Need some input. About to break the bank

250hp motor talk. Looking for some helpful input on brands and why you decided on going with whatever brand you picked. I know this is the ultimate debate like Ford, Chevy or Dodge but just want to get as much opinion/facts as possible. I am going to take the plunge into the insane cost of a new bass boat soon so some help would be appreciated.

250 Pro XS

I dont have one but I Heard the new Evinrude has risen to the top

To the top of what?

I would guess that about 2% of all bass anglers run one of them. Not saying they are bad motors but they have a LONG way to go before they are proven over the test of time.

Stick with Merc or Yam. Tried & True over decades. The Merc will be a little cheaper up front but the two stroke oil is pretty costly if you fish a lot. Fuel consumption is also a little better on the Pro XS motors I have owned (three of them). Merc is a couple mph faster on top end but it will have to play catch up because the SHO will beta it outta the hole pretty badly.

The Yam SHO 250 is cool too. I have been running one for 5 years now with Zero issues. They had some early models that had bad oil pumps so they melted a few but Yam stood behind them and replaced power heads. The Yam will cost you about $1,500 more up front but may prove to be less costly to operate if you go often. SHO is a little quieter than the Merc but nothing sounds as good as the old Merc EFI's. (IMO)

Both are GREAT choices.

If I was going to buy a new boat/motor combo here is what I would be putting on the back.

https://www.mercurymarine.com/en/us/engines/outboard/verado/pro-fourstroke-200-300-hp/#

Against my better judgement, I'll post anyway.

Please keep in mind that I'm not an outboard guru or genius. These are just my opinions and things that I've seen/heard, and a few that I've experienced.

I have a Yamaha SHO 250 and I really love it! I'll be the first to tell you that a Mercury or Evinrude will be faster, and of course that depends on your setup too. But as far as pure power and muscle, I think the SHO is hard to beat. I have a Skeeter and it's not a light boat. I'm a big guy and I carry a fairly heavy load. I feel like the SHO still gives me a good holeshot and very respectable top end. The SHO handles heavy loads very well, if not the best. I've had ZERO problems, it's good on gas mileage, and she runs pretty quiet up to 40 MPH; after 40 MPH I don't notice a difference in sound between any of the big 3 motor companies. I don't really have any complaints with it's performance. I know it's not the fastest motor out there, but it dang sure is reliable. Talking with Yamaha repair guys and several different pros, I've come to the conclusion that the SHO is built to be run hard and be a workhorse. It's not like a fancy, Italian sports car, it's like a muscle car.

Now, every motor is gonna have it's problems. I don't care if it's an Evinrude, Yamaha, Mercury, Suzuki, Honda, Tohatsu, whatever!... All motors have their pros and cons. I suggest you do as much research as possible, take everything into account including: gas mileage, do you run a heavy load, do you make long runs, is there a maintenance shop close to you, can you afford the maintenance... all the little things matter.

If you decide to get the SHO, make sure you BREAK IT IN PROPERLY! Do not take it to your local lake and just let her rip! Follow what the manual and the dealer tells you. I promise you that if you take the time to do it correctly, it'll pay off and last for as long as you want. But if you take it out there and just start running her, she'll break your heart... and your wallet. Once you've broke it in, let her fly!

With all of this being said, outboards nowadays are super reliable and easy to maintain. Whatever brand you go with, I'm sure you'll be pleased with it.

Good luck with your search and tight lines!

I would like to add this about the Yam SHO. They sent me a letter stating that they would replace my complete powerhead at no charge since it was built in late 2010 when they were experiencing some issues. The letter was not a recall on my motor. It said that the motor may have parts that would experience premature wear. I think it speaks volumes about a company that would offer to replace the power head just because it might be one that received faulty parts.

This is NOT a Yamaha sales pitch. I like Mercs just as much as the Yams.

Merc had the same issue with their Optimax motors in the early 2000's. They used to be called OptiPops. LOL

I will say this. I run a 2003 Yamaha Vmax 200 and have never had a problem with it. I keep it maintained and she has never failed me. My best friend runs a 2011 Proxs 250 and has never had a problem with his. Good luck with your choice.

I went with the SHO but if you like merc better they aren't bad. Either way I would go four stroke.

Mercury. #1 selling outboards for a reason.

Go with a four stroke. Yam or Merc. both are good engines.

Mercury or Evinrude. I have had both. I currently have a 2013 ETEC. Very impressive motor. It's quiet and powerful. Here
in the south it's Mercury or Yamaha. North East It's Evinrude. You need to call around to your local outboard mechanics and talk with them. I did this before buying my current motor.

There are two kinds of motors. Those that have blown and those that will blow.

Mercury ProXS

A lot of what Ken is saying is spot on imo.. I would go 20+ foot on length, and hang a four stroke on the back end.. If you can get a monster warranty with your choice, all the better

I will never own another two stroke, Honda four stroke here, every week my mechanic is getting anywhere from 2-3 blown two strokes some less than 4 months old, it's ridiculous how many blow up now days and then you pay so much for it in the first place!

Yamaha sho without a doubt. Since the detuning of the Mercury, I will say a sho is as fast as a Mercury in most cases. You're set up is what matters most in this situation. Mercury is anywhere from 1500-2500 less. Then the "pro staff rebate program" will reward you 2000-4000back. This makes a huge difference if you're getting new boats yearly on a team deal. PM sent. My 2017 is available for pre purchase.

likes my Merc..ProXS..

I'm going to agree with everyone who said 4 stroke. I have a Yammy 4 stroke and it is hands down the best engine I've ever had. Yamaha or Merc but go 4 stroke

Yamaha 250 SHO. Reliable, Fuel efficient, and you don't have to worry about by the 2-cycle oil anymore.

My Merc 250 Pro XS blew with just 165 hours. Just repowered it. Fingers crossed. If I were buying a new boat, personally, I think I might go with a 4 stroke.

But I do like the Pro XS....

Question for everyone. If the air compressor fails, will it throw an alarm on the PRO XS? Mine never threw an alarm, and mechanic says that failed air compressor caused it to pop.

I've got a Verado 250 on my Ranger and really like it. Like many on here, I'm now a dedicated 4-stroke owner and will never go back to a 2-stroke.

I'd go with a 4 stroke. They are the future of outboards.

I've run Merc's and OMC's and Bombardier's flavor of Evinrude...I like my current Merc 250 ProXS...fast, quiet, has the Opti-max fuel saver technology, and there are parts to be found in every corner of the woods should something dump...here is the rule with a two stroke - warm it up or blow it up !...if you launch and run it hard when it's still cold two strokes love to blow...the old mechanic saying is there are two types of outboards, those that have blown up and those that are about to...LOL, realistically pick one they are all good today.

All brand engines can fail,Trust me do your research on your dealer and your warranty!

I'm going to repower this winter.
Switching from Merc to a SHO.
My motor has been great but I fish with some guides that run the SHO and I am amazed by the fuel consumption and the noise level.
May not be as fast but I'm sold on it.

It should sound an alarm but...

Had a similar experience on an older Yamaha HPDI years ago. Got a tiny piece of trash in one of the oil injectors and it starved that cylinder for oil. Problem was, I was running WOT down the lake and couldn't hear the alarm. When you are running wide open it is hard to hear anything. All it takes is a couple of seconds at WOT to burn a piston.

Ken: Ya, but my alarm is pretty loud, and I wasn't running wide open when it blew. Who knows? Just thought something like that would alarm.

Another strange thing that happened before I got on pad, was that the motor would go into drive, but when I would go back to neutral, it would not disengage, or come out of drive. I could go to reverse, and it would go into reverse, then it would disengage back to neutral from reverse, but not from drive.

Weird deal. After it was all said and done, had to replace powerhead, oil compressor, air compressor, and reeds. Needless to say, it was grenaded.

I am at the Skeeter Owners Tournament at Fork today in my one year old Skeeter. Naturally, I got it with the 250 SHO engine on the back. It wasn't my first choice. I would have preferred a Mercury but it wasn't offered on the boat I wanted.
After driving this engine for one year, I can tell you that I am very glad I bought it.
All of the reports I read before purchasing this engine/boat were excellent, and I was not let down after the purchase. Get a four stroke, you won't be sorry. I think Yamaha makes the best four stroke but Im prejudice after one year's use.
I think in the long run, they're all good, but I am a converted YAmmy fan

If you want a Skeeter with anything but a Yamaha, it will be VERY costly since Yam owns Skeeter.

Kobefish,

I have been in a lot of boats over the last few months with the new Evinrude 250s on them and I can tell you I would seriously consider it as an option. At the click of a button you have cruise control for those long runs so your foot doesn't pay the price and they seem to be slightly faster than the Merc and Yamahas. The self contained steering is well designed so there's just fewer moving parts.

I've always been a Merc guy, that now owns a Yammy, but I'm telling you to give the new Rude a serious look as a consideration. If you are going 4 stroke, I think Yamaha makes the most sense.

Just my .02.

Must be set up. I have not seen the etec compare. The g2 does have incredible holeshot along with some neat features!