Tohatsu 30 HP MFS30DEFL Outboard Motor

Description

We have the Tohatsu MFS30DEFL for sale new in the box and ready to ship. It is a 30 horsepower Tohatsu four stroke outboard with a 20 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. The Tohatsu MFS30DEFL for sale handles this well.

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 MFS30DEFL 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 MFS30D page.

What the Model Code on the Tohatsu MFS30DEFL for sale Means

Tohatsu codes are easy once someone explains them. MFS means a Tohatsu four stroke and 30 is the horsepower. The D after the horsepower marks the model series. EF means electric start, with the recoil starter kept as a back up. The L at the end means a long 20 inch shaft.

The Lightest Three Cylinder 30: the Tohatsu MFS30DEFL for sale

Tohatsu built the MFS30D to be the lightest three cylinder 30 horsepower outboard, at about 58 kg for the base model. It uses a 500 cc four stroke with electronic fuel injection and a digital ignition.

Manual start versions run without a battery. The tiller has a stop switch, throttle friction and a four step trolling control from 750 to 1,050 rpm. Electric start versions get a 17.5 amp alternator, the best in class.

A redesigned, torpedo shaped gearcase cuts drag, and the engine mounts are placed to reduce vibration. This is where the Tohatsu MFS30DEFL for sale earns its keep.

Boats That Suit the Tohatsu MFS30DEFL for sale

Aluminium boats

14 to 17 foot boats rated for 30 HP.

RIBs

Up to about 5 m.

Pontoons

Small to mid size pontoons.

Skiffs and work boats

Light commercial and fishing use.

How the Tohatsu MFS30DEFL for sale Runs

The Tohatsu MFS30DEFL for sale has real punch. Boats that felt slow on a 25 come alive on a 30.

It is smooth and quiet for its power, and the trolling control makes slow fishing easy.

Why Tohatsu

Tohatsu has built outboards in Japan since 1956 and is one of the biggest makers of small and mid size outboards in the world. Several other brands have sold Tohatsu built motors under their own name over the years. That tells you something about the engineering. Parts are easy to get in most countries and mechanics know these motors well.

Short, Long or Ultra Long Shaft?

Measure your transom from the top to the bottom of the hull at the centre. About 15 inches needs a short shaft (S), about 20 inches needs a long shaft (L) and about 25 inches needs an ultra long shaft (UL). Sailboats often need a long or ultra long shaft so the prop stays in the water when the boat pitches. The Tohatsu MFS30DEFL for sale has a 20 inch shaft.

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. Plenty of buyers message us before ordering the Tohatsu MFS30DEFL for sale, and we like that.

Tohatsu MFS30DEFL for sale or the 25 HP?

The MFS25D uses the same engine with less power, and is usually a little cheaper.

The Tohatsu MFS30DEFL for sale gives you more top end for the same weight. If your boat is rated for 30, take the extra power.

The People Who Order This Motor

We ship the Tohatsu MFS30DEFL for sale to weekend boaters, yacht owners who need a tender motor, anglers who want a kicker and small businesses running boats every day. Some order one motor, some order several. We treat every order the same way: confirm the model, quote delivery and keep you updated.

Your First Day Out With the Tohatsu MFS30DEFL 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 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. Keep that in mind with the Tohatsu MFS30DEFL for sale.

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.

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.

Day to Day Use

A good small outboard should not need much thought. The Tohatsu MFS30DEFL for sale starts quickly, runs cleanly and needs only basic care: a fresh water flush after salt, a quick look at the oil level and fresh fuel. Do that and it will keep going season after season.

Breaking In the Tohatsu MFS30DEFL 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.

Keeping the Tohatsu MFS30DEFL for sale Healthy

Small outboards need little, but they need it regularly:

• After every trip: flush, rinse and check the tell-tale stream.
• Before every trip: oil level, fuel, clamp screws.
• Every season: engine oil, gear oil, plug, grease.
• Every two to three seasons: water pump impeller.

Keep a note of hours and services. It helps with warranty and resale. That applies to the Tohatsu MFS30DEFL for sale as much as any motor.

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.

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. Many repeat customers come back for a second Tohatsu MFS30DEFL 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.

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. The Tohatsu MFS30DEFL for sale is covered here too.

What It Costs to Run

EFI keeps the Tohatsu MFS30DEFL for sale economical at cruise. The 25 litre tank covers a long day.

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.

Keep the Fuel Fresh

Buy fuel from a busy station, use it within a month or so and treat it with stabiliser before storage. Water in fuel causes rough running, so keep tanks topped up and closed. A clean fuel filter and fresh fuel solve most problems before they start.

What It Costs to Own

Fuel is the main running cost, and four strokes are frugal. At part throttle a small Tohatsu sips fuel, so a tank lasts a long time. It is worth remembering when you run the Tohatsu MFS30DEFL for sale.

Servicing is simple and affordable. Oil, gear oil, a plug and an impeller now and then cover most of it. Flush after salt water use and keep fresh fuel in the tank, and the motor will not ask for much more. That is why so many owners keep the same Tohatsu for ten years or more.

Choosing a Propeller

The right prop lets the motor reach its full throttle range of 5,500 to 6,500 rpm with your normal load. If it over revs, go up in pitch. If it cannot reach the range, come down. Tohatsu lists a 8 to 14 inch pitch for this motor. Tell us your boat and load and we will suggest a starting point.

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. That is a big part of why people choose the Tohatsu MFS30DEFL 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.

Moving the Motor Around

An outboard stand in the garage makes life easier. For the car, keep the motor upright if you can, strapped so it cannot tip. If you lay it down, use the side Tohatsu specifies. Close the vent and tap first.

Simple Fixes Before You Call a Mechanic

No start: kill switch clip on, vent open, fresh fuel, choke used. Owners of the Tohatsu MFS30DEFL for sale tell us the same thing.

Rough running: stale fuel or a dirty filter.

Overheating: weed in the intake or a worn impeller.

Slipping or slow: damaged or wrong prop. It is one of the reasons we keep the Tohatsu MFS30DEFL for sale in stock.

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.

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. You get all of that with the Tohatsu MFS30DEFL for sale.

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.

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 MFS30DEFL for sale.

Coming From an Old Two Stroke

A four stroke is quieter, cleaner and uses far less fuel than an old two stroke. There is no oil to mix and no smoke. It is a little heavier, so check how the boat sits. Most owners never look back.

New Versus Second Hand

A used outboard can look like a bargain, but you rarely know its history. Was it flushed after salt water? Was the gear oil ever changed? Has it been dropped or run without water? Those things do not show on the outside. Ask us if you want photos of the Tohatsu MFS30DEFL for sale before it ships.

A new motor comes with a clean history, fresh seals, a factory warranty and a full manual. You run it in yourself, so you know it was done properly. For many buyers that peace of mind is worth the difference in price.

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 MFS30DEFL for sale will give you many trouble free seasons.

How Delivery Works

We ship worldwide. Once you confirm the order, the Tohatsu MFS30DEFL 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. We are happy to answer questions about the Tohatsu MFS30DEFL for sale by email or chat.

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.

What Comes in the Box

• The Tohatsu MFS30DEFL outboard
• Owner’s manual and warranty papers
• Standard Tohatsu fittings for this model

Fuel tanks, props and accessories vary by version and market. We confirm exactly what is included before shipping.

Before You Order the Tohatsu MFS30DEFL for sale

• Measure your transom to confirm the 20 inch shaft is right.
• Check the boat’s maximum horsepower and weight.
• Decide between manual and electric start.
• Plan your fuel tank and battery if needed.
• Tell us your country for a delivery quote.

Questions now save trouble later, so ask anything.

Buying the Tohatsu MFS30DEFL 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 30 HP Tohatsu outboards
• Tohatsu MFS30DEFS
• Tohatsu MFS30DL
• Tohatsu MFS30DS
• 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 MFS30DEFL for sale

Is the Tohatsu MFS30DEFL for sale new?

Yes. New in the box, with Tohatsu paperwork.

What shaft length is it?

20 inch (L).

How heavy is the Tohatsu MFS30DEFL for sale?

About 58 kg (128 lb) for the base model.

What engine does it have?

4-stroke, 3 cylinder, electronic fuel injection, 500 cc (30.5 cu in).

How does it start?

Electric start with manual back up.

What fuel tank does it use?

25 L (6.6 US gal) separate tank.

Do you ship the Tohatsu MFS30DEFL 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.

Ready When You Are

The Tohatsu MFS30DEFL for sale is ready to ship. If you are still deciding, tell us about your boat. We would rather spend a few minutes getting it right than sell you the wrong motor.