Honda outboards
 

I see lots of recommendations for Yamahas, E-tecs and Suzukis, but I rarely see discussions or recommendations for Honda outboards. Why not?

Nipper I have no regrets in buying my Honda after 5 years...one technical bulletin w/in the warranty period covered a new CPU (computer) and w/that exception, it's been flawless. Which is the reason I bought it...RELIABILITY...to me that's the bottom line for boat motors...by the way...a REEL fuel-sipper, too...
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y90...ofP1010007.jpg

I think it comes down to dealer network for most out there.

I agree, the brand doesn't seem as important to me as the dealer and quality of their repair shop.

only issue i know of on Honda's was a copper washer under the flywheel and the issues eating up the upper crank shaft seal. only fix was to have a bronze one made to replace and fix the issue.

biggest complaint about honda that i have heard is they don't like to sit up. if you use it every week or two very reliable, if you shut it down and don't use it for a couple of months, not good. this was before ethanol, so all motors are like that now..

there is no dealer network around here for Honda's, you have to go to Beaufort or Columbia for the nearest dealer. they seem to be holding up well, just can't get any support. The dealers I've talked with said there isn't a lot of mark up on the engines and Honda requires you to inventory quite a lot. The only thing selling around here is Yamaha's

Now that ya'll mention it, local dealer WAS instrumental in decision to buy Honda...it's proven to be a good decision...when proppin' this motor, I tried a Mirage Plus 15 1/2 x 17...got ALL the performance there was to get, but had a lower unit rattle at idle...next thing I knew, there was a Honda Factory Tech hangin' over my transom at speed, checkin' things out, installation and all...turns out the Mirage was too heavy...we got a Honda (by Power Tec) prop 15 1/4 x 17...got all the performance of the Mirage and no rattle...

Plus the immediate replacement of the CPU mentioned above and overall quick turn around service (oil changes, tune ups)..he NEVER has kept my boat more than 2nd day...everybody should be lucky enough to have this good a dealer :party:

talked to a couple of guys that work on far more Honda's than I do, they are telling me that they are seeing a lot of corrosion on the Hondas, as compared to the Yamaha's and Mercs. I haven't worked on enough of them to say for myself, but I will add that I'm starting to see some serious corrosion issues on Suzukis four strokes around here that I'm not seeing on Yamahas or Mercs

where would they be corroding spare, along the exhaust area? I am asking cause I may repower and not sure what with yet and the Suzuki I saw at my marina a while back had brownish staining around the exhaust area of the motor.