Tohatsu sells both a 9.8 hp and a 9.9 hp outboard, and they are different engines, not one engine with two labels. The MFS9.8 is the smaller, lighter motor, about 209 cc and roughly 80 lb in Tohatsu’s figures, which makes it easy to carry and a favorite for dinghies, sailboats and small fishing boats. The MFS9.9E belongs to Tohatsu’s battery-less fuel-injected family alongside the 15 and 20 hp models; it is larger, about 333 cc, and heavier, around 95 lb for the short-shaft manual-start version. More displacement for the same rated power generally means more low-speed torque and a more relaxed engine pushing a heavier boat, at the cost of weight.
Tohatsu 9.8 vs 9.9 at a glance
| MFS9.8 | MFS9.9E | |
|---|---|---|
| Displacement (Tohatsu figures) | About 209 cc | About 333 cc |
| Weight | Roughly 80 lb | About 95 lb (short shaft, manual start); more with electric start |
| Engine family | Small, light portable | Shares its family with the 15 and 20 hp EFI models |
| Suits | Carrying on and off, dinghies, sailboat auxiliaries | Heavier boats, steady pushing, a motor that stays on the transom |
Which should you choose?
- Choose the 9.8 if you lift the motor on and off the boat often, mount it on a light transom, or want the lightest 10 hp class engine.
- Choose the 9.9 if the motor stays on the boat, you push a heavier hull or load, or you want a platform shared with Tohatsu’s larger EFI engines.
- Kicker use? Both can serve as kickers; pick the shaft length to suit the transom and see kicker outboards.
Why 9.8 and 9.9 instead of 10?
Many boating regulations and boat ratings draw lines at 10 hp, so small engines are commonly rated just under it. A 9.8 and a 9.9 sit in the same class for practical purposes; the real differences are size, weight and features, not the decimal point. See 9.9 vs 15 hp outboards.
Tohatsu 9.8 vs Mercury 9.9
Mercury’s 9.9 is a fuel-injected four-stroke offered in many versions, including high-thrust Command Thrust and ProKicker models; our listed 9.9MH is 84 lb with a short shaft. Compare the 9.9 class across brands in the 9.9 hp outboard comparison.
Tohatsu 9.8 and 9.9 we list
- Tohatsu 9.8 HP MFS9.8CWS (15″ shaft): $2,690.00
- Tohatsu 9.8 HP MFS9.8CEPTL Remote Bundle (20″ shaft): $3,683.99
- Tohatsu 9.9 HP MFS9.9ES (15″, manual start): $2,600.00
- Tohatsu 9.9 HP MFS9.9EEFS (15″, electric start): $2,920.00
- Tohatsu 9.9 HP MFS9.9EEFTL Remote Bundle (20″ shaft): $3,848.99
Browse Tohatsu outboards and 9.9 hp outboards, and see who makes Tohatsu outboards.
More guides: outboards for sailboats.
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