If you're weighing up outboard engines for sale and keep landing back on Honda, that's not an accident. Honda four-stroke outboards have built a reputation over five decades for being the engines that simply start, run, and keep running - year after year, tank after tank. This guide walks through what makes Honda outboard engines different, breaks down the popular BF2.3, BF5 and BF20 models, and helps you work out which one actually suits your boat.
A dinghy, a tender, a small day boat or a RIB - there's a Honda outboard built for the job, and we'll help you find it.
What Makes Honda Outboard Engines Stand Out
Honda was the first manufacturer to bring four-stroke technology to portable outboards, and that head start still shows. A few things set Honda outboard engines apart from the rest of the pack:
Reliability that's backed up, not just claimed. Honda outboards are built using automotive-grade engineering, the same design philosophy behind Honda's cars and generators. No mixing oil and fuel, no smoky two-stroke exhaust, just a clean four-stroke engine that starts first pull.
Genuinely quiet running. Anyone who's spent a day on the water next to a screaming two-stroke will appreciate this one. Honda's outboards are engineered specifically to keep noise and vibration down, which makes for a far more pleasant few hours afloat.
Excellent fuel economy. Four-stroke combustion is inherently more efficient than two-stroke, and Honda's engines are tuned to squeeze more range from every litre. Less time spent refuelling, more time spent using the boat.
Corrosion protection built in. Honda's 4-Front Corrosion Protection System uses a multi-layered paint process and treated components throughout, which matters enormously for anyone running in UK coastal or estuary waters.
A five-year non-declining warranty. Honda's warranty is the same on day one as it is on the last day of cover, with no reducing scale. That's a genuine vote of confidence from the manufacturer, and useful peace of mind for you.
Browse the full range of Honda outboard motors we stock, new and used.
The Honda Outboard Range: Which Model Do You Need?
Honda's outboard range runs from ultra-portable engines right up to big V6 offshore units, but for small boats, tenders and auxiliary power, three models come up again and again: the BF2.3, the BF5, and the BF20. Here's how they compare.
Honda BF2.3 - The Ultra-Portable Option
At just 13kg (29.5lb), the Honda BF2.3 is the lightest four-stroke outboard on the market. It's a single-cylinder 57.2cc engine putting out 2.3hp, small enough to carry with one hand and store in a locker or car boot.
Best suited to: dinghies, inflatable tenders, car-toppers, small rowing boats, and anyone who needs an engine light enough to lift on and off without a second pair of hands.
- Internal fuel tank runs up to an hour at full throttle
- Centrifugal clutch gives smooth trolling with an automatic "neutral" feel
- Twist-grip throttle and folding tiller for easy stowing
- Shallow water drive for running in skinny water without damaging the prop
If you need to get a tender to shore and back without wrestling with a heavy engine, this is the one.
Honda BF5 - The Small Boat All-Rounder
Weighing in at 27kg (60lb), the Honda BF5 steps up to a 127cc single-cylinder engine and 5hp, while remaining genuinely portable. Unlike the BF2.3, it has full forward-neutral-reverse gear shifting, which makes a real difference when manoeuvring around a mooring or pontoon.
Best suited to: small tenders, jon boats, canoes with transoms, sailing dinghies, and as backup or auxiliary power on a larger sailing boat.
- Full F-N-R shifting with in-gear start lockout for safety
- Low vibration and noise for its class
- Large 1.5-litre internal fuel tank
- Shallow water drive as standard
The BF5 is the natural step up for anyone who's outgrown a 2.3hp engine, or who wants proper gear control rather than a clutch-only setup.
Honda BF20 - Power for Small Day Boats
The Honda BF20 is a genuine step change: a 350cc twin-cylinder engine producing 20hp, and at roughly 47kg (104lb) it's still one of the lightest engines in its class, with the largest displacement of any 20hp outboard on the market. Available with tiller or remote steering, manual or electric start, and short or long shaft options.
Best suited to: 12-16ft dinghies and small day boats, RIBs, pontoon boats, and as a reliable kicker motor on a larger sports fishing boat.
- Electric start and power tilt available
- Highest-output charging system in its class, so your electronics stay powered even while trolling
- 4-Front Corrosion Protection and freshwater flush port for easy maintenance
- 5-year factory warranty
If you're after real performance without stepping into a heavier mid-range engine, the BF20 punches well above its weight.
Quick Comparison
| Model | Power | Weight | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| BF2.3 | 2.3hp | 13kg | Dinghies, car-toppers, ultra-light tenders |
| BF5 | 5hp | 27kg | Small tenders, jon boats, auxiliary/backup power |
| BF20 | 20hp | 47kg | 12-16ft day boats, RIBs, kicker motor duty |
Not sure which fits your boat? Get in touch with our team and we'll help you match the right engine to your hull, weight and typical use.
Stepping Up: Honda's Larger Outboards
Not every boat is a tender. If you're powering a pontoon boat, RIB, sports fishing boat or offshore cruiser, Honda's range extends well beyond the portables, and two models are worth knowing about.
Honda BF60 - The Mid-Range Powerhouse
The Honda BF60 is a 998cc, three-cylinder engine putting out 60hp, and at around 108kg it's still one of the lightest engines in its class. It's built around Honda's PGM-FI electronic fuel injection and the BLAST system (Boosted Low Speed Torque), which sharpens throttle response and hole shot noticeably compared with a carburettor-fed engine of the same power.
Best suited to: pontoon boats, larger RIBs, sports fishing boats and cruisers in the 18-22ft range.
Key selling points:
- BLAST technology for sharper acceleration and hole shot
- ECOmo lean burn control for best-in-class fuel economy at cruising speed
- 22-amp alternator with 17 amps dedicated to charging, so electronics stay powered even while trolling
- NMEA 2000 compatible, so engine data feeds straight into most modern chartplotters
- Optional Power Thrust gearcase and Easy Dock Steering for easier low-speed manoeuvring around a marina
Honda BF350 - Honda's Flagship V8
At the very top of the range sits the Honda BF350, Honda's first-ever production V8 outboard. A 4,952cc, 60-degree V8 producing 350hp, it's aimed squarely at 25ft-plus boats, whether that's a serious offshore sportfisher or a large luxury cruiser, and is commonly run in twin or triple installations for genuinely high-output setups.
Best suited to: offshore fishing boats, large pontoon and cruiser applications, and anyone repowering a 25ft-plus hull that demands serious, sustained performance.
Key selling points:
- A broad, flat torque curve for smooth power delivery throughout the rev range, rather than a sudden surge at the top end
- Crankshaft built to the same alloy and strength specification as the engine in Honda's Acura NSX supercar
- 93-amp alternator (70 amps dedicated to charging) to run extensive onboard electronics without strain
- Runs on standard 86-octane unleaded, with no need for premium fuel
- The same True 5 non-declining warranty as the rest of the range, despite the step up in scale
If you're weighing up a repower or a new build at this end of the market, it's worth talking through hull weight, intended use and rigging requirements with us directly before ordering, since correct propping and installation make a real difference to how these engines perform.
How to Choose the Right Honda Outboard for Your Boat
A few practical questions will narrow things down quickly:
What's the maximum rated horsepower on your boat's transom plate? Never exceed this, regardless of how tempting more power looks. It's usually printed on a small plate near the transom.
How will you actually use it? Pottering to a mooring calls for very different power to planing a light RIB. Be honest about the use case rather than the use case you'd like to have.
Do you need reverse gear? The BF2.3 relies on its clutch design rather than a true reverse. If you're regularly manoeuvring in a tight marina or mooring, the BF5 or BF20's proper F-N-R shifting will make life considerably easier.
How will you transport and store it? If the engine needs to come off the boat regularly - onto a car roof rack, into a shed, up a companionway - weight matters more than horsepower.
Tiller or remote steering? Smaller engines are tiller-only. The BF20 offers both, so think about whether you want console-mounted controls.
Maintenance Tips to Keep Your Honda Outboard Running for Years
Part of the reason Honda outboards have such a strong reputation for longevity is that they're genuinely easy to look after. A little regular attention goes a long way.
Flush after every use in salt or brackish water. Salt residue is the single biggest cause of premature corrosion. A quick freshwater flush after each outing (via the flush port on models that have one) takes minutes and protects the internals.
Change the oil on schedule. Honda recommends an oil change after the first 20 hours of running, then roughly every 100 hours or once a season, whichever comes first. Stick to a genuine marine-grade four-stroke outboard oil - automotive oil isn't formulated for the demands of a marine engine.
Check and replace spark plugs annually. A worn spark plug is one of the most common causes of hard starting and rough idling, and it's a five-minute job. Keep a spare set of honda spark plugs in your kit bag.
Inspect the propeller regularly. Even a small nick or bend in a prop blade knocks efficiency and can cause vibration that stresses the gearbox. Browse our range of outboard propellers if yours needs replacing.
Use a proper service kit at each interval. Doing an annual service yourself is entirely achievable with the right parts to hand. Our outboard service kits bundle the oil, filter, spark plug and gaskets you'll need in one go.
Store fuel carefully. Ethanol-blended petrol degrades quickly and can gum up carburettors over winter. If the engine won't be used for more than a month, either run it dry or add a fuel stabiliser, and consider a dedicated marine fuel tank if you're upgrading your setup.
Winterise before lay-up. Fog the cylinder, top up with fresh oil, disconnect the battery on electric-start models, and store the engine upright where possible. It's a once-a-year job that prevents most of the problems people bring to a workshop in spring.
Prefer to leave it to the professionals? Our in-house workshop handles everything from annual services to full engine rebuilds.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between the Honda BF2.3, BF5 and BF20? Primarily power and weight. The BF2.3 (2.3hp, 13kg) suits the lightest tenders and dinghies, the BF5 (5hp, 27kg) adds proper gear shifting for small tenders and jon boats, and the BF20 (20hp, 47kg) is built for 12-16ft day boats and RIBs, or as a kicker motor.
How long do Honda outboard engines typically last? With regular servicing, it's common for Honda four-stroke outboards to run well beyond 1,000-2,000 hours. Longevity comes down largely to maintenance - flushing after salt water use, regular oil changes and correct winter storage all add years to an engine's working life.
Do Honda outboards need mixed fuel? No. As four-stroke engines, Honda outboards run on standard unleaded petrol with no oil mixing required, unlike older two-stroke engines. This makes them simpler to run and considerably kinder to the environment.
Can I use a Honda outboard in salt water? Yes. Honda outboards are built with corrosion protection as standard and are widely used in coastal and estuary conditions across the UK. Flushing with fresh water after each outing is strongly recommended to maximise engine life.
What size outboard do I need for my boat? Check your boat's capacity plate for the maximum rated horsepower, then think about typical use - a lightweight tender or dinghy will get by comfortably on a BF2.3 or BF5, while a small day boat or RIB usually calls for something in the BF20 range or above.
Where to Buy Honda Outboard Engines
We're Morgan Marine, and outboard engines are a core part of what we do. Beyond selling the full range of engines, we stock the propellers, marine oil, service kits, spark plugs and fuel tanks you'll need to keep one running well for years, and our in-house workshop can handle servicing, repairs and installation.
Buying an outboard from a specialist dealer rather than a generic retailer means you get advice matched to your actual boat, genuine parts, and a team on hand if anything needs sorting down the line.
Ready to find your engine? Browse our full range of Honda outboard engines or get in touch with the team and we'll help you choose the right power for your boat.
