Honda's new outboards take centre stage

by Bob Wonders on 29 May 2008 The Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show has become renowned as the venue for industry leading companies to launch new products.

So it was when Honda Marine unveiled the company’s latest BF40hp and BF50hp four-stroke engines to the Australian market.

Although the new engines have retained their light weight and compact styling, they have been considerable enhanced thanks to electronic fuel injection, Honda’s revolutionary ‘Boosted Low Speed Torque’, nicknamed BLAST by the company, which delivers air/fuel ratio and ignition-timing technology.

Another feature, Lean Burn Control, gives the engines powerful start-up and acceleration with outstanding fuel economy in cruise mode.

BLAST, together with an all-new, streamlined gear case design, contributes to superior acceleration and enhanced top speed, while battery charging capacity has been increased to 17 amps, an improvement of more than 1.7 times when compared with the previous 40hp and 50hp models.

One aspect of the new engines that will impress even those with absolutely no mechanical knowledge is their weight; the new Honda BF40 and BF50 are an astonishing 13 kilograms lighter than competitive engines.

Much of the weight saving can be attributed to the lightweight, plastic inlet manifold, consisting of an integrated chamber extending from the throttle body to a midway point, as well as dedicated passages which brand off to the engine’s three cylinders.

The end result is increased output from low speed to high speed, as well as reduced weight.

Each power head is of the single overhead cam design, three cylinders and six valves.

The new models are also much easier accessed for routine maintenance.

For example, the previous models features a flywheel clamped on by four bolts; the crankshaft of the latest engines has been altered to a tapered ‘shaft and the flywheel is secured with a single nut.

Both engines displace 808cc.

The BF40 delivers its 40hp at 5500rpm, the BF50 produces its full complement of power at 5750rpm.

They perform beautifully, they look good and for those in the market for small four-stroke outboards, well, I’d say Honda has backed a winner.

Make that two winners – the Honda B40 and Honda B50.

They really do ‘look the goods.’

For further information contact Honda Australia in your capital city or visit the website, www.honda.com.au