HONDA 15 HP BF15D3LHS Outboard Motor

Description

If you move between fishing spots a dozen times a day, a pull cord gets old fast. So does trying to start a motor in a rocking boat while a fish is chasing your lure somewhere else. The Honda BF15D3LHS for sale on this page fixes that with electric start. It is Honda’s 15 HP four stroke tiller with a 20 inch shaft and key start, brand new in the crate, and we ship it to buyers worldwide.

Below you will find the model code explained, full specifications, what electric start changes on a tiller boat, which boats it suits, setup and care advice, and how to order. Price and cart are at the top of the page.

The Honda BF15D3LHS for Sale in Short

The Honda BF15D3LHS for sale is a 15 HP, 350 cc, twin cylinder four stroke with a single three stage carburettor, electric start and a 12 amp alternator. It has tiller steering, a 20 inch shaft and manual tilt. It is the middle version of Honda’s 20 inch BF15 tiller range: more convenient than the pull start LH, simpler and lighter than the power tilt LHT.

Model Code Explained

• BF: Honda four stroke.
• 15: 15 horsepower.
• D3: series and type.
• L: long shaft, 20 inches.
• H: handle (tiller).
• S: electric starter.

For pull start only, see the Honda BF15D3LH. For electric start plus power tilt, see the Honda BF15D3LHT. For a 15 inch shaft with electric start, see the Honda BF15D3SHS.

Specifications of the Honda BF15D3LHS for Sale

Figures from Honda’s official BF15 and BF20 page.

What Electric Start Changes

Quick restarts. Anglers who drift, stop, move and stop again all day will start the motor dozens of times. With a key, that is effortless.

Anyone can start it. Kids, guests, and people with sore shoulders or backs can start the Honda BF15D3LHS for sale without struggling.

Safer in rough water. Pulling a cord while standing in a rocking boat is not ideal. A key start lets you stay seated.

Better charging. Electric start models come with a 12 amp alternator, twice the output Honda lists for manual start models. That keeps a battery healthy while running a fish finder and lights.

The trade offs are a battery to maintain and a little extra weight. For most active anglers, that is a price worth paying.

How It Runs

The 350 cc twin is smooth and quiet, with four valves and a three stage carburettor tuned for clean running across the throttle range. It idles steadily, which is ideal for slow trolling, and uses very little fuel compared with older two strokes.

Boats That Suit It

• Aluminium fishing boats and jon boats from 12 to 15 feet with a 20 inch transom.
• Tiller walleye and panfish boats.
• Small skiffs for lakes and rivers.
• Duck boats and marsh boats with 20 inch transoms.
• Lodge and rental boats where guests need easy starting.

Check the capacity plate. If your boat can take 20 HP, look at our 20 HP Honda outboards.

Maintenance

Service the Honda BF15D3LHS 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. Keep the battery charged and terminals clean. 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 BF15D3LHS 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 BF15D3LHS for sale arrives complete with tiller handle, electric starter, cowling, owner’s manual and Honda’s standard hardware. Honda lists a 9¼ by 10 inch aluminium prop as standard. You will need a battery with suitable cables, and a fuel tank and line with a water separating filter. 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.

Choosing and Fitting a Battery

A good quality marine starting battery of the size the owner’s manual recommends is all you need. Mount it in a proper battery box, secured so it can’t slide, as far forward as practical to help the boat’s balance. Use cables of the right gauge, keep terminals clean and tight, and add a battery switch if you like to isolate it when the boat is stored. The 12 amp alternator on the Honda BF15D3LHS for sale will keep it charged while you run.

Mounting

Mount the motor on the centreline and tighten the clamp screws firmly. Add through bolts for a 15 HP motor. Start with the anti ventilation plate about level with the bottom of the hull. Set the trim position so the motor is about vertical when running.

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.

Salt Water Care

Flush after every salt trip, rinse the outside, check the anode each season and touch up chipped paint. Keep battery terminals clean, since salt air speeds up corrosion.

A Day Out

It is a breezy day on the lake, so you drift the points, moving every twenty minutes. Each time, you turn the key and the Honda BF15D3LHS for sale starts instantly, even with the boat rocking. You run to the next spot, cut the engine and drift again. By the end of the day you have started the motor thirty times without once reaching for a cord. The fish finder has been on all day and the battery is still full.

Electric Start for Drift Fishing and Trolling

Drift fishing and trolling anglers restart their motors far more often than most boaters. You drift a bank, fire up, reposition and drift again. You troll a line, stop to land a fish, then start again. With a pull start, that becomes tiring over a long day, and in wind or waves it is awkward and sometimes unsafe. The Honda BF15D3LHS for sale takes all of that away. A turn of the key and you are moving again, with both hands free to handle rods and nets the rest of the time.

Manual, Electric or Power Tilt?

Honda’s 20 inch BF15 tillers come in three versions. The pull start LH is the lightest and simplest, with no battery at all. The Honda BF15D3LHS for sale adds electric start and a stronger alternator. The LHT adds power tilt on top of electric start. If you mostly run in deep water and don’t mind lifting the motor by hand, the LHS is the sweet spot. If you often run in shallows or want to avoid lifting the motor, go for the LHT.

15 or 20 HP?

The BF15 and BF20 share the same engine and weight. The 20 makes more power at a higher RPM. If your boat is rated for 20, you get extra performance for almost no extra weight. If it is rated for 15, choose the 15. Never exceed the capacity plate.

Four Stroke Versus Old Two Stroke

Replacing an old two stroke 15 with the Honda BF15D3LHS for sale changes a lot. No oil mixing, no smoke, far less noise and much lower fuel use. You do need to change the engine oil at service time, but on this motor it is quick and easy.

Choosing a Propeller

Honda lists a 9¼ by 10 inch aluminium prop as standard. At wide open throttle with your usual load, aim for 4,500 to 5,500 RPM. Drop pitch if the engine falls short, raise it if it overshoots. Honda’s prop selector is useful.

Tiller Driving Tips

Clip on the kill switch lanyard before starting. Set the steering and throttle friction so the motor holds course and speed without a tight grip. Shift gently through neutral. When taking off, move weight forward to keep the bow down. Change hands and posture on long runs.

New Versus Used

Used electric start tillers may come with tired starters, corroded wiring or clogged carburettors. A new Honda BF15D3LHS for sale starts clean with factory warranty where it applies.

Getting Ready

• Measure the transom (about 20 inches).
• Check the capacity plate.
• Buy a battery, box and cables.
• Buy a fuel tank and line with a filter.
• Plan through bolts for mounting.

Common Mistakes

Wrong shaft length, exceeding the capacity plate, a weak or poorly secured battery, 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 BF15D3LHS for sale will give years of easy starts.

Battery Care Makes Electric Start Reliable

An electric start motor is only as reliable as its battery. Most starting problems with key start outboards come down to a tired battery or dirty connections, not the motor itself. Keep the battery charged between trips, especially if the boat sits for weeks. Clean and tighten the terminals at every service and coat them with a little protective grease. Replace the battery when it starts to crank the engine slowly. If the boat will be stored for months, disconnect the battery or use a smart charger to maintain it. Do those things and the Honda BF15D3LHS for sale will start on the key every time.

Using It at Lodges and Rental Fleets

Many lodges choose electric start tillers for guest boats because anyone can start them. Guests of all ages and abilities can turn a key, and there is no risk of a cord snapping back or someone hurting a shoulder. The 12 amp alternator keeps batteries charged through a day of use. If you run a fleet, a simple routine of checking batteries and fuel each morning keeps everything running smoothly.

Carburettor Care in Plain Words

Carburettors mix fuel and air using the engine’s own suction. They are simple and can be serviced almost anywhere. Their one weakness is stale fuel, which can block tiny passages after a few months. Keep fuel fresh, use a filter and drain the carburettor before long storage, and the Honda BF15D3LHS for sale will start easily year after year.

Fuel Quality Around the World

Water and dirt in fuel are common in some places. Always use a water separating filter, check the bowl often and change the element when due. Buy fuel from busy stations and keep containers clean.

Why Honda

Honda has built four stroke outboards longer than most rivals, drawing on decades of engine experience from cars, motorcycles and power equipment. Its portables are known for easy starting, quiet running and long life.

Service Near You

Honda has marine dealers and distributors in many countries. Find your nearest with Honda’s dealer locator.

Safety

Wear the kill switch lanyard, carry life jackets and a way to call for help. 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, disconnect or maintain the battery and store the motor so water drains from the lower unit.

Who Buys This Motor

Active anglers who move spots often, lodges and rental fleets, older boaters who prefer not to pull a cord, and families who want anyone aboard to be able to start the motor. The Honda BF15D3LHS for sale suits all of them.

Why Buy From Us

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

Running in Shallow Water

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. The Honda BF15D3LHS for sale is light enough to tilt by hand, and electric start makes it easy to restart after clearing weed or moving off a sandbar.

Carrying and Storing the Motor

The motor is a comfortable two person carry. Always carry and store it as the owner’s manual shows, usually upright or on a specified side, so oil stays where it belongs. Use a proper outboard stand for storage and keep it covered.

Living With It Long Term

Expect a yearly service, an impeller every few years, the anode as it wears, a spark plug, filters, a battery every few years, and occasional carburettor cleaning if fuel sits too long. Honda’s portable twins are known for lasting a long time with that kind of care.

Performance Data

Honda publishes test data for many boats on its performance test page, which is worth a look.

Commercial Use

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

Keep a Service Log

Record hours and services from day one. It keeps you on schedule and adds value when you sell.

Before You Order

Measure the transom, check the capacity plate and plan your battery and fuel setup. If unsure, send us photos and we will help confirm the Honda BF15D3LHS for sale is right for you.

Resale Value

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

Is the Honda BF15D3LHS for Sale Right for You?

If you run a small tiller boat with a 20 inch transom, start and stop often, and want the ease of a key start without the weight of power tilt, the answer is yes. It is the practical middle ground in Honda’s 15 HP tiller range.

Two Cylinders, Four Valves, One Carburettor

Inside the cowling, the Honda BF15D3LHS for sale uses a 350 cc twin with a single overhead camshaft and four valves in total. A single three stage carburettor feeds both cylinders. It is a compact, well balanced layout that keeps weight down and makes servicing straightforward. The three stage design helps the carburettor deliver the right mixture at idle, mid throttle and full throttle, so the engine runs cleanly across the range rather than stumbling in between. For a small tiller motor that spends a lot of time at slow trolling speeds and then runs flat out to the next spot, that matters.

Charging Your Electronics

The 12 amp alternator is generous for a 15 HP motor. It comfortably keeps a starting battery charged while running a fish finder, GPS, navigation lights and a small livewell pump. If you add a trolling motor with its own battery bank, charge that separately at home, since the outboard’s alternator is designed for the starting battery and light accessories.

Spares Worth Keeping

Keep a spare spark plug, prop nut and cotter pin, a fuel filter element and the basic tools to fit them in a dry box aboard. Read the owner’s manual section on emergency starting before your first trip, so you know what to do if the battery ever lets you down.

Getting Help

Not sure whether you need electric start, power tilt or a different shaft length? Get in touch before you order. We are happy to talk it through and make sure the Honda BF15D3LHS for sale, or whichever motor suits you best, is the one that arrives.

A Note on Weight Distribution

With a tiller motor, the driver sits right at the stern, so the stern carries the motor, the battery if it is mounted there, and the driver. On a small boat that can make the bow ride high. Mount the battery forward where you can, keep the fuel tank central, and ask passengers to sit forward when you take off. The boat will plane faster, ride flatter and use less fuel with the Honda BF15D3LHS for sale on the back.

Similar Honda Outboards

• Honda BF15D3LH: pull start, 20 inch.
• Honda BF15D3LHT: power tilt, 20 inch.
• Honda BF15D3SHS: electric start, 15 inch.
• Honda BF20D3LHT: 20 HP, power tilt.
• Honda BF10DK3LHS: 9.9 HP, electric start.

Browse 20 HP and 9.9 HP Honda outboards.

FAQ: Honda BF15D3LHS for Sale

Is it new?

Yes. The Honda BF15D3LHS for sale is new in the crate.

Electric start?

Yes.

Power tilt?

No, tilt is manual. The LHT adds power tilt.

Shaft length?

20 inches.

Battery included?

Batteries are normally sold separately.

Worldwide shipping?

Yes.

Buy the Honda BF15D3LHS for Sale

For a 20 inch transom tiller boat rated at 15 HP, the Honda BF15D3LHS for sale gives you the convenience of key start with the simplicity of a tiller. Add it to your cart, or contact us first.

More options in our Honda outboards range.