Yamaha V-Max EFI

[newbe yame]

I am considering getting a new boat with a Yamaha V-Max EFI.
My questions to anyone who runs one are:

1) How are they in general as a motor
2) How is the fuel consumption compared to other EFI's
3) How expensive is the routine maintenance, plugs, filters, etc
4) Do the blow heads like other big block motors
5) How is the availability of parts, did it effect you getting back into the water

Thanks

[PJM]

newbe yame

Big V-6 outboards use gas and the direct injected are a little better then the EFI motor. Yamaha's EFI is dependable and what you are buying is a motor with an electric carb or like throtle body fuel injection. The spark plugs are common and sometimes Fleet-Farm has them on sale. As far as the heads go I have never seen a problem myself and have not seen one posted on this site they I can remember. Yamaha builds dependable motors and I would not hesitate to buy one.

[Reels]

My 200 EFI is a 99. I can't compare gas mileage, because I have not run another 200 other than this one for any length of time.

Gas mileage can be good, or it can suck. Depends how I drive it.

As far as maintenance, I just had my 1st repair. It needed two fuel pumps. They replaced all three. Parts were in stock, cost a little over $100 for the parts.

I have never see one blow a head.


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[patrick]

I have a 99 efi and have not had one bit of trouble with it. Just ordered a new ranger 620 with a 225 efi, so thats what I think of them , good luck rick

[Crusher23]

I have a 2001 225 Vmax and love it. If you are the type that has to go as fast as the boat will go all the time you will definitely take the hit in the wallet. I ran for an entire week on Sakakawea this summer and had to put in 40 gallons two days before we left. I have the motor on a Skeeter ZX2050. If you back off the throttle after the boat is on plane the fuel consumption is very reasonable. I can run around 37 to 40 MPH easily. I have never heard of any Yamaha's blowing a powerhead. I had an Opti and thats why I ended up with a Yamaha this time. You won't be sorry.

Good Luck


The Crusher

[iamwalleye1]

I also have a 225 V max EFI and lover it. It is a 02 model with only one little problem when it was new , Other than that it is a great very strong engine.
Like said if you run her WOT you will need a fuel tanker to follow you around but at a comfortable speed (4500 RPM) she purrrrrrrrzzzzzzz.

I also had a 150 V max a few years ago and never had any problems with it!

[The Great Guide]

I have a 2000 150 VMax on a Lund ProV 1800.

1. This motor has enormous torque out of the hole, runs smooth and starts immediately.

2. I don't know about other EFI's but I can get about 80 miles on 40 gallons WOT (50 MPH). If I back it down to about 4500 RPM's (43MPH) MPH I get about 110 miles on 40 gallons. Mileage measured on GPS.

3. Maintenance has run about $100 per year without me doing any of the labor. This includes, winterizing, and recommended spring maintenance.

4. I'm sure that there have been some problems with certain engines, but I have never read one negative word on this website about any Yamaha engine. There were no class failures like the Opti's and Fichts. I've owned 3 Yamaha's and never had a problem.

5. I live in northern MN. Last year I knocked off the prop causing a bend in the shaft and tore up some gears. This was on Minnesota's opening day and all the shops were busy. I was back on the water 4 days later. The dealer had to order all parts. I thought that was very good service.

The EFI is a great motor, but if I would going to spend the $$$ to buy a new one, I would purchase a HPDI to get the up-to-date technology.

TGG

[T.C]

ran a 02 200efi on my skeeter for last two years good fuel mileage cant say about the parts thing. i never needed any. great motors.