US Coast Guard using Hondas

[Ronald1]

I was watching Mail Call last night and saw a coastal patrol boat running twin 225 Hondas. The boat looked like a @2o'-25' v-bottom with an inflatable ring. Looked like a fun ride!<br /><br />What kind of "sea trials" do these outboards have to pass before they are accepted by the US military? I hope it's not just the low bidder.<br /><br />I was hoping to see domestic power on the back....

 

[mattttt25]

Re: US Coast Guard using Hondas

as a naval officer that does govt contracting, i can only speak about the DOD. since the coast guard falls under the homeland security dept, they may have different rules. we do have to follow the buy american act, but there are numerous stipulations and waivers. i'd have to check the federal aquisition regulations, but i think if the product is made up of at least 51% of parts produced in the u.s., we can procure it with no problem.<br /><br />at that point, it depends which aquisition strategy was used. i would guess it was a best value contract, which would lay out technical requirements, price proposals, and past performance as criteria for selection. each criteria would be reviewed by independent boards, that would evaluate the info provided and make recommendations. all the info would go to a selection board, who would then chose the "best value" for the govt.

 

[whofan]

Re: US Coast Guard using Hondas

The coast Guard were I live had a pair of 250 Yamahas on their patrol boat. I think they replaced them since with what I dont know. They were the 2 stroke saltwater series. Very fast boat.

 

[rodbolt]

Re: US Coast Guard using Hondas

thats cause to increase the odds of going out AND back ya gotta go with the motor that is the most reliable. hondas and yammis dont seem to suffer from quite as many electrical failures<br />good luck and keep posting

 

[voodoo]

Re: US Coast Guard using Hondas

How could you tell where it's made?<br />Merc + Yamaha<br />Johnson + Suzuki<br />Some Japanese branded cars have more North American in them the the big 3 do.<br />Be honest with yourself, Honda makes great engines.<br />Briggs and Tecumseh make a fine lawn mower engine, but if it croaks ,the worst that happens is you get to drink beer all afternoon.

 

[rodbolt]

Re: US Coast Guard using Hondas

so far all the yammi stuff is made in japan. however we are not sure where the cams and piston/rod assy are made, they have FORD cast in them but we seem to think they are made in europe someplace. its getting to be a small small world. years ago I bought a set of mitchytoryo micrometers and the 1-2 2-3 and 3-4 were made in brazil. now the economy is tight when the japs start subbing out.<br /> good luck and keep posting

 

[TwoBallScrewBall]

Re: US Coast Guard using Hondas

I got towed in by one of those orange ringed boats earlier in the year. They're not inflatable, those rings are solid foam. I asked. Anyway, that one too had a pair of 225 honda four strokes on it. I also asked, he said it'll do about 55 WOT.

 

[P.V.]

Re: US Coast Guard using Hondas

Check out "Safe-Boats", built in Port Orchard Washington. Not inexpensive! They recieved a big dollar contract for about 800 of 'em for the Navy, CG, Home Security!! They're not exclusivly Honda any more but the initial run was just Honda. Small company that went "Big-Time" overnight!!!!

 

[Ronald1]

Re: US Coast Guard using Hondas

Does the NAVY purchase outboards under the "best value" system? Or do they purchase them "Aberdean Proving Ground style", subjecting them to numerous tortures? If so; what kind of tortures? I'm hoping the outboards on SEAL boats may not be the "best value", but are the toughest outboards on the planet! What do THEY use?

 

[gss036]

Re: US Coast Guard using Hondas

The safe boats are still using Hondas. I passed 5 of them on Tuesday coming north on I-5 toward Seattle. At 180K @ that's almost 1 million by the time they put them on triple axle trailers. <br />Safeboats started out w/ Yammies, but quit them because they would only give the Coasties a 1 year warranty while Honda does 3 yrs. They do manage to blow a few of them, most of those guys only know one speed,WOT. We do have a couple here w/ Merc 250's on them.

 

[DJ]

Re: US Coast Guard using Hondas

They purchase through the GSA (General Services Agency).<br /><br />It's LOW bid. Sometimes with a point system given for certain attributes.

 

[mattttt25]

Re: US Coast Guard using Hondas

gsa is general services administration.<br /><br />and i think you are wrong, dj. we very rarely use low bid procurement anymore. the only time we do use it regularly is if we specifiy the product and suppliers are bidding.<br /><br />yes, in certain fields, products are chosen after extensive testing. as for outboards run by the seal boat teams, no one has an idea because it's mostly classified. they work with manufacturers to develop new products and then run them for testing. when they get their product, they go with it. the navy is now testing outboards that can run on gasoline, diesel, and jp5 (jet fuel). these engines can also be fully submerged for an extended period, brought back up, and run again. all this technology will make it to us common folks, it just takes time.

 

[Ronald1]

Re: US Coast Guard using Hondas

As soon as I get one of those multifuel/submersable outboards I'll feel a whole lot more comfortable when my wife goes fishing without me!

 

[Capn Mike]

Re: US Coast Guard using Hondas

Most of the SafeBoats on the Columbia River have Hondas, though this spring I saw one with Evinrudes so I suspect they're still trying different combinations. The cox running the Evinrudes said it would go faster than the Hondas, but that it was noisier. <br />It would make a nice fishing boat with a few modifications... Probably don't need the twin machine guns....

 

[Bobby O]

Re: US Coast Guard using Hondas

As I understand it, almost all the domestic 4 bangers are foreign made any way. The two cycles probably don't met new regs as far as emisions are concerned.

 

[woodrat]

Re: US Coast Guard using Hondas

I don't know capn mike, those twin machine guns could come in handy at buoy ten! I'll bet some of those yahoos would think twice before pulling some of the stunts they do!