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Random Quote: Front, bow. Back, stern. If ya don't get it right, squirt, I throw your ass out the little round window on the side.
After 2 months of researching, investigating and wringing my hands between the Evinrude 225, Yamaha F225 and the Honda, I landed on the Honda. Boat is a 1996, 21 Regulator and was factory rigged with a 200 yami carb. The Honda was either $13,200 or $14,450 with $1250 of Honda accessories. (Honda promo $850 cash back or $1250 in equipment). I chose the equipment incentive due to the rigging parts required. I did the helm end myself, gauges, binnacle, key switch. Dealer put the motor on and tested. Total out the door cost: $14,661. Engine is the Honda 3.5 L, V-6 24 valve with VTEC. Same engine as in the Honda/Acura autos with the 3.5L. Alternator is 60 amp and can make 48 amps @ 1000 rpms. Sump holds 8 quarts of oil. Spin on filter is $7.50 at the dealer, probably find the auto version at the parts store for $4.
Buying Considerations/decision process-
Cost: Although everyone always talks about the high cost of Honda, I shopped it hard and found a dealer willing to discount. This is a 04, brand new motor. Honda retail mark-up is huge as the engine's MSRP is $18,280. The dealer sells Evinrude, Yamaha and Honda and was instrumental in my decision. He could have sold me any of those three engines and he services them all.
Weight: Yes it is heavy, at 601 pounds it is 69 pounds heavier than a 225 Rude but only 18 pounds heavier than a Yami F225. On my boat the weight was not a big factor for me. The Regulator is a big 21 and is a heavy boat, no speed demon for sure. I don't think this boat cares about the additional weight....it would be a problem for some boats I am sure.
Power/Speed: I cannot speak to the 200 Honda (same engine without VTEC) but the 225 with VTEC is no slouch. I was really surprised with performance compared to the 200 Yami carb it replaced. Top speed is 3 Kts better but the part I like the best is that this engine has a very flat torque curve and will hold the boat on plane easily at 20 Kts right up until 4400 rpms, there seems to be no flat spot or certain rpm band that you need to cruise. Engine is smooth and quiet right up until 4500 rpms where the high lift cam kicks in via VTEC. From 4500 up the engine turns into an animal, makes a totally different noise where air intake and engine noise turns into a growl vs that Honda "whirring whisper" at lower rpms. It feels and sounds amost like the fun we remember of "kicking in the 4 barrel" on 60's, 70's cars. A kick in the pants for sure. I really could have cared less if the top end was similar to my old 200. I will cruise this boat around 30 and troll alot. Trolling speed economy is tops and you can do it all day.
Prop: after comparing every Honda test I could get my hands on, I went with the Powertech 15.25x17 4 blade stainless ($495- but part of the parts incentive). Prop holds a load great, tops out at 5800 with a full fuel load and will not blow out in a tight turn even while trimmed out. Dealer has offered to exchange within 30 days but I think I will stick with this prop and grab a 14.75x19 3 blade aluminum for a spare (cheap). The hole shot surprised me the most, as good or better than the 200 Yami.
Parts/Service: I bought this motor at Ellis Marine in Brunswick, GA. Honda parts are based in Atlanta. Time will tell if service or parts will be an issue. The stuff I needed to rig were all one day deliveries out of Atlanta. Dealer tells me that it is very rare that he can't get anything the next day. Warranty is three years, non-declining and covers everything including all electrical/electronic parts. Four years coverage on anything related to emmissions; fuel metering, injectors, all engine sensors, all ignition components, lube system, valves and VTEC.
I will report the good the bad and the ugly as things arise. There is just not a lot of information out there on these motors. Having very few contracts with new boat manufacturers is something Honda needs to fix. Remember when you could see any boat with just about any motor brand hanging on the back? Those days have been gone for a while now with the factory rigging and lower cost packages that goes with it. The options are few when buying new. I think the new 150 with VTEC and lower weight (20 lbs lighter) than the 130 it will replace is going to be a great engine for them and has a huge market range. Honda is obviously reacting to the the "heavy weight" reputation amongst boat owners which has limited sales.
This report is not to say "my motor is better than yours". No need to weigh in with "you should have bought a Suzuki, Yamaha or Evinrude". Everyone makes the choice based on what they think works best for them. For what I wanted, this was a good choice. As I said, when it breaks- I will tell you.
Excellent post! I just ordered a Honda 150 for repowering a BW 18 Outrage. As you said, the motors are expensive, but with some diligent shopping, I found a decent deal at a very service-oriented dealer. I'm happy with the price, but I'm even happier with the information, attitude and helpfulness I found. I take delivery in a couple of weeks. I'm looking forward to gathering some accurate performance numbers once it's broken in. Good luck with your 225.
I have just ordered the Triton 240 LTS. I currently have the 03' 220 LTS with a 225 Merc optimax on it. Very happy with the opti. Best motor I have ever owned, and I fish hard 3-6 days a week. I test rode in the 240 LTS with the 225 Honda on it. I was some what disappointed. I think that the 225 Honda is the perfect motor for the 220 LTS. Not the 240 LTS. In the above thread, the 225 Honda owner moved up to a newer motor(old motor 1996) and gained 25 horses. I am sure he will be happy. I my case I would give up a lot of hole shot and top end going to a 4 stroke. Especially comming out of a 2 stroke on the smaller boat. I am not a speed freek, but I like to be able to haul --- when I need to. I really want the honda but merc has a 5 year warrany offer that I can get. I am thinking of going back to the optimax but I would like to find out if there would be a lot of performance lost if I went with the honda. Can anyone give me some insight here. I am going to buy the boat wednesday and I am still confused about the motor(s)/ THANKS and good luck with your new Honda.
Its funny that you've determined almost immediately that the Powertech 17 4 blade is the right prop since after trying a few different sets of pitches and styles I am about to order a pair of the same wheels for my cat. The Merc offshores were a real disappointment, lousy out of the hole and they blow-out on turns. My boat is heavy and the bigger diameter and full blade shape on the Powertechs are da bomb.
WHILE Iwill admitt i would gone for another engine i will say the honda is a very good engine. & if that's the one that works for you then you bought the right engine .good luck with her & let us know how she does
Chaps- I have a pair of Powertech 15.25 X 17 props in excellent condition- on my boat they will turn 5100 and I want 5500. If you're interested e-mail me and we'll see if we can work something out.
bought the bf 225 for my triton 2286 walk last year.
Its a great engine. Everytime one of my buddies comes on board for a trip they comment on how quite it is.
I am not looking for extream speed out of the hole. I am looking for it to get the boat up quickly and have good gas efficiency and a stable cruise. The honda does that no questions. Oh yeah the boat goes faster than conditions warrant here off of the Jersey coast most days so top end is not really a consideration for me. I want to get there and back comforably (quiet) and reliably, and not mess around with oil.
You are going to love those blades. I have run many combos in my life but never run a prop that holds so much load at any rpm. It will also not blow out even in a trimmed, tight turn. I researched very hard but as you know finding the right match is a crap shoot for any given set-up. It surprises me how many test I ran across that just had bad prop matches and yet they were still published.
Assuming I'm the John your asking..
the Boat was rigged with the 200 and I did not feel a need to change ...
the Boat was or is Loaded and it was a take it or leave it deal ...
and since it was already 5k under market I chose to Take it !!!!!
Honda 225 
