Looking Back on the Origins and Challenges of Honda Marine on World Oceans Day
June 8, World Oceans Day, was designated by the United Nations in 2008 to promote ocean conservation.
Guided by Soichiro Honda’s principle that “watercraft should not pollute the water,” Honda began developing and selling outboard motors in the 1960s. At a time when two-stroke engines dominated the market, Honda chose four-stroke engines. Although they carried disadvantages in weight and cost, they offered not only superior quality and durability but also significantly improved environmental performance.
Honda has remained committed to four-stroke engines ever since, serving a wide range of applications from recreational boating and commercial fishing to public safety operations. This feature explores the evolution of Honda Marine and the challenges behind its innovations.
The DNA of Honda Marine: Pursuing Both Environmental Performance and the Joy of Boating
For more than 60 years, Honda’s challenge in the marine business has been not only reducing environmental impact, but also delivering the joy of boating through a human-centered development philosophy. Explore the DNA and history of Honda Marine, passed down across generations.
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Honda TechnologyHonda Pioneers Environmentally Friendly Four-Stroke Engines in Honda Outboard MotorsPower ProductsIn line with the philosophy of founder Soichiro Honda that “watercraft should not pollute the waters they ply,” Honda has consistently pursued the development of outboard motors with low environmental impact. While two-stroke outboard motors were the norm for many years, Honda worked tirelessly in global markets to sell four-stroke outboard motors that were hampered by higher ...
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The article will be added in early July.
The Technology and Design Behind the BF350, Honda’s First V8 Outboard Motor
The BF350, Honda’s first V8 outboard motor, embodies decades of research and development, including technologies such as VTEC cultivated through Honda automobile engineering. Discover the technologies developed to realize both environmental performance and a richer on-water experience, as well as the design philosophy behind the BF350.
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Honda TechnologyBF350, Honda’s First V8 Outboard Motor Engine Achieving Both Excellent Environmental and Dynamic PerformancePower ProductsThe BF350, launched on February 23, 2024, is Honda's flagship outboard motor and the first to use a V8 engine. It produces a powerful propulsive force of 350 horsepower from its displacement of 4,952 cm3. The BF350 offers high propulsion thanks to its strong torque, while its newly designed crankshaft achieves outstanding quietness and low vibration. It also boasts class-leading...
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Honda DesignHonda’s flagship outboard motor BF350 wins Red Dot Design Award 2024: Harmonizing people and nature to create and provide new outboard motor valuePower ProductsEquipped with a V8 engine having an output of 350 horsepower, the BF350 is Honda’s flagship outboard motor. It won a Red Dot award in the Product Design competition of the Red Dot Design Award. Tearing down existing mindsets about outboard motor designs, the BF350 was designed to achieve a high-quality experience while being considerate to the environment. It exuberates a pre
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Honda TechnologyBF350, Honda’s Flagship Outboard Motor Providing a High-Quality Boating Experience with 350 HP of PropulsionPower ProductsHonda’s outboard motors have evolved from Honda’s original design philosophy. Leveraging the strengths of Honda’s outboard range, which include outstanding durability, reliability, and economy, the large BF350 outboard motor was developed for leisure use and other water activities. With an exclusive 5-liter V8 engine, the powerful BF350, which is Honda’s flagship model, produces ...
Shaping the Future of Marine Mobility: Electrification and Advanced Boating Assistance Technologies
Honda is advancing the electrification of outboard motors to help realize a future with zero environmental impact, while also developing advanced boating assistance technologies that support safer and more comfortable navigation. Explore how Honda technology is helping shape the future of mobility on the water.
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Honda StoriesChallenge to Carbon Neutrality on Water! Where Electric Propulsion Stands NowPower ProductsFrom August, Honda started demonstration trials in Matsue City, Shimane Prefecture for prototypes of electric propulsion designed for small watercraft. The trials verify the commercial quality of electric propulsion prototypes mounted on Horikawa sightseeing boats that circulate on the moat surrounding the city’s national treasure, Matsue Castle. The founder, Soichiro Honda had
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Honda TechnologyResearch and Development of Advanced Shiphandling Assist Technology to Enable Stress-free and Reassuring Handling of Boats; Just Like Driving a CarPower ProductsAs a support system for handling boats, Advanced Shiphandling Assist Technology makes mobility on the water as much fun as driving a car. By supporting docking and trailer loading operations, which are the most stressful times for boat users*1, this system ensures a stress-free and reassuring marine experience. Ever since it was founded, Honda has always applied a human-centere
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Honda StoriesP2, the origin of ASIMO, recognized globally as a milestone in humanoid robotics. What future is Honda aiming for through robotics research?The humanoid bipedal robot P2, created in 1996, has been recognized as an IEEE Milestone. Even after more than a quarter century, its challenge continues to serve as a foundation for advances in robotics. From P2 to ASIMO, and now to avatar robots—this issue of Honda Stories speaks with key figures in Honda’s robotics research to explore the background of these efforts and the future ...
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Honda StoriesWhy Honda Takes on the Challenge of Space: Behind the Scenes of Sustainable Rocket’s Successful Launch and Landing Test, and Dreams Envisioned by its EngineersHonda began research in the space domain in 2019. While working on three projects—a circulative renewable energy system, space robotics, and sustainable rockets—Honda conducted its first sustainable rocket launch and landing test on June 17, 2025, reaching an altitude of nearly 300 meters. The test successfully verified key technologies, including rocket stability during ascent
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Honda DesignUNI-ONE Unlocks the Potential of New Mobility Freedom of Mobility for AllThe UNI-ONE is a personal mobility device born from Honda's robotics technology and human-centric thinking. Usable by everyone from children to the elderly, the mass-production model of this product will be available for corporate service contracts starting in September 2025. The UNI-ONE delivers a mobility experience that offers both freedom and safety. It is not merely a vehicle ...