Considering new Honda 90 EFI

tpbrady · Posted: Tue Jan 22, 2008 12:19 am Post subject:

As Dogon Dory said I have one of the new BF90 with about 100 hours on it now. It starts with the flick of the key and is smooth and quiet. The low end torque is definitely noticeable. The only thing I am having trouble with is matching a prop to way I load and run my boat. I could go on for a couple of paragraphs on this but lets just say I have settled for now on a 3 or 4 blade 15P prop. The experimentation continues next summer.

Plan C · Posted: Tue Jan 22, 2008 1:06 am Post subject: Honda 90 EFI

I have a CD22 and did almost exactly what you are talking about. I replaced a 2004 Honda 75 with a new 90. As I recall I got $5000 trade and paid $4500. I have been delighted with the new engine and never had second thoughts. The new 90 has gotten as much as 6.5mpg compared to 4.5 for the 75, it weighs less and has lots more power.

It starts beautifully and runs perfectly. It is a very big improvement over the carburetted models.

Dave

Wefings · Posted: Tue Jan 22, 2008 9:02 am Post subject:

It is impressive on an engineering scale , has more apparent and useful power than any other Honda size for size,and does not have Hondas notoriously weak hole shot . Its too bad for us as a dealer that Honda relegates their marine division to an afterthought in the scheme of their business . If they had a complete modern lineup of engines we would have them all . But at this point they mix dinosaurs in with their new stuff instead of modernizing the whole lineup . I still sell one or two [EFI ONLY!!!!] here and there, and we do alot of service. But as an outboard motor company ,they have been technologically trounced by Yamaha and Suzuki . With that said , there customer service ethic is top notch .
There is no way taking a properly running carb 90 off a boat and replacing it with an EFI 90 motor will save you any $$$$ at the end of the day . You just have to baby the old 90 [regular starts,fuel additive] and it will run pert near forever. Or spend and switch for the weight,starting and power advantage.
My 2 scents
Marc

terraplane · Posted: Tue Jan 22, 2008 9:44 am Post subject: honda 90

I continue to be amazed by this site....honestly, C Dory should advertise the C Brats as a part of their sales pitch for buyers!

I appreciate all the advice: personal, technological, pro/con, etc...It really helps me to decide. I am going to look at what is possible for a deal, but I am leaning now toward holding on, and saving the money for gas as Byrdman says. Marc (Welfings) gave cogent advice and makes sense.

Thanks to all..I'll let you know what i do...

Terraplane.

PS. Following some earlier advice, i have now found that if i don't use the automatic choke which is activated by lifting the lever at the steering station until it clicks, etc....but if i just pull the choke out on the engine...it starts on the first or second try and runs...i play with the gas lever for about 30 seconds and then shut down the choke, and off i go.

Byrdman · Posted: Tue Jan 22, 2008 11:12 am Post subject:

T-Brady Tom in AK: You have had both on your boat now. I realize you more than likely spend a lot of time with the cabin door closed, but do you realize much sound level difference in the carb vs. efi new motor? With the door open and up and running. They do feel much better coming out of the hole for sure.

Sound is important on our pilot house boats when running at speeds with the cabin door open.... particularly as we experience on a full day cruise making our ways thru America. We do get some of that "cathedral" effect for sure. More is not good on motor noises.

On the factory using this site in their advertisement....well... many things have been said of the QC issues and I think they may still need a little re-group time prior to jumping back out front with this site. The good thing is we do often share the good, the bad, and the ugly about our boats. That is the only way we learn from each other on improvements, and the factory should be able to get viable feedback on all aspects of the boat from the factory, to the dealerships, to the end users who drop the big bucks for these boats. Should hear some interesting updates from the factory Saturday night. Looking forward to it.

Byrdman

tpbrady · Posted: Tue Jan 22, 2008 11:23 am Post subject:

Byrdman,

I actually had an ETEC on the boat before the EFI Honda. The Honda is much quieter than the ETEC door open or closed. With the door closed on the Honda, the loudest noticeable sound is the water going by the hull. The ETEC had a couple of throttle settings where a resonance set up that forced you to change the throttle up or down a little. The Honda shows pretty much a linear noise profile.

Byrdman · Posted: Tue Jan 22, 2008 12:22 pm Post subject:

See Ya Thursday Tom.

Byrdman

westward · Posted: Tue Jan 22, 2008 7:42 pm Post subject:

Wefings: you are to be commended for the honesty of your previous answer. Nowadays, it's much more common for a dealer to help rationalize a bad financial move that a customer is about to make in order to make the sale. You put it straight: "re-power if you want to, but don't pretend that it makes financial sense." Good, refreshing input! Mike.