Tohatsu 20HP | MFS20ES

Built for a lower transom, the Tohatsu MFS20ES carries the same 20 hp block as its longer-shaft siblings on a 15-inch shaft, running tiller steering and a pull-cord starter at a weight of 95 lbs.

Why shaft length comes first

Short-shaft motors like this one belong on inflatables, dinghies, and smaller jon boats where the transom sits close to the water; set a 15-inch shaft on a taller transom and the prop runs shallow, losing bite at speed. Checking the transom height first avoids a return trip once the motor is already on the boat.

What ships in the box

Fuel first, then go: the crate holds the propeller, a 3.1-gallon tank for fuel, its hose, a tool and spares pouch, a cord tied to the cutoff switch, and the owner's manual. Displacement runs 333cc from a two-cylinder EFI engine, with the top of the throttle landing somewhere between 5,400 and 6,100 rpm, and a 5-year Tohatsu warranty backs the whole package.

Who it suits: Buyers replacing a tired short-shaft kicker, or outfitting a jon boat or dinghy, who want tiller simplicity and nothing electrical to maintain between trips out on the water. A two-cylinder layout keeps the block compact for its output, and the external tank means fuel can be swapped or topped off without touching the motor itself.

Q: Does a fuel tank come with this one? Yes, the 3.1-gallon external tank and its hose are part of the package.