Yamaha 250 SHO vs 250 Offshore

Hi All,

One of the boats we are looking at is the wx 2060, they come with the SHO are these typically as reliable as the Offshore models?

Do the SHO’s tend to burn more gas?

And is the performance the same? Both 250 rated but what is reality?

I’m told by the guys at SBC that the difference is in the lower unit gears which results in better performance such as the hole shot. Also the paint on the cowling.

I know this is the only difference for the SHO 150 vs F150:

Larger alternator
Mid range torque & throttle response.
The cowling

I’m not sure if there is any additional differences for the 250 SHO.

Interesting , so I would assume that increased gearing in the lower unit and mid-range torque should have effect on mileage, but probably not enough to warrant the cost of switching a new wx2060 to a 250 offshore?

What about noise, man I could not believe how quite the 300hp offshore was, are these SHOs just a quiet?

Ya Greg, I love the 300 just because of that. Quiet..

The two engines are pretty close. There are a few minor differences like trim degree and I think 4lbs difference in weight. But the SHO has more of a performance gear case, with low water pickups and a little more sleek. The gear ratios are actually the same and the output of the alternator are almost the same. One thing you can get on the Offshore that isn’t available on the SHO is the Variable Trolling Range. But other than that and paint there’s not a lot of differences.

Bryan, Are all of the OffShore motors all Digital Throttle as well?

FDR

The f300 is still a digital engine, but the f225 and f250 are available in either digital or mechanical controls. The SHO is only mechanical.

The real main difference is the mechanical vs electronic throttle. I was told from Yamaha that the SHO was tuned a little hotter then the offshore. Reliability is the same. The same block is used on the 225,250 and 300. Rest is in the tune.

I believe on the MX2040 from a 300 offshore to the 250SHO guys are seeing maybe 2mph slower with the 250.

Thanks guys for the great info! I’m not concerned with top-speed from these motors. It’s hole shot, mileage, reliability & ambient sound I am be most interested in.

Then you have nothing to worry about between the 2 motors!