Top End Charter Fleet swaps to Honda

by Sandman PR on 8 Mar 2009 Up in the Top End, they take fishing seriously. None more so than Cannon Charters, which runs a fleet of boats custom-designed for sportfishing adventures and discovery trips around the spectacular coast of the Northern Territory - recently changing their engines to Honda's new BF40s.

BH Marine, a Honda dealer for 14 years, recently fitted five of Honda’s new BF40 engines for the company, replacing the Yamaha 50s it had been running with, including on its showpiece vessel, the MV Cannon.

According to Byron Hazell, owner of BH Marine, the main appeal of the Honda BF40s was their fuel efficiency.

'Their boats had 50s on them and I lent them the BF40s for a trial. They found that after using the BF40s, they were doing everything the 50s were doing and using less fuel. So they went with them. They’re very happy with the fuel economy, reliability and how quiet they are.'

Honda’s BF40 and BF50 engines are enhanced with electronic fuel injection, Honda’s revolutionary Boosted Low Speed Torque (BLAST™) air/fuel ratio and ignition-timing technology, and lean-burn control to deliver powerful start-up and acceleration together with outstanding fuel economy during cruising.

BLAST™, along with a newly-designed streamlined gear case and other improvements, contributes to greater acceleration and a higher top speed, while lean-burn control results in a 22% improvement in fuel economy over the previous models.

The new models are compatible with Honda’s latest general purpose engine diagnostic systems and also feature a new one-touch plastic cap, which permits easy inspection of anode wear inside the engine, for significantly improved ease of maintenance.

Honda has also managed to reduce noise levels by 1.0dB over previous models through such improvements as a longer exhaust pipe and an optimised rib design inside the upper portion of the extension case.

Both models exhibit outstanding environmental performance and exceed: 2008 CARB emissions standards – the most stringent in the world; US EPA standards for 2006 and domestic Japanese voluntary regulations.

The engines also achieve the Outboard Engine Distributors Association’s (OEDA) three-star rating for ultra low emissions.

The MV Cannon, has the reputation of being the number one charter boat around the Kimberley, Darwin and Tiwi Islands. A luxury 75' Mothership, she was built to survey by West Coaster Marine, launched in 2003 and exudes quality and luxury in every detail. It can accommodate eight guests in four cabins and boasts a massive outside entertaining deck area and state of the art navigation system. There are four sportfishing boats to enable guests to fish the estuaries, rivers, coastline and reefs – now all powered by Honda.

'MV Cannon is an extremely high profile boat in Darwin,' adds Mr Hazell. 'It’s moored in front of the Cullen Bay restaurants and marina, and now, with Honda BF40s in full view.'

More at www.cannoncharters.com.au