After much research , time , and tribulation ; I have desided to repower with a 225-250 hp outboard . Bought a used 24ft Stamas boat that needs a new motor . Don't know much of anything about outboard motors . What I do know is that they are expensive and don't hold up that well . What brand and type are best ? Yamaha , Evanrude , Honda ... ect ? 2 or 4 stroke ?

I do know about trucks and cars and hope this dose not turn into a Ford vs Chevy vs Dodge vs Toyota .
Yamaha is the most popular brand in my area and everyone sales and services them but that may not make them the best outboard .
Any suggestion please ? Pros. and Cons.?

Wont go into brand names, but there is no doubt all over the world the Japanese are the kings of small engines, as for longevity ,if you treat it right a modern 4 stroke outboard is a lifetime investment! I just bought a 4 stroke Nissan!

for a moter that big I would go with yamaha, I dont own one but know alot of people that do, from what I hear they are the best out there, I know that one of my friends with a offshore boat has 2 1991 200hp yamahas on it and has never come im on one motor, I also think that mercury is a good motor but I dont think that in the past few years they have acceled very much but yamaha has been known for improving alot.Plus service cost might another factor to look into.

What about 2 stroke Etec has the best warranty on the market right now beats all 4 strokes on out of the hole and top speed if you gp hp to hp. Dont have one but heard good things..

I've had 2 Johnsons, 1 Evinrude, and a Mariner, and all 4 have been reliable, with each having it's own little quirks. The one thing I can say, is that I've never heard anyone say anything bad about a yamaha. I'm pretty sure my next one will be a yamaha unless I hear lots of good things about the verado. I like the 4 stroke technology, but I'm not convinced anyone has really beat the weight problems inherent with a 4 stroke.

The US Coast Guard dropped OMC nearly a decade ago and put Yamaha's on their boats and they are still there.

Open up a can of worms here, everyone pretty much have their favorites. A lot depends on how much you want to spend. I run a Merc and haven't had any problems with it. I had a Johnson and they are good solid motors. My advice though is Yammis are very good motors and it sounds like you would have a lot of service reps availible to you, I don't think you could go wrong with one. There are service places and parts all over the country. Main thing with any motor is baby it. You don't always have to have your ears pinned back on it and make sure it gets regular tune-ups and better gas and oil in it. It should last a lifetime. Look at all the guys around still running old Johnsons and Rudes. Gotta take care of them.