Cart is empty
Description
We have the Tohatsu MFS3.5CS for sale new in the box and ready to ship. It is a 3.5 horsepower Tohatsu four stroke outboard with a 15 inch shaft, tiller steering and manual recoil start.
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. Keep that in mind with the Tohatsu MFS3.5CS for sale.
Everything is on this page: specifications, the model code, boats it suits, riding impressions, maintenance, delivery and an FAQ. Jump to what you need.
Tohatsu MFS3.5CS for sale: Specifications
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Model | Tohatsu MFS3.5CS |
| Horsepower | 3.5 HP |
| Engine | 4-stroke, 1 cylinder |
| Displacement | 85.5 cc (5.2 cu in) |
| Bore x stroke | 55 x 36 mm |
| Full throttle range | 5,000 to 6,000 rpm |
| Steering | Tiller handle |
| Gear shift | Forward and neutral (turn the motor 360 degrees to go astern) |
| Gear ratio | 2.15:1 |
| Propeller range | 4.5 to 7 inch pitch |
| Fuel | Unleaded petrol, 87 octane or higher |
| Fuel tank | 1 L (0.26 US gal) built in |
| Oil capacity | 300 ml |
| Weight | About 18.4 kg (41 lb) |
| Cooling | Water cooled with thermostat |
| Shallow water drive | Standard |
| Starting | Manual recoil start |
| Shaft length | 15 inch (S) |
| Tilt | Manual tilt with shallow water setting |
| Warranty | Tohatsu factory warranty, terms depend on your country |
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 MFS3.5C page.
What the Model Code on the Tohatsu MFS3.5CS for sale Means
Tohatsu codes are easy once someone explains them. MFS means a Tohatsu four stroke and 3.5 is the horsepower. The C after the horsepower marks the model series. The S at the end means a short 15 inch shaft.
What You Get With the Tohatsu MFS3.5CS for sale
The MFS3.5C shares its 85.5 cc single cylinder with the 2.5, but it revs higher and makes 3.5 horsepower. Weight stays at about 18.4 kg, so you get more push for no extra effort carrying it.
It has a built in one litre fuel tank, a thermostat controlled cooling system and a shallow water drive setting that lets you tilt the motor partly up and keep motoring in shallow water. That applies to the Tohatsu MFS3.5CS for sale as much as any motor.
Forward and neutral are on the shift lever. For reverse you rotate the motor on its clamp, which is normal for this size.
Boats That Suit the Tohatsu MFS3.5CS for sale
Inflatable tenders
Tenders up to about 3 m, with two people aboard.
Small sailing dinghies
A light auxiliary for getting in and out of harbour.
Canoes and kayaks with brackets
For anglers who want to cover more water.
Small aluminium boats
Calm water and short distances.
How the Tohatsu MFS3.5CS for sale Runs
The Tohatsu MFS3.5CS for sale feels lively for its size. A loaded tender gets moving without fuss, and it will hold its own against a light breeze and a bit of tide.
It idles smoothly, so creeping up to a boat or a dock is easy. Many repeat customers come back for a second Tohatsu MFS3.5CS for sale.
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 MFS3.5CS 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. The Tohatsu MFS3.5CS for sale is covered here too.
Tohatsu MFS3.5CS for sale or a 4 HP?
The MFS4D adds reverse gear and a bigger 123 cc engine, but weighs about 8 kg more.
The Tohatsu MFS3.5CS for sale is the lighter choice. If you lift the motor on and off a tender a lot, those kilos matter.
Who Buys the Tohatsu MFS3.5CS 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 MFS3.5CS 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.
Getting the Hang of the Pull Start
A recoil start is one less thing to go wrong. There is no battery to go flat, no starter motor and no wiring to corrode. That is a big plus on a small boat that spends weeks sitting on a trailer or in a shed. It is worth remembering when you run the Tohatsu MFS3.5CS for sale.
Neutral, throttle on the start mark, choke out when cold, then pull through the slack until you feel compression and give it one smooth pull. Do not let the handle snap back against the cowl. Owners who learn that rhythm rarely need more than two pulls.
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. That is a big part of why people choose the Tohatsu MFS3.5CS for sale.
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 MFS3.5CS 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.
The First Ten Hours
New engines like variety. Keep the Tohatsu MFS3.5CS for sale below half throttle for the first hour and keep changing speed. After that, use more throttle in short bursts. Change the engine oil and gear oil at the first service the manual lists. It sets the motor up for a long life.
Maintenance on the Tohatsu MFS3.5CS 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. Owners of the Tohatsu MFS3.5CS for sale tell us the same thing.
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. It is one of the reasons we keep the Tohatsu MFS3.5CS for sale in stock.
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.
Changing the Gear Oil
The gearcase oil is easy to forget because you never see it. Change it once a season. Take out the lower drain screw, then the upper vent screw, and let the old oil run into a tray. You get all of that with the Tohatsu MFS3.5CS for sale.
Look at what comes out. Clean dark oil is normal. Milky oil means water is getting in past a seal, and that should be fixed before it rusts the gears. Refill from the bottom hole with marine gear oil until it comes out of the top, fit the vent screw, then the drain screw. New sealing washers each time are a good habit.
What It Costs to Run
The Tohatsu MFS3.5CS for sale sips fuel. A litre goes a long way at part throttle, and a small spare can covers a whole weekend for most people.
Beyond fuel, the costs are oil, a few service parts each season and an impeller every couple of years. For a four stroke motor, that is about as cheap as boating gets. Ask us if you want photos of the Tohatsu MFS3.5CS for sale before it ships.
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. We are happy to answer questions about the Tohatsu MFS3.5CS for sale by email or chat.
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.
Choosing a Propeller
The right prop lets the motor reach its full throttle range of 5,000 to 6,000 rpm with your normal load. If it over revs, go up in pitch. If it cannot reach the range, come down. Tohatsu lists a 4.5 to 7 inch pitch for this motor. Tell us your boat and load and we will suggest a starting point. The Tohatsu MFS3.5CS for sale handles this well.
Looking After It in Salt Water
Salt is the main enemy of any outboard. A fresh water flush after every trip, a rinse of the outside and an occasional spray of corrosion inhibitor go a long way. Check the anode and replace it when it is half gone.
Storage and Transport
Store the motor upright on a stand when you can. If you must lay it down, follow the manual and lay it on the correct side so oil does not run into the cylinder. For long storage, drain or stabilise the fuel, change the oil, grease the fittings and keep it somewhere dry. This is where the Tohatsu MFS3.5CS for sale earns its keep.
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.
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. Plenty of buyers message us before ordering the Tohatsu MFS3.5CS for sale, and we like that.
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.
Common Problems and Quick Checks
Will not start. Check the kill switch clip, the choke, the fuel tap and the tank vent. Keep that in mind with the Tohatsu MFS3.5CS for sale.
Starts then stops. Usually old fuel or a blocked vent.
Weak tell-tale stream. Clear the outlet. If still weak, have the impeller checked. That applies to the Tohatsu MFS3.5CS for sale as much as any motor.
Loss of power. Check the prop for damage or weed, and the fuel filter.
Oil warning. Stop and check the oil level straight away. Many repeat customers come back for a second Tohatsu MFS3.5CS for sale.
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.
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.
On a Yacht Tender
For tender use, light weight and easy starting matter most. Keep a lanyard on the motor when you move it between boats, use a bracket on the pushpit to store it and flush it now and then with fresh water from the yacht’s tanks.
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 MFS3.5CS 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 MFS3.5CS for sale will give you many trouble free seasons.
How Delivery Works
We ship worldwide. Once you confirm the order, the Tohatsu MFS3.5CS 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 MFS3.5CS 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 MFS3.5CS 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
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 MFS3.5CS for sale
Is the Tohatsu MFS3.5CS for sale new?
Yes. New in the box, with Tohatsu paperwork.
What shaft length is it?
15 inch (S).
How heavy is the Tohatsu MFS3.5CS for sale?
About 18.4 kg (41 lb).
What engine does it have?
4-stroke, 1 cylinder, 85.5 cc (5.2 cu in).
How does it start?
Manual recoil start.
What fuel tank does it use?
1 L (0.26 US gal) built in.
Do you ship the Tohatsu MFS3.5CS 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 3.5 HP four stroke that starts easily and lasts, the Tohatsu MFS3.5CS for sale is a great choice. Order today, or message us first and we will help you make sure it is the right fit.
Reviews
There are no reviews yet.