At this year's Miami International Boat Show trade venue, Honda Marine, a division of American Honda Motor Co., Inc. and marketer of a complete range of outboard marine four-stroke engines, announced a new, exclusive OEM agreement with Coach Pontoons. A subsidiary of Coach Marine Group, LLC, Coach Pontoons (www.coachpontoons.com) is a new manufacturer of pontoon boats, offering a full range of models for dealers and distributors throughout North America. The company is based in Fort Dodge, Iowa.
According to the terms of the agreement, Honda Marine will supply Coach Pontoons with selected outboard engine models from its Mid-Range BF Series (BF40, BF50, BF60, BF75, and BF90) and High Power BF Series (BF115, BF135, BF150, BF200, BF225, and BF250) as original equipment for all pontoon models manufactured by the company.
"Our partnership with a dynamic new company like Coach Pontoons affords Honda Marine the opportunity to reinforce its presence in the popular pontoon segment of the recreational boating market," said Mark DiPietro, senior manager, Honda Marine. "Class-leading performance, coupled with advanced, innovative technologies and outstanding fuel efficiency and reliability make all of these Honda engines ideal power sources for the Coach pontoon product lineup."
Coach Pontoons currently produces six series – or floorplans – of pontoons, models ranging from 21-25 feet, with plans for a seventh series. The company is committed to producing pontoons of the highest quality with the best OEM equipment available – all with the end goal of delivering the best value to the marketplace.
"With more than 90 million adults participating in recreational boating in the U.S. alone, it was imperative for Coach Pontoons to enter the marketplace with a highly respected OEM marine engine provider," said Chris Riddle, President of Coach Pontoons. "Honda Marine leads the industry and sets the standard for excellence with new innovations, products and design enhancements, and Coach Pontoons is proud to be part of the Honda legacy."
Honda Marine pioneered four-stroke engine technology, setting a new benchmark for fuel efficiency, quiet operation, and low emissions. Honda outboards share the same unparalleled durability, quality, and reliability of its legendary automobiles. With models ranging from 2.3 to 250 horsepower, the Honda Marine full line of current production models meets rigorous California Air Resources Board (CARB) 3-Star standards, ensuring their availability and regulatory compliance in all 50 states.
More detailed information about the Honda Mid-Range and High Power BF Series outboard engines follows below.
Snapshot of the Honda BF Series Outboard Four-Stroke Models
Honda BF40 and BF50
The Honda Marine BF40 and BF50 engines provide the perfect balance of powerful acceleration and best-in-class fuel efficiency for fresh and salt water applications. These mid-range in-line 3-cylinder models feature Electronic Fuel Injection as well as several Honda-exclusive technologies. The Honda patented Boosted Low Speed Torque (BLAST™) system advances ignition timing for explosive 'hammer-down' acceleration, while Lean Burn Control adjusts the air/fuel mixture for maximum fuel efficiency at cruise. The lightest engines in their class, the 214-pound BF40 and BF50 feature a lightweight, 22-amp alternator that offers best-in-class 17-amp charging capacity for multiple electronic accessories.
Honda BF60
The Honda Marine BF60 engine provides the perfect blend of powerful acceleration and best-in-class fuel efficiency for fresh and salt water boating applications. One of the lightest engines in its class, this 239-pound, 998cc, in-line 3-cylinder engine features Electronic Fuel Injection as well as several Honda-exclusive technologies. The Honda patented Boosted Low Speed Torque (BLAST™) system advances ignition timing for explosive 'hammer-down' acceleration, while Lean Burn Control adjusts the air/fuel mixture for maximum fuel efficiency at cruise. Perfect for pontoon applications, the Power Thrust BFP60 EFI features a lightweight, 27-amp alternator with best-in-class 22-amp charging capacity for multiple electronic accessories.
Honda BF75 and BF90
The Honda Marine BF75 and BF90 engines provide powerful acceleration and best-in-class fuel efficiency in both fresh and salt water. Inspired by the engine architecture of the Honda Fit automobile, these 1.5-liter, 16-valve, in-line 4-cylinder engines feature Electronic Fuel Injection for easy starting and exceptional fuel economy. The Honda patented Boosted Low Speed Torque (BLAST™) system advances ignition timing during 'hammer-down' acceleration for explosive holeshots, while a Lean Burn Control system adjusts the air/fuel mixture for maximum fuel efficiency at cruise. A 3-Way Cooling System also keeps cylinders slightly cooler than the engine block to promote long-term durability of critical components. Performance is further improved with the Honda exclusive Variable Valve Timing and Lift Electronic Control® (VTEC® – BF90), which provides outstanding torque and power at higher rpm.
Honda BF115
Available in both 20- and 25-inch shaft models, the Honda BF115 engine allows boaters excellent fuel efficiency, low emissions and quiet operation via the Honda legendary four-stroke outboard engine technology. The BF115 is derived from the inline 4-cylinder 2.4 liter dual overhead camshaft (DOHC) engine platform used in the award-winning and popular Honda Accord automobile – the largest displacement engine in its class. Holeshot and acceleration are dramatically improved via the use of the Honda Marine exclusive BLAST™ system, which advances ignition spark timing to within one degree of the knock limit during 'hammer down' acceleration. The resulting boost in available torque at low rpm contributes to a strong holeshot to get the boat up on plane quickly. The ignition spark timing is appropriately adjusted under slower throttle advancement, resulting in a leaner air/fuel mix and class-leading fuel efficiency.
Honda BF135 and BF150
Based on the engine architecture of the incomparable Honda Accord and CR-V, the Honda Marine BF135 and BF150 engines offer some of the most innovative, efficient, and reliable outboard engine technology available. The 2.4-liter, 4-cylinder engines boast the Honda exclusive Variable Valve Timing and Lift Electronic Control® (VTEC® - BF150) for impressive mid-range acceleration, and a 3-Way Cooling System keeps cylinders slightly cooler than the engine block to promote long-term durability of critical components. Lean Burn Control adjusts the air/fuel mix to maximize power and improve fuel economy at cruise, while an on-demand 51-amp alternator keeps battery banks charged all day, even when running multiple accessories.
Honda BF200 and BF225
The durable, high-performing and reliable 3.5-liter, 6-cylinder Honda BF200 and BF225 engines feature Variable Valve Timing and Lift Electronic Control (VTEC® - BF225) for outstanding torque at any speed, while the Honda patented Boosted Low Speed Torque (BLAST™) system contributes to explosive holeshots. Lean Burn Control automatically adjusts the air/fuel mix to maximize power and improve fuel economy at cruise, while a best-in-class on-demand 90-amp alternator keeps battery banks charged all day, even when running multiple accessories.
Honda BF250
The Honda BF250 engine incorporates a number of advanced technological innovations that contribute to the engine's high fuel economy and superior performance. The 3.6 liter VTEC® (Variable Valve Timing and Lift Electronic Control®) engine incorporates the world's first marine direct air dual circuit induction system of its type on a production outboard (providing for cooler, denser air for better combustion than conventional under-cowl induction systems) and has a full-throttle RPM range of 5300-6300. The design of the variable air intake system on the Honda BF250 also includes a large air-intake silencer that reduces noise. The silencing effect results from a chamber being added to the intake passage – causing sound waves to interfere with one another – creating a side branch effect that quiets noise.
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