BassMan11 Posted November 13, 2014 Report Posted November 13, 2014 Just about to pull the trigger of buying this motor for my "Big" 14' aluminum (rated for a 35). Anyone have experience with this motor or Honda 4 strokes in general? I heard they are great motors if taken care of properly. thanks guys, BassMan
BillM Posted November 13, 2014 Report Posted November 13, 2014 (edited) We had a 2000 40hp 4 stroke Honda on the back of our 15ft Legend, one of the best motors we've ever had. Absolutely zero issues, never left us stranded, it also sipped fuel. I can't say enough good things about it. I wouldn't hesitate to buy one. Edited November 13, 2014 by BillM
MrSimon Posted November 13, 2014 Report Posted November 13, 2014 I had a 30HP Honda fourstroke and now have a 40HP Honda fourstroke ... both from the late 90's. Both are excellent motors!!! They run smooth and quiet. It's easy to change the oil. They do need a good five minutes to warm up on cold mornings. Here is a video of my 30HP before I sold it. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VIffFz_s1E4
LucG Posted November 13, 2014 Report Posted November 13, 2014 (edited) Hey BassMan, I have a 2007 Honda 30 HP 4 Stroke BF. I have had absolutely zero issues with it thus far. *knock on wood* I run it on a 16' Lund and get about 25 mph. Mind you have have it fully loaded most of the time. It has never let me down. Very little maintenance. To store it I simply run some stabil through it on my last trip out, and drain the gear oil just in case water has entered, which it never has. Then replace the motor oil in the spring. This year I changed the fuel filter for the first time, and it was barely dirty. Always starts up perfect in the spring. Like others have mentioned, its amazing on fuel!!!! If the motor is in great shape and the price is right, I'd say go for it! Oh and it runs very quiet too! Goodluck Edited November 13, 2014 by LucG
BassMan11 Posted November 13, 2014 Author Report Posted November 13, 2014 (edited) I had a 30HP Honda fourstroke and now have a 40HP Honda fourstroke ... both from the late 90's. Both are excellent motors!!! They run smooth and quiet. It's easy to change the oil. They do need a good five minutes to warm up on cold mornings. Here is a video of my 30HP before I sold it. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VIffFz_s1E4 It looks like I have a similar boat as well. 14' Sylvan Sea Snapper but with a built in wood floor. a 30 will push the boat a lot better then the 9.9 I am running now I assume. Hey BassMan, I have a 2007 Honda 30 HP 4 Stroke BF. I have had absolutely zero issues with it thus far. *knock on wood* I run it on a 16' Lund and get about 25 mph. Mind you have have it fully loaded most of the time. It has never let me down. Very little maintenance. To store it I simply run some stabil through it on my last trip out, and drain the gear oil just in case water has entered, which it never has. Then replace the motor oil in the spring. This year I changed the fuel filter for the first time, and it was barely dirty. Always starts up perfect in the spring. Like others have mentioned, its amazing on fuel!!!! If the motor is in great shape and the price is right, I'd say go for it! Oh and it runs very quiet too! Goodluck It is priced well compared to other 25-30 hp motors I have been looking at that is for sure. It always makes you wonder why it is so "cheap". The guy said it just had $350 worth of work done to it and will run it for me when I head out there. I would assume I would be running around 30mph in my boat. Sounds like I am making the right choice here. thanks guys. Edited November 13, 2014 by BassMan11
LucG Posted November 13, 2014 Report Posted November 13, 2014 I would find out what kind of "work" he had done. Regular maintenance? Or was it more serious?
BassMan11 Posted November 13, 2014 Author Report Posted November 13, 2014 Regular maintenance. New engine oil, gear oil, spark plugs, fuel filter, carb clean etc..... Sounds like a regular tune up from a shop.
irishfield Posted November 13, 2014 Report Posted November 13, 2014 Electric or pull start? Hoping electric or you'd better learn the exact spot of throttle to start it. We have a 2000 x 25 HP on our steel boat at the lake. Runs flawless and it had been stored improperly (basically just pulled up on shore) for over 3 years before we bought the camp that it came with. 3 carbs and have never had an issue with it period. I've changed the plugs once in 10 years and probably didn't need to.
BassMan11 Posted November 13, 2014 Author Report Posted November 13, 2014 Electric or pull start? Hoping electric or you'd better learn the exact spot of throttle to start it. We have a 2000 x 25 HP on our steel boat at the lake. Runs flawless and it had been stored improperly (basically just pulled up on shore) for over 3 years before we bought the camp that it came with. 3 carbs and have never had an issue with it period. I've changed the plugs once in 10 years and probably didn't need to. Pull start. What is this exact spot you speak of Wayne? I am sure i'll figure it out.... i hope.
irishfield Posted November 13, 2014 Report Posted November 13, 2014 Hopefully the handle is still marked with the throttle location for starting. I borrowed a 30 x 4 stroke Johnson from the marina a few years ago, late in the fall... and the handle markings were worn clean. Damn near had a coronary trying to pull starting it the next cold morning... and when I finally did and took it back, the owner said "did you turn it to here"?
BassMan11 Posted November 13, 2014 Author Report Posted November 13, 2014 Hopefully the handle is still marked with the throttle location for starting. I borrowed a 30 x 4 stroke Johnson from the marina a few years ago, late in the fall... and the handle markings were worn clean. Damn near had a coronary trying to pull starting it the next cold morning... and when I finally did and took it back, the owner said "did you turn it to here"? Yikes, when the guy starts it I will take a look and Mark it if it isn't visible. Thanks for the heads up Wayne.
BillM Posted November 13, 2014 Report Posted November 13, 2014 I never noticed a mark for starting on our 40hp.
irishfield Posted November 13, 2014 Report Posted November 13, 2014 Ok... maybe it was just the Johnson..
BassMan11 Posted November 13, 2014 Author Report Posted November 13, 2014 Ok... maybe it was just the Johnson.. I know my 9.9 1978 Seahorse had to be on that start mark on the handle that is for sure.
MrSimon Posted November 13, 2014 Report Posted November 13, 2014 When my 40 Honda is cold, it certainly starts better if I have the throttle right at the "choke/start" line .... although better is relative, this things always starts easily.
Fisherman Posted November 13, 2014 Report Posted November 13, 2014 Probably 1/8th of a turn from idle.
Terry Posted November 13, 2014 Report Posted November 13, 2014 even my 5hp honda has a sweet spot for starting
jimmer Posted November 14, 2014 Report Posted November 14, 2014 This might be insignificant, but is the motor a short or long shaft and is it compatible to your transom. I have a 14' wide body with a walk through floor, but a short transom. I don't think I would put a 30hp 4 stroke on it due to the weight of the motor. I have a 25hp 2 stroke and the water level can get scary when rough, any added weight would make it dangerous.
Fisherman Posted November 15, 2014 Report Posted November 15, 2014 I don't believe he'll have any weight issues at all, 12footsprigbok has a Lund 14 and inherited my '96 Honda 25 L/S, no problems. I don't think the 30 is that much heavier.
mike rousseau Posted November 15, 2014 Report Posted November 15, 2014 We ran Hondas for years... Great motors and amazing on gas...
BassMan11 Posted November 15, 2014 Author Report Posted November 15, 2014 its a 30 short shaft and I understand the concern. Again the boat is rated for a 35 but I also plan to counter balance the weight with some more weight in the front (i.e. battery, gas tank). I also rarely head out alone so again that is more weight in the front of the boat. I am curious on the weight of the motor though… any guesses?
BillM Posted November 15, 2014 Report Posted November 15, 2014 Check the Honda site, they'll have the service manuals with all the info you need.
Fisherman Posted November 15, 2014 Report Posted November 15, 2014 its a 30 short shaft and I understand the concern. Again the boat is rated for a 35 but I also plan to counter balance the weight with some more weight in the front (i.e. battery, gas tank). I also rarely head out alone so again that is more weight in the front of the boat. I am curious on the weight of the motor though… any guesses? 160 + or - a few pounds, my 25 L/S was 154 if I'm not mistaken. I really wouldn't worry about moving weight to the front.
BassMan11 Posted November 15, 2014 Author Report Posted November 15, 2014 The new 4 stroke BF 30's from Honda are 170 so I assumed somewhere in that range… I guess I will have to wait and see. If I do end up buying it (looking at it tomorrow) it will be a long winter.
TDunn Posted November 15, 2014 Report Posted November 15, 2014 (edited) I've used a 30 honda short shaft a lot! Wicked motor, super quiet no issues. My cousin is the boat owner and he just upgraded to a 50! Might want to get a handle extension, Minn Kota extensions work great. Much nicer for standing and cruising. Edit- this motor was electric start. Sweet spot was on the choke start spot lol no issues with starting. Can't comment on hand bombing it TDunn Edited November 15, 2014 by TDunn
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