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Does anyone have any experience/recommendations (either good or bad) about Honda motors? I am looking at a 2004 8 hp XL shaft without electric start. I will use it on my Mac 25. It looks really clean and recently had the carbs cleaned.

I have an 89, 8 hp long shaft. I love it, but the older ones are a bit louder than the new models. Talked to a boat shop a few weeks ago about mine. They stated if you doo the basic maintenance and actually use them, they will last a long time. The main thing is to change the water pump impeller every couple years, and flush them if used in salt water.

If you can do your own work, engine make isn't too important.

If you don't, pick make based on your local dealer availability.

I had some good insight from a mechanic a few weeks back. Suz and Yamaha cater to commercial fishing charter companies and most parts are interchangeable throughout the lineup. He specifically mentioned Hondas are good engines but with almost every model they use different parts and are not interchangeable. Thought that was kinda cool.

More than “kinda cool”; it will be a large part of any future decisions on outboards.

Thanks

Ray

Ray..you should have good options on all makes in metro PHL. Mercury and Tohatsu big here in NY

Catigale wrote:Ray..you should have good options on all makes in metro PHL. Mercury and Tohatsu big here in NY

I am seeing a lot of Tohatsu motors out there these days! The folks I know that run them love them, and they are much quitter than my old Honda

bobflshmn wrote:

Catigale wrote:Ray..you should have good options on all makes in metro PHL. Mercury and Tohatsu big here in NY

I am seeing a lot of Tohatsu motors out there these days! The folks I know that run them love them, and they are much quitter than my old Honda

I have to say that my 2003 Honda 50HP four stroke is extremely quiet, and dependable.

Cat, I made the observation about the Suz &Yama"s because of the the interchangeable factor. I am in no way in the market. My good old Honda keeps purring along.

Ray

bobflshmn wrote:I have an 89, 8 hp long shaft. I love it, but the older ones are a bit louder than the new models. Talked to a boat shop a few weeks ago about mine. They stated if you doo the basic maintenance and actually use them, they will last a long time. The main thing is to change the water pump impeller every couple years, and flush them if used in salt water.

I confess I'm still on my water pump impeller from 2003.

The engine gets about 20 hours A year on it max, thought since it takes us out of Westport MA harbor for 30 minutes and maybe 15 into CUttyhunk harbor 3x yearly. All at 6 knots