I fish on Lake Dardanelle and the Arkansas River which usually is somewhere between off color to murky to muddy water. A friend told me it was not good for the Yamaha SHO motors to operate in muddy water. He couldn't elaborate but I just don't understand.
Also, since the SHO's don't have sleeved cylinders, is there a rebuild for these motors or is it just a "throw away"?
I'm interested in the 200 HP on a Z518 and can't decide between the SHO or the Mercury Pro XS.
Does anyone want to comment?

That's a ridiculous statement

Any motor can be rebuilt as long as there isn't too much damage done

Logically ask yourself if a company would waste time putting the efforts and money into building a motor that would be marketed to the bass crowd which fishes shallow, muddy water on a regular basis? Better yet would that same company pair it with their boat brand that is known for drafting as shallow as any production bass boat? Would they do the above in one of the worst financial times economically and during a horrible time for the boating industry. Ask yourself these questions then decide if your buddy is FOS.

Your buddy is a idiot that makes no since at all. Like Mark said above why would Yamaha build such a thing.

It didn't make sense to me either, but I have learned to take nothing for granted.
I really like the idea of a 4-stroke, I've just never invested that kind of money in a boat and want to make sure the first time. Thanks for the comments.

Never heard that one before. But a bud of mine has one and the mechanic that changes his oil told him that the SHO "Makes Oil". Im no mechanic but I thought that the only way for a motor to make oil is for either fuel or water to be getting in the crank case.

I ran mine shallow all today, even beeped cause it was not peeing well. Got it cleaned out and laid on the hammer, ran great as always, those statements are biased it appears.

The SHO can not be rebuilt. If it goes, Yamaha just re-powers it.
As for running in muddy water, "COME ON MAN !!! "

I special ordered mine to fish muddy water out here in west Texas. I can't take mine to clear water since it is only designed for muddy water.

Wrong, not the SHO.

Explain why a sho can't be rebuilt.

His motor is not broken in yet or has been broke in incorrectly. You are correct they don't "make oil" the rings are not completely seated and fuel is getting in the oil. He needs to put in new oil, and break it in by running it hard for long periods. Check the oil every time he goes out and it will stop. It took mine about 50 hours.

I.fish Livingston with a sho and no problems so if.that mud hole doesnt cause it problems i think.you will be fine

I got 11 hours on mine now. Had the oil changed at 6 hours and it had made oil. Was told to run it like I stole it,,and I did just that on Amistad for 4 days. Dang that was fun,,,