Honda BF5DH 5HP Portable 4-Stroke Outboard – Quiet, Lightweight & Reliable

The Honda BF5DH delivers an ideal blend of portability and reliability, making it one of the most popular portable outboards in its class. Its quiet and smooth operation ensures that your time on the water is enjoyable, without the excessive noise and vibration often associated with small engines. Being a four-stroke, it requires no oil-gas mixing – resulting in cleaner running, no smoky residue, and no strong exhaust odor, which is a big plus for comfort during leisurely cruises. Weighing in at roughly 27 kg, the BF5 is light enough for one person to mount or remove, and the integrated carry handle makes it easy to transport from your vehicle to the boat. In addition to its frugal fuel consumption, this engine is very economical to maintain – Honda’s engineering guarantees long component life and infrequent service needs.

The built-in 1.5L fuel tank offers grab-and-go convenience for short trips or use as an auxiliary motor, providing over 40 minutes of wide-open throttle operation. For longer excursions, the BF5DH can be connected to an external fuel tank, greatly extending your range on the water. The engine features an Oil Alert system that monitors oil pressure; if the oil level drops too low, the system will automatically limit the RPM to protect the engine from damage – offering peace of mind that the motor is safeguarded. While running, you’ll appreciate the minimal vibration achieved through special engine mounts and balanced design, which means less operator fatigue and more enjoyment on extended outings.

Honda designed the BF5 with a 3-position gear shifter – forward gear for propulsion, neutral for idling, and reverse gear for maneuvering. A safety lockout mechanism prevents the engine from being started in gear (it will only start in neutral), enhancing safety during use. The shallow water drive feature allows you to tilt the motor up and run at low speed in shallows, ideal for beach landings or navigating marshes and rivers without damaging the propeller on the bottom. For added convenience, the twist-grip throttle on the tiller handle provides precise speed control, and a unique throttle tensioner lets you set your desired resistance – reducing strain on your hand during long runs.

Honda offers this model in both a short shaft version (BF5DH SHNU) for standard 15-inch transoms (common on inflatables and small skiffs) and a long shaft version (BF5DH LHNU) for taller transoms, such as those on some sailboats or larger dinghies. The Honda BF5 5HP confidently propels boats up to roughly 3 to 3.5 meters in length, providing sufficient thrust for carrying 2-3 people and gear. This makes it an excellent choice for owners of inflatable dinghies, small aluminum fishing boats, or even canoes, as well as sailors in need of a dependable auxiliary when the wind dies. In any configuration, the BF5DH boasts legendary Honda reliability, low fuel consumption, and long service life – qualities you can count on every time you fire it up.