2011 Yamaha SHO Reliability

[jtracc]

Good day, I put this in the Yamaha forum, however, it got no traction. I am looking at a used very low hour rig with a 2011 Yamaha SHO 200. Anyone have any experience with this motor...? I read some reports of power head issues, however, that seemed to be related to 250 SHO's. I have a 2016 F150 Yamaha and that thing is a beast, can I expect the same reliability with the SHO?

thanks all

[Meleagris1]

I had a 2010 SHO that was rock solid. It had all of the updates including a head under warranty but I never had a lick of trouble with that motor before or after the new head. I sold the boat with 500-600 hours to a friend who I fish with a lot and it still runs like a top. I’ve got a 2017 SHO now and same thing it’s been flawless. 200-250 use the same heads.

[JJohnSind]

Aren’t these the engines that had the power head recall?

[printman71]

Have a dealer check the serial number and see if the powerhead was replaced under the recall Yamaha had on the "first generation" SHO. The 200, 225, and 250 SHO are the same engine, the ECU makes the horsepower difference. If the powerhead hasn't been replaced, I would avoid it as it may not have enough hours on it for it to have failed as yet.

[jtracc]

Have a dealer check the serial number and see if the powerhead was replaced under the recall Yamaha had on the "first generation" SHO. The 200, 225, and 250 SHO are the same engine, the ECU makes the horsepower difference. If the powerhead hasn't been replaced, I would avoid it as it may not have enough hours on it for it to have failed as yet.

ok cool, if the power had hasn’t been replaced after all this time can it still be replaced under warranty??

[Meleagris1]

No - Yamaha gave 1 year to do it and that was outside of the normal warranty period for most.

[jtracc]

No - Yamaha gave 1 year to do it and that was outside of the normal warranty period for most.

ok cool thx for the info. Appreciated,..

[tracer1]

No - Yamaha gave 1 year to do it and that was outside of the normal warranty period for most.

.

My 250 Yamaha is 2011 model. The powerhead was replaced in 2014 with 348 hrs on it. Never had a problem with it but Yamaha changed it anyway. I now have around 500 hrs on it & it has been flawless. Since they changed mine 3 years later, I don't know about the 1 year limit. My dealer had mine changed since he knew about the recall. Check with Yamaha, all they can say is no.

[Meleagris1]

Doesn't hurt to check but Yamaha did this voluntarily and for a lot of the motors were out of warranty. They mailed letters to all owners and gave them a date by which the service had to be performed - I remember this because I was cutting it close to that date. Like I said though mine was outstanding before and after the replacement - big reason I plan to stick with Yamaha going forward.

[davesz518]

From my dealer.....not all SHO engines fell under this recall notice. I have a 200 that has been flawless....it didn't make the cut. Still going strong.

[catdude28]

I have a 2016 F150 Yamaha and that thing is a beast, can I expect the same reliability with the SHO?
thanks all

The simple answer to this question would be no. The F series is practically bulletproof and one of the most failproof series on the water, so I would not expect the same reliability from an SHO. However, Yamaha in general is quite reliable, so I would certainly not be afraid of the SHO 200.

[Bandone]

just a question , how many hrs do you think a sho motor will go, I would be nervous with anything over 350-400, yes or no?

[tracer1]

I believe that's a question asked by everyone with an outboard, regardless of make or 2 or 4 stroke. If I had an absolute answer for that, LOL. 350-400 hrs, nah I wouldn't worry. My ECU has over 950 hrs on it, my powerhead has around 550. Runs like new, sounds like new, looks like new. But mine is a 250, not a 200. Don't know how much of a difference that would make.

[Bandone]

I believe that's a question asked by everyone with an outboard, regardless of make or 2 or 4 stroke. If I had an absolute answer for that, LOL. 350-400 hrs, nah I wouldn't worry. My ECU has over 950 hrs on it, my powerhead has around 550. Runs like new, sounds like new, looks like new. But mine is a 250, not a 200. Don't know how much of a difference that would make.

looking at a phoenix 250 sho that has 500 on it, my triton has the same but much older just wondering if it would have much time left before going pop

[tracer1]

It's not the hours on the motor really, it's how it has been treated and maintained. You seem to be fixated on hours so my suggestion is to find something with low hours. You need to have confidence in whatever you buy, JMHO.

[Meleagris1]

I have not seen or read anything at this point that the SHO motors are any less reliable than the F series - they've been out for over a decade and there are quite a few SHO's with thousands of hours without issue. Also a lot more SHOs on the salt market now than ever before especially flats boats where weight is a consideration. The F series has a very loyal following for good reason and I doubt Yamaha will drop that line. Both are outstanding motors and share a lot of the same tech.

[ChooChooSnakeMan]

I have a 2010 250 SHO, one of the first 300 made! The first owner blew the power head and it was covered under the power head warranty at around 200 hours in 2015 or so. I purchased it with 261 hours and have put about 45 on it so I'm right past 300 hours. It runs great, I take very good care of it with regular maintenance, ethanol free mid grade fuel, ring free plus in every tank and I think just as important is that I always, always regardless of water temperature let the engine warm up and warm down. When it is warm and I do take off I don't just hammer down but gradually apply power. The truth is I think our SHO motors are as reliable as the competition but the nature of outboards is such that they will never be as reliable as car engines. I echo what has been said. It isn't the hours it is how the engine has been cared for and run. Since you usually can't know those things I am a big advocate for having some warranty with any used outboard that I purchase. It is just peace of mind. If you buy an abused engine chances are it won't live longer than a couple of years if that long without giving trouble. If it makes it two years with regular use then you probably have a good engine. Just my 2cents.

[woppercatcher]

My brother had a 2011 SHO 200 that had water in the crankcase. Out of warranty at the time with a little over 100 hours. Yamaha replaced the power head at no charge.