Getting on the Water with Honda

Which boat suits you? 

Inflatables 

Lightweight and portable, inflatables are perfect for anyone new to boating who wants to go on short excursions, fishing trips and coastal adventures. They’re made of two main components; a boat and an engine. It’s easy to choose which boat is right for you, it’s just down to size and the type of flooring. Honwave boats are made using high quality PVC fabric, making them ultra-durable and simple to inflate thanks to the included high-capacity foot pump. Teamed up with a Honda marine engine, you’ll have an inflatable which will be totally reliable and powerful, whilst also being incredibly smooth stable.

Two slatted flat floor models provide entry to the Honwave line-up starting with a 2-metre long inflatable that accommodates two and can be paired with either a BF2.3 or BF4 engine. A 2.5-metre model increases capacity to three passengers making it the perfect small-family craft for inland waterways and lakes.

In more testing waters, the aluminium decked Honwave’s robust design, larger buoyancy tubes and air keel deliver a smooth and stable ride. Four lengths are available – 2.5, 3, 3.5 and 4-metre – and can carry between 3 and 7 people, powered by any outboard up the BF20 (46.5kg), which delivers impressive performance while remaining portable too.

The Air V-floor Honwaves’ v-shaped hulls offer greater agility and softer ride with less vibrations. Four sizes, between 2.4m and 3.8m, can carry up to five occupants, who can enjoy the propulsion of any engine up to a BF20.

Our Range of Highfield inflatables have evolved from many years of development in some of the toughest conditions in the world, the Great Barrier Reef of tropical Northern Australia. Tough, reliable and thoroughly tested aluminium has long been the hull material of choice in many parts of the world due to its strength, ease of repair, versatility and above all its weight saving characteristics.

Every Highfield boat is rigorously tested to strict ISO standards before leaving the factory. This comprehensive testing of all of our component parts during manufacture means you can have complete confidence in your Highfield RIB. Highfield boats are created by specialist craftsmen and are unrivalled in their attention to detail – build quality, handling and agility are second to none.

The H Series offers you a wide range of Honda Marine powered boat combinations, from the agile CLUB 47 up to the hair-raising HX76, that provide an exciting blend of power and fun that’s made for each other. 

Lounge Boat

Perfect for Thames river boating, a cabin cruiser is a power boat which features on-board accommodation. It has the similar feel to a yacht but is generally smaller, meaning you won’t require a full crew to use it, thus giving you and companions more flexibility and independence to do as you please.

Ideal for cruising inland waterways, the Maxima 490 combines form and function, making it a great prospect for the first-time buyer after a turn-key package.

A choice of hull colours – black, dark grey, light grey, white or dark blue – team well with tasteful aesthetic touches on the exterior including the surrounding rope fender and water line, as well as stainless steel trim.

Onboard, there’s space for six in cushioned-seating zones, while stainless steel, steering and throttle controls add a quality feel to the interior where you’ll find storage lockers, too. A long options list offers plenty of scope for personalisation, with both visual and technological items available, including a teakline floor and charging facilities to name a few.

Making good on the Dutch-built boat’s hull, designed for stability and an easy cut-through, is a Honda BF20 outboard engine. Advanced features such as a reverse gear and electric start bring user-friendly functionality, which is backed-up by a programmed fuel-injection system and rubber mountings which make for smooth-going.

The Maxima 730 has a minimalist, low-slung aesthetic that wraps around a highly customisable boat that is perfect for various speeds, thanks to the punchy BF100, and a range of activities in expansive waters. 

Available in multiple colours, the 7.1-metre hull can carry up to ten people, who can sit at the bow, behind the steering console or towards the stern on the large, raised deck out back, which is great for sunbathing and provides easy access down to swimming deck via a ladder and steps. Big storage compartments, preparation for cooking and sink installations and a closed toilet space means long trips are enjoyed in nothing but comfort.

Power comes courtesy of a BF100 outboard. The four-cylinder engine benefits from Honda’s BLAST and VTEC engine management systems that work to improve low RPM acceleration, top-end performance and fuel economy. Better still, keeping things quiet, the 1.5-litre is encased in a bun where the outboard can also be power-adjusted for trim and tilt.

A substantial extra list runs long allowing buyers to create a 730 in their vision, with a bow thruster, an enlarged fuel tank and a full lighting package just a few to choose from.

Speedboat 

If high speeds thrills are more your thing, taking to the UK’s lakes and rivers in a speedboat is going to bring you a lot of joy. As well as being fun to cruise on, they’re perfect for water sports like wakeboarding and water skiing. They’re very much purpose built for speed and fun, so don’t expect on-boat accommodation, to find out more view our boat partner Ranieri. It’s also worth remembering that the high-powered engine means these you could get through fuel quicker than on other boats. Some boat’s engines are more fuel efficient than others though, and at Honda we take great pride in our range of engines. You can view our range of Honda outboards here.

Boat Builders 

If you’re not sure where to start when it comes to buying any of the boats above, Honda have teamed up with the UK’s best boat builders, making it easier than ever to get out on the water. So, whether you’re looking for a boat to leisurely enjoy the rivers with or something more powerful to tow a wakeboard, you’ll easily be able to find the right boat and motor. Learn more here.