Where have all the Hondas gone ?

Steve Sanford

Steve Sanford

Well-known member
All~

I'm not sure yet whether I will need a new engine for my Sneakbox. As I have studied the web over the past couple of years, I have become familiar with the modern marketplace for 9.9s and 15s. (My last gunning outboard was a 1978 Johnson 15 that gave me many seasons of hard service.) I have been struck while following duckboats.net that I cannot recall seeing anyone using Hondas. This is in stark contrast to WoodenBoat magazine where I have seldom seen anything but Hondas. I know Hondas can be a bit more costly (and maybe a bit heavier) - but I'm wondering if there are other reasons why gunners do not seem to use them on duckboats.

I welcome any thoughts or advice.

All the best,

SJS
 
I will not run anything other than Honda. In my opinion, they are by far, the most reliable and trustworthy outboard on the market. I have a 50 and a 15 on my Lund Alaskan. I've never had a single problem with either of them.
 
I think weight is one thing, and also think it might be slightly related to dealership saturation, less Honda dealers maybe, and it seems the Honda dealers lean toward selling the big four Lastly, there is a ton of used small outboards of other brands out there that have a large marketshare.
 
While they larger engines are popular down here, I rarely if ever one under 40 hp.
 
Here in the Great Lakes, the horsepower range band you mention are used as kicker motors in the trolling fleet. Weight, pricepoint, and warranty duration are the issues I hear stated as drawback when Hondas come-up in conversation. Similarly., Suzukis are slowly displacing Yamahas, both large and small block powerheads.
 
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Steve,

I run a 2005 four stroke 30 Honda, this motor has never let me down . i chose to rebuild my carbs because of ethanol issues but it really was not bad once it was apart . one recommendation is it says to run 87 octane run 87 octane . i switched to 89 figuring it was doing the motor good but it runs so much better on the 87 now . good luck with your hunt .


My second choice would be Yamaha



Dave M
 
Still a lot of used evinrude and yamaha around here. Honda are just BIG... See a few on crags list. Like the one's for the upstate lakes, cleaner...
 
Steve,
I ran a 50 Honda for 18 years with no problems, replaced several props and 2 water pumps,real good service.

Last year i changed boats and dropped down to a 25 Suzuki with EFI i don't have many hours on it yet not really broken in but it is smooth.
I did learn that it takes a bit longer to warm up than the Honda no doubt due to the electronics.

Weight and price is a bit better.
 
Steve, I had a Tohatsu 4 stroke 15. Very reliable, quiet heavier and just not the same juice as a 2 stroke 15. I went back to 2 strokes for lower power.
If I had anything over a 40 I would go back to 4 stroke.
Best of luck in your search.
 
Steve,
Ask Red to ask the guy that works on his engines I was told by him, the Honda run well but rust out faster than other brands.
 
I run a 40 Honda commercially on a 19 Carolina skiff, this is my second one, I just replaced a 2000 40 that is still running strong,. Tons of hours, in the salt, ZERO problems. Just replaced props, some oil changes and a water pump every 3 years. All the commercial guys by me are running them now, from 40 to 150 hp,they are also the lightest of all the 4 strokes.
I won't run anything else now, and we've had them all.
 
I run a 40 Honda commercially on a 19 Carolina skiff, this is my second one, I just replaced a 2000 40 that is still running strong,. Tons of hours, in the salt, ZERO problems. Just replaced props, some oil changes and a water pump every 3 years. All the commercial guys by me are running them now, from 40 to 150 hp,they are also the lightest of all the 4 strokes.
I won't run anything else now, and we've had them all.
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Any idea top speed with a 40hp on the 19' gcs ????
 
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I rarely run it full throttle,and never tried to clock it, best guess 30 mph empty ?.
While I don't know the exact speed, I can still get it on plane with 25 bu. crabs in totes spread around the boat,
 
I rarely run it full throttle,and never tried to clock it, best guess 30 mph empty ?.
While I don't know the exact speed, I can still get it on plane with 25 bu. crabs in totes spread around the boat,
Click to expand...


Thanks for the info GCS
 
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