Honda 225HP iST | BF225DUCDA WT

This four-stroke V6, the BF225DUCDA WT, is rated at 225 horsepower and sized with a 30-inch shaft. This engine tips the scale at 628 lbs. Honda's iST system handles shift and throttle electronically here, not through a cable. On its own, this engine runs like any other in the range; the mirrored rotation only earns its keep once a standard-rotation partner is mounted on the transom's other side. Displacement comes to 3583cc over six cylinders, with Honda's EFI system supplying fuel.

Rigging and fitment

Check the 30-inch shaft against your transom depth before buying, since picking the wrong one is a common fitment error at this horsepower. This engine tops out at 5000-6000 rpm wide open. This is a popular repower choice for boats whose rating plate already calls for this much horsepower.

What's in the package

Beyond the digital shift-and-throttle hardware, standard on this motor is charging support and a cooling-flush fitting, with power-driven trim and tilt besides; Honda bundles in the manual plus five years of coverage. A matching propeller is purchased on its own.

Is this engine weaker because of the counter-rotating gearcase? No, output is unchanged; only the direction the propeller turns is different.

Is this engine meant to run on its own? It can, though the counter-rotating gearcase is really intended for pairing with a standard-rotation partner.