I have a 2014 721 Pro XP that I am considering repowering in the near future. Currently running a Evinrude Etech 250 and not having any issues with it.
Prior to this Evinrude I have currently, I had run all Mercury products on a Basscat, two Bullets, and a Blazer.
I like the new Mercury 4-strokes but I was thinking about going with a Yamaha SHO 250 if I repower but have heard a lot of negative chatter about Yamaha not stepping up regarding warranty work.
Thoughts or comments?
Yamaha all the way, hands down a far better and more reliable motor. Also the 200-250 SHO can all be flashed to a 300hp and not void the warranty. You can save money by just getting a 200 and having it flashed.
Never heard that Chatter.
Seems like basically everyone considers the SHO a better choice. People just get the merc for the cheaper cost or the look.
2024 Phoenix 818 Pro, 175 Mercury Pro Xs, 36V Lowrance Ghost, Fully padded front deck, E2 Wiring Harness, Seadeck Cockpit, HDS PRO10 On Dual Console Shroud, BoatEFX Locking Dual Bow Mount
Dealer network is why I have Mercury. No yamaha dealers near me.
2024 Phoenix 818, Mercury 175 (3B414035) Trick Steps, 3 Garmin 106 SV,s, LVS 34. BoatEFX dual bow mount. Ionic 12V 125AH, 2 12V 100 ah LiTime’s with Blue tooth for the TM. Minn Kota 345 PCL charger, Minn Kota Quest TM.
My experience with the SHO was horrendous. A lot of downtime 4 years in a row. Maybe I got the one bad one but it was my first and last Yamaha. It was a 2018. 4 starters, 2 timing belts, power head, PCM,lower unit. And I am 100% convinced that the power head was getting ready to blow again. Non of these issues cost me anything except going back and forth to the dealer and fishing out of the back of someone else’s boat. But never again!
2023 921 Elite
Mercury 25 Pro XS Bobs Hydraulic
Power Poles
Humminbird 12 gen4, and 3 10 Gen4
Mega 360
Mega Live
I went all around this when I purchased new - utlimately I wanted to give the Merc a try so that's what I got. I had two SHO's that were fantastic. So far the Merc has been as well.
________________________________________________
2024 Phoenix 21 XE - Mercury 250 PRO XS Serial #3B429919
2017 Phoenix PHX 21 - Yamaha 250 SHO
2010 Skeeter 20i - Yamaha 250 SHO
1988 Procraft 1780 Competitor - Mercury 100
Ive read the sho takes 89 oct minimum? My merc runs great on 87 street gas, although i do add a mercury fuel additive in it. Other than a warranty issue with the shift actuator, its been a great outboatd so far. Still love the sound at start up. Oh and i have a dealer 10 minutes down the road
Not super relevant but after two blown opti's under warranty I decided to try the SHO. Been happy with it with close to 100 hours. You will hear a lot more complaints on the merc's but it is a function of the number of them on boats. Yamahas can make some oil if not run hard, mercs have lower unit and shifting issues, and i know of two blown power heads by me with under 100 hours. Grab the dice and let them roll.
2023 Phoenix 21 PHX
Yamaha SHO S/N 6KWL 1004324
Reply With Quote