Honda BF130A - Any good?

[diver 1]

It looks like I have a chance to change my outboard from a 1998 Mercury 90 ELPTO to a Honda BF130A 4 Stroke.

Bearing in mind that I am confident in doing my own servicing so will only need to pay out for the additional parts a 4 stroke requires, am I likely to see much of a fuel saving by swapping to this engine do you think?

Also is there any way of determining the age of the Honda from the model BF130A or serial No. BZBE#1002490 also the shaft length?

Are there any major problems with the Honda that I should be aware of?

Thanks in advance!!

[Pikey Dave]

Originally Posted by diver 1

Are there any major problems with the Honda that I should be aware of?

It's a lardy b4st4rd, around 225kg compared to 137kg for your mercury, give or take depending on shaft length etc. How much freeboard do you have at your transom currently?

[diver 1]

Ouch!! Really?

I've never really measured the freeboard, approx 14" I reckon on flat water. It is possible to reverse the boat with the engine trimmed down and deliberately flood the deck to wash off fish guts etc. I guess with a such a heavier engine reversing at all could cause problems. However the back of the tubes are only just on the water at rest currently, the buoyancy of the tubes is really going to start coming into their own with more weight added?

Anyone have any ideas the shaft length or age of the Honda from the serial number I have given?


Thanks

[Boats&Outboards]

Would this be the one on the speedboat in Dorset ? I think a customer of ours went to look at it and left it there...although mainly due to the trailer which needed work. It was advised as 2006 (as most seem to be due to the EPA sticker confusing owners) but there will be the age on the plate above the transom saddle, under the front of the lower engine tray. My bet is late 90's

I'm not a huge fan of Honda, the older ones seem to age ungracefully. One engineer I spoke with called it the Paracetamol - they dissolve in water... Mechanically they are very strong though.

The new ones are up there with the best of them though and I can think of at least one person on here who can give you better detail on them, provided you've not considered E-TEC

www.BoatsandOutboards4Sale.co.uk

[Pikey Dave]

Originally Posted by Boats&Outboards

............... provided you've not considered E-TEC

www.BoatsandOutboards4Sale.co.uk

[Gdog]

Originally Posted by diver 1

It looks like I have a chance to change my outboard from a 1998 Mercury 90 ELPTO to a Honda BF130A 4 Stroke.

Bearing in mind that I am confident in doing my own servicing so will only need to pay out for the additional parts a 4 stroke requires, am I likely to see much of a fuel saving by swapping to this engine do you think?

Also is there any way of determining the age of the Honda from the model BF130A or serial No. BZBE#1002490 also the shaft length?

Are there any major problems with the Honda that I should be aware of?

Thanks in advance!!

Hi I have bf130a . Some of these engines had issues ie cracks in the block , cylinder head . Fuel system required up grading .was subject to recall by honda .
A search on the net will be help full . As an owner of this model . I would be very cautious . Get it checked by Honda dealer / engineer before purchase.

[diver 1]

Thanks for all your help, hadn't really considered the weight issue too much.

Having looked into it the Honda seems to weigh too much. Barnett Marine who originally supplied the rib reckon the transom on a Viking 5.8 is only good for 195kg

I think I'll leave this one.

Seemed a good deal though. The Honda engine is 2001 and Long shaft for anyone else that was going to look at it.

[clydeoutboards]

like all older 4 strokes the honda is quite heavy but they are good engines as we see them with 5,000 + hours on them.

The new ones are a lot lighter though coming in at around 175kg

Dave

[Pikey Dave]

Originally Posted by clydeoutboards

.......The new ones are a lot lighter though coming in at around 175kg

Dave

Hmm! according to Hondas website the 115/135/150 weigh in at 217-220Kg dry