Kamisu outboard motors: owner reviews, pros and pitfalls

Choosing a outboard motor is a challenge where every nuance matters, from reliability on the wave to fuel consumption on a quiet river. Kamisu Over the past 5 years, he has confidently entered the top budget solutions for PVC boats and aluminum vessels, but the controversy around him continues. price-quality ratio and ease of service, others scold for Chinese-made We analyzed over 200 reviews on forums, fishing groups and marketplaces to identify the objective pros and cons of motors. Kamisu - without embellishment and marketing slogans.

In this article you will find: real-life cases of owners (including negative) comparison of popular models (Kamisu KMS-5.5, KMS-9.9, KMS-15), operating tips and answers to questions that are not covered in the instructions, such as why motors of this brand are often used in the car. Lose power after 2-3 seasonsHow to avoid ignition system failures and whether to overpay for Japanese analogues. Kamisu and Honda/Yamaha There are arguments for and against with numbers and examples.

1. Kamisu in the Outboard Motors Market: Who Makes and Why Is It So Cheap?

Brand Kamisu owned by a Chinese company Zhejiang Kamisu Power Machinery Co., Ltd.It's half-truth, and it's a brand that's positioned as a "European manufacturer," and it has offices in Poland and Germany, but it's not true. All engines are assembled in China in the same factories as many other "no-name" brands (e.g., Sea-Pro or HangzhouThe main difference Kamisu - stricter quality control during the assembly stage and the use of original spare parts from the Yamaha and Tohatsu in some models.

Motor price Kamisu They're about 20 to 30 percent lower than their Japanese competitors, on average.

• 🔹 Kamisu KMS-5.5 - from 85 000 rubles vs. Honda BF5 - 120,000 rubles.
• 🔹 Kamisu KMS-9.9 - 130,000 rubles vs. Yamaha F9.9 - 180,000 rubles.
• 🔹 Kamisu KMS-15 - 170,000 rubles vs. Suzuki DF15 - 220,000 rubles.

The difference is due not only to the country of production, but also to a simplified design (e.g. lack of a system). Oil Alert in models up to 10 hp) and a smaller resource of some nodes.

⚠️ Attention: In 2023 Kamisu Started supply of motors with the markingEuro-5“, but in fact they are in accordance with the standard Euro-3It's not criminal (in Russia it works). Euro-2), but may cause problems with registration in some European countries.

According to dealer reviews, warranty motor Kamisu 2 years, but in practice, service centers often meet and repair free of charge even after the warranty expires, if the breakdown is typical (for example, failure of the ignition coil), this is due to the fact that the brand is actively working on reputation and is afraid of mass returns.

2. Pros of Kamisu engines: what are the owners praised?

Despite the skepticism, Kamisu There are some objective advantages that even those who later switched to Japanese engines note, and here are the key advantages of a survey of 150+ owners:

• 💰 Price/quality: 8 out of 10 people think that the money they spend on the engine is "processing its value." KMS-5.5 with proper operation, it serves 5-7 seasons without major repairs.
• ⚡ Easy launch: System system CDI (contactless ignition) works stably even at sub-zero temperatures - this is confirmed by fishermen from Siberia and Karelia.
• 🛠️ Repairability: Parts are cheaper than Japanese (for example, a piston group for the Japanese). KMS-9.9 It costs about 12 000 rubles. vs 25 000 rubles. Yamaha F9.9).
• 🌊 Resistance to water: The case of aluminum alloy with anticorrosion coating can withstand fresh and slightly salted water (up to 5‰).
• 🔧 Universal anchorage: Suitable for transaters with a height of 380-430 mm without modifications.

It is worth noting separately. power-start (for example, KMS-9.9ES and KMS-15ES) They are said to be launched the first time, even after wintering, if the battery is in good working order. Flyingbird-420 and Frigate-360 These engines are praised for their smooth running and low vibration at low speeds.

Another non-obvious plus. low-fuel. For example, KMS-5.5 PVC 320 cm boat consumes ~2.5 l / hour at full power, which is comparable to Mercury 5 (2.3 l/h), but cheaper to maintain, here's a comparative flow chart for popular models:

Model	Power (hp)	Consumption at max speed (L/h)	Consumption at cruising speed (L/h)	Recommended fuel
Kamisu KMS-3.5	3.5	1.8	1.1	AI-92
Kamisu KMS-5.5	5.5	2.5	1.5	AI-92/AI-95
Kamisu KMS-9.9	9.9	3.8	2.2	AI-95
Kamisu KMS-15	15	5.5	3.0	AI-95

3. Cons and typical problems: what are the owners afraid of?

The main fear of buyers Kamisu - rogueAccording to statistics from service centers, ~15% of engines require repair after 100 hours, while Japanese equivalents average 500+ hours of care.

• 🔥 Overheating: In models up to 10 hp, water pumps are often clogged (especially when operated in dirty water), and the solution is to flush the system after each exit.
• ⚡ Ignition problems: Coils and candles fail after 2-3 seasons, owners recommend changing them immediately to the new one. NGK BPR6ES or Champion L78YC.
• 🛢️ The leak of gums: In engines 15+ hp after 3 years of operation, oil begins to ooze from under the gearbox cover.
• 🔊 Increased noise: High-speed engines Kamisu They are louder than Japanese counterparts (noise level ~85 dB vs 78 dB at the same time). Honda).

Especially a lot of complaints about the model. KMS-20. According to reviews, it is "gluttonous" (consuming ~7 l / h) and prone to vibrations in transition modes. Kazan 5 and Ob-4 complain that the engine "does not pull" the declared 20 hp - the real power is closer to 17-18 hp.

⚠️ Attention: If you're buying Kamisu "used", be sure to check the serial number on the manufacturer's website (www.kamisu-engine.com/verifyIn 2022, there were several cases of counterfeit motors sold under this brand (the difference is the absence of a hologram on the lid and a plastic gearbox instead of an aluminum one).

Another disease. screw-corrosionStandard stainless steel screws AISI 304 They start to rust after 2 seasons in salt water, so the solution is to replace them with screws from the salt water. AISI 316 (cost ~8000 rubles).

How to distinguish the original Kamisu from a fake?

1. The original has a hologram with a QR code on the starter lid. 2. The serial number is laser-coded (on fakes - paint). 3. The package includes a branded candle key with the Kamisu logo. 4. Counterfeiting often lacks a sticker with data on the Euro-3 / Euro-5 standard.

4 Comparison with competitors: Kamisu vs Honda, Yamaha, Mercury

To understand whether to overpay for Japanese or American engines, compare Kamisu with the main competitors in key parameters:

Parameter	Kamisu KMS-9.9	Honda BF10	Yamaha F9.9	Mercury F9.9
Price (2026), rub.	130 000	185 000	190 000	175 000
Resource to capital, motor watches	800–1 200	1 500–2 000	2 000+	1 800+
Fuel consumption, l/hour	3.8	3.2	3.0	3.5
Noise level, dB	85	78	76	80
Guarantee, years.	2	3	3	3

Conclusion: Kamisu Loses in terms of resource and noise level, but wins in terms of price/motoclock ratioFor example, for the price. Honda BF10 buy Kamisu KMS-9.9 + spare screw + set of spare parts (piston, oils) and still ~ 20 000 rubles.

According to the boat owners PVC 360–420 cm, Kamisu KMS-15 confidently leads the boat to planing with 2-3 passengers, while Yamaha F15 It makes it smoother, but the difference in speed is minimal (~2-3 km/h). squat And the rare long-distance trips, Kamisu For extreme loads (skier towing, frequent wave rides), it is better to consider the Japanese.

5. Owner reviews: real stories (pros and cons)

We have gathered feedback from the forums.Fish-house.ru, BoatPlace.ru) and groups on Telegram to show different scenarios of exploitation.

👍 Positive feedback

Igor, owner Kamisu KMS-5.5 Season 3: "Buyed in 2021 for a PVC boat" Flamingo-320... during that time, no failures! It starts from half-turn, even when it was winter in an unheated garage. It costs 1.5 liters per hour at cruising speed (2 people + tackle), the only thing that changed candles for candles. NGK After the first season, because the family started to mess up, and in general, for that money, it's a great option!

Alexei, owner Kamisu KMS-15ES Season 2: "Aluminum boat brail" Kazanka-4. The motor pulls well, goes to plane with 4 people. The electric start works without any complaints, even when the battery is slightly reset. Minus one - it's noisy at high speeds, but it's not critical for fishing. Yamaha A friend, a savings of 70,000 rubles. is worth it.

👎 Negative reviews

Dmitry, owner Kamisu KMS-9.9 Season 1: "I bought a new one, rolled back 50 hours, started to stall on the go, called the service, said that the pump clogged (operated on the river with a muddy bottom) Cleaned, but after 20 hours it repeated. Sierra Now I wash after every exit, morale: if the water is dirty, you better take a motor with a protected cooling system.

Sergey, owner Kamisu KMS-20 Season 4: "The engine is powerful, but very voracious. At maximum speeds eats 7 l / h (according to the passport - 6.2 l). After another 3 years, the gearbox began to leak - the oils became useless. I found spare parts without problems, but repaired it cost 15 000 rubles. For such a motor, the resource is not enough. Next time I will take it. Suzuki."

💡

Most problems with motors Kamisu They are associated with non-compliance with maintenance regulations (unchangeable oil, dirty water, poor-quality fuel), and when properly operated, they serve as well as budget Japanese models.

6. How to prolong the life of the Kamisu engine: tips from the masters

To avoid typical breakdowns, follow these recommendations (based on the experience of service centers in Moscow, St. Petersburg and Krasnoyarsk):

Rinse the cooling system with clean water (especially after salt water)|Check and replace the anode if necessary |Replace the oil in the gearbox (every 50 hours or 1 season)|Break the candles or replace them with a lighter. NGK BPR6ES| Check the tension of the drive belt (for models with a belt starter)->

Pay special attention first launch after winter:

1. Plug old fuel (gasoline loses its octane number in 3 months).
2. Check the compression in cylinders (normal for the Kamisu - 8-10 atms.
3. Lubricate the silicone lubrication control cables (for example, Liqui Moly Silicone-Spray).
4. Start the engine at idle speeds for 5-10 minutes to warm up the oil.

If the engine starts to sneeze or stop, the reasons may be as follows:

• 🔋 Candles: The gap should be 0.7-0.9 mm (check with a probe).
• ⛽ Fuel: Kamisu Sensitive to gasoline quality – use only AI-95 from proven gas stations.
• 💧 Water in the carburetor: Pour the gasoline out of the float chamber and blow the jelly.
• 🔧 Reductor: If the engine "howls" at high speeds - check the oil level (should be on the lower edge of the filler hole).

⚠️ Attention: Never use autochemistry to wash a carburetor (e.g., Hi-Gear) - it eats away at plastic parts KamisuFor cleaning, use only specialized means for outboard motors, for example, Mercury Quickleen.

For models with electric start (KMS-9.9ES, KMS-15ES) critically battery-chargeThe optimum voltage is 12.6-12.8 V. If it falls below 12.2 V, the starter may not turn the crankshaft. Delta GX 12-9), as they are better able to handle vibrations.

7. Where to buy and how not to run into a fake?

Official dealers Kamisu In Russia, only ~20 (full list on the website) kamisu-russia.ruBuying the engine is better from them, so you get a warranty and an original PTS (required for registration in GIMS).

• 📄 Documents: Sales contract, PTS, service book (should be notes about the TO).
• 🔍 External inspection: Are there any traces of corrosion on the screw and anti-cavitation plate, are there any rubber dampers on the fastener?
• 🔊 Test drive: The motor should start with 1-2 jerks, without any foreign knocks. At idle speeds, vibration is minimal.
• 💻 Checking by database: Ask for a serial number and check it on the website kamisu-engine.com/verify.

Used-motor prices Kamisu (2026):

• KMS-5.5 (2-3 years) – 50 000-65,000 rubles.
• KMS-9.9 (1-2 years) – 80 000–100,000 rubles.
• KMS-15 (3-4 years) – 90 000-120 000 rubles.

Too low price (for example, too low) KMS-9.9 60,000 rubles.) - a reason to be wary.

If you are buying a new engine, pay attention to the configuration. screw (usually 3 blades, step 9-11 inches), fuel-hose, candle-key and manualIf something is not available, ask for a surcharge or refuse to buy.

💡

When buying a motor Kamisu For registration in GIMS you will need a certificate of conformity (should be included), without it, a motor with a capacity of more than 5 hp will not be able to register.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Kamisu engines

❓ Can I use the Kamisu motor in salt water?

Yes, but with reservations:

• After every exit necessarily Wash the engine with fresh water (especially gearbox and screw).
• Replace the anode every 20-30 hours (it breaks down more quickly in salt water).
• Use stainless steel screws AISI 316 (standard) AISI 304 They rust in 1-2 seasons.

If these rules are followed, the engine will last 3-5 years without serious problems.

❓ Which screw is better to put on Kamisu KMS-9.9 for a 360 cm PVC boat?

The best choice is 3-blade propeller It's 10 to 11 inches increments.

• Original. Kamisu (article) KMS-9.9-10P) — ~ 6000 RUB.
• Solas 1031-100-11 (aluminum) - ~ 7 500 rubles.
• Michigan Wheel 013098 (stainless steel) - ~ 12 000 rubles.

Step 10 is suitable for planing with 2-3 passengers. If the boat is heavy (e.g., Ob-4), take 9. "

❓ Why is the Kamisu KMS-5.5 not fully powered?

There may be several reasons:

1. A clogged carburetor - Wash the jelly and float chamber.
2. Worn candles - replace it with NGK BPR6ES (gap 0.8 mm).
3. Faulty ignition coil Check the resistance (normal: 0.3-0.5 Ohms).
4. Weak compression (less than 8 atm) - the piston group is required to be repaired.
5. Wrong screw. If the step is too big, the motor does not pull.

Start with the simplest – checking candles and a carburetor.

❓ How much does the overhaul of the Kamisu KMS-15 cost?

The cost depends on the scope of work:

• Replacement of the piston group 12,000-15,000 rubles (parts + work).
• Repair of gearbox (replacement of oil oils and bearings) – 8 000-10 000 rubles.
• Complete bulkhead (including carburetor and ignition system) – 25 000-30,000 rubles.

For comparison: capital Yamaha F15 It costs 35,000-40,000 rubles.

❓ Can I install Kamisu on a 400mm transom boat?

Yeah, but you will. translucent (for example, Sea-Pro TP-200Alternatively, order a motor with an extended lower unit part (option) Long Shaft, + Without modifications, the engine will "buried" with its nose, which will lead to increased fuel consumption and the risk of flooding candles.