2019 Honda 20 HP BF20D3SH Outboard Motor

Honda frames its BF15 and BF20 line as built for 12-to-16-foot boats, with the lightest members starting around 104 pounds; this 2019 BF20D3SH, a 20 hp, manual-start, 15-inch-shaft tiller model, sits a touch above that floor. The water-cooled, two-cylinder, 350cc engine carries PGM ignition, carbureted from a 3.2-gallon tank on 86-octane fuel, with full throttle opening somewhere past 5000 and topping out near 6000 rpm.

Sizing it to your boat

Fifteen inches is the short-shaft option in this 20 hp line, meant for a lower transom than the 20-inch long-shaft version needs; measure before ordering rather than assuming fit. Trim and tilt are both set by hand at the motor, with no remote console anywhere in the rigging.

Features built into this engine

An onboard engine alert system flags trouble early, a pendulum mount smooths out vibration at idle, and EZ Steer friction control lets you dial in how much resistance the tiller handle has. Lubrication runs on a wet-sump system with FC-W 10W-30 oil, and a 6-amp alternator keeps a battery charged for electronics even though starting itself needs none. The gearbox shifts forward, neutral, and reverse through a 2.08:1 ratio.

Common questions

Does it have electric start? No, starting here is manual. Is it saltwater rated? Yes. What's the warranty? Five years, new from Honda.

Specifications