My partner just ordered a new boat with a 250 SHO. Due to be delivered around the end of May. We know he will get break in info from the dealer when he picks it up but curious to see if there are any tips, info, and/or do's & donts that I could get for him from current owners? Thanks!
2014 Ranger Z520C, Yamaha 250 SHO
Do exactly as the manual/dealer says. Break in is a pain, I am going through it right now on mine. The first hour you can't even get the boat off plane, nothing over 2,000 RPM's. The second hour you can get the boat off plane but still have to keep the motor trimmed all the way down, no running at WOT and you can't run at one RPM for more than 5 minutes at a time. After the second hour up to the 10th hour it gets a little better. You can play around with the trim and can run at WOT for short burst but still have to vary RPM's and trim on the motor. They also told me to keep the boat as loaded as possible during break in and only idle to let the motor warm up to temp then go, no excessive idling. After 10 hours they told me to operate it as I normally would. I'm sure every dealer will be different but this is what I was told and pretty close to what the manual recommended. Good luck and when you do get to open it up you'll have no regrets in purchasing that motor. It's a beast!!!
Just take a day....and do nothing but break in the motor....get it over with.
Wildkat7 has the right idea. Thats what I did. Put the first 2 hours on it like the owners manual says.Then drive it like you stole it. Thats also what I did. Broke it in one day and fished a tournament the next. Watch the oil level it will go up.
2-10 Run the hell out of it. I followed the manual but don't think I ran it hard enough. Just don't stay set at one RPM more than 5 minutes at a time. It really makes for a long day, but at least you get to ride and enjoy the lake. Follow Stratos21XL's advice about idling!
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