IBEX 365 News

Honda Sets New Benchmark of Engineering With Innovative BF350 V8

2024 IBEX Innovation Award Interview with Honda Marine

Honda’s new BF350 V8 motor delivers what every marine enthusiast wants—maximum time on the water. Its fuel-efficient, smooth-operating, reliable, high-power outboard engine encapsulates all the hallmarks of the Honda brand.

What problem was the Honda BF350 V8 outboard motor designed to solve?

The goal for Honda Marine, a business division of Honda Power Sports and Products, is to drive segment growth and make boating accessible to new customers by providing high-power outboards incorporating components, technology and innovations that boaters need and desire. Honda Marine set another benchmark of engineering excellence with the all-new, high-power V8 outboard—the first production Honda V8 engine available commercially—the newest, most powerful and technologically advanced outboard in the Honda Marine product line offering exceptional speed, exhilarating acceleration and optimized fuel efficiency.

The sleek Honda Marine BF350 integrates exclusive, innovative features that deliver premium power as well as unparalleled performance and operation for extraordinary boating experiences. The BF350 is designed with multiple benefits, including a broader, flatter torque curve; smoother power delivery throughout the engine’s operating range; ergonomically designed controls; excellent fuel efficiency; and improved reliability, ease-of-use, maintenance and ownership.

Whether boaters are weekend cruisers or commercial users, the all-new Honda BF350 V8 motor delivers what every marine enthusiast wants—maximum time on the water. The BF350 propels power and performance to the next level—enhancing boating experiences and underscoring the Honda Marine commitment to serve the ever-changing marine market.

Could you describe the areas of innovation and advances in the Honda BF350 V8 outboard motor and how the all-new model enhances the boating experience?

The Honda Marine BF350 5-liter V8 outboard delivers 350 hp at the propeller shaft while operating on 86 octane unleaded gasoline (vs. premium unleaded octane). With a rated high-power output of 350 hp at 5500 RPM, the newest Honda Marine outboard provides exciting, high-propulsion operation with smooth response and exceptionally robust torque.

Adapted from Honda automotive platforms, VTEC® (Variable Valve Timing & Lift Electronic Control) is an exclusive Honda technology incorporated into the design of the all-new BF350 outboard. Lending itself to improved power, VTEC® uses a mild cam profile to operate intake valves at low rpm and engages a high-output cam profile for higher-RPM operation. In addition, the BLAST™ (Boosted Low Speed Torque) System, another Honda technological advantage, dramatically improves the performance and acceleration of the BF350 by advancing ignition timing during ‘hammer down’ acceleration.

When it comes to performance, the all-new Honda BF350, with a four-stroke, single overhead camshaft engine, boasts incredible speed, superb acceleration and excellent fuel efficiency. A fully balanced, 60-degree offset crankshaft eliminates the need for counterbalancing, seamlessly integrating with 60 degree engine design and nonlinear engine mount to provide exceptional performance with minimal vibration. Materials and finishes provide hardy corrosion resistance, with easy-access internal anode replacement, freshwater flush, and painted cooling passages for improved durability in salt water.

The outboard’s unparalleled performance stems from the integration of another Honda exclusive innovation —Lean Burn Control™ technology— which automatically adjusts the air/fuel mixture according to speed and load, while maximizing power throughout the acceleration range. Programmed Fuel Injection (PGM-FI) delivers precise amounts of fuel and air to each cylinder, resulting in quick starts, instant throttle response and low fuel consumption. In addition, PGM-FI employs microprocessor technology to accurately control the ignition timing during start-up and across the entire RPM range.

New Friction Reduction Technology— achieved through advanced plateau honing on the engine’s cylinder bores and application of ion plating on the piston rings— contributes to increased fuel efficiency of the motor, extending its range and resulting in fewer stops for refueling and more time to enjoy boating. This superior fuel efficiency, along with the use of 86 octane unleaded gasoline, reduces operating costs for owners, while low noise at cruising speed (especially for larger boats) provides a more pleasant experience and benefits the environment by reducing noise pollution. The engine delivers improved high thrust at medium and high speeds, resulting in superior boat maneuverability and easier positioning and stopping of larger, heavier boats. The BF350 also boasts impressive charging performance: a power generation capacity of maximum 93A total and 70A charging with AMP+ for charging at idle, exceeding the needs of typical on-board electronic devices.

Another bonus is the oxygen sensor inclusion and placement. Outboard motors are constructed to discharge cooling water, together with the exhaust gas, from near the propeller. Conventionally, the structure generally joins the cooling water (return water) and exhaust gas flows near the tip of the exhaust pipe and within the extension case. For this reason, oxygen sensors placed within exhaust channels could be doused with water drawn into the exhaust channel by exhaust pulsation or vacuum formation when traveling at low speeds or rapidly decelerating. For the all-new BF350, Honda reexamined the structure of conventional extension cases and adopted a structure that separates the exhaust and cooling water channels; exhaust gas and cooling water channels are separated up to the top edge of the gearcase, while the oxygen sensor is placed at the topmost point of the cylinder head, resulting in reduced risk of the sensor being doused with water.

An additional complement to the outstanding performance of the BF350 outboard is the Honda Intelligent Shift and Throttle (iST®) command and control system, providing superb control and plug-and-play installation of Honda Marine products and third-party controls and devices.

Who is the target market for the Honda BF350 V8 outboard motor? What kind of boats is the Honda V8 intended for or designed for? What type of boats are currently using the Honda BF350 V8?

Overall, the Honda Marine BF350 V8 outboard targets the coastal saltwater market, the largest retail segment for the high-power range. More specifically, the all-new Honda BF350 is an ideal power solution for 24-foot+ boats (for both pleasure and utility applications, including family excursions, fiberglass craft and high-end pontoon boats). While initial Honda sales of the BF350 were largely to family-boating customers, Honda Marine is experiencing expanded success among a broadening range of customers who value durability, quality, and reliability and seek more time on the water; the high-power BF350 delivers top performance, excellent fuel efficiency, and quiet operation, matching customer needs and expectations.

Honda also shows its confidence in the BF350 by offering it with the industry-leading True 5-year, non-declining warranty that is the same on the last day as it is on the first—with the option to upgrade with another three years, for a total of eight years.

Will the design of the new V8 change anything in the boatbuilding process?

The ultimate goal of Honda Marine is to build and design an outboard that does not require a fundamental change in the boatbuilding process, all while staying true to the delivery of innovative, top-performing products and maintaining the division’s high levels of support among these builders. What’s important to keep in mind is that the BF350 V8 opens up a whole new category of sales for Honda, targeting customers who need a higher-power engine, often used in three- or four-unit applications. More options in this space help to improve competition and advance progress across the industry as a whole.

Another important thing to note is that Honda outboards, including the BF350, are National Marine Electronics Association (NMEA) 2000® certified. This accreditation means the products have been tested to meet specific critical safety criteria and to correctly implement network management and messaging. This certification greatly reduces the complexity and cost of integrating the outboard with other systems on boats.

Which builders/installers are using the Honda V8? What feedback have you received?

Honda Marine has received excellent feedback on the BF350, both from boat builders and dealers in the larger engine segment. Honda is currently collaborating with both boat builders and dealers to advance sales momentum with the BF350 engine.

What impact do you see the Honda V8 having on the boating industry? What plans do you have for the future of this design?

The development and introduction of the all-new Honda BF350 underscore the Honda Marine vision: to become the marine mobility leader by capitalizing on the technology of Honda worldwide, further developing strategic partnerships and ensuring incredible boating experiences for target markets. The launch of the high-power BF350 also signals that Honda Marine is enhancing its existing lineup with an eye toward developing new models, inspired by Honda automotive platforms, which meet the growing demand for larger, more powerful outboard motors—all while investing in the development and engineering of products that address the world’s pressing environmental issues and utilizing unique, Honda technology across its global platforms. Honda Marine sees the BF350 V8 offering as a smooth-operating, fuel-efficient and reliable high-power outboard, encapsulating all hallmarks of the Honda brand.

Theresa Nicholson is an award-winning journalist who’s covered the marine industry for 25 years. She is the former senior editor of Cruising World, a judge for Newport for New Products, and a judge for the IBEX 2024 Innovation Awards program. She’s covered past IBEX shows for Soundings Trade Only, Practical Sailor, and Cruising World. Nicholson lived aboard her 31-foot ketch for 11 years and sailed from Miami to Malaysia. Her work currently focuses on weather, marine safety, risk analysis, and high latitude sailing.