All motors fail for various reasons. Some are repairable, some aren't.

In 40+ years of motor rebuilding they, the manufactures have tryed many times to build a throw away motor and the rotary Mazda was as about as close as you can get, but it even could be repaired. I will bet that someone steps up with a rebuild pretty quick after the warranty`s start running out. Other than that the SHO verdict is still out as far as I am concerned. I would buy all of the warranty you can on any of the new motors.

An idiot, in my humble opinion, is someone that states their opinion as a matter of fact when they have zero evidence to back it up--much like a politician.

Misinformed: I heard that SHO motors aren't supposed to be run in muddy water. Not sure if there is any truth to that but you might look into it.

Idiot: SHO motors aren't made for muddy water. They will blow up.

For the record, I will gladly tell me friends to stop being an idiot if they say something out of left field. I hope they would do the same for me. I'll use a less PG noun when I tell them, though.

I have a '12 model SHO, it made oil after the first oil change and break in period. My dealer did NOT put the synthetic back in it, I just had my oil changed in del rio last week at 61hrs, this being the third oil change now and it made no oil since we put the non-synthetic in it. It appears to have seated the rings well and I had them put the synthetic back in it.

I'm interested in the 200 HP on a Z518 and can't decide between the SHO or the Mercury Pro XS.

Go Black and don't look back,Get a Merc "Come on MAN"

Speaking of motors the Wankel, was a good engine if rebuilt properly. We use to install them in Mazda show trucks. Talk about turning some RPM's.

Ok, so your friend is an idiot

I got seven years on mine

It is a no brainer ,,,,,,go black and you can look back at the SHO behind you. Any engine that cant be sleeved or bored or honed is junk IMO .

I have had a hard time understanding how guys could be giddy about buying a $20,000 motor that cant be repaired. Only thing I figure is that many guys buy these $50,000+ bass boats and replace them every 2-3 years with a newer model. In that case who cares what you buy since you'll own it only while its under warranty. As for the guys that are buying a boat to keep for 10 years.....I'd think twice before investing in something like the SHO.

Maybe I'm in the idiot class of people about the sho, why can it not be bored or honed? Or has no one done it yet? I don't understand why it's not possible, if its not yet I think it's a matter of time. Someone will make a rebuild kit or start rebuilding the powerheads and start making some nice coin.

I'm glad I read this post!!! Just checked my oil level on my SHO and it is 5 inches above the full mark and smells like gas. I had the oil changed at 22 hours after proper break in process and now have 54 hours on motor. This is a 2010 motor; still in warranty. Will another oil change eventually stop this problem or possibly lead to another blown powerhead? I would to hear some feedback from other SHO owners that have had this issue. I definitely will be calling Robert at Skeeter boats Monday morning. Thanks for your input!

Do a fresh oil change and go to the lake and run it hard for about 10 hours. Check the oil after each tank of gas. Hopefully it is not too late to seat the rings properly. The SHO has a thermostat and the motor has to heat up enough to open it and short hard runs will not heat it up enough. Call Mike at Sandy Creek marina and talk with him about it.

Thanks for your advice 9094. You would think at $200.00 an oil change (dealers cost) you could get more than 32 hours since the last oil change. Yamaha manuel says every 100 hours or once a year. If the rings do not seat properly ; should the motor be replaced or is this something that can be repaired at warranty cost?

+1

Any other SHO owners out there that their motors are still making oil after break in period and what to expect if it continues ; any input ?