Skeeter's ( I've owned 2 ) Ranger's ( owned 1 ) Basscat ( owned 1 ) are all great boats as are Phoenix, Triton and Legend, Can't go wrong on either. More important than the brand is the dealer you buy from and I don't think anyone will disagree. Yamaha Sho, presently I own a 150 and hands down the best motor I've owned and I can give you the names of 3 highly reputable dealers who would love to work on them but don't get to very often. The SHO's ( 4 stroke ) is much like the engine in your truck in that you change the oil and filter the same way. They burn gas like a lawnmower and makes about as much noise as a golf cart and Yamaha stands behind their products. Buy the boat you like the most from a reputable dealer and hang a SHO on the back of it, you'll be very happy.

The guys above are spot on.

I have also owned Sho's and Mercuries. I have no problem with either and prefer the Sho. I have had them on Skeeter's,Ranger's and Phoenix boats all good boats and both motors have their perks. I would choose Phoenix with Sho for me. I would say who ever told you that has sour grapes for some reason because dealers get paid by Yamaha if they do warranty work. I know most dealers will tell you that's how they make most of their money, so I am not buying they won't work on Sho's unless their are underlying issues.

Love my SHO!

They are popular because they are a great boat. They also are a VERY stable platform to fish from, thanks to its "sponson" type rear corners of the transom. They also are built so well, that the entire boats weight can be supported from the four transom bolts. The transom is made from encapsulated alloy and it is also welded to a metal "floor support" that runs up a ways along the hull.

The SHO motor is a beast. Maybe not the absolute fastest motor, but it is one of the most reliable designs ever made.

Oh......and yeh, I own a Skeeter with a 4-stroke Yamaha. I'm not just saying the above because I own a Skeeter. Until recently, I had been looking for "the one"'for over two years. The two choices were a Skeeter or a Ranger. Only had one motor choice....Yamaha.

One more thing.......in case you are curious...Skeeter invented the "bass boat".

I just wishin' I had a SHO....

They're just a good boat. Made in Texas helps and they look good also. I don't own one. I have a phoenix with a sho. Both are bad @$$. I was just pointing out that compared to how many skeeters/sho combos get sold you don't hear of many failures. That's not counting all the other brands that guys choose to go with a sho. I won't go back to a 2 stroke again.

I have a sho and it's been great

Basschamps has been a driving force in Skeeters dominance of Texas. Incredible bonuses for Skeeter ownership.

250 SHO is the best motor I've ever had on a bass boat. Love the simplicity.

You can pretty much run anything through them, 87 (hp is lowered but you can run it), 89, 91, 93 Octane, ethanol free or not, doesn't matter. No reservoir for oil, no mixing. Fantastic low end hole shot. Mine runs 75 MPH on a ZX250 fully loaded with me and my partner, fast enough for me. It's quiet and easy to talk over when you are idling over structure. Doesn't smoke or smell like a weed eater. My 2-stroke days are over.

wonder why you dont see many hondas -- freshwater

i love every honda product i own

see lots of them saltwater --gotta believe that they are good

Anyone running the 175 on a 18.5 boat? Just wondering what the numbers are? I�m torn between upgrading to a bigger boat or keeping and rigging my zx 190 to the max ultrex/blades/gator hull/ sho 175 with warranties.

I have a 2013 SHO 250 and I love it, I had a 2 stroke Merc and won't ever go back. My dad has a Merc 4-stroke on his Center Console and likes it now but did have a couple issues with it early on. I think the SHO oil pump issue ended after the first handful of 2012 models were produced but I could be wrong. After owning a SHO, I won't be owning anything else anytime soon.

I've noticed the same thing. I work down on the coast around New Orleans and either Honda has one heck of a dealer down there or Hondas are just the boss in salt water but all I saw was Hondas. Dirty, filthy, outboards, that work like they are suppose to.

Anyway, I change my own Yamaha 250 oil and gear lube every year, just did, and I always notice that it runs a little smoother after I do. Also, if you smell the used oil, it will tell you if there is any metal in it. It never has a smell to it. it runs great.
The ZX250 is a big heavy boat, once I load it down, I have gotten it to about 70+/-, but I don't really care about that. I just want it to run right, behave, and be reliable, which it is.