honda

[nik]

Hello,
honda outboards dont seem to get mentioned much.
Is there a reason for that?
Nick.

[Mollers]

They set the four stroke ball rolling and then sat back on their laurels. The competition caught up and left them behind.

[Roy Smith]

You only have to ask the owners (225hp) to see why they are not top of the shopping list, i know the 5 year warranty looks good but do you realy want to wait six weeks to get some thing fixed when its mid July even if its fixed under warranty, cant work out why the marine r&d side of honda is not as quick or good as say the Motocyle or car division after all the 2 lt engine they put in the S200 pulls approx 240 bhp at some thing like 8000 rpm from four cylinders no super charging or turbos what an out board motor that would make

[swginn]

Big, heavy and slow pretty much sums them up!! Warranty's about the only thing it's got going for it, but as has been said what good is a warranty if it takes away 6 weeks ribbing from your Summer. The 135 hp Honda is getting lighter but they still have along way to go IMHO!!

Suzuki seem to be the way forward if you're after a 4 stroker and the yammies aren't far behind!! Verado still too heavy for most RIBs though, even the new 150.

[Mollers]

Don't discount 2 strokes. . Instant power delivery, lighter, less complicated and a little more hardcore!!

[Jono Garton]

5 Year Warranty Says it all, faith in there product. They seem to not gain 100% faith in there product before launching it. This the same with there bikes and quads.

115hps and 130hps are very heavy. Our local fisherman have put over 4000 hours on the 90hps and 130hp before any problems.

Roy, why do the 225hp owners have to wait 6 weeks in mid july? All the race boys seem very happy???

[Chopppywaters]

I got a Honda 115 comin with my Ribcraft 5.85

[Roy Smith]

Jono,i wanted a Honda when i first ordered the new Rib but on asking people what they thought no one would have another, as for the race engines the local dealer told me that when the boats get an air they cut out.
I know of one person who changed to an e-tec, the six week thing was high season and the dealer thought there was a crack in the block, honda to there credit replaced the block under warranty, but it all took six weeks.and when the block was tested it turned out to be a faulty oil preasuer sensor that was filling the hood with oil.
Also i belive there was a probleam with engines sucking in water, this was atributed to the set up aparently. any way when i asked some of the charter companys and three rib makers what they wuold have they said Yamaha, and as this would be my fourth yamaha i surpose i went for brand comfort/confiedance
As i said the car engines are fab even the new diesel is fantastic.
I mean how many honda cars do you see broken down on the side of the road, None. and no i dont own a honda

[Jono Garton]

Roy

Interesting to hear, I know our local Honda Dealer very well. All the local fisherman up here are honda through and through. We hear no problems at all. I belive the only Hondas worth buying are the 50hp, 90hp, 150hp & 225Hp all the rest seem to have very poor power to weight ration, i was going for a 225hp but the deal was to good on the 200hp to turn down.

Regards

Jono

[foxdog]

Hi Jono

We have the 200 and are over the moon with it. Starts first time every time and never misses a beat. Plenty fast enough for us (40 knots on the GPS)

Everyone we have taken on the Rib comments on how quiet it is even at speed

Local diving shop has the 225 on a 8 metre Rib and I believe they made the move to honda for the reliability after problems with previous makes

[Jono Garton]

Foxdog

What size is you boat?

Jono

[foxdog]

7.3 metres

[Hugh Jardon]

had a honda 90 since 98 and it has been perfect, is not on a rib but is on the hard boat but has been supremely reliable, cant fault it, very quiet and economical