Honda 130hp 4 stroke motor

[Dennis T]

I just ordered a new Lund Pro V 1800 fishing boat and I want to put a 130hp Honda 4 stroke on it verses a 150hp Merc Opti-max 2 stroke. I can't find very much information about how this engine (Honda) performs on a boat of this size. Does anyone have any experience with this particular engine. Is there any other considerations I should be aware of other than the sigificant weight increase and less top end with the Honda?

 

[JB]

Re: Honda 130hp 4 stroke motor

Hi, Dennis. I don't have personal experience with the big Honda, but have recently gone through extensive research before repowering my 17' Whaler. Because I wanted all of the advantages of a 4 stroke, but didn't want to hang over 350# on my transom I was very limited. Because of my experience in computer automation I really wanted an EFI engine if I could get one. . . EFI outboards are just as far ahead of carbureted outboards as EFI cars are ahead of carbureted cars, and for the same reasons. I put a Suzuki 70 EFI on and am very happy with it.<br /><br />The point of all this is that I recommend that you consider a fuel injected 4 stroke. I don't know of one bigger than 115, but Yamaha, Mercury and Suzuki all offer a 115 EFI (Merc's powerhead is reportedly made by Yamaha). In the long run, I believe that the advantages of computer controlled engine management are worth sacrificing some top end.<br /><br />Good luck.<br />JB