Outboard Motor

Honda recently expanded its outboard family around its first-ever production V8. Now, the company is sliding some of the shinier new tech down from the V8 to its V6 and L4 motors, adding handy drive-by-wire tech and boosted efficiency.

With sights set firmly on supporting the development of hybrid boats, BlueNav has integrated its unique whale-inspired hubless electric drive into a new smart propulsion system with both ICE and electric power.

Despite its reputation as the world's largest engine manufacturer, Honda existed more than 70 years without building a commercial V8. That all changed a year ago, and now Honda is growing its lineup of advanced, high-powered 5.0-liter V8 VTEC motors.

We've seen some mad Hayabusa custom bikes over the years, but this one's right out of the box. It ditches the original engine for a massive two-stroke V6, but Meggatech Projects plans to make it look close to a standard Suzuki once it's finished.

The company behind the one-time fastest electric motor tech on water, Vision Marine has no plans to slow down. It's now pushing its electric outboard technology toward the bow, with the E-Motion 180e inboard system to expand its reach.

Sharrow Marine has been working to disrupt the marine industry with a reimagined propeller it calls the "future of propulsion." That future should come a little faster with the launch of the new MX-A, a more affordable, small outboard-friendly prop.

Born from the high-powered world of electric jetboarding, ZeroJet is now channeling all its energy into building performance electric boat drives. Its very first outboard combines drop-and-drive convenience with a superior power-to-weight ratio.

BlueNav is bringing a more natural spin to its electric marine drive lineup. The all-new Whale Design propeller features blades that follow the contours of a whale to improve system efficiency.

Sharrow's extraordinary looped propellers were already some 30% more efficient than traditional designs – and now the company has put two of them together into a coaxial, contra-rotating prop that promises to be even more energy-efficient.

Magonis launched one of the sleekest e-boats on the water in 2021, an 18-footer with light vacuum-infused hull. The Spanish shipyard has now teamed with US powertrain company Flux Marine to equip the Wave e-550 with a fast, powerful 40-kW outboard.

Oru Kayak has long offered some of the market's most compact, conveniently portable watercraft. Now the company is expanding the appeal of its lineup by pairing its vessels with an equally compact, portable electric drive system.

Yamaha previously announced it would show a prototype hydrogen outboard at the 2024 Miami Boat Show. Instead of simply revealing the motor, it's installed it on a prototype boat complete with fuel delivery system. Testing will begin this year.