Greener outboards

Honda's research and development experts took theBLAST Honda's research and development experts
proven 3-cylinder 808cc (49.3cu in) block, and tweakedtook the proven 3-cylinder 808cc (49.3cu in) block, and
it with a combination of lighter components andtweaked it with a combination of lighter components
sophisticated software. The Boosted Low Speedand sophisticated software. The Boosted Low Speed
Torque (BLAST) software programmed is designed toTorque (BLAST) software programmed is designed to
eke out the fuel without compromising performance. Iteke out the fuel without compromising performance. It
uses an oxygen sensor to enrich the fuel mixture touses an oxygen sensor to enrich the fuel mixture to
get the boat on the plane, and then makes it leanerget the boat on the plane, and then makes it leaner
again when you're settled at cruising speed ' which isagain when you're settled at cruising speed - which is
where these types of engines spend most of theirwhere these types of engines spend most of their
time.time. Combining with BLAST is EcoMo, an engine
Honda has taken a very successful engine, the BF50,management system using complex electronics with
and put it through an environmental make-over. Theywhich Honda hopes to save 22% of fuel compared to
wanted a lighter unit, better mid-range efficiency and athe earlier BF50 model.
throttle second to none when opened at the top end.