HONDA 15 HP BF15D3SHS Outboard Motor

Description

A light inflatable or dinghy with a short 15 inch transom, and an owner who would rather turn a key than pull a cord. That is who the Honda BF15D3SHS for sale on this page is made for. It is Honda’s 15 HP four stroke tiller with a 15 inch shaft and electric start, brand new in the crate, shipped to buyers worldwide.

Below you will find the model code explained, full specifications, what electric start adds on a small boat, which boats it suits, setup and care, and how ordering works. Price and cart are at the top of the page.

The Honda BF15D3SHS for Sale in Short

The Honda BF15D3SHS for sale is a 15 HP, 350 cc, twin cylinder four stroke with a single three stage carburettor, electric start, a 12 amp alternator, tiller steering, manual tilt and a short 15 inch shaft. It sits between the pull start SH and the power tilt SHT in Honda’s short shaft BF15 range.

Model Code Explained

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

Yes, there are two S letters. The first means short shaft, the second means starter. For pull start only, see the Honda BF15D3SH. For power tilt as well, see the Honda BF15D3SHT. For a 20 inch shaft with electric start, see the Honda BF15D3LHS.

Specifications of the Honda BF15D3SHS for Sale

Figures from Honda’s official BF15 and BF20 page.

Electric Start on a Short Shaft Boat

Easier in a small, lively boat. Standing up to pull a cord in a light inflatable is unsteady at best. With a key, you stay seated.

Anyone can start it. Guests, children and anyone with a sore shoulder can start the Honda BF15D3SHS for sale.

More charging. Electric start models have a 12 amp alternator, enough to keep a battery healthy with a fish finder or navigation lights running.

Quick restarts. Anglers and divers who stop and start often will appreciate a key start every time.

The trade off is a battery to carry and maintain, and a little extra weight.

How It Runs

The 350 cc twin is smooth and quiet with a steady idle and quick throttle response. It uses a small fraction of the fuel of an old two stroke and produces no smoke.

Boats That Suit It

• Inflatables and small RIBs with a 15 inch transom rated for 15 HP.
• Aluminium dinghies and small skiffs.
• Yacht tenders where guests need easy starting.
• Dive support boats and small tour inflatables.
• Duck and marsh boats with short transoms.

Check the capacity plate for horsepower and maximum motor weight, especially on inflatables.

Maintenance

Service the Honda BF15D3SHS 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 BF15D3SHS 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 BF15D3SHS 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 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.

Fitting a Battery on an Inflatable

On an inflatable, space and weight are limited. Choose a compact marine starting battery of the size the manual recommends. Put it in a sealed battery box, strapped down so it can’t slide into the tubes, and as far forward as the cables allow for better balance. Keep terminals clean and protected from spray. The 12 amp alternator will keep it charged while you run.

Mounting

Check the transom board is solid. Use a transom pad under the clamps. Mount on the centreline, tighten the clamps firmly and add through bolts where the transom allows. Recheck after the first run.

Carburettor, Fuel and Salt Water Care

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

A Day Out

You and two friends head out to a dive site in your inflatable. The Honda BF15D3SHS for sale starts on the key, and the boat jumps onto plane. At the site, you shut down while everyone dives. An hour later, the divers are back aboard and you turn the key again, no standing up in a rocking boat to pull a cord. You move to a second site and repeat. At the end of the day, the battery is still full thanks to the 12 amp alternator.

Why the 15 Inch Shaft Matters

On a 15 inch transom, a 15 inch shaft puts the anti ventilation plate about level with the bottom of the hull and the prop in clean water just below. A 20 inch motor on the same boat hangs five inches too deep, adding drag and spray and making it easier to hit rocks. On inflatables, where light and nimble is the whole point, the correct short shaft matters. That is why the Honda BF15D3SHS for sale is built as its own model.

Pull Start, Electric Start or Power Tilt?

Honda’s short shaft BF15 tillers come in three versions. The pull start SH is lightest and needs no battery, which makes it ideal for tenders that sit for days between uses. The Honda BF15D3SHS for sale adds key start and a stronger alternator, which suits dive boats, guides and anyone who restarts often. The SHT adds power tilt on top, which helps if you beach the boat or run in shallows a lot. If you are fit and use the boat in deep water, the SHS is often the sweet spot.

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, the extra output is almost free. If it is rated for 15, stick with the 15. Never exceed the capacity plate.

Four Stroke Versus Old Two Stroke

Coming from an old two stroke, you lose the oil mixing, the smoke and much of the noise, and you use far less fuel. You will need to change the engine oil at service time, which is quick and easy on this motor.

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. Honda’s prop selector helps.

Battery Care

Most starting problems on key start outboards come from the battery, not the motor. Charge it between trips, keep terminals clean and tight, and replace it when it starts to crank slowly. On a tender that sits for weeks, disconnect it or use a small solar maintainer. Do that and the Honda BF15D3SHS for sale will start on the key every time.

Tiller Tips for Inflatables

Set the steering friction so the motor holds a line without constant correction. Bring the throttle up gradually, since a light inflatable jumps onto plane quickly. Sit as far forward as the tiller allows when taking off. Always clip on the kill switch lanyard; an inflatable can spin sharply if you fall or let go.

Using It as a Yacht Tender Motor

For a yacht tender, electric start is a real plus when guests use the boat. The Honda BF15D3SHS for sale is compact and light enough to handle with a halyard or small crane. Keep a small spares kit aboard the mother ship: a plug, prop nut and cotter pin, a fuel filter element and the tools to fit them. Flush the motor after every trip and tilt it up when the tender is tied alongside.

New Versus Used

Used tender motors often have salt damage, tired starters and clogged carburettors. A new Honda BF15D3SHS for sale starts clean with factory warranty where it applies.

Getting Ready

• Measure the transom (about 15 inches).
• Check the capacity plate for horsepower and motor weight.
• Buy a compact battery, sealed box and cables.
• Buy a fuel tank and line with a filter.

Common Mistakes

Wrong shaft length, exceeding the capacity plate, a loose battery sliding around the floor, loose clamps, forgetting the kill switch lanyard, leaving fuel in the carburettor for months and missing the first service.

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. 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

In some cruising areas, fuel can contain water or dirt. Use a water separating filter, check it often and carry spare elements. Use clean containers and don’t leave fuel for months.

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, including popular cruising areas. Find your nearest with Honda’s dealer locator.

Safety

Wear the kill switch lanyard and a life jacket, carry a paddle, pump 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, look after the battery and store the motor so water drains from the lower unit.

Living With It Long Term

Expect a yearly service, an impeller every few years, the anode as it wears, a plug, filters and a battery every few years. Honda portable twins are known for lasting a long time with that kind of care.

Who Buys This Motor

Dive operators, yacht owners with tenders, inflatable owners who want key start, anglers and marsh hunters with short transom boats. The Honda BF15D3SHS 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.

Keep a Service Log

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

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 BF15D3SHS for sale is right for you.

Two Cylinders, Four Valves, One Carburettor

The Honda BF15D3SHS for sale uses a 350 cc twin with a single overhead cam, four valves and a three stage carburettor. The layout keeps the motor compact and light, and the three stage carburettor gives the right mixture at idle, mid throttle and full throttle, so the engine runs cleanly across the range. It is a simple, proven design that any competent mechanic can work on.

Beach Landings

Slow down well before the shore. As the bottom rises, stop the engine and tilt the motor up by hand. Step out and pull the boat above the waterline. When leaving, push out until the water is deep enough, lower the motor, start it in neutral with the key and back away slowly. Electric start makes that last step much easier when the boat is bobbing in small waves.

Running in Shallow Water

Use the shallow water drive position to run with the motor partly raised. Keep the water intake submerged, go slowly and watch the cooling water tell tale. If it weakens or stops, shut down and check the intake. Carry a spare prop nut and cotter pin.

Weight Distribution

With a tiller, the driver sits at the stern next to the motor. On an inflatable, that can make the bow ride high. Put the battery and fuel tank forward where you can, ask passengers to sit forward when taking off, and the boat will plane faster and ride flatter.

Charging Your Electronics

The 12 amp alternator keeps a small starting battery charged while running a fish finder, a handheld GPS charger or navigation lights. That is useful on a dive or fishing inflatable where you want electronics running all day.

Carrying and Storing the Motor

Carry the motor with two people and store it the way the owner’s manual shows, usually upright or on a specified side, so oil stays in the sump. Disconnect the battery and fuel line first. Use a proper stand or rail bracket and keep it covered.

Performance Data

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

Commercial Use

Dive shops, marinas and tour operators often run key start Honda tillers on inflatables. For commercial use, check the warranty terms in your country and keep closely to the service schedule.

Resale Value

Light Honda tender motors with electric start are always in demand second hand. Keep receipts and records, and yours will hold its value well.

Is the Honda BF15D3SHS for Sale Right for You?

If your boat has a 15 inch transom and a 15 HP rating, and you want a light motor that starts with a key, the answer is yes. It is the practical middle choice in Honda’s short shaft 15 HP range.

Getting Help

Unsure whether you need pull start, electric start, power tilt or a different shaft length? Get in touch before you order and we will help you choose.

A Typical Week With the Honda BF15D3SHS for Sale

Monday, you run the kids across the bay to a beach. Wednesday, you take the dinghy out at dawn to fish a reef edge, stopping and starting a dozen times as you drift. Friday, friends come aboard the yacht and use the tender to go ashore for dinner, starting it themselves with the key. Sunday, you flush the motor, check the oil and top up the fuel. Nothing exotic, just steady, everyday use. That is what the Honda BF15D3SHS for sale is built for, and it handles it without complaint.

Spares Worth Keeping

Keep a spare spark plug, a prop nut and cotter pin, a fuel filter element and the basic tools to fit them in a dry box. 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. With those basics covered, the Honda BF15D3SHS for sale can get you home from almost anywhere.

Trailering and Transport

If you trailer a small boat with the motor on, tilt it up, lock it and make sure it can’t swing. For longer trips, remove the motor and carry it in the vehicle, stored as the manual shows, with the fuel line disconnected and the battery removed.

Similar Honda Outboards

• Honda BF15D3SH: 15 inch, pull start.
• Honda BF15D3SHT: 15 inch, power tilt.
• Honda BF15D3LHS: 20 inch, electric start.
• Honda BF20D3SHT: 20 HP, 15 inch, power tilt.
• Honda BF10DK3SHS: 9.9 HP, 15 inch, electric start.

Browse 20 HP and 9.9 HP Honda outboards.

FAQ: Honda BF15D3SHS for Sale

Is it new?

Yes. The Honda BF15D3SHS for sale is new in the crate.

Shaft length?

15 inches.

Electric start?

Yes.

Power tilt?

No, manual tilt. The SHT adds power tilt.

Battery included?

Batteries are normally sold separately.

Worldwide shipping?

Yes.

Buy the Honda BF15D3SHS for Sale

For a 15 inch transom boat rated at 15 HP where easy starting matters, the Honda BF15D3SHS for sale is a great fit. Add it to your cart, or contact us first.

More options in our Honda outboards range.