HONDA 15 HP BF15D3LH Outboard Motor

Description

There is a lot to be said for a motor with no battery, no wiring and no switches. You clamp it on, pull the cord and go. If the boat sits for months, there is no flat battery waiting for you. If you are miles from the nearest mechanic, there is very little that can stop it. The Honda BF15D3LH for sale on this page is that kind of motor: Honda’s 15 HP four stroke tiller with manual start and a 20 inch shaft. It is new in the crate and we ship it worldwide.

I have covered everything you need to know below: the model code, full specs, why a manual start tiller still makes sense, which boats it suits, how to set it up and look after it, and how to order. Price and cart are at the top.

The Honda BF15D3LH for Sale in Brief

The Honda BF15D3LH for sale is a 15 HP, 350 cc, twin cylinder four stroke outboard with a single three stage carburettor and recoil (pull cord) starting. It is steered with a tiller, has a 20 inch shaft and manual tilt, and weighs about 110 pounds dry by Honda’s figure for the L type. It is the simplest, lightest version of Honda’s 15 HP for 20 inch transoms.

Model Code Explained

• BF: Honda four stroke.
• 15: 15 horsepower.
• D3: series and type.
• L: long shaft, 20 inches.
• H: handle, meaning tiller steering.

No S after the H means no electric start, and no T means no power tilt. If you want key start, look at the Honda BF15D3LHS. If you want power tilt as well, the Honda BF15D3LHT has both.

Specifications of the Honda BF15D3LH for Sale

Figures from Honda’s official BF15 and BF20 specification page.

Why Choose Manual Start in This Day and Age?

No battery to worry about. Batteries go flat, corrode and need replacing. A pull start motor doesn’t care. That is a real advantage for boats that sit for long periods, or that are used in remote places.

Lighter. Without a starter motor and battery, the Honda BF15D3LH for sale and your boat are lighter. On a small aluminium boat, every kilo matters.

Simpler. Fewer electrical parts means fewer things to fail in salt air or damp storage.

Cheaper. It costs less to buy and there is no battery to replace every few years.

Honda’s twin cylinder engine is also easy to pull over, with a smooth recoil and a well designed choke system, so starting is not the chore it was on old two strokes.

How It Runs

The 350 cc twin is smooth and quiet for its size, with four valves and a three stage carburettor designed for clean running from idle to full throttle. It uses a small fraction of the fuel of an old two stroke 15 and produces no smoke. On a tiller boat, the lower vibration through the handle is especially noticeable.

Boats That Suit the Honda BF15D3LH for Sale

• Aluminium fishing boats and jon boats from about 12 to 15 feet with a 20 inch transom.
• Small skiffs used at lodges and fishing camps.
• Work boats for farms, ranches and fish farms.
• Small boats kept at remote cabins or on lakes far from services.
• Rental boats where simplicity reduces problems.

Check the capacity plate. If your boat can take 20 HP, look at the Honda BF20D3LH. If your transom is 15 inches, choose the Honda BF15D3SH.

Maintenance

Service the Honda BF15D3LH for sale after break-in and then every 100 hours or yearly: oil and filter, gearcase oil, plug, fuel filter, anode and grease points. Replace the water pump impeller at the manual’s interval. Drain or treat carburettor fuel before storage. Manuals are free on the Honda Marine site.

Warranty

Five years recreational in the US, transferable and non-declining. Other countries follow the local distributor. See the Honda warranty page.

Ordering the Honda BF15D3LH for Sale

1. Add to cart, or contact us first.
2. We confirm stock, address and shipping.
3. The motor ships in its Honda crate.
4. You get tracking.
5. You receive the crate.

International buyers pay any import duties and taxes. We supply the paperwork.

See all Honda outboard motors, the 15 HP Honda outboards, or the full shop.

What Comes in the Crate

The Honda BF15D3LH for sale arrives complete with tiller handle, cowling, owner’s manual and Honda’s standard hardware. Honda lists a 9¼ by 10 inch aluminium prop as standard. You will need a fuel tank and line with a water separating filter. No battery is needed. Inspect the crate on arrival and photograph any damage.

Break-In

Vary the throttle for the first several hours and avoid long runs at full throttle or at one steady speed. Then change the oil and filter and check the gearcase oil, following the owner’s manual.

Starting a Pull Start Honda

Make sure the fuel vent is open and the line is primed. Put the motor in neutral. If the engine is cold, use the choke as the manual describes. Pull the cord slowly until you feel resistance, then give a firm, smooth pull. Once it starts, ease the choke off. With a well maintained Honda, it usually starts within a pull or two. Always clip the kill switch lanyard on before you start.

Mounting

Mount the motor on the centreline of the transom and tighten the clamp screws firmly. For a 15 HP motor, through bolts are strongly recommended as well. Start with the anti ventilation plate roughly level with the bottom of the hull. Set the trim position so the motor is about vertical when the boat is running.

Tilting by Hand

At around 110 pounds, the motor is manageable to tilt by hand. Release the tilt lock, lift using the handle on the cowling or the tiller, and engage the tilt support. For shallow water, Honda portables usually have a shallow water drive position that holds the motor partly raised; the owner’s manual explains how to use it.

Carburettor and Fuel Care

Use fresh fuel through a water separating filter. Add stabiliser if the boat will sit, and drain the carburettor before long storage. Stale fuel is the main cause of hard starting on pull start motors.

Salt Water Care

Flush after every salt trip, rinse the outside, check the anode each season and touch up chipped paint.

A Day Out

At a remote lake cabin, you carry the fuel tank down to the dock, connect the line and give the bulb a squeeze. One firm pull and the Honda BF15D3LH for sale settles into a quiet idle. You spend the day fishing the far shore, the motor pushing the little aluminium boat along smoothly and sipping fuel. There is no battery to charge, no switches to fail. At the end of the day you tilt it up by hand, tie the boat off and walk up to the cabin.

Manual, Electric or Power Tilt: Which BF15 Tiller?

Honda makes its 15 HP tiller in several versions, and the choice mostly comes down to how you use the boat.

Manual start (this model). The Honda BF15D3LH for sale is the lightest and simplest. Best for boats that sit for long periods, remote locations, rental fleets and anyone who wants to avoid batteries. Starting takes a pull or two.

Electric start (LHS). A key or button start with a battery. Best for owners who start and stop often, anglers moving between spots all day, or people who find a pull cord difficult.

Electric start with power tilt (LHT). Adds a switch to raise and lower the motor. Best for frequent shallow water use, heavier loads or anyone who doesn’t want to lift the motor by hand.

If you are fit, use the boat in deep water and value simplicity, the manual start model is hard to beat.

15 or 20 HP?

The BF15 and BF20 share the same 350 cc engine and weight. The 20 makes more power at a higher RPM. If your boat is rated for 20, the extra power costs almost nothing in weight and helps with heavier loads. If it is rated for 15, choose the Honda BF15D3LH for sale. Never exceed the capacity plate.

Four Stroke Versus Old Two Stroke

If you are replacing an old two stroke 15, the Honda will feel very different. There is no oil to mix into the fuel, because the engine has its own oil in a sump like a car. There is no blue smoke and much less smell. It is far quieter, especially at idle and trolling speeds. And it uses much less fuel. The one thing you do need to remember is the oil change, which is quick and easy on this motor.

Choosing a Propeller

Honda lists a 9¼ by 10 inch aluminium prop as standard. At wide open throttle with your usual load, the engine should reach 4,500 to 5,500 RPM. If it falls short, try a lower pitch. If it overshoots, try higher. Heavy work boats may benefit from the Power Thrust prop setup, but for that, the dedicated BFP models are the better choice.

Using It at Lodges and Rental Fleets

Fishing lodges and rental businesses love manual start Honda tillers for good reasons. Guests of all abilities can start and run them. There are no batteries to charge or replace across a fleet. Carburetted engines can be serviced by local mechanics almost anywhere. And Honda’s four strokes are quiet and fuel efficient, which guests appreciate on long days. If you run a fleet, the Honda BF15D3LH for sale keeps things simple.

New Versus Used

Used 15 HP tillers are common, but many have carburettors clogged by stale fuel or have missed oil changes. A new Honda BF15D3LH for sale starts clean with factory warranty where it applies.

Getting Ready

• Measure the transom (about 20 inches for this motor).
• Check the capacity plate.
• Inspect the transom for soft spots.
• Buy a fuel tank and line with a water separating filter.
• Plan through bolts for mounting.

Common Mistakes

Wrong shaft length, exceeding the capacity plate, skipping through bolts, forgetting the kill switch lanyard, leaving fuel in the carburettor for months and missing the first service. Avoid those and the Honda BF15D3LH for sale will run for many years.

Tiller Driving Tips

Always clip the kill switch lanyard to your wrist or life jacket before starting. Set the steering friction so the motor holds a straight line if you let go for a moment, and set the throttle friction so the twist grip holds a trolling speed without a tight grip. Shift gently, pausing in neutral between forward and reverse. When taking off, lean forward or ask a passenger to sit forward so the bow doesn’t rise too much. On long runs, change hands and posture now and then to avoid fatigue.

Carrying and Storing a Portable

At about 110 pounds, the Honda BF15D3LH for sale is a two person carry. Always carry and store it the way the owner’s manual shows, usually upright or lying on a specific side, so oil doesn’t run into places it shouldn’t. Use a proper outboard stand or bracket for storage. Keep it covered and out of direct sun when not in use.

Fuel Quality Around the World

Carburetted motors are fairly forgiving, but water, dirt and stale fuel still cause problems. Use a water separating filter, check the bowl often and change the element when due. Buy fuel from busy stations and keep containers clean. In hot, humid climates, don’t leave part filled tanks for weeks.

Why Honda

Honda has built four stroke outboards longer than most of its competitors, and it draws on decades of engine experience from cars, motorcycles, generators and garden machinery. Its portables are known for easy starting, quiet running and long life with basic care.

Service Near You

Honda has marine dealers and distributors in many countries, and common parts like plugs, filters, anodes and impellers are widely available. Find your nearest one using Honda’s dealer locator.

Safety

Wear the kill switch lanyard, carry life jackets for everyone, and keep a paddle, bailer and a way to call for help aboard. Honda’s safety tips are worth reading.

Storage

Before a long layup, change the oil, drain the carburettor or treat the fuel, flush the engine, check the gearcase oil and store the motor so water drains from the lower unit. In hot climates, cover it and run it every few weeks if possible.

Who Buys This Motor

Cabin owners on remote lakes, fishing lodges and rental fleets, farmers and ranchers, fish farm crews and anglers who want the simplest possible setup. They choose the Honda BF15D3LH for sale because it has almost nothing to go wrong and starts on a pull.

Why Buy From Us

We ship genuine new Honda outboards worldwide in their factory crates, help you choose the right model and shaft length, and assist with shipping and customs paperwork.

Keep a Service Log

Record hours and services from the start. It keeps you on schedule and adds value when you sell. Honda motors hold their value well.

Running in Shallow Water

Many small boats with a 15 HP tiller are used in rivers, marshes and lake shallows. Use the shallow water drive position to run with the motor partly raised, keeping the water intake submerged and speed low. Watch the cooling water tell tale; if it weakens or stops, shut down and check the intake. Carry a spare prop, prop nut and cotter pin. The Honda BF15D3LH for sale is light enough that tilting it by hand in the shallows is easy.

Charging a Battery Without Electric Start

Even though the Honda BF15D3LH for sale is pull start, Honda lists a 6 amp charging output for manual start models, which can help keep a small battery topped up for a fish finder or navigation lights if your motor is set up for it. Ask us if charging matters for your use, and we will confirm what applies to your motor and market.

Living With It Long Term

Expect a yearly service with oil, filter and gearcase oil, an impeller every few years, the anode as it wears, a spark plug now and then, and occasional carburettor cleaning if fuel sits too long. That is about all. Honda’s portable twins are known for running a long time with that kind of care, and fuel costs are tiny.

Performance Data

Honda publishes test data for many boats at its performance test page. It is worth checking if a similar boat is listed.

Commercial Use

For lodge, rental or work use, check the warranty terms in your country, since commercial cover is usually shorter. Keep closely to the service schedule.

Before You Order

Measure the transom, check the capacity plate, and make sure you have a fuel tank and filter ready. If unsure, send us photos and we will help confirm the Honda BF15D3LH for sale is right for you.

Resale Value

Small Honda tillers are always in demand second hand. Keep receipts and a service log, and yours will hold its value well.

Is the Honda BF15D3LH for Sale Right for You?

If your boat has a 20 inch transom and a 15 HP rating, you steer from the stern, and you want the simplest, lightest and most self reliant motor you can get, then the answer is yes. The Honda BF15D3LH for sale doesn’t need a battery, starts on a pull, and runs quietly for years with basic care.

A Word on Weight

Because it has no starter motor, no battery and no power tilt, the Honda BF15D3LH for sale is the lightest of the 20 inch BF15 tillers. That makes a difference on small aluminium boats and jon boats, where extra weight at the stern slows planing and reduces freeboard. It also makes the motor easier to lift on and off the boat if you remove it for storage or transport.

Getting Help

If you are unsure about shaft length, starting type or anything else, get in touch before you order. We are always glad to help you pick the right motor.

Spares Worth Keeping

For a motor you may use far from help, keep a few spares in a dry box: a spark plug, a spare prop nut and cotter pin, a fuel filter element, a starter cord, and the tools to fit them. With those, the Honda BF15D3LH for sale can get you home from almost anywhere.

Similar Honda Outboards

• Honda BF15D3LHS: 15 HP tiller, electric start.
• Honda BF15D3LHT: 15 HP tiller, power tilt.
• Honda BF15D3SH: 15 HP tiller, 15 inch shaft.
• Honda BF20D3LH: 20 HP tiller, manual start.
• Honda BF10DK3LHS: 9.9 HP tiller.

Browse 20 HP and 9.9 HP Honda outboards.

FAQ: Honda BF15D3LH for Sale

Is it new?

Yes. The Honda BF15D3LH for sale is new in the crate.

Electric start?

No. It is pull start.

Tiller?

Yes.

Shaft length?

20 inches.

Weight?

About 110 pounds dry.

Worldwide shipping?

Yes.

Buy the Honda BF15D3LH for Sale

For a small tiller boat with a 20 inch transom and a 15 HP rating, the Honda BF15D3LH for sale is simple, light and dependable. Add it to your cart, or contact us first.

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