What the Pros are saying about their SHO

[djkimmel]

I'm very  glad I got my Yamaha VMAX HPDI. Never had one single tiny issue with it and it always starts! I don't fish as much as I used to and the budget is tighter than tight so being able to count on my outboard is critical.

I've test driven their newest motor - the Yamaha VMAX SHO which appears to be a revolutionary advancement in 4-stroke technology with the first real high performance, tournament quality 4-stroke bass boat outboard that can compete with 2-stroke motors in weight, hole-shot and speed in one package while giving the benefits of a 4-stroke motor. So far, I'm nothing but impressed by this new direction in outboards!

Here is what the pros are saying about their Yamaha VMAX SHO engines: http://www.yamaha-motor.com/outboard/vmax_micro/thepros/

I think this outboard cut years off the advancement of outboard technology for performance bass boats! I expect if I ever get a new bass boat, it will be my next motor!

[motocross269]

Yamaha led the way in Four Stroke Technology in the Motocross world so it doesn't surprise me to see them doing the same thing in Outboards..
Yamahas may not have always been the fastest but they were very reliable engines in Motorcycles....
There were lots of naysayers when 4 strokes came on the scene in MX...Now if you aren't on one you aren't competitive....I would bet the same thing will happen in the Bass World within the decade.....
I am a 2 stroke guy...I currently have a 2 stroke Motocross bike...but the writing is on the wall....

[LennyB]

I think they are a great motor, however, the only issue I have found with them, is a dealer who sells both Mercury and Yamaha, told me the (Yamaha SHO 250) cannot be rebuilt. I think if this is true, it may be an issue down the road when trying to sell a boat that cost $10k more than the same boat with a Mercury 250ProXS which can be rebuilt. I don't know if I would buy a 10 year old used rig that has a limited life on the motor and no chance to rebuild??? I was considering buying a new rig and this issue led me back to Mercury.

[djkimmel]

First I've heard that? I'll have to check into it. I'm expecting prices to moderate as the technology gets 'older' and with more competition maybe.

[dartag]

Pro's get paid to say good things about there motors.   

i do like my 4 stroke merc on my pontoon boat.  Change the oil and filter each year and you are good to go.

[djkimmel]

Some companies make it real easy to say good things about them. I like those companies.

[LennyB]

First I've heard that? I'll have to check into it.

If you can and have the time, call Yamaha direct. They would probably be the best source as to wether their SHO block can be bored out.

[Mike S.]

Yamaha definitely has the four stroke thing down.  I bought one of their yfz450 quads, and it was a ripper.  Their big bore and short stroke combination is awesome.  I've never experienced their 4 stroke outboard, but the quad revs just as fast as their 2 strokes, and had explosive power, not the doggy power that a lot of 4 strokes had in the past.  I can't believe they would build a motor that couldn't be rebuilt.  That doesn't make sense to me.  All I do know, is that 4 stroke parts are NOT cheap to buy.  I know what it cost to rebuild the top end on my quad, I couldn't imagine the price to rebuild an outboard.  I will leave that to you rich guys!

[djkimmel]

First I've heard that? I'll have to check into it.

If you can and have the time, call Yamaha direct. They would probably be the best source as to wether their SHO block can be bored out.

I have it on my todo list to talk to the techs in general. There's some good knowledge out there that might be helpful to others, and I always like to learn more from the best sources.