Honda Marine at Boot Düsseldorf: winning synergies between hulls and outboards for the new boating season

Honda Marine has a clear strategy for the upcoming boating season: to offer turnkey solutions in which hull and propulsion are developed together, optimized down to the smallest detail to deliver real value to the owner. This approach has emerged in recent days at the Boot show currently underway in Düsseldorf, where Honda Marine unveiled a number of targeted collaborations with some of the most interesting shipyards on the European scene – the Italian BMA and Joker Boat, the Turkish Northstar Boats, and Greek Protagon Yachts. All of them share a clear vision: pairing high-quality hulls with perfectly calibrated Honda Marine outboards. This combination of forces results in complete packages that set new standards in terms of technological integration, quality, and craftsmanship, seamlessly matching Honda Marine engines with some of the leading brands in the boating industry.

Four boats, four interpretations of the sea

Among the models on display at Boot, the BMA X266 best embodies the idea of a modern, versatile daycruiser. With its 8.20-metre length and two BF150 engines, the boat shows how technology, safety and functional layouts can coexist in a design conceived both for leisure boating and for fishing. Founder of BMA boats, William Breventani said : “The X266 represents the core values of BMA engineering: advanced technology, a modern and efficient hull designed for performance and safety along the boat’s entire length, combined with clean and functional deck layouts. Versatile by nature, its different configurations support multiple ways of experiencing the sea, for holidays, leisure, or fishing, reflecting a modern approach to boating”.

The Joker Boat Clubman 24, powered by a BF250 V6, once again underlines the “all-round” vocation of the famous Italian RIB. Compact yet generous in terms of space, it proves to be an ideal choice both as a leisure boat and as a tender or water taxi, also thanks to the smooth, responsive thrust delivered by Honda’s 250 hp outboard. Founder of Joker Boat, Domenico Aiello said: “The Clubman 24 is an elegant and versatile leisure RIB, designed for those who want to enjoy the sea with comfort and ease. Its generous deck spaces comfortably accommodate up to six people, yet can host many more, making it ideal also as a tender or water taxi. Easy to store and manoeuvre, it delivers its best performance with the new 250-horsepower Honda engine, ensuring responsiveness, reliability, and pure enjoyment on the water”.

More clearly performance-oriented, the Northstar Orion 8 stands out for its hull designed by Adam Younger and for its pairing with the V8 BF350, the flagship of the Honda Marine range. At almost eight metres in length, the Orion 8 shows that power and comfort can coexist: a soft ride over the waves, excellent control even in rough seas, and a deck layout designed for high-quality day cruising. Export Sales and Marketing Specialist at Northstar Boats, Zeynep Karapinar said: “Performance comes first on the Orion 8 – without sacrificing comfort. Designed by Adam Younger, its advanced stepped hull delivers a smooth ride with exceptional handling even in challenging conditions. A deep, secure deck, generous seating, table, sunbathing area, and enclosed head create a relaxed space for day cruising. With Honda’s flagship V8 BF350 outboard complementing its stepped hull, Orion 8 delivers refined power and a comfortable, safe riding experience”.

Rounding out the quartet is the Protagon 20, 5.95 metres that condense solutions typically found on much larger boats. Here, the Honda BF150 ensures surprisingly stable and dry running, confirming the Greek yard’s focus on efficiency and smart use of space. CEO of Protagon Yachts, Nikos Biskinis said: “At the heart of the Protagon 20 combined with a Honda BF150 is its exceptional combination. With a deadrise of 24 degrees, twin steps, and a wave-piercing bow, this boat effortlessly slices through the water, ensuring a smooth and stable ride even in challenging sea conditions. The deck of the Protagon 20 is thoughtfully designed to maximize every inch of space. The layout offers ample room for passengers to move freely, ensuring comfort and convenience”.

Thomas Becker, Country Section Manager for Germany and Benelux, Honda Marine Europe, added: “Through these successful partnerships, boat owners can benefit from customised turnkey boat-and-engine solutions crafted to meet their needs, combining the reliability and performance of Honda engines with boats built by shipyards with a reputation for excellence and expertise”

The evolution of Honda Marine engines

Alongside the boats, Honda Marine Europe unveiled the evolution of its engine range: from the new 200 and 250 hp V6 models to the 115–150 hp four-cylinders, all the way up to the BF350 V8, also offered in the refined Sporty White livery. A complete lineup spanning from 2.3 to 350 horsepower, further strengthening dialogue with boatbuilders and making true integration between boat design and propulsion possible.

With more than 220,000 square metres of exhibition space, 16 halls and 67 nations represented, the current edition of Boot Düsseldorf confirms its role as a global platform for the industry. For Honda Marine Europe, however, the show is above all the ideal stage to demonstrate how industrial partnerships can translate into better-designed, more coherent and more enjoyable boats. A clear message to the market: the future of boating also – and above all – lies in smart pairings, conceived from the outset to navigate together.