Honda outboards

Anyone have any experience with them, we’re looking at buying a pontoon boat with one on it just don’t know much about them I’ve always been a mercury or yamaha guy

I would trust one before anything else. I had a little 25 that never needed a thing for 15 years. I sold it a couple years ago and it's still doing great. Only drawback may be weight but wouldn't matter on a pontoon.

I was told to avoid Suzuki and Honda motors. They are way behind in the technology curve. I may be shopping for a 115 4 stroke. My knowlegeable friend said to stick with Yamaha or Mercury.

Only problem with Hondas... Who works on them? I obviously don't know all the marinas or boat mechanics around but the ones that I do know don't have any Honda signs hanging anywhere.

TN, You might want to do a little more research before you drop from a 130 2 stroke to a 115 4 stroke. You're gonna lose a decent amount of performance. If I keep my Xpress long enough, I'm going to repower it, but I'm going up to a 130-4 from a 115-2.

The only problem , in my opinion, with either is parts availability around here. What year honda? The carburetated ones are finicky and a pain to work on. The newer ones are better. I wouldn't let it stop me from buying a boat I liked, but if I was being picky, I would get a yamaha or mercury.

They are HEAVY for the HP versus other motors. I have a friend that has one on a pontoon and I know the original owner. It has been flawless. I would not hesitate to buy one if I knew the hours. They are the original 4 stroke outboard makers.

I had a 2004-5 can’t remember exact year Honda 130 hp four stroke. When I sold it it had 260 hrs and all I ever did to it was change the spark plugs and oil and filter. I can’t think of anything bad to say about it really.

It’s a new one 2018 model

New 4 strokes performance is on par with older 2strokes with carburetor,jets in carb.are only difference in 115 & 130 Yamaha 2stroke about 2mph.

My experience with hondas is good..suzukis too... Good motors.

My concern is the extra weight. My tug boat is rated 130 max. I don't know if it can handle the weight of a 130 4 stroke. I just need someone who is smarter than me to say I can do it.

Research weight differences between new 4 strokes and 2 strokes before they stopped making them not much difference. EFI on 4 strokes helps alot with power. Talk to a Yamaha dealer about the difference between a 115 & 130, both are the same block just bigger jets in carburetor.

That is one issue on older boats is the weight of a 4 versus a 2 stroke. Same HP ratings but heavier for the 4 stroke. My pontoon is rated for a 115 motor, but no way in hell would I put a 115 4 stroke on it because of the weight.

If your knowledgeable friend made that suggestion for any reason other than service availability, he isn't as knowledgeable as you think.

New Yamaha 4stroke 377lbs old 2 stroke 355lbs Merc.proxs 362lbs.

If you knew who he was, you would respect his opinion as well.

I have heard good things about Suzuki and Honda. The Hondas are pretty cost prohibitive though. I have a Merc 4 stroke that is 3 years old with zero problems for what its worth.

He may have recommended the others because he thinks they are just as good for the money. No offense intended. I just meant that if he thinks the Suzuki and Honda aren't great motors,then he is mistaken.

I have a buddy that has one. He has a light on the dash to let him know it running. Super quiet. Make sure you have a shop nearby that can work on them. He popped a head and was off the water for nearly a year waiting on a head from Honda. It is like the rest of them. It ran good until it quit. Lol

we have a 2018 Honda 150 on a 22' pontoon triton.

it runs great and is super quiet. I have accidentally tried to crank it while its on several times.

last boat had a 150 Yamaha on it, it ran fine too.

Throttle on the Honda takes a little getting used to, shaped different. Feels like you're flying an airplane or something