HONDA 15 HP BF15D3LHT Outboard Motor

Description

Lifting a 15 HP outboard by hand a dozen times a day is fine when you are young and the water is deep. It gets old quickly when you fish rivers full of gravel bars, launch off beaches, or just don’t want to wrestle a motor any more. The Honda BF15D3LHT for sale on this page takes that job off your hands. It is Honda’s 15 HP four stroke tiller with electric start and power tilt, on a 20 inch shaft. It is brand new in the crate, and we ship it to buyers worldwide.

Below you will find the model code explained, the full specs, what power tilt changes on a small boat, which boats it suits, setup and care tips, and how ordering works. Price and cart are at the top.

The Honda BF15D3LHT for Sale in Brief

The Honda BF15D3LHT for sale is a 15 HP, 350 cc, twin cylinder four stroke tiller outboard with a single three stage carburettor, electric start, a 12 amp alternator, power tilt and a 20 inch shaft. It is the most fully equipped of Honda’s 20 inch BF15 tillers.

Model Code Explained

• BF: Honda four stroke.
• 15: 15 horsepower.
• D3: series and type.
• L: long shaft, 20 inches.
• H: handle (tiller).
• T: power tilt (with electric start).

For electric start without power tilt, see the Honda BF15D3LHS. For the 15 inch version with power tilt, see the Honda BF15D3SHT. For more power with the same features, the Honda BF20D3LHT is the 20 HP version.

Specifications of the Honda BF15D3LHT for Sale

Figures from Honda’s official BF15 and BF20 page.

What Power Tilt Changes

No lifting. A switch raises and lowers the motor through its full 72 degree range. Your back will thank you.

Shallow water made easy. Raise the motor partly as the water gets shallow, without stopping or reaching over the transom. Lower it again when you reach deeper water.

Beach landings and ramps. Tilt the motor up as you come ashore or onto the trailer, all from the tiller.

Mooring. Tilt the lower unit clear of the water when the boat is tied up to keep it free of growth.

Combined with electric start, the Honda BF15D3LHT for sale makes a small tiller boat far easier to live with.

How It Runs

The 350 cc twin is smooth and quiet, with a steady idle for trolling and quick response when you open the throttle. It uses a fraction of the fuel of an old two stroke 15 and produces no smoke.

Boats That Suit It

• Aluminium fishing boats and jon boats with a 20 inch transom, especially those used in rivers and shallows.
• Duck and marsh boats.
• Boats launched from beaches or rough ramps.
• Guide boats used many times a day.
• Boats owned by people who would rather not lift a motor.

Check the capacity plate. If your boat can take 20 HP, look at the Honda BF20D3LHT.

Maintenance

Service the Honda BF15D3LHT for sale after break-in and then every 100 hours or yearly: oil and filter, gearcase oil, plug, fuel filter, anode, grease points and tilt unit fluid. Replace the water pump impeller at the manual’s interval. Keep the battery charged. 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 BF15D3LHT 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 BF15D3LHT for sale arrives complete with tiller handle, electric starter, power tilt unit, 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 and 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.

Using Power Tilt in Shallow Water

As you approach shallows, slow down and tilt the motor up in short steps with the switch. Keep the water intake submerged whenever the engine is running, and watch the cooling water tell tale. If it weakens or stops, shut down and check the intake. Once in deeper water, lower the motor fully before accelerating so the prop bites properly.

Looking After the Tilt Unit

Check the tilt unit fluid at every service. Rinse it with fresh water after salt trips. Look for leaks around the ram. When trailering long distances, support the motor with the tilt lock or a transom saver rather than relying on the tilt unit alone.

Battery Setup

Use a good marine starting battery of the size the manual recommends, mounted in a secured box and placed forward where practical for balance. Power tilt draws current each time you use it, so keep the battery healthy. The 12 amp alternator recharges it as you run.

Carburettor, Fuel and Salt Water Care

Use fresh fuel through a water separating filter and drain the carburettor before long storage. In salt water, flush after every trip, rinse the outside and tilt unit, check the anode and touch up chipped paint.

A Day on the River

You launch off a gravel bar, tilt the Honda BF15D3LHT for sale down with the switch and start it with the key. Running upstream, you tilt it up a notch through a shallow riffle, then back down in the deeper pool above. At midday you run the bow onto a sandbar for lunch, tilting the motor clear as you come in. By evening you have raised and lowered the motor twenty times without lifting a finger, apart from the one on the switch.

Is Power Tilt Worth It on a 15?

Some people think power tilt is overkill on a small motor. It depends entirely on how you use your boat. If you run in deep lakes, launch from good ramps and rarely tilt the motor, the electric start BF15D3LHS may be all you need. But if you fish rivers, flats or marshes, launch from beaches, run onto sandbars, or simply have a bad back, power tilt quickly becomes the feature you use most.

It also helps with safety. Reaching back over the transom to lift a motor while the boat drifts in current is awkward and sometimes risky. With the Honda BF15D3LHT for sale, you stay seated, keep one hand on the tiller and press a switch.

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

Moving to the Honda BF15D3LHT for sale from an old two stroke means no oil mixing, no smoke, much less noise and far lower fuel use. You will need to change the engine oil at service time, which is quick and simple.

Choosing a Propeller

Honda lists a 9¼ by 10 inch aluminium prop as standard. At full 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. For river running, some owners keep a spare prop aboard in case of rock strikes. Honda’s prop selector helps.

Tiller Driving Tips

Clip on the kill switch lanyard before starting. Set steering and throttle friction so the motor holds course and speed without a tight grip. Shift gently through neutral. In rivers, read the water ahead and tilt up before you reach shallow riffles, not after.

New Versus Used

A used motor with power tilt may have a neglected tilt unit or a clogged carburettor. A new Honda BF15D3LHT 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

Running with the water intake above the surface while tilted, a weak battery, 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 BF15D3LHT for sale will serve you for many years.

Running a Guide Boat With the Honda BF15D3LHT for Sale

River and lake guides start, stop, tilt and move their boats constantly. For them, the combination of electric start and power tilt on a light 15 HP tiller is hard to beat. Clients can sit still while the guide repositions the boat. The motor comes up for a riffle with a thumb on a switch and drops back down just as fast. The 12 amp alternator keeps the battery topped up for electronics. And Honda’s four stroke economy keeps fuel costs down across a long season. Guides who try a power tilt tiller rarely go back.

Battery Care

Most starting and tilting problems on small electric outboards come from the battery, not the motor. Keep it charged between trips, clean and tighten the terminals at every service, and replace it when it starts to crank slowly or the tilt slows down. For long storage, disconnect it or use a smart charger.

Carburettor Care in Plain Words

Carburettors mix fuel and air using the engine’s suction. They are simple and can be serviced almost anywhere. Stale fuel is their main enemy, so keep fuel fresh, use a filter and drain the carburettor before long storage.

Fuel Quality Around the World

Water and dirt in fuel are common in some places. Use a water separating filter, check it often and change the element when due. Buy fuel from busy stations.

Why Honda

Honda has built four stroke outboards longer than most, 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. In rivers, watch for strainers and submerged logs. 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, look after the battery and store the motor so water drains from the lower unit.

Who Buys This Motor

River anglers, guides, duck hunters, beach launchers and anyone who wants a small tiller that is as easy as possible to use. The Honda BF15D3LHT 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.

Two Cylinders, Four Valves, Three Stage Carburettor

The engine in the Honda BF15D3LHT for sale is a 350 cc twin with a single overhead camshaft and four valves. A three stage carburettor feeds both cylinders, delivering the right mixture at idle, mid throttle and full throttle. That design lets the engine idle smoothly at trolling speed and still pull cleanly when you open it up. The twin cylinder layout is compact and light, and it is easy for any competent mechanic to service.

Weight and Balance

The starter and tilt unit add some weight over the pull start model. On a small boat, 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 and ride flatter.

Carrying and Storing the Motor

If you remove the motor for storage, carry it with two people and store it as the owner’s manual shows, usually upright or on a specified side. Use a proper outboard stand and keep it covered.

Living With It Long Term

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

Performance Data

Honda publishes test data for many boats at its performance test page.

Commercial Use

For guide, lodge or work use, check the warranty terms in your country 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 BF15D3LHT for sale is right for you.

Resale Value

Honda tillers with power tilt are always in demand second hand, particularly among river anglers and guides. Keep receipts and records, and yours will hold its value well.

Is the Honda BF15D3LHT for Sale Right for You?

If you run a 20 inch transom tiller boat rated at 15 HP, tilt the motor often and want key start, the answer is yes. It is Honda’s most convenient 15 HP tiller for 20 inch transoms.

Spares Worth Keeping

Keep a spare plug, prop nut and cotter pin, a fuel filter element and basic tools aboard. On rocky rivers, a spare prop is a good idea too.

Beach Launching With Power Tilt

If you launch from beaches rather than ramps, the Honda BF15D3LHT for sale makes life much easier. Push the boat out with the motor tilted up. Once the water is deep enough to cover the intake, lower the motor with the switch, start it with the key and back away. Coming in, slow down early, tilt up in stages as the bottom rises, and cut the engine before the skeg touches. Then tilt fully up and step ashore. No wrestling with a heavy motor while waves push the boat around.

Mooring and Leaving the Boat in the Water

If your boat stays on a mooring or at a dock, tilt the motor fully up when you leave it. That keeps marine growth off the gearcase and prop, slows corrosion and protects the anode. It also keeps the prop clear of ropes and debris. With power tilt, that takes a second.

Charging Your Electronics

The 12 amp alternator on the Honda BF15D3LHT for sale keeps a starting battery charged while running a fish finder, GPS, lights and a small pump. If you run a separate trolling motor bank, charge that at home.

Getting Help

Not sure whether you need power tilt, electric start only, or a different shaft length? Get in touch before you order and we will help you choose.

Trailering

For trailering, tilt the motor up and support it with the tilt lock or a transom saver. Remove the key and disconnect the fuel line. At the ramp, lower the motor only once the intake will be submerged.

Who Gets the Most From the Honda BF15D3LHT for Sale

In our experience, the owners who get the most from the Honda BF15D3LHT for sale are those who use their boats often and in varied water. River anglers who tilt through riffles, hunters who push into shallow marshes, families who beach the boat for picnics, and guides who reposition dozens of times a day. For them, the extra cost of power tilt pays back every single trip.

A Final Word on Choosing

If you want the simplest setup, choose the pull start model. If you want easy starts but rarely tilt, choose electric start. If you tilt often or want the least physical effort, choose the Honda BF15D3LHT for sale. All three share the same smooth, quiet, economical Honda engine.

Similar Honda Outboards

• Honda BF15D3LHS: electric start, manual tilt.
• Honda BF15D3LH: pull start.
• Honda BF15D3SHT: power tilt, 15 inch.
• Honda BF20D3LHT: 20 HP, power tilt.
• Honda BFP10D3LHT: 9.9 HP Power Thrust, power tilt.

Browse 20 HP and 9.9 HP Honda outboards.

FAQ: Honda BF15D3LHT for Sale

Is it new?

Yes. The Honda BF15D3LHT for sale is new in the crate.

Power tilt?

Yes.

Electric start?

Yes.

Tiller?

Yes.

Shaft length?

20 inches.

Worldwide shipping?

Yes.

Buy the Honda BF15D3LHT for Sale

For a 20 inch transom tiller boat rated at 15 HP, especially one used in shallow water, the Honda BF15D3LHT for sale adds real convenience. Add it to your cart, or contact us first.

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