Originally Posted by
yam911
I will presume that you are talking about the original V6 4.2 liter models.
Originally it was that the F series (Offshore models) used digitally controlled throttle and shift whereas the VF series (SHO's) were mechanically controlled.
The SHO's came in a 20" shaft length only. The Offshore's came in 25" and 30" shaft lengths. Offshore's came in right hand turn and left hand turn (gear cases) models. SHO's were right hand turn only.
SHO's made their maximum power at 6000 RPM. Offshore's made their maximum power at 5500 RPM.
A different bracket and power trim and tilt units are used. Maybe slightly less robust in the SHO series.
Then along came SHO's in I4 configurations and V6 models with 25" mid-sections and the water has gotten very muddy. Might be easier to compare two specific models against each other than to compare the many F series and many VF series models.