I�ve never had to work on mine so I don�t know.

I think there is a lot that would trade some speed for dependability

AND AND AND there is a smaller percentage that those top speeds can be attained on many lakes. BUT, if I can only hit the top end speed occasionally then I would rather trade off 10mph for a more reliable & cost efficient motor. I have had mine for over 10 years and at that time it was the top fuel efficient engine. That also was when the fuel costs were alot higher. I traded in a Yamaha ProV and gained 2 1/2 times better fuel efficiency and no regular oil additions. I gladly traded in a few mph for cheaper tment expenses. Most of the time on the larger lakes I fish there is no opportunity to run those high MPH speeds. AND there are not that many people that "should" be running that fast anyways! But everybody has their own preferences and I have gotten older and don't need the high speeds. I like smooth rides and cheap trips. I would think that a Honda on a Bass Cat that does 70 is plenty fast. I don't know about doing 80 with a ProXS. (Great Motor but would not be my prime reason to get it! )
The major performance factor of the Honda is going to be the Boat. (and the setup) Fast boat + Honda will still be relatively and comparatively fast compared to other slower hull designed boats. AND then you also have to consider that SOME of those FAST HULL boats can NOT run fast in rough water. The First boat I had my Honda on was a Champion 202. It was not a fast boat BUT I could safely and comfortably pass many of the FASTER boats in rougher water.
It's all a matter of perspective and if you want your "hemorrhoids" intact after that rough run!

I have to agree on how quiet they are, if you think a SHO is a whisper those Hondas will shock you.

The people in Ontario worked on their own motors. So maybe the techs you referred to are just cranky guys !

Mercury 250 Pro XS 505 lbs

I�ll stick with running over 80

I looked at buying Paul�s 2017 he told me with his setup he can run 71-73 mph with his Honda.

FWIW....I've got a 2002 175 merc EFI on my ranger bass boat,a great engine that has served me well but my next engine will be a 4 stroke.... I bought a 2010 Yamaha 25 hp 4 stroke/16 ft Xpress duck boat and that engine has 2526 gps miles traveling down the Miss.ohio,tenn,tombigbee,apalachicola,flint rivers/intracoastal waterway plus 786 miles down the Missouri river...add 7 duck seasons hunting on Miss and Ark rivers and that engine has been thoroughly tested and other than couple water pump impellers and 4-5 oil changes,I've never spent a penny on repairs...

I called and priced a 200 today and was shocked how cheap it was. Shop around if you think they are expensive. I will have a Honda when I repower my current boat.

Did you price the controls and gauges too?

I was following Jesse Wiggins at the classic on Conroe..,he runs a Honda 250 and I have a vmax 200 3.1 and he couldn�t pull away from me

Yes. All necessary equipment and installation was cheaper than replacing my 200 Optimax.

What do the controls run? When I priced a SHO the gauges and controls ran about $2k extra. I�m now thinking about either a Honda or Suzuki. Trying to get an idea on the price, a 225 Pro XS would cost me about $14k but not really wanting another merc.

Really?! That is good to know if I ever need to re-power