Honda, Mercury, Suzuki, and Yamaha are the names to know in marine outboard power, and each of them offers an impressive lineup of engine options. Since pontoons and deck boats are best matched with the high-power segment, we’ll highlight their offerings on this higher end of the market.

Face it: your choice of engine and size can make or break your experience on the water, as it affects everything from torque and handling to your overall performance and speed. And because an engine can add up to a third of the cost of an entire boat purchase, this significant part of your investment needs to be more than just an afterthought. Here’s a rundown on popular pairings for a pontoon or deck boat from these notable manufacturers.

Honda Marine

Offering a comprehensive range of four-stroke marine outboard engines, Honda Marine’s product line features innovations that enhance fuel efficiency, quiet operation, and low emissions, while providing extraordinary power, exceptional speed, and exhilarating acceleration.

The upgraded BF115–150 series features added updates that enhance performance and ease of operation, improve component durability and reliability, and incorporate eye-catching style changes. Available in Aquamarine Silver or Grand Prix White, the BF115, BF140, and BF150 all feature a new, sleeker, more compact form.

Honda’s BF200, BF225, and BF250 feature a sleek new exterior that follows the form and function of the innovative, award-winning Honda BF350 V8. The bold elegance of this impressive design complements a wide variety of hull shapes and sizes.

All six outboards are available with Honda’s Intelligent Shift and Throttle (iST) drive-by-wire system, for superb control and power. Updated controls mean masterful maneuvering has never been so effortless or so stress-free.

The Engine Alert System monitors vital engine functions and prevents engine damage by alerting the operator to overheating, water in the fuel, low oil pressure, battery issues, over-revving, and other critical engine conditions. The unique two-pass cooling system passes through each aluminum exhaust manifold, the cylinder heads, and then through the exhaust manifolds again. This results in increased cooling efficiency and long-term durability.

Honda 350hp
Honda’s BF350 high-power V8 outboard is the manufacturer’s premium model, delivering exceptional power and performance with a broader, flatter torque curve and smoother power delivery throughout the engine’s operating range.

Rooted in the integration of Honda technological exclusives, the Honda BF350 includes VTEC (Variable Valve Timing & Lift Electronic Control), the BLAST (Boosted Low Speed Torque) System, Lean Burn Control, Programmed Fuel Injection (PGM-FI), a new Friction Reduction Technology, and Honda Intelligent Shift & Throttle (iST). Honda offers the BF350 with an industry-leading true five-year, non-declining warranty. (www.marine.honda.com)

Mercury Marine

Mercury Marine offers an engine for every adventure, from portable 2.5hp engines all the way up to its adrenaline-pumping 600hp Verado powerhouse. The entire FourStroke outboard family includes popular pontoon engines, such as its 90, 115, 150, 175, 200, 225, 250, and 300 horsepower offerings, which feature efficient, lightweight designs that ensure no power is wasted.

With features ranging from a no-spill oil change system and easy-access fuel filter to a valve train that remains maintenance-free for the life of your engine, Mercury outboards are easy to maintain for lasting peak performance. High-displacement powerheads deliver impressive torque, speed, and acceleration.

With a balanced powerhead and sophisticated, vibration-dampening cowl design, Mercury outboards deliver an exceptionally smooth and quiet ride at any speed. Premium corrosion-preventive technologies and durable components ensure its outboards can withstand the most demanding marine environments. Ideal for new engine setups or repowers, the slender width of a FourStroke outboard fits most transoms. Explore farther and stay out longer thanks to impressive power-to-weight ratios, intelligent fuel systems, and optimized fuel injection (on most models) that maximize performance from every drop of fuel.

Mercury 350hp
The Mercury V10 350hp is one of the six outboards from the Verado lineup. Starting at 250 horsepower, the high-end outboards are designed for speed, comfort, efficiency, and reliability. The 300, 350, 400, 425, and 600 horsepower Verado engines round out the premium outboards. For extreme endurance and engineered to dominate, the 350hp Verado redefines high-horsepower outboard performance. Digital Throttle & Shift (DTS) controls deliver smooth, quiet shifting and instant throttle response with zero hesitation. Whisper-quiet and ultra-responsive, the system consumes less than half the electrical power of an electro-hydraulic steering system.

The refined Advanced MidSection (AMS) mounting system cradles the powerhead to isolate vibration, while careful tuning dampens induction sounds and nearly eliminates injection noise. This allows you to enjoy your conversations and cruise with comfort. The Adaptive Speed Control feature allows you to maintain engine RPM despite changes in load or conditions, enabling you to climb large swells, cruise smoothly at low speeds, and carve out tight turns. (www.mercurymarine.com)

Suzuki Marine

With award-winning technologies and designs, Suzuki outboards provide features and benefits that make boating even more enjoyable. Its lineup of four-stroke outboards is growing in popularity with owners of pontoon boats, especially due in part to Suzuki’s tradition of bringing its best technology to all horsepower classes. For example, the NMMA Innovation Award-winning DF60 outboard features electronic fuel injection, a self-adjusting timing chain, Suzuki Lean Burn technology, and Suzuki Easy Start technology.

Suzuki Marine’s popular in-line four-cylinder DF115 and DF140 models feature innovations such as water-detecting fuel systems and Suzuki’s exclusive micro plastics collecting device, built into the cooling system. Suzuki’s popular DF150 features an offset driveshaft for better balance on the transom, variable valve timing for optimum performance and efficiency in all conditions, and a powerful 2.50:1 gear reduction ratio for quick acceleration out of the hole. Suzuki’s offset driveshaft design — available over a range of models — also allows Suzuki to swing larger diameter props, which is beneficial for maneuverability on pontoon boats. Additionally, the intake noise on the DF150 is suppressed by a resonator, which reduces cockpit noise for a better lake-cruising experience. Its V6 lineup consists of the DF200, DF225, DF250, and DF300 outboards, which seamlessly integrate into its DF300 and DF350 dual-prop offerings.

Suzuki 350hp
Suzuki Marine’s flagship DF350 has become a popular choice for luxury pontoons and deck boats. This NMMA Innovation Award-winning outboard is the first to combine Suzuki’s advanced technology and features with the benefits of twin contra-rotating propellers in both forward and reverse. This design efficiently converts horsepower into propulsion underwater, providing an excellent hole shot for large, heavily loaded boats, as well as excellent close-quarters maneuvering while launching or docking. Its long list of advanced features includes variable valve timing, dual fuel injectors, dual louver air intake, dual water inlets, an offset driveshaft with a 2.29:1 gear ratio, and drive-by-wire Suzuki Precision Control. This big-block V6 powerhouse is finding its way onto more pontoon and deck boat transoms every year. (www.suzukimarine.com)

Yamaha Outboards

Thriving on innovation and advancing technology, Yamaha Outboards aims to create a more enjoyable boating experience and make boating accessible to more people, all while protecting our boating and fishing waters for generations to come. Providing industry-leading innovation, outstanding performance, and incredible power, Yamaha brings new levels of convenience and control to a proven performer.

Yamaha offers a full model lineup of four-stroke engines ranging from 450hp to 2.5hp, delivering superb fuel economy and cleaner emissions. The Yamaha 5.6L V8 XTO Offshore F450 and F425 are its largest and most powerful offerings. Outboards of 20hp and higher are equipped with high-performance fuel injection, which takes their performance to even higher levels. In many models, Yamaha’s advanced technology realizes acceleration performance and a lightweight, compact design.

Available in 90, 115, 150, and 175 horsepower models, the in-line four V MAX SHO Yamaha series sports a sleek, new V6 V MAX SHO-inspired cowling design. It also offers a surprising tech package for maximum efficiency and high performance, and the option of a 25-inch shaft for deeper waters. Matched with V MAX SHO propellers that specially transfer engine torque for awesome acceleration and top speed, additional quiet is added with optional variable trolling RPM, allowing the operator to adjust the engine’s trolling speed for a more concealed fishing experience.

The V6 V MAX SHO series includes 200, 225, and 250 horsepower models, and has the most feature-rich V6 outboard Yamaha has ever produced, combining high performance, big block V6 with outstanding power, and fuel efficiency with the availability of built-in digital electric steering and a thrust-enhancing reverse exhaust system (both Yamaha exclusives).

Yamaha 350hp
Yamaha’s all-new 4.3L V6 Offshore F350 merges all the best technology with impressive innovations for a perfectly balanced, deep-breathing V6 that delivers jaw-dropping power.

Weighing in at 629 pounds and delivering an astounding 11:1 compression ratio, the F350 boasts the best power-to-weight in its class—by more than 65 pounds. The center-mounted 81mm electronic throttle valve is flanked by identical port and starboard intake manifolds, creating a well-balanced design, smooth airflow, and responsive power. A camshaft profile with a higher valve lift allows for longer opening duration for intake and exhaust. Combined with reimagined valve lifters, it creates precise clearance for increased combustion. A new clutch dog design, machined with more teeth, enhances torque transfer from the powerhead to the propeller. (www.yamahaoutboards.com)