2003 Ranger Comanche with a 225 Yahama VMax. Mechanic suspects the motor might be toast....we are awaiting diagnostics. Assuming he's right and it's toast....what are my options?
1. Repower and invest $20K on a 22 year old boat?
2. Rebuild and hope for the best.....I've heard mixed results.
3. Part it out and sell the hull. I have an Ultrex, Livescope 34, Humminbird graph I could recoup some funds on and the hull is in decent shape for its age. Needs a little love. Will someone buy just the hull?
4. Is there an option I haven't thought of?
5. Sell all my fishing shat and take up pickleball!? LOL

Anyone ever dealt with a predicament like this? What would YOU do? I did see they'll finance new rigs for 20 years with approved credit. It's amazing what $120K will buy ya these days.

as bad as it seems you might be better to repower with new motor instead of spending 70k plus for a new rig.

I faced a similar situation about 3 years back, 2000 model blue wave , 200hp yamaha.

fuel system was shot, Estimate for repairs was $5000.00 if injectors could be cleaned and re-used ,
much higher if new injectors needed. I love the boat , Hull is great for my needs,
I decided that I would not invest in that an expensive repair on a 20 year old motor. ( my luck the power head would blow up when I got it back)
A new boat was a total non-starter, This is the boat I want to be buried in .

I repowered with a 200 yamaha 4 stroke. $22k. ( I only gave 26K for the boat back in 2001 )
I have been happy with my decision.

I could have gotten out cheaper with a 150 with manual controls , but I went back with the 2000 and digital controls,

MO

Repower is probably the better option unless your pockets are relativity deep.

There was a Tohatsu 250 advertised on here awhile back that would be a fantastic engine and a great buy.

I’m poor, I’d make him pull the lower unit and make sure the motor is really trashed before I thought about spending $25k. Now if money is no object, spend that money!

I have a 2001 on its 4th motor.


Will get a 5th when it needs it

How R U guys Blowin up deez Motors ?

and what brand?

Same thought here. I've been running Bass boats for almost 50 years and have not blown a motor yet. Killed a couple of lower units on stumps and rocks but never a powerhead. Currently running a 29 year old Merc 175 efi that has compression and leak down test numbers comparable to a new engine. Only thing I've done to it is voltage regulators, 3 switchboxes (power packs), had the injectors cleaned and flowed last year but nothing else.previously I ran a 150 Merc 18 years and a zillion hours with no issues other than switchboxes and a lower unit. All these years I've run WalMart/Penzoil/cheap 2 cycle oil. None of this includes all the engines I've owned between 9.8 and 85 hp with zero powerhead failures. I know that it happens but I simply don't get all the powerhead failures.

I was in the same boat as you Cmack until last week. Rolling along at 3/4 speed...just cruising....and it let loose. It's a 2003 model...lots of hours...I assume she just got tired. It sure wasn't owner abuse if that's what you're asking. I don't run her hard....at all.

Yamaha 225 ox66 motors are good motors

My 150hp (carburated) Merc Blk max is 36 years young & still runs like a scalded dog. It had a leaking lower unit so I just now replaced it with a new one because it was messin up my garage floor. Haven`t even broken it in yet & I`m the second owner and have never had to touch the Power head! Well Ok yeah I`ve had to replaced a popet valve and just like you the Voltage Regulator . common theme? Good ole Merc

I agree...she was.... until she wasn't.

Might be time for a fishing trip with your boat down to Mexico and come back with a Ya-Mex-aha bolted on the back. If you can live without a warranty. With the tariff war on, it might be too late. IslandJim