case a clamp ever loosens. We are happy to answer questions about the Tohatsu MFS20EEFS for sale by email or chat.

Tohatsu MFS20EEFS for sale or the 25 HP?

The MFS25D steps up to a 500 cc three cylinder and weighs about 58 kg.

The Tohatsu MFS20EEFS for sale gives you strong power for about 15 kg less. On light boats that weight saving is worth a lot.

Who Buys the Tohatsu MFS20EEFS for sale From Us

Most buyers are private owners with a tender, a small aluminium boat or a sailboat. After them come fishing guides, rental and sailing clubs, resorts and boat dealers. What they want is simple: a new motor, the right shaft length, proper paperwork and a fair delivered price.

Your First Day Out With the Tohatsu MFS20EEFS for sale

Pick a calm day for the first run and stay close to where you launched. Clamp the motor on, fit the kill cord to your wrist or life jacket, open the fuel vent and squeeze the primer bulb until it goes firm. Then start it and let it idle for a minute while you look for the stream of water from the tell tale.

Spend the first hour getting a feel for the tiller, the throttle grip and the gear lever. Practise coming alongside a buoy or a pontoon at low speed. Most people are surprised how quickly a small motor like this starts to feel natural.

Battery and Wiring for Electric Start

Electric start models need a 12 volt marine starting battery. Use a battery box with a strap, keep it low in the boat and away from the fuel tank, and run the cables so they cannot chafe on the transom. Tighten the terminals and smear them with a little grease to stop corrosion. The Tohatsu MFS20EEFS for sale handles this well.

The charging coil on the motor puts a small charge back while you run, enough to keep a healthy battery topped up on most trips. If the boat sits for weeks, put the battery on a smart charger at home. The recoil starter stays on the motor as a back up, which is a nice thing to have on a cold morning.

Steering and Throttle Feel

The twist grip throttle and tiller arm give you direct control. Set the steering friction so the motor stays put when you take your hand off, but still turns without effort. This is where the Tohatsu MFS20EEFS for sale earns its keep.

Remember that an outboard steers by pushing the stern sideways, so the back of the boat swings out when you turn. In a marina, slow down early and use a short burst of reverse to stop. Practise this a few times in open water and the next tight berth will not feel so bad.

Living With the Tohatsu MFS20EEFS for sale

Owning a Tohatsu portable is easy. Clamp it on, check the oil, connect the fuel, start and go. After the trip, flush it with fresh water, let it drain upright and store it the right way up. There is no oil to mix and no smoke. It just works.

Breaking In the Tohatsu MFS20EEFS for sale

Follow the break-in in the owner’s manual. Usually that means low and varied throttle for the first hour, no long runs at full throttle for the first ten hours, and an oil change at the first service. Gentle running at the start helps the motor last.

Maintenance on the Tohatsu MFS20EEFS for sale

• Flush with fresh water after every trip in salt or dirty water.
• Check the engine oil level before each trip.
• Change the engine oil at the hours in the manual, or once a season.
• Change the gear oil every season and look for milky oil.
• Replace the water pump impeller every two to three seasons.
• Check the spark plug and the fuel filter.
• Grease the swivel, clamp screws and tilt points.

Most owners do these jobs themselves. They are simple and need only basic tools.

The Water Pump Impeller

Every water cooled outboard has a rubber impeller in the lower unit that pushes cooling water up to the engine. Rubber ages, and sand wears the vanes, so it needs replacing every two or three seasons or sooner if you run in sandy water. Plenty of buyers message us before ordering the Tohatsu MFS20EEFS for sale, and we like that.

The first sign of trouble is a weak or missing stream from the tell tale. Stop the engine if that happens and find the cause. Running a four stroke without cooling water for even a short time can damage it. Changing the impeller is a straightforward job for a dealer or a handy owner.

Why the Anodes Matter

The small metal blocks on the gearcase and bracket are sacrificial anodes. In salt or brackish water they corrode instead of the aluminium housing. That is their whole job. Keep that in mind with the Tohatsu MFS20EEFS for sale.

A quick look each time you flush the motor tells you how they are doing. Swap them when they are worn to about half their size, and keep the contact surfaces clean and bare. A set of anodes costs little next to a pitted gearcase, so keep a spare set with your tools.

Gearcase Oil, Once a Year

Draining the gear oil every season takes about twenty minutes. Lay out a tray, remove the drain screw at the bottom and the vent screw higher up, and let it empty. That applies to the Tohatsu MFS20EEFS for sale as much as any motor.

Milky or grey oil is a warning sign of water in the gearcase. Metal flakes on the drain screw magnet are another. Refill from the bottom using a pump tube until oil appears at the vent, then refit both screws. Done every year, this little job keeps the gears and bearings in good shape for a long time.

Fuel Use and Running Costs

Efficient at cruise thanks to EFI. The 12 litre tank is enough for a good day, or use a bigger tank for long runs. Many repeat customers come back for a second Tohatsu MFS20EEFS for sale.

Tohatsu parts are cheap and easy to find, and most servicing is simple enough to do yourself. That keeps the cost of owning the Tohatsu MFS20EEFS for sale low.

Fuel Quality Matters

Small motors are sensitive to old fuel. Use fresh petrol, keep the tank cap closed and add a fuel stabiliser if the motor will sit for more than a few weeks. If your fuel contains ethanol, do not leave it in the motor over winter. Most hard starting on small outboards comes back to stale fuel.

Running Costs

Small four strokes are cheap to run. They burn far less fuel than an old two stroke of the same size, and there is no two stroke oil to buy. A day of fishing or exploring often uses only a few litres. The Tohatsu MFS20EEFS for sale is covered here too.

The other costs are small too: engine oil once a season, gear oil, a spark plug now and then, and an impeller every few years. Most of that you can do yourself. Over a few seasons the fuel savings alone go a long way toward the price of the motor.

Getting the Prop Right

With the Tohatsu MFS20EEFS for sale you want to reach 5,400 to 6,100 rpm at full throttle with a normal load. Too many revs means the pitch is too low, too few means it is too high. Tohatsu’s range for this motor is 6 to 11.5 inch pitch. Heavy boats and sailboats often need a lower pitch than light inflatables.

Salt Water Care

Flush the motor with fresh water after every salt trip, using the flush port or a flushing muff. Rinse the outside and wipe the cowl. Spray a corrosion inhibitor under the cowl now and then. If you leave the motor on a tender, tilt it up so the lower unit is out of the water. It is worth remembering when you run the Tohatsu MFS20EEFS for sale.

Laying It Up

Before a long break, flush the motor, run the carburettor dry or stabilise the fuel, change the engine and gear oil and grease every fitting. Store it upright on a stand, under a cover, in a dry place.

Carrying and Car Transport

Carry the motor upright using the handle, and get help with heavier motors. In a car, secure it upright in a stand or lay it on the side the manual allows, with a towel underneath. Close the fuel vent and the fuel tap before moving it. That is a big part of why people choose the Tohatsu MFS20EEFS for sale.

Carrying and Laying Down the Motor

Four strokes have an oil sump, so they care which way you lay them down. Tohatsu marks the correct side on the motor and in the manual. Lay it the wrong way and oil can run into places it should not go, which leads to smoke and hard starting later.

Drain the carburettor or run it dry if you will store it on its side for a while. Carry it upright by the handle when you can, and use a padded bracket or stand at home. A motor stand is cheap and saves the cowling from scratches. Owners of the Tohatsu MFS20EEFS for sale tell us the same thing.

Simple Fixes Before You Call a Mechanic

No start: kill switch clip on, vent open, fresh fuel, choke used.

Rough running: stale fuel or a dirty filter. It is one of the reasons we keep the Tohatsu MFS20EEFS for sale in stock.

Overheating: weed in the intake or a worn impeller.

Slipping or slow: damaged or wrong prop. You get all of that with the Tohatsu MFS20EEFS for sale.

Vibration: bent prop or loose clamp screws.

What to Carry in the Boat

A few spares cover most things that stop a small outboard on the water. A spare plug, a spare kill cord and a basic tool roll are the essentials. Add a spare propeller pin or prop hardware, a small roll of tape and some cable ties. Ask us if you want photos of the Tohatsu MFS20EEFS for sale before it ships.

A second kill cord is the one people wish they had most. If the first one goes over the side with a person or gets lost, the motor will not start without it. Paddles or oars are worth carrying too, even on a short trip.

Carry These on Board

Life jackets, oars, a spare kill clip, a plug spanner and spare plug, basic tools, a bailer and a phone in a dry bag. Small boats can get caught out by wind and tide, so plan for the motor stopping, even though it probably will not.

Kicker and Trolling Use

Many anglers run a small motor as a kicker on a bigger boat. It trolls slower and quieter than the main engine and saves fuel and hours on the big motor. A kicker also gets you home if the main engine fails. Link it to the main steering with a kicker bracket for easy control.

Matching the Motor to the Boat

The capacity plate tells you the limit. Within that limit, think about load, distance and water conditions. More power helps with heavy loads and wind. Less power saves weight and fuel. Ask us if you want a second opinion on the Tohatsu MFS20EEFS for sale.

Two Stroke to Four Stroke

If you are replacing an old two stroke, expect less noise, no smoke, no oil mixing and lower fuel bills. Servicing changes to oil changes like a car engine. The trade is a bit more weight, which most boats handle easily.

Why Buy New

Second hand motors turn up all the time, often with stories attached. Some are fine. Others have hidden corrosion, a tired water pump or water in the gearcase that will cost money soon after you buy.

With a new motor there is nothing hidden. You get the warranty, the paperwork and a motor that has never been abused. You also choose the shaft length and start type you actually need, instead of making do with whatever is for sale locally.

Avoid These Common Errors

Wrong shaft, stale fuel, laying the motor on the wrong side and loose clamps cause most of the trouble we hear about. Measure, use fresh fuel, read the storage page in the manual and check the clamps. That is it.

The First Year

Year one is simple: gentle break-in, first service on time, flush after salt, fresh fuel and a proper lay up at the end. Do that and the Tohatsu MFS20EEFS for sale will give you many trouble free seasons.

How Delivery Works

We ship worldwide. Once you confirm the order, the Tohatsu MFS20EEFS for sale is packed in its original box and booked with a carrier we trust or your own forwarder. You get the paperwork and a tracking number so you can follow it to the end.

About the Warranty

Tohatsu warranty terms vary around the world and between leisure and commercial use. We will tell you what applies in your country. Keep your receipts and service records safe.

Serial Number and Registration

Write down the serial number from the bracket label as soon as the motor arrives, and take a photo of it. Keep it with your receipt. You will need it for warranty claims, for ordering the right parts and for insurance.

Some countries need outboards registered or recorded with the boat. Rules differ a lot, so check what applies where you use the boat. A motor lock on the clamp screws is a good idea too, because small outboards are easy to carry away.

In the Box

You get the complete Tohatsu MFS20EEFS motor, the manual, warranty papers and the standard factory fittings. Anything else, such as a spare prop, a stand or a bigger tank, can be added to the same shipment.

A Short Checklist Before Buying

• Transom measured and matched to the 15 inch shaft.
• Capacity plate checked.
• Starting type decided.
• Fuel and battery plan made.
• Delivery address sent to us.

Send us that and we will come back with a full price to your door.

Buying the Tohatsu MFS20EEFS for sale From Us

Every motor we sell is new and the price is on this page. Before we ship, we give you a delivery quote for your country so you know the full cost. When you order, we confirm the model and shaft length with you. Our refund and return policy and terms and conditions are on the site. You can read what other buyers say on our reviews page, learn more about us page, or go straight to the contact page.

Other Tohatsu Outboards to Compare

• All 20 HP Tohatsu outboards
• Tohatsu MFS20EEFL
• Tohatsu MFS20EEFTL
• Tohatsu MFS20EEFTS
• Tohatsu MFS20EL
• Tohatsu MFS20ES
• All Tohatsu outboards
• Suzuki outboards
• The full shop

Our blog has more on looking after outboards, and you can browse the full Tohatsu outboard range on the maker’s own site.

FAQ: Tohatsu MFS20EEFS for sale

Is the Tohatsu MFS20EEFS for sale new?

Yes. New in the box, with Tohatsu paperwork.

What shaft length is it?

15 inch (S).

How heavy is the Tohatsu MFS20EEFS for sale?

About 43 kg (95 lb) for the base model.

What engine does it have?

4-stroke, 2 cylinder, electronic fuel injection, 333 cc (20.32 cu in).

How does it start?

Electric start with manual back up.

What fuel tank does it use?

12 L (3.1 US gal) separate tank.

Do you ship the Tohatsu MFS20EEFS for sale worldwide?

Yes. Send us your location and we will quote delivery.

Does it come with a warranty?

Yes, Tohatsu factory warranty paperwork. Terms depend on your country.

Final Word

If you want a light, reliable 20 HP four stroke that starts easily and lasts, the Tohatsu MFS20EEFS for sale is a great choice. Order today, or message us first and we will help you make sure it is the right fit.