Honda BF9.9 or BF15,...which would perform best?

Lundman

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Sep 25, 2006
Messages
142
There is a possibility that I MIGHT be able to get into a new '09 Lund A-14
utility-v bottom boat with a Honda outboard. This boat is rated for a 15 HP
motor. Should everything work out,the dealer I might be getting it from has offered two options motorwise. I can go with the BF9.9 or the BF15,...both
with electric start or manual rope start with a difference of $300.00 on the price of the entire package,manual rope start being the less costly option
on either motor. If I would choose electric start on either motor,...how big a battery would I need to get a 15 or 9.9 to turn over(crank)? Both motors being four stroke,which do you think would perform best on this little skiff?
I would like electric start cause I am at the age where I am tired of yanking on starting ropes to crank an outboard over(done it on the 15 Merc on the previous boat).
 

hondon

Lieutenant Commander
Joined
Jun 11, 2001
Messages
1,922
Re: Honda BF9.9 or BF15,...which would perform best?

Alot of options there. Battery wise, you wo'nt need much.A motorcycle battery will do fine but you might have to consider electronics you intend to use.Some lakes carry a ten horsepower cap.Thats why that 9.9 exists.Also something to consider.If you are at an age that you are tired of pulling things over[are'nt we all?]by all means go for the electric but keep in mind that these are first or second pull engines when running properly.Have fun either way .You've earned it.
 

Expidia

Commander
Joined
Aug 26, 2006
Messages
2,368
Re: Honda BF9.9 or BF15,...which would perform best?

I have a Merc 9.9 2007 4 stroke which was on a Sylvan Alaskan Deluxe. It was a 13-14 foot aluminum and it was awful as soon as you had 2-3 people on it. Lessons I learned is always go with the max rating for the rig, if you can afford it. Mine was rated for a 25 but with 3 people and gear I would haave been over the limit so I sold it for the Lund.

Many 9.9's and 15hp are the same block anyway hence similar weights.

Better resale with the 15 too.

I'm saving my 9.9 to use as a troller for my 2nd 22 foot rig. But I might sell it too since it does not have power trim or electric start.

And absolutely get electric start.

From my experience personally I would now never own a motor without power trim but you could probably get by without it.

Problem with small aluminums and small outboards is that when you have a tiller it puts everything at the back of the boat outboard, battery, gas tank and your weight too. This is a lot to ask of a 9.9.

If it's too fast for you just back off the throttle.

Lastly, if you are out in the middle of a lake and a lightening storm is moving in you will be glad for those 5 hp's!
 

Lundman

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Sep 25, 2006
Messages
142
Re: Honda BF9.9 or BF15,...which would perform best?

Thanks for the input,guys. Now it is all a matter of things working out. If it
does,...and I certainly hope that it does,...I will go with the BF15 motor with
electric start. I will not be using any electronics so a motorcycle battery would do fine for that small outboard,or at least a small marine cranking battery if not the cycle battery. If I should use the motorcycle battery for cranking,how big should I go then?
 
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