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Yamaha VMax 250 SHO

A

anotherrunner83

Active member
Anyone running, or know anyone running the new 4.2L VMax SHO 250? We are considering hanging one on the back of the Starliner and wanted to get a little input before pulling the trigger at the end of the season.
 
This is a thread I want to watch!

I was only looking at the prices of these last night for my Starliner. I can't afford it, but nobody said I can't dream! :bounce:
 
Right there with you. My old 89 Carbureted 225 burns fuel at an absolutely astonishing rate. I've been researching two different fourstroke motors and two different 2-Stroke motors. There's a lot of info out there on the SHO...especially Bass Boat Central. The other four stroke I've been eye-balling is the Suzuki 250SS. Zukes are great motors. Don't let anyone tell you different. The 250SS uses the 300 Suzuki block...just different mapping. So...if a guy could figure out a reflash after the warranty runs out, hmmmm.

The 2 strokes I've been evaluating are the Pro XS, of which is a very good motor and known quantity and the new Evinrude G2, which only hit the market this year. The G2 appears to be the best 2 stroke out there in terms of fuel consumption. Some of the performance claims are impressive as well. But, there just aren't enough out there to get a good comfort level, yet.

Four stroke specs that I've noticed.
Weight: SHO 505lbs, SS 578lbs,
Displacement: SHO 254 ci, SS 245 ci
LU Gear Ratios: SHO 1.75:1 SS 2.08:1 The Bass Boat guys running Suzukis are sometime running out of pitch (prop selection dependant) before they run out of RPM depending on their boat. But everyone says they're torquey as hell due to the drive ratio.

I'm looking hard at the Suzuki & the G2 right now...price falls out to about $18,000 plus the gauges and rigging. After tax, it looks like it will be around $21,000...Used ones almost never come up. G2 pricing is all over the place...I've "heard" mid 20's out the door.

I haven't priced a SHO yet, but used ones do come up for sale on BBC every so often, but you have to move quick or they're gone.
 
Yep, our 26 year old GT 200 is a thirsty beast. Still a great running motor, so I think it'll become a fishing boat motor in the near future. Could use a new stator and timing base I think. Seems the charging isn't quite what it should be. Will be something for running around the inlet/marshes when it's moved to the beach.
The G2 prices that I've come across pretty much put them out of the race, for us anyway. I'm back and forth on the looks of that motor, I think the lines of the motor would work with the older lines of the Liner, not sure though. I've heard and read nothing but great things about the performance and fuel economy.

Had pretty much made up our minds to move with a 250 Pro XS until coming across the SHO. I've read a lot of back and forth about the running costs of the 4 strokes vs the 2 strokes. I think the Merc has an ever so slight edge in the fuel economy, but you're not buying oil anymore...and it's one less thing to go wrong. I like the looks and colors of the Yamaha better. We have a black, silver and blue boat. A black and red motor just wouldn't look right, IMO, so we'd be looking for a decal kit immediately. The Yami is a nice dark metallic blue with silverish lettering and gray shaft.

Yamaha's are known for reliability, but there are a lot of Mercs out there and you only read a hand full of issues. The yamaha is within a few pounds of the current motor if I recall correctly. The Merc is probably a few pounds lighter.

Either motor will require hydraulic steering and would greatly benefit from a hydraulic jack plate, or static bracket at the least. I think either set up would be good for low to mid 70's.
 
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