So I've come to the conclusion that my best option is to repower my Skeeter. The cost of the parts alone to rebuild my Vmax HPDI with a blow powerhead are more than what the damn engine is worth. I want something with a warranty that I won't have near the headache with.
I'm trying to decide between a new 250 Yamaha SHO or a 250 Mercury Pro XS. I realize that will turn into a Ford vs Chevy debate. But I have a few questions... are the newer Yamaha's as prone to blowing powerheads? I'm once bitten twice shy, and honestly didn't think I would ever buy another Yamaha, but I have been swayed that way. How are they about honoring their warranty, are there any major things that the warranty does not cover? (Aside from hitting stumps etc)
Also, is there a better time of year to buy an engine? (Kind of like how car manufactures will have rebates and incentives when they are blowing out the previous year model to make room for the new models... does the same marketing principles apply to outboards?)

Also, I'm into this boat way more than I ever thought I would be, but it only makes it worse letting it sit without a running motor. Any recommendations on a Yamaha dealership that would give me the best price? I'm in Austin, but I don't mind driving as long as its within a few hundred miles.

Thanks y'all!

Shameless plug: 2006 250 Yamaha Vmax HPDI for sale for parts. 119 hours, needs a crank case assembly and two pistons.

Tough decision. New motor will cost about twice the price of a new power head though. What will happen if you get a merc and it blows? Switch to evinrude? May want to check with the guys at hydrotech and see what they can do for you. They are the yamaha masters.

The Mercury Pro XS engines seem to have very few failures.

PM with pricing sent.

Man I considered having it rebuilt and considered them. But after speaking to several engine rebuilding shops, they made some good points. What if there is something else wrong with the engine that caused that failure that doesn't get diagnosed. I'll be back in the same situation and most powerhead warranties only last a year. The Skeeter I have is exactly what I want, and in mint condition, so I plan to keep it a while. I think I'm better off going with a brand new engine with a full warranty.

Mercury would be the way to go. The improvement you will see in the fuel and oil consumption will surprise you. I came from an HPDI and and I am really impressed. I should also mention that Yamaha is having to replace many of the power packs because of issues in the earlier years of the SHO.

give LMC a call, they sell both brands and you can compare warranties and costs. i bought my f 200 from them this year. they advertise a low % finance rate, but wouldn't give it to me, so i went to my credit union and blew even their lowest rate out of the water.

119 hrs. thats not many hrs. to loose a cylinder.mine had 300 when it blew , it was 5 years old. i will never have another yamaha 2 or 4 stroke. they have a problem and cant fix it. so we pay the price . ther needs to be a thread about how many blow up and how old they are.maybe something good would come out if the world could see the problem they have.