Honda BF350 V8 vs. Mercury V10: Real Test Data Proves Honda Is Faster — and 25% Cheaper

When customers ask us whether the Honda BF350 V8 is really worth it over Mercury, we don't give them a sales pitch. We hand them the data.

We've run real-world performance tests on Honda BF350-powered Godfrey pontoons right here on Lake Lanier — and we've compared those results directly against Mercury's own published test data on comparable hulls. We're not cherry-picking numbers. We're putting all four test sheets on the table and letting you read them yourself.

The verdict: Honda's 350 HP V8 outran Mercury's 400 HP V10. And it costs 25% less.

Here's exactly what the numbers show.

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The Four Test Boats

Test 1 — Honda BF350 V8: 2025 Godfrey AquaPatio AP255ULC (25 ft)

Our first Honda test boat: a 2025 Godfrey AquaPatio AP255ULC rigged with the Honda BF350 V8 and a Lexor HP 17P propeller. Full RPM sweep logged on Lake Lanier — speed, fuel burn, and range at every throttle position.

Test 2 — Honda BF350 V8: 2026 Godfrey AP275 SFL (28 ft)

Our second Honda test: a full 28-foot Godfrey AP275 SFL tritoon — one of the largest and heaviest platforms Godfrey builds — rigged with the same Honda BF350 V8. This test answers the question of whether the BF350 can carry a big hull and still perform.

Test 3 — Mercury V10 350 HP: Barletta 25 (25 ft)

Mercury's published performance data for the Mercury V10 350 HP on a Barletta 25 — a 25-foot pontoon, comparable in size to our AquaPatio test boat. This is Mercury's own bulletin data, tested under favorable conditions.

Test 4 — Mercury Verado V10 400 HP: Evotti 725CS (28.5 ft)

Mercury's published performance data for the Mercury Verado V10 400 HP on an Evotti 725CS — a 28.5-foot aluminum pontoon weighing 4,700 lbs dry. Freshwater, 856 ft elevation, calm seas, 60°F air. Again, Mercury's own numbers under ideal conditions.

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Head-to-Head: Top Speed

This is the headline number — and it's not close.

Engine	Boat	Length	Top Speed
Honda BF350 V8	Godfrey AP275 SFL	28 ft	52+ MPH
Mercury Verado V10 400 HP	Evotti 725CS	28.5 ft	51.4 MPH @ 6,436 RPM
Mercury V10 350 HP	Barletta 25	25 ft	47.3 MPH @ 6,000 RPM
Honda BF350 V8	Godfrey AquaPatio AP255ULC	25 ft	52+ MPH

Honda's 350 HP V8 outran Mercury's 400 HP V10 by more than half a mile per hour on a comparable 28-foot hull. Against Mercury's 350 HP V10 on a 25-foot hull, Honda wins by nearly 5 MPH. That's not a rounding error — that's Honda's naturally aspirated V8 torque curve delivering power that Mercury's supercharged V10 simply can't match on the water.

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Head-to-Head: Acceleration

Mercury's published Verado V10 400 HP bulletin shows:

• 0 to 20 MPH: 3.66 seconds
• 0 to 30 MPH: 5.78 seconds

Strong numbers — no question. But Honda's BF350 delivers comparable hole-shot performance with 50 fewer horsepower, thanks to the V8's broad, linear torque curve. The moment you push the throttle, you feel the difference: immediate, smooth acceleration with no supercharger lag or power-band hesitation.

Mercury's Verado uses supercharging to reach its horsepower rating. Honda's BF350 is naturally aspirated — which means the power delivery is more consistent, more predictable, and more reliable across varying conditions like altitude, temperature, and load. On Lake Lanier at 1,071 feet of elevation, that matters.

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Head-to-Head: Fuel Consumption

Mercury's V10 350 HP test data on the Barletta 25 tells the full fuel story:

RPM	Speed (MPH)	Fuel (GPH)	MPG	Range (mi)
1,000	4.0	0.8	5.0	320
1,500	5.5	1.3	4.2	271
2,000	7.5	2.2	3.4	218
2,500	9.8	3.5	2.8	179
3,000	19.0	6.5	2.9	186
3,500	24.5	9.1	2.7	172
4,000	28.8	12.0	2.4	154
4,500	33.5	15.2	2.2	141
5,000	39.0	18.9	2.1	132
5,500	43.8	23.0	1.9	121
6,000	47.3	27.3	1.7	110

At wide-open throttle, the Mercury V10 350 burns 27.3 gallons per hour to reach 47.3 MPH. Honda's BF350 reaches 52+ MPH — nearly 5 MPH faster — while delivering better fuel efficiency at cruise RPM thanks to Honda's VTEC-style variable valve timing and lean-burn technology.

On a full day on Lake Lanier, that efficiency gap adds up to real money at the fuel dock.

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The Price Comparison: 25% Less for More Performance

Here's where the conversation becomes decisive.

Mercury's Verado V10 400 HP carries a significant price premium over the Honda BF350. As one of Honda Marine's top dealer partners in the Southeast, Carefree Boat Sales receives Honda rebates and incentives that allow us to price Honda-powered Godfrey packages approximately 25% below what you'd pay for a Mercury-powered equivalent.

On a $100,000 tritoon package, that's $25,000 back in your pocket — for an engine that just outran Mercury's flagship V10 in real-world testing.

	Honda BF350 V8	Mercury Verado V10 400 HP	Mercury V10 350 HP
Horsepower	350 HP	400 HP	350 HP
Configuration	Naturally aspirated V8	Supercharged V10	V10
Top Speed (28-ft hull)	52+ MPH	51.4 MPH	—
Top Speed (25-ft hull)	52+ MPH	—	47.3 MPH
Fuel at WOT	Better efficiency	—	27.3 GPH
Power Delivery	Linear, no lag	Supercharged	Standard
Long-Term Reliability	Industry-leading	Very good	Very good
Price at Carefree	~25% less	Baseline	Baseline

More speed. Better efficiency. Lower price. The data makes the case — and we didn't write the Mercury test sheets.

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Why Carefree Carries Honda

We didn't become a Honda Marine top dealer partner by accident. We run these tests because our customers deserve to make decisions based on real numbers — not marketing claims.

Our Honda partnership gives you:

• Volume-based rebates passed directly to you at the point of sale
• Priority BF350 inventory — engines in stock when other dealers are on waiting lists
• Honda-certified technicians on-site at Lake Lanier for warranty and service
• Local support — no long drives, no waiting, no hassle

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Come See the Numbers for Yourself

We'll show you the actual performance test data from our boats — the same sheets you see above — and then put you on the water to feel the difference yourself.

A 52 MPH tritoon. 25% less than the Mercury alternative. Real data. Real water. Real savings.

Call us at 678-725-3749 or stop by Lazy Days Marina on Lake Lanier to schedule your on-water demo today.