Re-power SHO or Mercury

[Carl Guffey]

<font face="georgia,palatino" size="3">Blew a motor on Douglas and I am going to re-power. I have narrowed it down to either a 250 Yamaha SHO or a Mercury Pro XS 250. I would like to have some thoughts on pro's and cons of both motors.</font></p>

<font face="georgia,palatino" size="3">The Yamaha is supposed to have a quicker hole shot and 4 strokes usually get much better fuel economy. There would beno mixing for the fuel, but I would have to change the oil. Four stroke engines also tend to stay together for a longer period of time. Weight is not an issue as both motors weigh in at 505 lbs, I am not going to be drag racing. I just want to get where I want to be and catch some fish. What are the thoughts on these two motors?</font></p>

 

[BulletTJ]

Both engines are good. I like the Mercury because my rig needed a sportmaster gear case. If you travel out of town fishing, the Mercury is a better choice because there seem to be a lot more Merc dealers. My engine is a 2008 and I have never had a problem with it. I have fished out of a couple of boats that had SHO power. The holeshot and midrange was great. The Merc will run off and leave the SHO on the top end. I cant speak to the fuel useage because the boats were different than mine. The last time I checked my fuel mileage I was getting 8.2 miles to a gallon at 4000 rpms. That is where I do most of my cruising around. Mileage will depend on the weight of your boat and the hull of your boat.

 

[beetlespin]

The pro xs gets better mileage and its 1-2 mph faster on top. The SHO is better everywhere else.

 

[south599]

This^ plus the SHO is not rebuildable due to its no cylinder sleeve.

 

[Justfishin]

I love my sho unreal hole shot an no oil to mix great on gas not sure how many mpg yet only had it couple months

 

[jbh3]

Lots of re-rigging if you go from Merc to Yamaha. You'll need new controls, cables, and probably tach and trim gauges. Bunch sells both. Get with them and get the info you need to decide. JMHO, but Norriscraft's don't look right with anything but a black motor on the back. Good luck whatever you decide.

 

[saltyduck]

I love my SHO and would absolutely recommend it. I have 420 hours on mine and never had the 1st problem. Love the holeshot and everything else about it.

 

[Carl Guffey]

jbh3 - 6/9/2015 2:40 PM Lots of re-rigging if you go from Merc to Yamaha. You'll need new controls, cables, and probably tach and trim gauges. Bunch sells both. Get with them and get the info you need to decide. JMHO, but Norriscraft's don't look right with anything but a black motor on the back. Good luck whatever you decide.

</p>

<font face="georgia,palatino" size="3">SHO's are black</font></p>

 

[on fish]

Mercury pro xs hands down. Very efficient and oil consumption isn't that bad. What's the hype of adding oil?? Maintenance is very simple . Lee know we can go to bunch marine and I will introduce you to the guys. Won't touch thier service anywhere

 

[SNUFFY]

BulletTJ confirmed what I said and people poo pooed about the milage of 8+ mpg on my 225 ProXS. I`ve check it with maps, and GPS and the MercMonitor and the fillup . And after break-in sips oil. 225 ProXS be way more than enough for that old Norris Craft.

 

[jpbass]

After you figure in the cost of an oil change( 7 quarts of oil, filter and gasket), better fuel economy and much cheaper purchase price, the Pro XS is a lot better choice in my opinion.

 

[occasionalfisher]

I have no dog in this fight as I do not have a boat, but here goes what little I know from other people I have fished with. I had a buddy that bought a new Bass Cat Cougar in 2010 (I think) he got a good deal on it but it had an 250 Evinrude on it. In one year he blew up the motor twice and I blew it up once, (within 1,000 yards of the ramp should not count) and he finally put a 225 SHO on to replace it. He loved that motor because it didn't blow up for no reason, but because of how quiet it was. Most people I know have Merc's and most of them love them. I fish with my dad the most, he has a Merc 175 and it works pretty good most times. I think if you are going to travel to away tourneys a Merc might be easier to find service for than the SHO. Other than that, I do not think either is a bad choice.

 

[swin]

Merc due to service

 

[shadow2]

Each has its ups and downs.. I have had one of each and blown one of each. I love how quiet my SHO is and the hole shot is awesome. The ProXS did seam to be a bit better on fuel on the top end but i think the SHO is better at lower RPMs.

I had my ProXS for 4.5 years, repaced all the coils, CPU, Lower unit, air compressor, and oil pump before blowing it 350ish hrs

had my SHO for 16 month. no issues until it popped - yamaha was great and repaced not only the powerhead but all systems / parts that could have possible contributed to the failure, along with a full svc of the lower unit.

 

[Triton20xHarris]

SHO all the way

 

[Todd 450r]

Carl Guffey - 6/9/2015 7:47 PM

jbh3 - 6/9/2015 2:40 PM Lots of re-rigging if you go from Merc to Yamaha. You'll need new controls, cables, and probably tach and trim gauges. Bunch sells both. Get with them and get the info you need to decide. JMHO, but Norriscraft's don't look right with anything but a black motor on the back. Good luck whatever you decide.

</p>

<font face="georgia,palatino" size="3">SHO's are black</font> </p>

SHO's are dark blue.

 

[Carl Guffey]

<font face="georgia,palatino" size="3">Bit the bullet today. I am now the proud owner of an 250 SHO. I can't wait to get it on and let the brake in begin.</font>