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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

Catalina 250 Specific Forum

Replacement Honda 15 HP

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T O P I C R E V I E W
Number 6	Posted - 05/30/2026 : 08:20:15 I have a 250 wk with a very old Honda BF15AM XAS, a 15 hp with an extra long 25" shaft and electric start. It's time for an engine upgrade. I am looking at a Honda BFP15D3XHT, the modern version of the 15 hp with a 25" shaft, electric start and power tilt. Does anyone have experience with the new engine? I have a few concerns: Will the new Honda fit in the 250 engine well and be able to run once lowered? Will the power tilt assembly enable the engine to clear the cockpit seats when raised? Is a 25" shaft approprate for the 250 or will a 20" shaft work better? The 15 hp is original to the boat. For a coastal bay with current, will a 9.9 work or shoudl I stay with a 15? Thanks for the help.
3 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First)
Number 6	Posted - 05/31/2026 : 09:09:55 Thanks for the response. My current BF15A is a very early production model from 1997. I had it rebuilt 3 years ago with a corroded lower. It is unreliable. The telltail does not pee water, but the unit does not seem to overheat. My concern is that the engine will just seize. We have tried everything to clear the tell, but it will not squirt water. When it was rebuilt, the mechanic told me that the unit is too old to effectively update and I could get another season or two. My concern with the new engine is about size and fit. The price difference between a new 9.9 and 15 does not seem to be significant. Here are some details between the modern 9.9, modern 15, and existing 15. The extra weight of the new units is due to the power tilt: New 9.9 (BFP10D3XHT)/ New 15 (BFP15D3XHT) / Old 15 (BF15AM XAS) Weight: 139 / 140 / 105 Cowling Width: 13.6 / 13.8 / 12.6 Cowling Length: 24 / 25.6 / 21.7 Displacement: 222 cc / 350 cc / 280 cc Fortunately, my local dealer has both a new 15 and a 9.9 on display, so I can take my own measurement to ensure fit, rather than relying upon online sources. Any other insight will be appreciated. I will update the post with additional information.
TakeFive	Posted - 05/30/2026 : 20:33:48 Thanks for posting that thread from 11 years ago. It covered a lot, and I was about to re-type a lot of the things I already said there. That thread has a lot of info. The only thing I would add regarding 9.9 HP, it is enough power for most situations. Note that Honda sells motors with identical displacement and weight, but produce different horsepower with different carburetors. The older Honda 1998 BF15 that I had with a square cowling was available in 8, 9.9, and 15 hp versions, all the same size and weight. It was a no-brainer to just get the 15 in that series (although for me it is just what came with the boat when I bought it). The newer BF15A that came out in around 2010 used the same displacement as the BF20A. It was significantly larger and heavier than the BF15 that I had. The 9.9 and 8 HP motors of that vintage were smaller and lighter, and therefore might fit better in the C250's well. I am not familiar with the BFP15D series motors that OP mentions. If the 9.9 hp version is smaller and lighter, it may be better for him. As I mentioned in the other thread, I'd advise making sure your old motor can't be improved at reasonable cost by a qualified service tech. Any new motor may come with unpleasant surprises (bigger, heavier, wrong prop pitch, etc.), especially given the very narrow engine well of the C250.
Steve Milby	Posted - 05/30/2026 : 09:12:08 Here's a link to a previous discussion about replacement of outboard motors. https://www.catalina-capri-25s.org/forum/topic.asp?ARCHIVE=true&TOPIC_ID=29529&whichpage=1&SearchTerms=tohatsu,6 I've had a Tohatsu Sailpro 6 on a Cal 25 on the Chesapeake Bay and a J24 on an inland lake. It weighs only 59 lbs and is so easy to unmount and carry that I could remove mine and store it on the cabin floor for a race, while under way, in my mid seventies. They're reliable and start easily. They're astonishingly stingy on fuel, and that means you can motor long distances without carrying lots of extra gas. Question: What speed does your 15 hp drive the boat? I estimate a Sailpro 6 should push your boat to about 5.8 kts. Mine was never unable to easily overcome Chesapeake Bay currents. The difference between the Sailpro 6 and the 15 is equal to the 15s maximum speed minus 5.8 kts. In most sailing venues, except in rare instances, a Sailpro 6 will get you there, but not quite as fast. The price new is way less that a new 15. The Sailpro 6 has so many advantages that you should at least give it some consideration.

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Notice: The advice given on this site is based upon individual or quoted experience, yours may differ.
The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.