I'm not looking to start a Yama VS Merc debate at all please. But I'm looking for objective opinions from guys who are not brand loyal and could buy either engine (SHO or Optimax) and why you choose one or the other.

I'm asking because I just experienced my first ever blown power head. It was a 2011 Yama SHO that had 200 hours on it. I'm just wondering if 2 to 3 year old SHO's are starting to show any tendencies?

I'm also learning that neither engine like to idle at slow speeds. I sure wish I knew that before I side scanned a huge lake.. I just wonder if that did my engine in? I suppose know way to know what causes it.

Thoughts from anyone in the know?

I have come to the conclusion that both brands are really only as good as (1) the mechanic who works on them, and (2) how often the owner uses them.

I believe Yamaha is a better product but merc is very good too, just depends on whether you have a good mechanic that knows your brand of motor and really you need to use your boat as much as you can rather than let it sit.

And you're never going to find a motor over 150 hp that idles well.

I don't own either one, which I think makes me objective. It seems like an epidemic of SHOs blowing up around here. To me it doesn't even seem close which one blows up more, at least in the limited sample of where I live. I'm sure someone will call me an idiot for this post but again, I'm not knocking any of them. I have a 150 vmax so I'm not a Yamaha hater. I don't trust the SHO yet.

[quote=Warrior Poet]I have come to the conclusion that both brands are really only as good as (1) the mechanic who works on them

Maybe I'm just lucky but...I've got a 1996 Mercury 200 efi and I've never needed a mechanic.. I use it often and use Stabil fuel treatment . It idles great and runs as good as new. To me it's hard to beat a Mercury.

I'm sure you are a top-notch Coach, but your choice of words ("epidemic") is overkill.

Let's start with the literal definitions of "epidemic."

http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/epidemic

Now consider how many Merc Optimax motors blew up in their first two years. SHO failures pale in that comparison, even when adjusted to market share and units sold.

Remember, Merc was the first modern "bass boat" four stroke. It was named the Verado and was a complete disaster, financially speaking.

After Yammy introduced their 4stroke to the saltwater industry, the SHO was the logical progression for fw fishermen.

Merc followed with a new and improved version of the Verado. I can't recall what they named the motor, but that's not important.

All new technology in this industry goes through rigorous testing. Then even more damaging tests outside the normal ranges of operation.

Both Merc and Yammy have continued their dominance of this market, and will in the future. Because both build outstanding power plants.

I used to be partial to the black motors. These days I prefer the dark blue and gold engines. Regardless, stick with a proven outboard and you will never be disappointed. You'll have failures regardless of mfgr. Those who have a history of standing behind their product and customers are the brands you should focus on.

Fouz I definitely would trust your word over my own. I was just offering an objective opinion. There's no doubt you know a lot more about anything fishig related than I do. If I'm wrong by the stats I'm happy to admit it. I knew my experience was a small sample and anecdotal.

Your playing with fire with the SHO

I remember when the Mercury Optimax hit the scene and it too was a disaster and it took them 3 years to get most of the bugs out. The Yamaha SHO I think is in year #3 as well and I think things are getting better. Outboard companies like to use the market place as their testing grounds instead of spending the money to pre-test their engines before they take them to market. I do have a recommendation for a great mechanic. Take your boat to Bayou Outdoors Supercenter in Bossier City and let Raymond take care of any repairs you have. This guy is one of the best Yamaha Techs that Yamaha has ever put out of their school acording to a Yamaha rep I visited with at a Shreveport boat show.

What really gets me is that nothing is being said on this forum regarding exactly what fails in these engines that 'blow up'. Is it a primary failure of a connecting rod, or piston, or crankshaft? Is it that it 'sucks a valve', and then breaks a piston? Is it a failure of the lubrication system? Is it a fuel mixture 'lean out' problem? I suspect that the factory knows, but are they revealing their findings?

The first SHO units had a water intake problem. Not exactly sure what that was. It was explained to me. But, like anything new, there are going to be hiccups. I try to let something go for a year or two before I purchase a new type of any motor. Car or Marine Engine. I want the bugs worked out.

Now, for a some things about the SHO engine.
1. It is made to run, not puddle around at low RPM's.
2. If the weather and water are cold. You need to let this engine warm up for a few minutes. I always give it 5-10 minutes idle time.
3. It will get better gas mileage running 5000 RPM's as opposed to running 4000 RPM's or less. I use to cruise while prefishing. Not the case anymore with the SHO. I have tried this at a couple of tournaments. I ran nearly 1/2-2/3 less mileage on Fork prefishing this spring than the Tournament day. I burned 3 gallons more on prefishing day.

Agreed , what is blowing up on these motors ? That's where it starts , find the real problem .

I'm curious to know too. I never owned either, but have had a couple carb mercs that treated me well.

I've seen 3 optimax engines blow up right at take off in tourneys, so I presume they just didn't let them warm up enough before hammering down. I haven't heard much bad about the sho's yet, but there seems to be a lot more mercs in comparison too.

The Sho has had more troubles than any motor made in the last 5 years - right now the percentages say that the merc is the safe way to go and the cost of repair on a Sho is so much higher to fix than any other motor

Not to argue, but here is some fuel mileage info to look at. http://www.yamahaoutboards.com/sites/def...1-05-10_bss.pdf