With 350 horsepower, the BF350 outboard is now Honda’s most powerful offering.
The introduction of the brand-new Honda Marine BF350 five-liter V8 outboard is significant news beyond just the boating sector. This marks Honda’s first production V8 engine, even within the automotive realm.
Honda’s debut V8 outboard is rated for 350 horsepower, becoming the flagship of its outboard collection. The BF350 is designed for boats ranging from 25 to 40 feet that utilize quad setups.
“I received numerous inquiries from my automotive contacts when we unveiled this engine,” remarked Jim Loftus, head of strategic planning at American Honda Motor Co., Inc., continuing with, “They wanted to know, ‘Where did you find this? How did you achieve this?’ I’ve encountered many such questions.”
It’s clear why the naturally aspirated V8 engine, which operates on 86 octane unleaded gas, would capture their interest. This four-stroke, single overhead cam engine delivers remarkable speed, excellent acceleration, and high fuel efficiency.
Before the launch of the 350-hp BF350, Honda’s outboard options ranged from 2.3 to 250 hp, most based on V6 platforms. Therefore, when developing a V8 platform, the marine division heavily relied on its automotive division for support.
“We’ve integrated a substantial amount of advanced technology from our automotive sector into this new engine,” Loftus indicated, adding, “We’ve leveraged expertise from both our four-cylinder and six-cylinder engines for this application.”
With VTEC (Variable Valve Timing & Lift Electronic Control) technology borrowed from Honda’s automotive models, this outboard generates the necessary power, ensuring a smooth, seamless ride across varying speeds.
The BLAST (Boosted Low Speed Torque) System enhances excitement by optimizing ignition timing during quick acceleration. In simple terms, your boat gets up on plane faster than ever.
Honda’s new 350-hp outboard comes in Aquamarine Silver or Grand Prix White.
Performance Reimagined
The BF350 includes Lean Burn Control technology, which maximizes fuel efficiency during cruising. It acts like a built-in fuel efficiency booster, allowing you to travel farther without constant refueling. The Programmed Fuel Injection (PGM-FI) guarantees quick starts and responsive throttle control, keeping you in command.
Noise pollution is no longer an issue. The BF350 operates quietly at cruising speeds.
Smart Control
The Honda Intelligent Shift & Throttle (iST) system acts as your co-pilot, providing seamless shift and throttle control. Whether docking, cruising, trolling, or navigating tight areas, iST supports you. Additionally, an immobilizer ignition system enhances security by requiring a transponder key for starting.
This system features Trim Support, Automatic Tilt, and Cruise Control.
Stylish, Strong, and Sleek
The BF350 is not just powerful; it’s also visually appealing. Its aerodynamic design fits various boat styles, attracting attention as you glide through the water. Expect a smooth, vibration-free experience, courtesy of the 60° offset crankshaft derived from the Acura NSX high-performance supercar.
Inside, there are thoughtful upgrades for reliability and ease of maintenance. Improved engine cover design, better sealing, easier anode replacement, and innovative oil filter design simplify upkeep. Plus, anti-rust painting and coatings enhance corrosion resistance.
The outboard will be available in Aquamarine Silver and Grand Prix White.
The BF350 showcases high-charging capability with an impressive power generation capacity, offering a maximum of 70A with AMP+ when idling, surpassing the requirements of typical onboard electronics.
The V8 BF350 is a four-stroke, single overhead cam engine.
A New Path?
With Honda introducing a 350-horsepower outboard, it seems the Japanese company is targeting the higher-horsepower market segment.
Kevin Mills, assistant vice president of Honda Power Sports & Products, conveyed this much in a press release announcing the BF350 outboard before the International Boatbuilders’ Exhibition and Conference in early October.
“The launch of the all-new BF350 elevates power and performance to unprecedented levels and highlights Honda Marine’s dedication to adapt to the evolving marine market with entirely new products offering fantastic boating experiences and maximizing time on the water,” Mills stated. “Our new high-power outboard also indicates that Honda Marine is expanding our current lineup while developing new models inspired by Honda automotive frameworks to fulfill the increasing need for larger, more powerful outboard motors.”
Loftus confirmed that this seems to be the direction of the outboard market.
“Over the past decade, we’ve observed the industry trends, and the segment that keeps growing is the 300-plus range,” Loftus noted. “Regardless of economic conditions, the demand for 300 hp continues to rise.”
The BF350 is backed by a five-year warranty and will be available starting early 2024.
www.marine.honda.com