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Mercury 250 Pro XS vs. Yamaha 250 VMAX HPDI

Posted: Sat Sep 01, 2007 7:34 pm
by Bass-Girl
I am wanting to buy one of these motors for a 210 Champ.

Looking for some opinions on the differences in fuel efficeincy,

reliability, and power.

Thanks.

Re: Mercury 250 Pro XS vs. Yamaha 250 VMAX HPDI

Posted: Sun Sep 02, 2007 6:33 am
by Lance
Bass-Girl,

I would take the Merc, better on gas, speed and its got lots of power. Besides, 2 stroke Yami's arnt being sold in Cali next year, they dont meet California emmisions....at least thats what Ive heard

Re: Mercury 250 Pro XS vs. Yamaha 250 VMAX HPDI

Posted: Sun Sep 02, 2007 6:34 am
by Ricky-S
There is no doubt who has the best all around 250 on the market. The 250 Mercury was tested against the rest in the Bass and Walleye mag and it out performed all the other in every test.

Re: Mercury 250 Pro XS vs. Yamaha 250 VMAX HPDI

Posted: Sun Sep 02, 2007 6:56 am
by Mike Phua
What year is the boat gonna be? If you plan on purchasing a new 2008 it's very unlikely that you'll be getting a yamaha Hpdi on it unless you purchase out of state or they slap a 2007 on the back of a 2008 Champion. Yamaha did not make the Hpdi compliant for California for 2008 as they were working a little more aggressively on their 4 stroke market which predominantly makes up most of their sales. Not a whole lot of dealerships are voluntarily giving up this information so make sure you know what you need to before purchasing a non compliant motor. The info is on their website. (Yamaha) MP

Re: Mercury 250 Pro XS vs. Yamaha 250 VMAX HPDI

Posted: Sun Sep 02, 2007 11:41 am
by kopper_bass
Bassgirl,
i run a yamaha 225 HDPI, so i love that engine and wouldnt hesitate to have a 250 either, but as everyone mentioned, CA is going to be an issue come 2008 for Yamaha, so you should check first. The only drawback with the Yamy motors is probably they suck gas and oil; at least moreso than the Mercury.

As for the 250SX Mercury, it's a well tested motor that performs. if i was buying a new boat and couldnt get my same Yamaha, i wouldnt hesitate to put the 250SX on the back. you wont be dissapointed.

Kopper_Bass

Re: Mercury 250 Pro XS vs. Yamaha 250 VMAX HPDI

Posted: Sun Sep 02, 2007 11:56 am
by Charles
Both are excellent motors! You will be happy with either one.

But fot clarification, if someone could verify, I thought Yamaha was simply pushing the 4 stroke motors onto California. I believe the HPDI is well within emission standards. In fact, it is so clean tha it meets the strict standards of places like DVL and Lake Tahoe.

Re: Mercury 250 Pro XS vs. Yamaha 250 VMAX HPDI

Posted: Sun Sep 02, 2007 12:21 pm
by kopper_bass
Charles,
i could be wrong but I think the HDPI is only 2 star rated, and as of 2008, the CA limits demand a 3 star rating for new motor sales.

That's the issue - new motor sales. all the older motors are still useful and available, they just cant be put on a new boat as part of a new sale.

kopper_bass

Re: Mercury 250 Pro XS vs. Yamaha 250 VMAX HPDI

Posted: Sun Sep 02, 2007 12:22 pm
by kb
As of January of 2008 only 3 star 2 stroke motors will be allowed to be sold new in California. The Mercury Pro XS 250, 225 and 175 are all 3 star motors.

The Yamaha HPDI is a 2 star motor and as of now there are no plans to have that motor changed to meet California CARB regulations and will not be sold in California after January 1.

The 250 Pro XS is an awesome motor. You cannot go wrong with a Pro XS.

Kent Brown
Mercury National Team Member

Re: Mercury 250 Pro XS vs. Yamaha 250 VMAX HPDI

Posted: Sun Sep 02, 2007 12:52 pm
by drew
I don't believe the outboard manufactures use model year designations anymore. Only a dealer can answer without a doubt the question of the availability of HPDI's for 08.

Yamaha owns Skeeter and they come with Yamaha outboards. What will the 08 Skeeter's come equipped with, a fourstroke? Maybe new 08 boats will be equipped with current HPDI's that are inventoried in CA ? Maybe the state will consider them as an 07 outboard on an 08 boat and they will be grandfathered in while supplies last.

Re: Mercury 250 Pro XS vs. Yamaha 250 VMAX HPDI

Posted: Sun Sep 02, 2007 1:22 pm
by Lance
Also if Im not mistaken, you wont be able to buy Opti's either in 08

Re: Mercury 250 Pro XS vs. Yamaha 250 VMAX HPDI

Posted: Sun Sep 02, 2007 2:58 pm
by Rick G
I think that I have answered this question before, so here it is again. As far as Mercury goes, the only optimax product that will not be SHIPPED to the BOAT MFG's after 2008 are the regular 175 and 225Optimax. Because of the credits they have built up with CARB, by a percentage of their product being EPA compliant, all the other non-3 star Optimax's, 150 and 200 are allowed although they are 2-star. Mercury's Pro Xs motors, 175,225 and 250 are all 3 star rated and are fine for sale in California. Remember, this is about what a Boat Mfg can ship into Ca after that date. Most Yamaha dealers in Ca for 2008MY have probably ordered HPDI product for their years purchases already so there will be some in the pipeline. All inventory is Ca dealers stock is "Grandfathered" in. As far as the original post's question, "Once you go Black, there's no going back". Rick G.

Re: Mercury 250 Pro XS vs. Yamaha 250 VMAX HPDI

Posted: Sun Sep 02, 2007 6:59 pm
by Charles
Thank you for the replies.

It seems as if 2 star ratings were the best not long ago. I suppose technology is advancing with the 3 star rating

Re: Mercury 250 Pro XS vs. Yamaha 250 VMAX HPDI

Posted: Sun Sep 02, 2007 8:53 pm
by Morgan
When I started looking seriously for a new boat, I did look for a long time. I asked lots of people about their motors. A common thread that I found was the Pro XS was better than previous motors, and everyone that had a older Merc, their motors had blown up. I started thinking that's why there are more Merc dealers around?.
I was impressed by the number of folks that had very little trouble with their Yammies. That was the reason I choose it (250HDPI) . I would have gone with a 250ProXS as a second choice though. Looking at all the specs, there wasn't enough difference in fuel consumption to make a big difference.
I had an Evinrude before this and had not problems, except it was carb'd and drank gas.
Morgan

Re: Mercury 250 Pro XS vs. Yamaha 250 VMAX HPDI

Posted: Sun Sep 02, 2007 10:16 pm
by 201Pro
I went through a shopping spree recently ... well, researched in buying a new(er) boat ...

Personally, I rated the motors as follows:

1) ETEC HO
2) Merc Opti ProXS
3) Yammie HDPI

The first two are 3-star motors. They both perform superbly. I've own three boats and they were all Merc ... so I had a little loyalty there. However, after driving a boat with the ETEC 225HO, I just loved the mid-range performance. It may be true that the ProXS might be a bit faster on the top end. But if you're running 4-5000 RPM most of the time, the ETEC is the motor I went with.

Yammies are great motors as well. They run forever ... some of the most reliable motors around. But the newer motors are all pretty good if you don't do something stupid (suck in weeds, or run that when the waters are very cold w/o warming up the motor).

Re: Mercury 250 Pro XS vs. Yamaha 250 VMAX HPDI

Posted: Sun Sep 02, 2007 10:53 pm
by Hollywood
I love my 225 Pro XS! And the next boat will have yet again another Pro XS, simply the only way to go!