Tohatsu 6HP Alternator Install Document

So, I finally got back to finding a place to store the PDF on how to install this alternator on the Tohatsu 6HP outboard motor. It's a pretty straight-forward install and should be fairly simple for anyone with some basic tools and a little bit of mechanical know-how.

Basic tools needed include screwdrivers, sockets and a puller. We used a steering wheel puller and had to find bolts with washers that were long enough to pull the flywheel off.

The full PDF is located here.

A little legal reminder, this information is provided as-is and no warranties or guarantees are provided. This was based on my experience doing the work on my own motor, I can not be held responsible for any damages resulting from the use of this guide. I strongly recommend that you review and/or purchase a technical manual regarding your outboard motor.

About Damn Time!

Well, I can proudly report that we are starting to move forward with some of the plans that have been bouncing around for some time now. To this end, we have installed an alternator/charging system onto the Tohatsu 6HP outboard.

This install required the need to replace the flywheel with a new one, install the coils and rectifier/regulator, then run all the wires. The kit came from Tohatsu in a box with 4 or 5 different bags of wires, screws and parts. The great thing is that this motor is not so complex that you can't install the whole thing with a minimal set of tools and about an hour of time.

Taking our time it took 2 of us, both mechanically inclined to some degree, about 45 minutes to do the installation. Next up is doing an oil change, spark plug replacement and fuel filter, maybe even the lower unit oil. After those are done it will be time to test run the motor and validate that the alternator is providing the appropriate voltage.

I took a series of pictures of doing this process and wrote up a document on it, now I just need to get them uploaded and available to anyone who wants them.

Is it that time again, already!

Why yes it is that time again. Seeing how spring is literally just around the corner and the Seattle Boat show has come and gone, it's time to start getting the boat ready for the water again.

In my last post I had stated that the boat would become a trailer sailor for the time being, luckily that is not the case. Dad has offered to let some friends of his use the boat in exchange for keeping it in their slip up in Anacortes, WA over the summer. Now this puts us in a little bit of a crunch since all those items we have been slowly working on are now important for taking it up by water.

To start with we have ordered (and received) the charging system for the Tohatsu MFS 6B, which I will be installing in the coming weeks. We are also planning on installing at least a VHF antenna on the mast and running an antenna connector to the cabin. Other items on the list include making sure all the navigation lights work, repainting the striping around the hull, repainting the bottom, doing cleanup on the swing keel, repairing a leaking window. Then there is also the addition of an electrical system again, the switch panel and fuses are there but we are going to add charging from shore or motor and an inverter (hopefully). Basically a whole bunch to do in a little bit of time. Guess we should get to it...

Just another trailer sailor...

Well, the time has finally come, Killin' Time is now a trailer sailor. Dad gave up the slip at Lakewood Moorage on Lake Washington as of the end of September. Given the general and local economy, I can't say that I blame him for doing so.

What this meant was on Sunday, Sept. 13, 2009 at 10:25am we pulled out of slip B-29 for the last time. It was a good day for sailing, warm weather with a nice wind out of the north. It was Dad, myself and Kev taking her around Mercer Island to the Newport Yatch Club, where the trailer was sitting waiting for us.

Given that the wind was from the north and the I-90 bridge offered a buffer for the waves, creating a very rough area on the north side of the bridge we decided to head South around the island. We knew that it was likely to be a tough sail up the East side of the island, but we figured it would be nicer than running through the chop on the other side of the bridge. We made decent time heading South and getting to the South-Eastern tip of Mercer Island. At this point we pretty much lost the wind and it didn't look good for getting up the East side without the motor. At this point (about 2 hours into the trip) we dropped the sails, started the motor and tried to run the tank empty heading to the boat ramp.

Pull out and stepping the mast only took about 1 hour to complete, seems like we get better at this everytime we do it. Kev, being 6, was a big help too once we were on the dock he helped handle lines and get ready to load on the trailer. Then assisting as we pulled the gear out and got ready to step the mast.

Now, she sits on her trailer in Dad's backyard. The bonus, this next spring/summer we will do all sorts of work, given the financial situation of all involved, and in another year or 18 months we will have a very nice, clean and capable trailer sailor.

Good wind, good friends, good times...

Well, we finally made it out sailing this year. I have decided that life is too complicated if it takes me this long to get out sailing.

We took Beeby and Ray out sailing with us, works out well since they live right near the boat and just met us there. We headed out around 6:30-6:45 and sailed under the main and a 115 jib, which did really well running across to Mercer Island and working our way down the east side of Seward park. Around 7:30 we decided to turn around and head for the marina again, some of us have to get up for work in the morning. Unfortunately, going upwind wasn't nearly as fun or easy. After a few tacks and not making much headway north towards home we dropped the sails fired up the engine and motored back up.

Pulled into the marina around 8:30, walked around a little bit then said good-bye to Beeby and Ran, went back and finished closing up the boat and called it a night. All-in-all the boys had fun, I had fun, Karen had fun and I am pretty sure Beeby and Ray had fun.

A sad day indeed...

Well, it was bound to come around again... That ime in which I have to go down and start getting her ready for the winter. The nice thing about living in the NW is that I can sail year round if I want, the downside is that the kids and wife get really cranky when there is no heat in the cabin.

So alas, it is with heavy heart that I went down and backer her into the slip, pulled all the sails and the outboard motor in preparation for winter. I do hope that sometime during the fall and winter I will be able to go out for some short day sails, but we'll see how the weather and life cooperates on that.

Sailing Log - Update

Ok, so procrastination has gotten the better of me. I have filled in the log book for our first two trips out for this year, but I just haven't gotten around to pulling it out and filling it in here. Since procrastination is a friend of mine (very good one at that), I have decided to go ahead and forgoe putting the detailed log book up here instead I will truncate it with just the basic details. If you want to read the whole thing, you will need to convince me to take you out sailing...

Trip #1: June 20, 2008
Origin: Newport Yaht Basin (47 34.497N 122 11.393W)
Destination: Lakewood Marina (47 33.78N 122 16.036W)
Departure Time: 1604 PDT
Arrival Time: 1756 PDT
Weather: Clear sky, calm water, very light winds

Trip #2: July 1, 2008
Origin: Lakewood Marina (47 33.778N 122 16.036W)
Destination: None
Departure Time: 1900 PDT
Arrival Time: 2005 PDT
Weather: Clear sky, calm water, very light winds