Honda 15s, initial notes
Posted: Wed May 07, 2014 5:55 pm
Hi:
This is for anyone interested in the Honda 15s. I bought two this winter and paid to have them installed. I helped a bit and learned a lot. So with only 1.5 hours on the engines and still doing the early break-in period, I have an intial list of pros and cons.
Pros
Fast and powerful (at 4000 rpms, the boat was running 7.5 kts in calm, slack water)
Quiet, appear to be a good bit quieter than the Yamaha 9.9s
Easy start. Automatically adjusts the idle. Very high-tech-ish
Tachometers (How did I ever live without them) But, are also available on Yamaha 9.9s I think.
Got a chance to replace every aspect of the engines; cables, shift levers, hoses - everything but the fuel tank got upgraded.
The integrated water flush is easier to get to.
Cons
They are big engines, with only fractions of an inch to spare in the sides of the well, and I needed to cut the fiberglass at the back of the engine well so it would tilt up.
Had to replace the entire electrical harness. A lot of work, but gave me tachometers and new ignition switches.
My Telefex was okay, but the cables needed replacing. In the end, I opted to replace the entire system. The new shift levers are very nice, with integrated electric tilt.
The hydraulic lift brackets are a couple inches longer than the Yamaha 9.9s with hydraulic tilt, and always touch the water.
The engines don't tilt up fully out of the water. So in marinas, etc. Its probably best to tilt them down enough to keep the zinc underwater. (This is the biggest Con I think.)
Reaching the oil dip stick on the starboard engine is harder than the Yamaha 9.9. On the port side it is much easier.
The plugs are a bit harder to get to.
The engine cover is harder to put on.
The dealer recommend that the engines have two bolts put in the engine mount, as well as the clamps, to avoid vibration. This its harder to lift them to work on them.
So all in all, it was a lot of work and more cost. Time will tell if the inconvenience of maintenance and extra cost is offset by the added speed/thrust against tides and wind. I did not really want more speed, but with a heavily loaded boat, wanted more power against the wind and tide.
Drew recommended hull extensions. Probably a wise choice. Perhaps another year.
I'll post more as I experience more. I can also send photos of the cuts and such should someone need them.
Happy Spring,
Eric
This is for anyone interested in the Honda 15s. I bought two this winter and paid to have them installed. I helped a bit and learned a lot. So with only 1.5 hours on the engines and still doing the early break-in period, I have an intial list of pros and cons.
Pros
Fast and powerful (at 4000 rpms, the boat was running 7.5 kts in calm, slack water)
Quiet, appear to be a good bit quieter than the Yamaha 9.9s
Easy start. Automatically adjusts the idle. Very high-tech-ish
Tachometers (How did I ever live without them) But, are also available on Yamaha 9.9s I think.
Got a chance to replace every aspect of the engines; cables, shift levers, hoses - everything but the fuel tank got upgraded.
The integrated water flush is easier to get to.
Cons
They are big engines, with only fractions of an inch to spare in the sides of the well, and I needed to cut the fiberglass at the back of the engine well so it would tilt up.
Had to replace the entire electrical harness. A lot of work, but gave me tachometers and new ignition switches.
My Telefex was okay, but the cables needed replacing. In the end, I opted to replace the entire system. The new shift levers are very nice, with integrated electric tilt.
The hydraulic lift brackets are a couple inches longer than the Yamaha 9.9s with hydraulic tilt, and always touch the water.
The engines don't tilt up fully out of the water. So in marinas, etc. Its probably best to tilt them down enough to keep the zinc underwater. (This is the biggest Con I think.)
Reaching the oil dip stick on the starboard engine is harder than the Yamaha 9.9. On the port side it is much easier.
The plugs are a bit harder to get to.
The engine cover is harder to put on.
The dealer recommend that the engines have two bolts put in the engine mount, as well as the clamps, to avoid vibration. This its harder to lift them to work on them.
So all in all, it was a lot of work and more cost. Time will tell if the inconvenience of maintenance and extra cost is offset by the added speed/thrust against tides and wind. I did not really want more speed, but with a heavily loaded boat, wanted more power against the wind and tide.
Drew recommended hull extensions. Probably a wise choice. Perhaps another year.
I'll post more as I experience more. I can also send photos of the cuts and such should someone need them.
Happy Spring,
Eric