Which Honda Outboard is Right for Your Boat?

Whether you're launching at Mindarie on a Saturday morning, chasing dhufish out of Hillarys, or just exploring the Swan River on a tinny, your outboard motor is the heartbeat of your time on the water.

One of the questions we get asked all the time is: "Which Honda outboard is right for me?" The good news is there's a Honda for every type of boatie. Here's what we mean.

Mid-range outboards: the all-rounders most Perth boaties need

If there’s one category that caters to the widest range of Perth boaters, it’s Honda’s mid-range lineup. Spanning from 30 hp all the way up to 100 hp, these motors suit the way most of us actually use our boats.

Maybe you've got a 5 to 6 metre alloy or fibreglass boat. You take it out on the weekends, do a bit of fishing, maybe some crabbing in the estuary, or cruise up to Mandurah with the family. You don't need a monster engine, but you absolutely want something reliable that starts the first time, every time.

What makes the mid-range stand out: cutting-edge technology, everyday benefits

Honda’s mid-range outboards pack in a surprising amount of technology for motors in this class. Here’s what that means on the water:

• BLAST™ Technology (Boosted Low Speed Torque) delivers an unrivalled hole-shot, so your boat gets up on the plane quickly and cleanly, without that sluggish, over-revving start that wears engines out.
• ECOmo fuel management automatically adjusts fuel delivery based on load and speed, which means outstanding fuel economy at cruising speeds – less money spent at the bowser, more trips for the same budget.
• Multi-port Programmed Fuel Injection (PGM-FI) on the BF40 through to BF100 delivers precise fuel amounts to each cylinder across the entire rev range, giving you smooth, consistent power rather than a lumpy, unpredictable response.
• VTEC technology on the BF90 and BF100 gives you more top-end power when you need it; the same Honda VTEC system that made their road cars famous, now working hard for you on the water.
• NMEA2000 connectivity means your engine talks to your chartplotter and instruments seamlessly; a more modern, integrated boating experience.

The BF75, BF80, BF90 and BF100 are based on the same engine platform that powered the best-selling Honda Jazz, a heritage that speaks to smooth performance and long-term reliability. The BF60 adds a Power Thrust model (BFP60) with a larger gear case and a bigger propeller, which is particularly useful for heavy boat and load applications.

Honda’s mid-range outboards are so easy to maintain. Their build quality means you’re not dreading every service, and they have a long-life record.

We believe this range of outboards is best suited for weekend warriors, family boaties, fishos on mid-sized boats, and anyone who wants a dependable motor without overengineering it.

High-horsepower outboards: when you want to go further, faster

It’s a calm morning, you're running out past Rottnest, and you want to be at your favourite spot before anyone else gets there. That's where Honda's high horsepower outboards come into their own.

Ranging from 115 hp all the way up to a V8 350 hp, these motors are built for bigger boats and bigger adventures: offshore fishing rigs, large fibreglass cruisers, and boats that spend serious time in open water.

What separates the high horsepower range from the rest isn’t just the numbers. These engines come loaded with features that make a difference on longer, more demanding runs:

• Cruise control: set your speed and let the engine hold it. On a two-hour run to a reef, not constantly trimming the throttle makes a surprising difference to how you arrive; that is, less fatigued, more focused.
• Automatic tilt: at the touch of a button, the engine raises and lowers itself. Critical for shallow ramps, mooring in tight spots, or trailering without wrestling a heavy engine by hand.
• Fully digital displays: the high hp range integrates with modern digital gauge systems, giving you a clean, contemporary helm with all your engine data: RPM, fuel consumption, trim angle, and more, all in one place.
• VTEC technology delivers more top-end power when you need it; the engine works harder precisely when conditions demand it, without running hard all the time.
• Honda’s Lean Burn and precise fuel injection adjust delivery based on load and speed, so you’re not burning through fuel unnecessarily at cruising speeds. The BF350 even runs on regular unleaded which adds up over a season.

They're also remarkably quiet for the power they produce. If you've ever been on a boat where conversation is impossible over engine noise, you'll appreciate how smooth a Honda runs. 

Honda's reputation for reliability means you spend less time worrying and more time fishing. Their high-horsepower engines are built to last and would suit serious offshore fishos, cruising families with larger boats, or anyone who regularly heads out past the islands and needs power they can trust.