Here are the responses to the same question I asked 2 years ago:

http://www.2coolfishing.net/ttmbforum/showthread.php?t=1800594

 

Lots of difference in performance between the two. SHO performs like a 2 stroke on holeshot, the F series not so much. Saying that, the F series are very reliable, whereas you see blown powerheads in the SHOs. If I had a cat style boat, it would be a SHO for sure, a deep runner it really wouldn't matter.

 

Ive had **** good luck out of the F series 150 & 225 engines. Over 1500 hrs on the 225s (trips). That said I hear alot of good stuff on the SHO. I think the SHO was made for bass and bay boats mainly.

 

I have the F200 and it does great hole shot and top end also sips gas.

 

What size motor? F115 or F250?

The post linked above states that the rev limits on the “f” series are lower than the SHO, incorrect. The gray F115lb is 5300-6300 and looks identical under the hood. Supposed to be some tuning differences F vs. SHO.

With a new upper target of 6,300 rpms it is going to sound underpropped. I’m ordering a new lower pitch prop for mine in about a week that should top out at around 6,300, I imagine it will be like driving a car around in a lower gear but should pull the occasional skier.

If you’re looking at a bigger engine, ignore everything I said.

 

What size motor? F115 or F250?

The post linked above states that the rev limits on the “f” series are lower than the SHO, incorrect. The gray F115lb is 5300-6300 and looks identical under the hood. Supposed to be some tuning differences F vs. SHO.

With a new upper target of 6,300 rpms it is going to sound underpropped. I’m ordering a new lower pitch prop for mine in about a week that should top out at around 6,300, I imagine it will be like driving a car around in a lower gear but should pull the occasional skier.

If you’re looking at a bigger engine, ignore everything I said.

Either the 115 on a 19' or a 150 on a 21'

A found a few other articles that suggest the SHO actually produces about 7-9 more HP than what is advertised. So the 115, actually puts out closer to 125. The industry allows for 10% variation in advertised HP up or down.

 

I have a SHO 225 with TRP on an Illusion and have no complaints, love it. Never had any experiences with the F series so I can’t help out there

 

For the most part the F series ( Offshore) are fly by wire and the VF series (SHO) are mechanical controls. They now offer a mechanical version on certain offshore F motors, and there are 20” and 25” shaft SHOs, clear as mud huh? FWIW the VF250 SHO 25” motor is a mechanical version of the F300. They’re all good motors , I had a F250 Offshore on my last boat and it was good, but I’m loving the VF 250 SHO on my new boat. Night and day.

 

Had an old f115 and it was great!! Plenty power and sipped gas.

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I have just over 700hrs on my f250 runs like a top. I have heard from a few guys that had Powerheads blow on the SHO but no personal experience running them. The F series are proven reliable motors, been around for a long time now.


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About the same

I fished the last two days out of a demo 25 Xtreme with a 250 SHO. Dealer met me at the launch at noon with my new rig which is same boat with 4 stroke 250. Hole shot was the same, mid range was better with 4 stroke, 2 mph faster WOT with SHO. Boats are rigged identical. SHO is sup'ed up so more likely to fail before the base 4 stroke. Just my 2 cents...