Power and performance equate to excellent boating experiences.
Outboard engines continue to develop and fill niches in their lineups because, well, boaters need those options. The range of boat models warrant engines of varying horsepower for the perfect fit, and Honda Marine continues the evolution of its product line with
the new BF350.
The Honda BF350 is a high-power V8 outboard that has been in development for about five years. It’s purposely built for the marine division and is the first production V8 engine. Honda has developed other V8 engines for its Formula One and IndyCar race teams, but this one is available commercially and integrates a host of exclusive, innovative features that deliver premium power as well as unparalleled performance and operation.
The company’s new flagship model offers boats 25 feet and longer numerous benefits including a dual crossplane crankshaft design with a 60-degree offset that produces even firing to create a smooth-running, low-vibration engine. The five-liter outboard delivers 350 horsepower at the propeller shaft even when using 86 octane unleaded gasoline.
Like most outboards, technology is sourced from the automotive industry, and Honda incorporated its exclusive Variable Valve Timing & Lift Electronic Control (VTEC) into the design. At the last Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show, Steve Drenkard, marketing manager for Honda Marine, mentioned that back in the 1960s and ’70s, there was an old cliché that said there’s no replacement for displacement. He points out that VTEC is the modern replacement for displacement and leads to greater fuel economy and low-end torque where you want it. But you also get that boost of energy at the high-end rpm range.
Improved performance is a primary feature of the Honda BF350. The four-stroke, single overhead camshaft engine boasts incredible speed, superb acceleration, and another Honda exclusive innovation, Lean Burn Control technology. What that does is automatically adjust the air/fuel mixture according to speed and load while maximizing power throughout the acceleration range, especially optimizing fuel efficiency at cruise (2,000 to 4,500 rpms). Furthermore, Honda’s Programmed Fuel Injection delivers precise amounts of fuel and air to each cylinder for quick starts and instant throttle response as well as aiding in low fuel consumption, and the new Friction Reduction Technology used in the engine’s cylinder bores and on the piston rings also contributes to increased fuel efficiency. It all works together to allow extended range, reduced operating costs, and low noise levels.
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As if that isn’t enough, Honda’s Intelligent Shift & Throttle (iST) command and control system delivers seamless control and easy operation through enhanced throttle settings, cruise control, and slow speed maneuvering. Besides the basic controls of trim, tilt, cruise, and trolling modes, the iST provides one-switch trim control on the throttle handle for multi-engine configurations to trim all engines simultaneously or the captain can use the individual trim switches to fine-tune each engine’s trim position. The system also supplies engine speed synchronization and single-handle control of all engines while synchronized. In addition, Honda Marine multi-engine configurations equipped with iST are compatible with Dometic’s Optimus 360 joystick system for up to four engines.
The Honda BF350 is available with an immobilizer ignition system that requires a remote transponder key to start the engine. The theft-deterrent immobilizer is designed to prevent the engine from being started without the owner’s smart key. If this is attempted, the immobilizer disables the engine.
Then there’s the 90-amp charging system. NMEA 2000-certified, 17 of those amps are used to run the ignition systems, which leaves 73 amps available to power all the modern-day accessories. At idle speeds, when the system feels a drain to the point it needs help from the battery for amperage, the system automatically increases the idle rpm by 100 to generate 12 more amps; the chance of running low on battery power is very, very small—perfect for trolling.
The design of the all-new BF350 shows Honda’s dedication to quality and powerfully performing outboards for the commercial and recreational market. marine.honda.com
-by Jeremy Peters
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