How are the older Yamaha 250 SHO holding up?

Thanks

As far I know, the 2010 and 2011 had a few issues. However, I believe Yamaha fixed them pretty fast. My 250 has been nothing but reliable. They're solid motors, that's for sure.

I have a 2010 250. I have some type of gas issue. Run 10 minutes to a fishing spot. Sit 15 to 20 minutes fishing. It starts ok but put it in gear and give it gas it bogs down. Last time out I took off port gas cap to relieve pressure. Then it seemed to run ok until next stop. Plano Marine had it for 3 weeks and could not find the problem. They said they could not emulate the issue. I don't know why. It does it to me every time I take it out. No water in tank. Ran tanks down and put in fresh gas, but problem still occurs. Any of you have any ideas?

Have you changed the gas filters?

I've looked at couple of used boats with the SHO and didn't want to mess up buying one if they're load with problems.

Thanks for the info

Pro Bait, this is gonna sound dumb, but have you changed all your fuel filters? Have you checked the intakes on your gear case for debris? How many hours or how long since your last oil change? Did the boat sit for 3+ months before this began. If it did, it could well be a varnish, not water problem. If you're certain that all of the above are A-Ok, then I'd get it to a different shop for a second opinion. I've had a 2010 and 2012 250 SHO and currently own a '14. I've never experienced this issue. I wouldn't continue to run it like that, though.

It all depends on 3 things.

Proper break-in

Proper warm-up while IN GEAR

Lots of high RPM hours.

Get one that meets those criteria, best motors in the world.

What year is yours fouzman? And what's considered high hours for a for stroke?

Great motors

I have a 2011 250 SHO and I had some issues early on, Yamaha replaced my power head Jan 2013 and it did not blow up, was still running just had some issues with a head. Since I have had zero issues.

I fish 150-200 days a year and keep my motor maintained as it should be, actually more than recommended. I change my motor oil and filter every 75 hours, lower unit grease once a year and change all the filters regularly and do all other routine maintenance. I am not "cheap" with my maintenance, I make it a priority. In my opinion, one of the largest reasons people have catastrophic failures is lack of maintenance.

My boat has 500+ hours total on it, yet there are only 125 or so over 2500 RPMs. A lot of mine is from idling and graphing, which is not detrimental on a 4 stroke as it was on some of the older 2 strokes.

I would say the hours on a used motor depend on how they break down. I would not really want a high performance motor that has 100 hours on it and only 5 over 5000 RPMs. I would want to know #1 it was maintained and #2 it was ran as it needs to be ran. Lugging one of the new motors, from what I understand, isn't good for them. They need to have some RPMs turned and the motor "heated up" regularly.

If the SHO is broken in properly it , allowed to warm up prior to running it and ran somewhat "hard" regularly it is a great motor. A lot of the people who talk about them having problems never have owned one, so take a lot of what you read with a grain a salt.

Any other questions feel free to PM me.

fouzman, I had the boat fully serviced, oil change, filters etc in March. The boat has not sat for 3 months. Plano Marine should have checked all the filters etc. when they stated they could not locate the issue. Supposedly the mechanic did a lake test. I am thinking it may be the epa charcoal filter not allowing it to vent. After taking off port gas cap and then putting back on it ran fine until next stop. Also wondering if water is getting into vent holes when I come to a stop and allow the water to backwash over the back. This has occurred the last 7 times out. Also, at times no issue at all. Once I open gas cap it runs great. I am thing about taking it to the skeeter dealer in Hurst. Hopefully they will not keep it for 3 weeks.

Crawl, my present SHO is a '14. I owned a 10 and a 12 with no issues. I sold the 10 to a guy who sold it a year later. I think hours on the '10 were about 120 when I sold it. He never had a lick of trouble from that motor, and he guided and fished tournaments out of it. The guy he sold it to blew the #6 cylinder after a few trips. But he cranked it and floored it. All day long.

As for hours on a pre-owned motor, that's not what I was referring to. I should have said a good % of hours at high RPM's. SHO's are high-performance engines based off of Yamaha's 4 stroke cycle racing engines. They're made to be run at high and varying RPMs over long periods at a time. They're not made to loaf around at 3,500. It's ok to spend 75% of your time looking for fish. Just make sure you wind her up in between for the other 25%.

I can't emphasize enough the warm-up while in gear. I use 3 minutes in the summer and 5-6 in the winter. That gets all six Pistons heated evenly. After that, I'll run 4,000 for a minute or so then on up. If you shut down and fish for more than 30 mins, warm it up again, but cut your time by 50%.

Hope that helps.

268 hours as of an hour ago

PB, I'd either take it to Fun-N-Sun in Hurst or Rockwall Marine. RW is closer and, though they're a Basscat/Merc dealer, they also have a Yamaha certified mechanic who is darned good. And both places have the very best customer service in the biz. Honest folks, fair prices and typically fast turnaround. Plus, they're both located a couple miles from a lake.

Call Lance or Monte at FNS or Tommy or John at RW. They'll get u fixed up!

My partner has had two , I love the motor