2018 Honda 20 Hp BF20D3LH Outboard Motor

Honda built the 2018 BF20D3LH as a 20 hp tiller outboard with everything run by hand: a pull cord to start it, a lever for trim, and a lever for tilt, on a 20-inch shaft. At 118 pounds, the Japan-built, two-cylinder, 350cc four-stroke carries PGM ignition and reaches full throttle somewhere between 5000 and 6000 rpm, fed by a carburetor off a 3.2-gallon tank through a quick-connect line, running on 86-octane unleaded gasoline.

Rigging it correctly

A 20-inch shaft is sized for a specific transom depth; get that measurement wrong and the propeller rides too high or too low once the boat is underway, so check it against your hull before buying. Because starting, trim, and tilt are all manual, there is no wiring to run and no switch to mount, just the motor itself.

Built-in features worth knowing

Honda backs this engine with a 4-Front corrosion protection system against salt and spray, an onboard engine alert system that flags trouble before it becomes a bigger repair, and a pendulum engine mount designed to smooth out vibration at idle and cruise. A 6-amp alternator will still charge a battery for add-on electronics even though starting needs none.

Common questions

Is this engine rated for saltwater? Yes. Is starting electric? No, pull-cord only. Does it charge a battery while running? Yes, through its alternator.

Specifications