250 Yamaha SH0 or 250 Mercury Pro XS for Cougar

[NELACAT]

I can say the Mercury 250 Pro XS is bad to the bone on top end and a little slow on hole shot. The Merc loves oil and fuel when you put your foot in it but will burn the lower octane fuel if you choose. The SHO will not out run the Merc. The first SHO engines were also bad to the bone. The best hole shot of the two brands and awsome on top end. They burn no oil but have to use the higher octane fuels. I have been informed by a good source that the first ones out the gate were over HP ratings limit and are now detuned to meet regs. I would not own one now.

[maxdm12]

Thanks for the information and definitive choice. I also heard about the over HP rating on the first year motors.

[hirisefishing]

You didnt ask this question, but i would like to throw in my two cents ……Last Thursday I took delivery of my new 2012 Cougar AE, with a 2012 Evinrude E-Tec 250 HO. The prop is a 26p Raker ll. Although Ive owned small bass boats (with small motors) before, Im new to big boats with high output motors. My regional Bass Cat rep met me on the water Saturday morning to help me get used to the Cat and see how the set up was going to work.There was a 1-1 1/2 ft chop on the lake, and the boat was loaded with full fuel tanks, full livewells, tackle and two men. We ran 77.4 mph with more to go. I was really impressed with the ride quality and performance. The hole shot was about 3 seconds. Sunday afternoon I took my wife out for a ride. We got to 75 mph really quickly and were only at about 5500 rpm. You might consider the E-Tec.

[conroeman]

You can say that again. I love my E-Tech 250 HO. It is the best motor I have ever run and I had always ran Merc. before

[PhilAddison]

Since you asked I will give you my biased opinion. There will be some that say 4 stroke engines are the future. Well it might be true if youre interested in purchasing a Skeeter, but anything else I would stick with the tried and true black motor. Then there will be the oil burn controversy. Yes its true that a 4 stroke will use less oil all things considered equal, but there are too many cases of gas slipping by rings. This will require an attentive eye to the oil level and a change of oil if necessary. In this case the oil controversy doesnt compare.Get you a Mercury Optimax and a 26 Fury and youll be good to go!Good luck!

[Bass Cat Boats]

maxdm12 take what you read here with a grain of salt. This is a Merc dominated board and as it should be. Most dealers that Bass Cat has are Merc only dealers. The largest number of engines sold on a Bass Cats are black. You are going to get a biased opinion here as the SHO and HO owners are way out numbered. I would visit with your dealer and buy what they work on. There is actually very little separation on top end performance on all three and most of the time it comes down to driver/prop/setup.Last edited by Bama96 on October 4th, 2011, 1:03 am, edited 2 times in total.

[Bass Cat Boats]

Take your pick! This is a Mercury dominant customer base, though we also are four stroke fans at BCB. In the not too distant future we all will be running four strokes. As for your decision on an engine, let your own satisfaction be your guide. Pick what you want for power as there are no bad decisions.

[Bass Cat Boats]

If we all will be running four strokes in the near future does it make sense to go with the yamaha to keep more resale value down the road? I suspect I will keep the boat 5 years or more.

[Bass Cat Boats]

Resale values are not a factor in any decision this far in advance of changes to come.

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