Choosing an outboard motor for a small inflatable or metal boat often comes down to finding the “golden mean” between power and weight, and that’s where the scene comes in. Selva 35This two-stroke engine has been one of the most popular units in its class for many years, offering owners time-tested reliability and affordable maintenance costs. Italian manufacturer Tohatsu has managed to create a product that fits seamlessly into the 30-40 hp segment.
Many anglers and lovers of walks on the water choose this model for its traction and ability to quickly bring a heavy boat to plane. Selva 35 It doesn't just compete with Japanese models, but it often beats them in price while maintaining high build quality, and in this article we'll go through the technical details, the operational features and the hidden capabilities of this engine.
It should be noted immediately that The base model Selva 35 is produced at the Tohatsu plant and is a complete technical analogue of the Tohatsu M30B2, but with an increased up to 35 hp working volume.This is a key point for those looking for parts, because many of the components in these engines are interchangeable, and understanding this pedigree helps to better understand the maintenance and tuning of the unit.
Technical specifications and construction
At the heart of the unit is a two-stroke two-cylinder engine with a displacement of 498 cubic centimeters. This architecture provides excellent traction at low revs, which is critical for heavy PVC hard-bottom boats or small aluminum boats. The CDI ignition system guarantees stable start even after prolonged downtime, and forced water cooling effectively removes heat during prolonged operation at high revs.
The weight of the engine in the standard configuration is about 52-54 kilograms, which is quite acceptable for engines of such power. Fuel tank It is usually a 25-liter set, which is enough for several hours of active travel, although many owners immediately purchase larger containers for long-distance crossings.
It is important to consider the gear ratio of the gearbox, which is 2.08:1. This means that the motor copes perfectly with large diameter screws without overloading the crankshaft. Below is a table with the main parameters that will help determine the choice:
| Parameter | Meaning | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Power | 35 hp (25.7 kW) | At 5,500 rpm |
| Workload | 498 cm | 2 cylinders |
| Launching system | Manual / Electrical starter | Depends on the modification. |
| Recommended octane | AI-92 | AI-95 Allowed |
| Lubrication system | Premix (mixing) | 1:50 for breaking in |
⚠️ Warning: When buying a used motor, be sure to check the state of the daydvut for traces of an emulsion. Water getting into the gearbox is a common problem with careless transportation or damage to the glands.
Fuel consumption and economy
The question of fuel consumption is always a hot one, especially given the current price of gasoline. Selva 35 The engine has its own rules: the flow rate depends on the load on the screw and the quality of the fuel mixture. On average, at full gas, the engine consumes about 10-12 liters of the mixture per hour, but in trolling or quiet mode this figure decreases to 4-5 liters.
Many owners mistakenly believe that two-strokes are always "gluttonous," but properly tuning the carburetor works wonders. If the mixture is too rich, you not only lose power, but also increase oil consumption, which leads to the formation of soot on candles and pistons. The optimal mixture should be pale blue on the exhaust, not black or oily.
To calculate the power reserve, you should focus on an average speed of 25-30 km / h. With a tank of 25 liters, a confident stroke will be about 2-2.5 hours in active mode. If you plan long exits, it makes sense to immediately provide for the installation of an additional fuel tank for 50 liters, since a regular one may not be enough for a full day of fishing, taking into account the return path against the current or wind.
Running in: the first step to long service
The breaking in process is the foundation of your engine's durability, and it's absolutely not to be neglected. The new piston rings and cylinders need to get tucked together to keep the combustion chamber tight. Selva 35 requires mixing gasoline with oil in a ratio of 1:25 (40 ml of oil per 1 liter of gasoline) during the first 10 motor hours or the production of 5 tanks of fuel.
It is recommended not to open the throttle more than 50-60% in the first hours of operation, alternate short periods of operation at medium speeds with periods of idling, so that the parts warm up and cool down evenly, this will help to avoid local overheating and deformation of the metal.
☑️ Checklist of successful break-in
After the break-in phase is completed, the fuel filter must be replaced and the spark plugs checked. If the baked-brown color is in the background, then the process has been successful. Black soda will indicate the over-enriched mixture, and white - the risk of overheating and working on too "poor" mixture, which is deadly for a two-stroke engine.
Carburetor setup and maintenance
The carburetor is the brain of the engine, and the right tuning affects the idling chore and stability. Selva 35 There are float carburetors that are quite sensitive to fuel quality and the presence of water in the tank, and they are adjusted with quality and quantity screws, which are usually closed off by plastic plugs (eco-plugs), which many remove for more precise adjustment.
If the motor stalls when the throttle is opened abruptly or if it fails in transition modes, it is likely that the jellyclera cleaning or adjustment of the float level is required, and you should also pay attention to the condition of the petal valves that control the intake of the fuel mixture, their petals should not have cracks or burrs, otherwise the filling of the cylinders will be disturbed.
The secret to stable idling
Often the problem with unstable idling is not the carburetor, but the air sucker through the crankshaft or the intake manifold. Check these nodes before you get into the carburetor settings.>
Regular maintenance includes lubrication of all points specified in the instructions: gas cable, humper, slitz connection of the daydvut. Lubrication of slitz It should be carried out every season or after each wintering to prevent the daydwout from sticking to the daydwound pipe, which is a common problem in long-term use.
Comparison with competitors: Tohatsu and Mercury
As mentioned, Selva 35 Visually and technically, the motors are almost identical, however, Selva often offers richer basic equipment, including improved lower unit or better-quality screws in the drain. Mercury, in turn, also uses the Tohatsu base, but is sold at a higher price because of the brand and developed service network.
The advantage of Selva is that Tohatsu parts are available at a lower cost of the engine itself. If you value every ruble when you buy, but want Japanese quality, that's ideal. However, if you live in a region where there are no official Selva dealers and Tohatsu/Mercury is in a nearby city, it makes sense to overpay for a brand with affordable service.
- 🛠 Repairability: A large number of compatible parts from Tohatsu.
- 💰 Price: Usually 10-15% lower than the Mercury of similar power.
- 🌊 Anti-corrosion protection: Standard for this class, requires washing with fresh water.
- 🔧 Availability of the service: Depends on the region, but the mechanics know the platform well.
⚠️ Note: When buying an engine, pay attention to the year of manufacture. Models from different years may have differences in the ignition system and the shape of the lower unit, which is important when ordering plastic body parts.
Typical malfunctions and methods of their elimination
Despite the reliability, every machine fails, and one of the common problems of two-strokes is failure. CDI module Symptoms are ignition failures under load or complete failure of start. The diagnosis is simple: check the spark on the candle if it is weak or absent with proper coils and candles - the problem is in the switch.
Another common problem is overheating due to clogged water channel or impeller wear. If the control hole stopped flowing water, operation should be stopped immediately. Replacing the impeller (impeller) is a simple procedure and should be carried out prophylactic once every 2-3 seasons, even if there are no visible problems.
Fuel system problems often involve long-term gas dissection, and if you leave the boat for the winter, make sure to use a carburetor or stabilizer, and old gasoline turns into a resin that clogs the jellybars and requires complete disassembly and ultrasonic cleaning of the carburetor.
Final opinion and recommendations
Selva 35 It's not going to surprise you with space technology or the silence of four-strokes, but it's going to do its job of getting the fisherman and the boat to the catching point perfectly, and its simplicity makes it an ideal candidate for self-repair in the field, which is highly valued by experienced water-engineers.
If you're looking for a heavy outboard motor, where the bottoms are the most important, and you're willing to put up with the mix and a little bit of noise to save budget and weight, that's a great choice. With proper care and timely replacement of consumables, it can take thousands of hours.
The Selva 35 is the optimal balance of price and power for boats 3.5-4.5 meters long, requiring high-quality oil and careful attention to the cooling system.
In conclusion, the outboard motor market is diverse, but time-tested designs remain in the leaders of sales for a reason. Selva 35You choose predictability and affordability, which in the world of water technology is often more important than marketing innovations.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Which screw is better to put on the Selva 35 for the PVC boat 3.80?
For a 3.80-meter PVC boat with a full load (2 man + gear), a 10-11-inch propeller is optimal. If the boat is light and you walk alone, you can try 12-inch stride to increase maximum speed, but the engine will run at the speed limit.
Can you use Selva 35 on seawater?
Yes, you can, because lower unit is corrosion-resistant, but after every sea voyage, it is critical to flush the cooling system with fresh water so that the salt does not corrode the aluminum alloys and clog the cooling channels.
Why does the engine smoke white smoke?
White smoke is normal for a two-stroke engine, as it burns oil. However, if the smoke becomes thick and blue and oil consumption has increased dramatically, the tightness of the crankshaft coils may have been compromised or the carburetor needs to be adjusted.
Where can I find the parts if the Selva is out of sale?
Since the Selva 35 is structurally identical to the Tohatsu M30B2/M40, most mechanical parts (piston, carburetor, ignition system, lower unit) are interchangeable.