Anyone have experience with both? If so, which one has been a better motor for you?

I have a 2017 250 Pro XS on my new boat and I owned a 2014 model also. The Merc's have been very reliable for me and run strong. I have no complaints on them. That being said, I had a 2015 250 SHO and I will go back to a Yamaha on my next boat. Three things that make the difference in my experience with the SHO. First, not having to constantly add two stroke oil to the oil tank. Second, the SHO is very quiet, both idling and at speed. Third, the holeshot with the SHO is superior. I also find the SHO to be very close to the Pro XS in top end speed with maybe a 1 mph difference, boat for boat.

I'm running a SHO on my Skeeter and love everything about it. Besides what epic said the thing just sips gas too.

I've owned a 250 Pro XS and currently a 250 SHO. My Merc ran like a sclalded ape... it had several issues but all was taken care of under warranty. So far, the Yamaha has been great. 3 years no issues. SHO has better holeshot becasue it's a 4 stroke... Merc a few mph faster, Merc better fuel mileage.... SHO quiet, and no oil.... Depending on what you want, they are both good motors.

I agree with all the above. Both are great engines.

Both great engines, can't go wrong either way. That being said, I love my SHO

I've owned both. My experience was similar to above. Better hole shot with SHO. Similar top ends. I found that routine service and parts were less expensive with the Merc, and far more Merc shops than Yamaha shops for service. Both are good motors.

Originally Posted By: Troutnout

I've owned a 250 Pro XS and currently a 250 SHO. My Merc ran like a sclalded ape... it had several issues but all was taken care of under warranty. So far, the Yamaha has been great. 3 years no issues. SHO has better holeshot becasue it's a 4 stroke... Merc a few mph faster, Merc better fuel mileage.... SHO quiet, and no oil.... Depending on what you want, they are both good motors.

The SHO has a better hole shot because it has almost 50% more displacement not because its a 4 stroke.

I love the simplicity of the sho. Ive also learned that there is a difference on top end but it's minor. If a man is willing to properly set up a boat. It's very competitive.

Would a hydrolic jackplate be a variable to consider for the holeshot difference?

New model pro xs owners: how much oil are you going through? Like fishing every weekend?

Is having to do the oil changes in the SHO an advantage over going through all the gallons of 2 stroke oil?

Do you have to use the merc brand oil to keep your warranty on the pro xs?

Thanks for the responses.

Anybody have the new evinrude g2? I'd love to hear a comparison about it vs the sho & merc.

I know of several friends that had the early E techs with a bunch of of problems. I do see that a lot of the Basscat's that have any Evinrude motor seem to list cheaper and stay on the market for much longer than a Yamaha or Mercury. I guess the g2s look pretty cool, but I'd never consider their products.

PS-don't high jack my thread bro...

The Hydraulic jack plate will help but the Sho is just a better hole shot.

You will use a gallon of oil per 50 gallons of fuel. I run a lot so I go through a gallon of oil every couple weeks when fishing hard. I would say I go through in a year about 24 gallons. I use the mercury premium at about 24 dollars or 576 dollars a year. The oil change is about 125 dollars if you have it done or about 60 if you do it your self. I fish a lot when I am fishing.

You just have to have use Tcw3 oil for the warranty.

just my .02

Dang, I've burned 50 gallons in a day fishing deep and re-checking spots all day. That's FISHING hard. Not necessarily catching hard, though

Here is one more thing to consider when comparing the two.

The same exact boat with the Yam is $1800 more. That will buy you a lot of 2 stroke oil.