Honda Outboard VS Yamaha Outboard: What Is Best For You
Have you recently purchased a new boat or decided on which one you’re getting? Congratulations!
Now comes the fun part: choosing the right engine.
When you buy a car, the vehicle already comes equipped with an engine. For your boat, however, you have the option to purchase parts.
On one hand, this feature allows you to customize in a way that meets your unique needs. On the other hand, it means that you have another big decision to make.
When you’re deciding on the right engine for your boat, be sure to put in the appropriate amount of time and research. Not only is a boat engine a big investment, but it will also have a big impact on your boating experience.
With so many options out there, how can you know you’re making the right decision?
The Honda outboard and Yamaha outboard are two popular boat engines. We’ve put together this guide to help you decide which is best for you.
Why an outboard engine?
Before we get into the differences between the Honda and the Yamaha outboard, let’s look at the benefits of an outboard engine.
What is an outboard engine, and when is it the best option?
Typically, engines for boats come in three styles: inboard, outboard, and inboard/outboard.
Each has slightly different benefits. The best way to decide which engine is right for you is by understanding how each one works, and how it fits into the way you plan to use your boat.
Inboard engines
Inboard engines are housed inside your boat. While this takes up space, it also makes the engine much quieter.
Inboard engines were modeled after car engines. For this reason, they are fuel-efficient and have better torque and horsepower. This also means, however, that these engines are more expensive.
These engines also sometimes produce a smaller wake. This means that they’re not the best choice is you like to use your boat for water sports.
Outboard engines
If you’ve spent much time around recreational boaters, you’ve probably seen an outboard engine. These engines are the most popular for fishing and recreational boats.
These engines are convenient because they are easy to mount and dismount from the boat. This allows for easy, out-of-water storage in the winter, which will extend the life of the engine. Additionally, this feature makes it easy to replace the engine or repair it if need be.
The main drawback of these engines is that they do not have the same power as an inboard engine. That said, if you’re using your boat for recreational purposes, the outboard is probably powerful enough.
Inboard/Outboard engines
As the name suggests, inboard/outboard engines are hybrid models that combine some of the features of the other two.
These engines include some of the preferred features of inboard engines, like their increased power.
That said, these engines are also not as easy to remove and replace as outboard engines. If flexibility matters to you, this is an important point to consider.
Inboard or outboard?
Again, there is no one engine option that is fundamentally better than the other ones. Each type has different features that are better for different contexts.
That said, if you are looking for an engine that is affordable, easy to maintain, and easy to customize, then an outboard engine is a great choice for you.
These engines provide the perfect balance of power and value for recreational boaters.
Outboard engine options
Now, determining what type of engine you want for your boat is only half the battle.
Deciding on an outboard engine certainly narrows down your options, but there is still a lot to choose from. Recently, the need to meet customer demands and comply with environmental regulations has encouraged manufacturers to produce a wide array of options.
As we stated earlier, two popular outboard engines are the Honda outboard and the Yamaha outboard.
Just like the different engine types, one of these engines isn’t necessarily better than the other. In the end, it’s all up to your preferences, and what you need from an engine.
So let’s get into it. What differentiates the Honda from the Yamaha outboard?
The best way to tell is by comparing the specifications.
Power
Outboard engines typically come in two varieties: two-stroke and four-stroke.
Two stroke engines are a bit lighter and simpler than four stroke engines, while four-stroke engines are cleaner, more refined, and more efficient. This makes four stroke engines a good choice for recreational boaters.
While both Yamaha and Honda make four stroke engines, the Honda outboard only comes in the four-stroke model.
If you are looking for options, you might prefer Yamaha. If, however, you prefer four-stroke engines, you might prefer that Honda or Yamaha.
Even though both the Honda outboard and the Yamaha outboards are four-stroke engines, they are available in different horse powers.
Typically, Yamaha tends to offer engines with slightly more horsepower than Honda’s.
So, while the Yamaha has slightly more power, both the Honda outboard and the Yamaha outboard feature pretty powerful engines.
That said, power is not the only factor to consider when purchasing an engine. Acceleration is important, too.
The Honda outboard’s acceleration is a little slower than the Yamaha’s but hard to notice unless under load. That said, the difference here is mostly negligible.
Noise level
In addition to performance, it is also important to consider how the engine will impact your boating experience.
If you’ve ever tried to have a conversation on a motor boat, you’ve probably had the experience of straining your voice by attempting to shout over the sound of the engine.
While all boat engines make noise, the Honda outboard is slightly louder than the Yamaha. If entertaining on your boat is important to you, this may be a factor to consider.
Weight
Another engine feature that impacts your boating experience is the engine’s weight.
A heavy engine will be more difficult to remove from the boat if you decide to put it in storage. Additionally, a heavier engine will weigh down the boat more.
In this specification, the Honda outboard wins out. In general, Honda’s four-stroke engines are only slightly lighter than Yamaha’s.
Warranty
An outboard engine is a huge investment. In fact, in some cases, the engine may cost more than the boat did!
Both the Yamaha and Honda outboard can range anywhere from $900 – $32,000. If you are going to spend that much on a piece of equipment, you want to make sure that your purchase is protected.
That’s where the warranty comes in.
The Yamaha and the Honda outboard both come with warranties. That said, while the standard warranty for the Yamaha is five years, the Honda outboard comes with a five-year warranty.
Keep in mind, though, that Honda’s five-year warranty only applies to engines bought for recreational use. If you plan to use your boat for commercial purposes, you will have different warranty options.
Brand Recognition
While both the Yamaha and the Honda outboard are great engines, there is something to be said about a trusted brand.
Yamaha has been producing outboard engines since 1960–almost 60 years. During that time, they have established themselves as the leading outboard engine manufacturer.
While Honda’s outboard has a long history as well, Honda simply has not established the same recognition and popularity as Yamaha in the boat engine business.
Of course, popularity is not everything. Even so, the continued popularity of Yamaha engines with consumers speaks to the consistent quality they’ve produced for over half a century.
The Verdict: Honda Outboard, or Yamaha Outboard?
We’ve covered a lot of specifications to consider when choosing a new engine for your boat. It’s important to consider the power, the noise, the weight, and the durability when making an investment of this size.
So, which engine is the best one?
In the end, it’s really up to the individual boater. Both the Yamaha and the Honda outboards are excellent engines that deliver on several key specifications.
Which engine you choose will depend on which features are more important to you and what you think is the best boat engine.
Do you want an engine that makes less noise? Go for the Yamaha.
Are you more concerned about weight? The Honda outboard is the engine for you.
Our advice: Shop around
Since the products are so similar, and the choice depends so much on personal preference, we encourage customers to shop around when choosing an outboard engine.
See if you can find the opportunity to test drive a boat with each engine, either through friends who have boats, or the dealership.
You might also seek the advice of other boat owners. If you don’t know many people who own boats, try checking out an online message board.
Also, remember to shop around not only for the best price but also for the best financing options.
Additionally, like most other types of boating equipment, keep in mind that outboard engines can be purchased used. In this case, the choice might come down to which option is available in your area when you’re ready to purchase.
Whatever you choose, be sure to base your decision on your particular needs as a boater. In the end, you need an engine that will help you have an enjoyable boating experience.
What do you think? Have you purchased an outboard engine for your boat? Which options do you prefer?