I bought a 2006 Ranger Z20 last year with a Yamaha 225 HPDI Vmax. Blew out a cylinder and now I have to choose between a rebuild or buying a new motor. The first owner was a pro bass guy who used it for a year then sold it to the guy I bought it from. I think it sat around for over a year during the droughts a couple years ago with subpar maintenance. I'm really not sure what all may have been neglected on the motor.

1. Should I rebuild or buy a new one? Obviously the rebuild is cheaper but then again I kinda like the idea of a new factory warranty and not having to wonder what else could be smouldering.

2. If I were to get a new motor, what should I get? Yamaha, Mercuery, Etec? 2 stroke or 4 stroke? Etc. If you had the chance to start fresh with a new motor what would you get?

Your choice HPDI is a maintenence guys dream with all the hidden screens that have to be cleaned every year or what happened to yours will happen again.

If ya go 4 stroke go Honda, 2 stroke E tec G2.

For the record I run an old 2.5 liter carbed Merc and love it easy maintenence very dependable.

We can rebuild with all new piston, bearing, all filters and have injectors clean for around 4000

If any question please let me know

Boatman does great work.

There's also new 250 motors here http://texasfishingforum.com/forums/ubbt...Sho_Moto#UNREAD

If you go new, stay with Yamaha. Will save you considerable money by not having to replace controls, cables, gauges and rigging.

That's a good point I didn't think of, thanks.

My Z20 is only rated for a 225. Probably a dumb question but are there laws/regulations/liability/safety issues for putting on a 250?

Do you fish tournaments? Then no. Ask your insurance company. I wouldn't suggest overpowering over CG rating plate on boats. No LAW against it, but, if anything happens you're probably on your own as far as liability. Not a good place to be in an accident situation.

over horspowering is a bad idea when you go to sell it or trade it you wont get as much.

That makes sense. I'll stick to the 225.

I was afraid that engine was blown in your other post. I blew mine in Jan of 06 and had a dealer install a new powerhead. It's still running today. Most of the time when these engines blow it is from dirty fuel filters. Tough lesson to learn. I'd rebuild if it was me.