Honda 50 & 8 hp Costs

[Gone Fishin]

What can I expect to pay for:
New Honda 8/manual start/tilt MSRP 2.8K
Honda 50 remote MSRP 7.1K

Before I go speak with the dealer I was hoping to have some realistic figures (what folks actually paid). I would also be interested in any other thoughts on how to strike a good deal.

Thanks ,
Charlie-

[marvin4239]

I have owned a 2003 Mercury 50 EFI on my Carolina Skiff for four years. I recent traded a 2007 Honda 50 Carb on a 16 C-Dory and replaced it with a Suzuki 90 EFI on a 22 CD. While the Hondas are excellent engines if I were buying new I wouldn't even consider another carbureted engine. I know that doesn't answer your question but take a look at the EFI models. The Honda 50 is still carbureted.

[C-batical]

Hi Charlie,

I tend to agree with Marvin. I have about 200 hours on my 2004 Honda, 40 hp engines. They are carbureted and notoriously hard to start when cold. These engines are not equipped with a choke, as such, but with a fuel enrichment valve that is Honda's answer to EFI. When these engines were new they were back to the dealer several times to correct the problem but it was never fixed. Honda denied that there was ever a problem. However, when they are warm they start and run like a champ. Over the years I have adapted to a starting sequence that others with the same problem and several dealers suggested I try. They start a lot easier now but not like my Mercury 50 HP EFI that I also own. I did receive a call recently from the dealer that I purchased my C-Dory from and he indicated that Honda has redesigned the enrichment valve and top plate of #1 carb to correct the problem. He requested that I return my boat to him this Spring to have this upgrade done under warranty, hopefully it will work. My suggestion is to talk to the dealer to determine if the newer engnes have this upgrade and whether it works or not. Other than this the Honda's have been great.

Best regards,

[Wandering Sagebrush]

Charlie,

I don't remember what I paid for my Honda 8, but I do know that I did not follow my own advice, and that is to ask for what you want. When you get a price quote, if you think it is too high, don't be afraid to ask for either a discount, or other services/merchandise in lieu of the discount. And above all, don't be bashful about walking away from a deal if it isn't what you want or expect. There are a lot of dealers out there.

Personally, if I were buying again, I would seriously consider putting a Yamaha 8 on the boat for a kicker. I find that to be the smoothest and quietest trolling motor that I have used. It is capable of very low rpm/speeds, with a very smooth throttle.

My Honda 90 is a good engine, but cold blooded. The new fuel injected model should make that a non issue. Maybe after a couple of thousand hours I will upgrade.

[journey on]

For prices on the smaller engines, try Defender . Add ~$250 for shipping, deduct sales tax and that's an estimate. They only ship Tohatsus, (which by the way is much lighter than a Honda) but it'll give you an estimate.

Boris

[Sea Wolf]

Yamaha 8 High Thrust =




=

[flapbreaker]

I may be wrong but I would assume the final price on motors would very depending on if you are buying a boat with them or just motors. If the honda 8hp you are referencing is the classic model then I would think 2.8k is high. There's nothing fancy about the motor so it shouldn't cost 1/3rd the price of a 50 hp.

[thataway]

Ed's super store (may not really get these prices--but it is for comparision)
Suzuki: 9.9 standard starts about $1700, The high Thrust 9.9 cost about $2300. The 50 hp is $4500.

Yahama 8 hp is $1500. High thrust is $1650. The 50 hp is $4600.

I believe that Ed's used to carry Honda, but was dropped. There are various opinions about this store, and it is difficult to buy one of their motors unless they do the install....or it is shipped to another dealer--as I understand it.

[Gone Fishin]

First-Thanks to you all for your informative input.

I had looked at and considered the Yamaha 8 & 50 because of the EFI versus carbureted. The problem is the excess weight these motors bring to the already butt heavy 16' Cruiser. The numbers came out:

Yamaha F-8 86# / F-50 237# Total 323
Honda BF-8 98# / BF-50 205# Total 303

My current 2-stokes total 271.

Through all my research I did not read about the cold starting issue. I did read about the fuel enrichment valve which convinced me that these would start well but require calibration every few years. This problem shed’s new light on my decision.
To that end, I will start another message asking if any 16' Cruiser owners have used the Yamaha 8/50 combination and their thought on the weight and handling.
Again, my sincere thanks for your thoughts.

Charlie-

[Spike]

Charlie
My boat is in the shop right now getting a new Yamaha 9.9 hp High Thrust 4 stroke with electric start, power tilt, and remote throttle and gear select for that price. Shop around.

Chuck
Bootleg Hooch

[westward]

Charlie: I don't know kicker pricing, but you should not need to pay the MSRP for the Honda 50, particularly in light of it being one of, if not the only, carb. 50's left on the market. Best way to reach a bottom-line price is to cheerfully make a cash offer that WORKS FOR YOU, and be patient enough to walk away and wait if necessary. I would still consider buying the Honda, however, if stern weight is as much an issue on the 16 as it is on the 22. The Honda 50 is now the lightest 50 on the market I think. These boats were designed for much lighter engines and are thrown off balance with too much additional weight in the rear. It's a lightweight boat for its size, designed to be nimble. I would love to have fuel injected motors, but the extra weight, on top of the already heavier 4 stroke base, can really degrade handling, especially if you have run with lighter engines and know the difference. Perhaps your boating pattern would allow you to delete the kicker and free up those pounds in order to add fuel injection? I chose Honda twin 40's as my package since it's the lightest total package available (ie main with backup or twins), and I still think the boat is too stern heavy compared to my old 22/70 Johnson. Hopefully 2 Permatrims will help. Good luck with whatever you choose! Mike.

[oldgrowth]

Charlie - when I bought C-Voyager, it was a 16 footer and had both 50hp and 8hp Hondas on it. After about six months of using it, I took the 8hp off because it was too much weight on the stern. Never had any kind of starting problems with the 50 but have had to give the 8 a few extra pulls with the starting rope when the temperature was way down.

After the extension, I added saddle fuel tanks which shifted the weight forward so I put the 8 back on.

I think you would be smart to just put a main engine on the boat and no kicker. The boat will handle much better and it will not be so weight challenged. It is way too easy to overload the 16 when you have two engines on it.
________
Dave

[Gone Fishin]

Thanks to everyone for the continued input, it is appreciate and helpful.

Dave- I agree. Unfortunately, I believe I will still need the kicker for:
trolling (slow) for trout (my primary use)

a 50 hp tolling that slow (if I could get it that slow) most likely would load up. During the summer I will fish 10 hrs or more at a time

What ever engine I get will have a Permatrim, so a trolling-plate wouldn’t be an option.

I fish year around and many times am the last to leave. If my primary went out, I would be toast.

I am continuing to search and looking at the fuel injected 2-stokes out there. Definitely a weight saver.

Charlie-

[lloyds]

I just drag a bucket with my 16' cruiser and can get down to 1.1 knots on calm water. Normal speed for rainbow and kokanee (for me) is around 1.4 to 1.8. It sometimes loads up, maybe once a day. I have a 2hp but seldom use it. It is actually a little more noisy than the 50. Nice to have a backup but I don't feel the necessity anymore.

[Dora~Jean]

Charlie (Gone Fishin),

You might be able to find a spring-loaded plate that closes downward to give you a slow troll, some mfr used to make them. The Permatrim has two holes at the rear edge, I suspect that might be one of the reasons for them.