2018 Honda 20 Hp BF20D3SH Outboard Motor

The 2018 Honda BF20D3SH is a 15-inch-shaft, tiller-steered 20 hp outboard with manual start and hand-operated trim and tilt, weighing 114 pounds. PGM ignition, water cooling, and a carburetor fed from a 3.2-gallon tank sit under the two-cylinder, 350cc block, with the engine reaching full throttle somewhere around 5000 rpm and redlining near 6000, running on 86-octane unleaded gasoline.

Checking fit first

This short-shaft build suits a lower transom than Honda's 20-inch long-shaft version of the same engine; confirm which length your boat actually needs, since the wrong one leaves the propeller riding at the wrong depth. Starting by pull cord and trimming by hand means no battery to maintain.

Features built into this engine

Three-stage carburetion is aimed at better fuel economy, auto start enrichment simplifies cold starts, and shallow water drive lets the motor tilt up to run in thinner water than its full-depth setting allows. Oil-wise, it takes Honda's FC-W 10W-30 in a wet-sump system, and even though starting needs no battery, a 6-amp charging coil will keep one topped off for electronics.

Common questions

Is a battery needed to start it? No. Is it rated for saltwater use? Yes. What warranty does it carry? Five years, since it's new. What gear ratio does it use? 2.08:1.

Specifications