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Honda Marine 4XC FRP, with BMA the boat is designed around the engine

Seven new fibreglass models, a joint project with BMA and a range designed to integrate hull, equipment and Honda outboard power from the outset

Honda Marine expands 4XC with seven new FRP boats developed with BMA, ranging from 5.5 to 9.5 metres and powered by outboards up to twin BF350 V8s

The new Honda Marine 4XC FRP range begins with a clear idea: rather than choosing a boat first and an engine afterwards, the two should be designed to work together from the very beginning. To develop this new generation of the 4XC family, Honda Marine Europe has partnered with Italian boatbuilder BMA, creating a seven-model fibreglass series in which hull, layout, equipment and propulsion are treated as parts of the same project.

It represents a significant evolution of the approach Honda Marine has been developing through 4XC Design. The name is interpreted by the brand as For Excellence and identifies a philosophy based on factory-matched boat-and-engine packages conceived to provide a complete, ready-to-use boating solution.

Seven boats from 5.5 to 9.5 metres

The new family developed with BMA includes seven FRP models covering lengths from 5.5 to 9.5 metres. The range therefore addresses different ways of enjoying boating, from more compact boats intended for day trips to larger models capable of accommodating considerably more powerful propulsion systems.

The outboard offering reflects the same breadth. Configurations begin with the Honda BF40 and extend, on the largest models, to twin BF350 V8 engines. Rather than simply creating a list of available combinations, Honda and BMA have worked on matching hull characteristics, deck layout, equipment and installed power.

Honda and BMA working on the same project

The collaboration directly involves Honda Marine Europe’s research and development team and BMA’s naval architects. Each model has therefore been re-engineered with layouts, equipment packages and power options specifically matched to Honda outboards.

This approach is one of the project’s defining characteristics. Propulsion is not treated as a component added at the end of the process, but as something that influences the design decisions behind the boat itself. The aim is to establish a coherent configuration during development, reducing the traditional separation between hull builder, engine manufacturer and final rigging.

Honda branding appears on a 4XC hull for the first time

The new partnership also has a visible expression. For the first time in the history of the 4XC project, Honda Marine branding will appear directly on the hull, alongside a redesigned BMA logo created for the range.

It is more than a styling detail. The new identity emphasises the exclusive nature of the series and makes the relationship between Italian boat design and Honda outboard technology immediately recognisable. Boat and engine are presented to the owner as elements of one complete product rather than two components that have simply been paired together.

The BMA philosophy remains recognisable

Integration with Honda does not remove the boatbuilder’s identity. According to the information released for the launch, the new 4XC FRP models retain key elements of BMA engineering, including modern hulls focused on performance, efficiency and safety, together with clean and functional deck layouts.

The project therefore brings together two different areas of expertise: BMA’s experience in boat design and construction and Honda’s development of outboard propulsion. The new range is built around the idea of allowing these two components to interact before the boat reaches the water.

One network from purchase to aftersales

Integration continues beyond the construction process. The new 4XC FRP range will be sold exclusively through the Honda Marine dealer network, which will also provide servicing, warranty and aftersales support across Europe.

For owners, this creates a single point of reference for an important part of the ownership experience. It may be less immediately visible than design or performance, but it can become a practical advantage over time, particularly for those cruising in different European regions.

4XC grows without leaving RIBs behind

The arrival of the BMA boats does not replace the RIB side of the family. The 4XC range continues to include models developed in collaboration with Altamarea, including the HA20, HA23, HA8.5 and HA27, with the new HA9.5 scheduled to join them in 2027.

The strategy therefore becomes broader: RIBs and fibreglass boats coexist within the same programme, connected by the idea that the relationship with Honda outboard propulsion should be established from the beginning of the design process.

The debut will take place in Genoa

The new 4XC FRP range will make its public debut at the Genoa International Boat Show from 1 to 6 October 2026, where sea trials are also planned. Availability through the Honda dealer network is scheduled from November.

Genoa will therefore provide the first opportunity to see how the collaboration between Honda Marine and BMA has been translated into the seven new boats. Beyond the individual models, one of the most interesting aspects will be discovering how the integration between hull and propulsion translates into the experience on the water.

For Honda Marine, the new 4XC FRP range represents another step towards a boating concept in which the engine is no longer simply something installed on the transom. It becomes part of the boat from the beginning, together with its spaces, hull and the way its owner intends to experience life on the water.

Sources
Honda Marine Europe – 4XC Design

02 September 2026
© MED Yachting Editorial Team
Honda Marine 4XC FRP, with BMA the boat is designed around the engine
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