This Honda BF outboard guide covers the portable end of Honda’s four-stroke range, from the tiny BF2.3 up to the BF20. In short: the BF2.3 is for inflatables and very light tenders, the BF4, BF5 and BF6 suit tenders and small jon boats, the BF8 and BF10 (sold as a 9.9 hp) handle small aluminum boats and sailboats, and the BF15 and BF20 are for small boats that need to plane with a real load. Match the motor to your boat’s horsepower rating, transom height and how far you need to carry it.
Every Honda outboard is a four-stroke, and the BF prefix is on all of them. The model codes also tell you a lot about shaft length and controls once you know how to read them. Here is how the small Honda range breaks down.
Honda BF outboard guide: the portable range at a glance
| Model | Rated hp | Typical boats | What to know |
|---|---|---|---|
| BF2.3 | 2.3 | Inflatables, dinghies, very light tenders | Air-cooled, the lightest and simplest Honda |
| BF4, BF5, BF6 | 4 to 6 | Tenders, small jon boats, canoes with a mount, small sailboats | Single-cylinder, still easy to carry |
| BF8, BF10 | 8 and 9.9 | Small aluminum boats, sailboats, kicker duty | Two-cylinder, Power Thrust (BFP) versions available |
| BF15, BF20 | 15 and 20 | Jon boats, small skiffs, larger inflatables, small fishing boats | Two-cylinder, tiller or remote, power tilt on some versions |
BF2.3: the smallest Honda outboard
The BF2.3 is Honda’s ultralight. It is air-cooled, so there is no water pump to service, and it is light enough to carry with one hand for most adults. It is built for pushing an inflatable or a small dinghy short distances at low speed, not for planing. It does not have a conventional shifting gearbox with neutral and reverse; to back up you turn the motor around. If you need to maneuver precisely in a crowded marina, a BF4 or larger with a shift lever is easier to live with.
The BF2.3 comes in short and long shaft versions, such as the Honda BF2.3DHLCH. Measure your transom before choosing.
BF4, BF5 and BF6: tender and small boat motors
These three single-cylinder motors are close siblings that share a similar size and layout. They are water-cooled and have forward, neutral and reverse, which makes docking much easier than with a BF2.3. A Honda BF5DHSHNA is a typical short-shaft tiller setup for a hard-bottom tender or small jon boat.
Think about carrying weight as much as power at this size. If you lift the motor on and off a tender often, every pound matters. Our article on buying a portable 6 HP outboard walks through fit, carrying weight and controls in more detail. Confirm exact weights on Honda’s spec sheet for the model and year.
BF8 and BF10: the 8 and 9.9 hp class
Honda’s 9.9 hp motor carries a BF10 model code, which confuses a lot of buyers. If you see a BF10 listed as 9.9 hp, that is correct. The BF8 and BF10 are closely related two-cylinder motors, and they are popular for small aluminum boats, sailboats and as kicker motors for trolling on larger boats.
This is also where Honda’s Power Thrust versions appear, marked with a BFP prefix. They are aimed at heavier boats and sailboats that need thrust at low speed more than top speed. The Honda BFP10D3LHT is one example. If your boat is a displacement hull or you mostly push weight slowly, look at the BFP versions first. A standard BF8 such as the BF8DK3LHA suits lighter boats that want a little more speed.
BF15 and BF20: small boats that need to plane
The BF15 and BF20 are the top of Honda’s portable range and are closely related two-cylinder motors. These are the motors that get a small aluminum boat or skiff up on plane with two people and gear. Both come in tiller and remote versions, short and long shafts, and some versions have power tilt.
The Honda BF20D3SH is a short-shaft tiller model, a common choice for jon boats and larger inflatables. Choose between the 15 and 20 based on your hull’s maximum horsepower rating and how much you carry. Never exceed the rating on the capacity plate. The U.S. Coast Guard Boating Safety site explains why.
How to read Honda BF model codes
Honda model codes pack a lot into a short string. The letters I am confident about:
- BF: Honda four-stroke outboard. BFP marks a Power Thrust version.
- Number: the horsepower class. BF10 is the 9.9 hp motor.
- S, L or X: shaft length. S is short, around 15 inches, L is long, around 20 inches, and X is extra long, around 25 inches.
- H or R: tiller handle or remote control.
- T: on these portable models, generally indicates power tilt.
Other letters in the code refer to the generation and specific equipment, and they vary between models. If a letter is not on this list, confirm it in the owner’s manual or on the product listing. A BF20D3SH reads as BF20, short shaft, tiller handle. Getting the shaft length wrong is the most common mistake, so read our guide to outboard shaft length before ordering.
Safety and running tips
- Run small outboards outdoors or on muffs with good ventilation. Like any gasoline engine they produce carbon monoxide.
- Store and transport the motor in the position the owner’s manual specifies, so oil does not run where it should not.
- Always use the kill switch lanyard, even on a small tender.
For official specs, owner’s manuals and dealer support, go to Honda Marine.
Shopping Honda outboards
Once you know the horsepower, shaft length and control setup, browse the full Honda outboard range or compare across brands in our outboard motors category. Check the model code and specs on each product page before ordering.
Frequently asked questions
Why is the Honda 9.9 hp outboard called a BF10?
Honda uses the BF10 model code for its 9.9 hp motor. The 9.9 rating is common across brands because it falls under horsepower limits on some lakes and for some registration rules. Check your local rules.
Does the Honda BF2.3 have reverse?
It does not have a conventional reverse gear. You rotate the motor to push the boat backward. If you want a shift lever with neutral and reverse, look at the BF4 and up.
What does BFP mean on a Honda outboard?
BFP marks a Honda Power Thrust model, aimed at heavier boats and sailboats that need thrust at low speeds.
Should I get a BF15 or BF20?
Go by your boat’s capacity plate first. If the hull is rated for 20 hp and you often carry people and gear, the BF20 gives more margin. If it is rated for 15 hp, the BF15 is the right choice.
The whole system matters 
Plan the arrival Always confirm the exact model, part number, condition and included components on the product listing. For a compatibility question, contact TorqueHarbor before ordering.