Yamaha 175 HP VF175LA V MAX SHO Outboard Motor

Description

If speed is the reason you are shopping, this Yamaha VF175LA for sale is worth a close look. It is the V MAX SHO version of Yamaha’s 175 horsepower in-line four, built for bass boats, flats boats and light, fast hulls where hole shot and top end matter more than anything else. This one is new, crated, and we ship it around the world.

SHO stands for Super High Output. Yamaha takes the 2.8 litre in-line four, adds variable camshaft timing and tunes the whole package for acceleration and speed. The “L” means a 20 inch shaft, which suits most bass and flats boats. The “A” marks the model version with mechanical controls.

Below is everything a buyer usually wants to know: specs, what makes the SHO different, the boats it suits, rigging, upkeep and how to order from us. If there is something I missed, send us a message.

Yamaha VF175LA for Sale: Key Points

• New Yamaha VF175LA V MAX SHO outboard
• 175 hp from a 2.8 litre in-line four
• Variable camshaft timing for strong low and mid range
• 20 inch shaft
• Mechanical throttle and shift
• EFI, electric start, power trim and tilt
• 50 amp alternator for big electronics loads
• Lighter than most V6 motors in this power class

If you run a bass boat or a performance flats boat rated for 175, the Yamaha VF175LA for sale here was built with you in mind.

Yamaha VF175LA Specifications

The table below covers the Yamaha VF175LA for sale on this page.

What Makes the V MAX SHO Different

On paper the VF175LA and the standard Yamaha F175LA look close. Same block, same horsepower rating, same shaft. On the water they feel different. Here is why.

Variable camshaft timing

The SHO uses variable camshaft timing to change when the valves open depending on engine speed. At low rpm it boosts torque for a hard hole shot. Higher up, it lets the engine breathe for top end. The standard F175 does not have this feature.

Tuned for speed

The SHO is built and calibrated for performance hulls. It is designed to be run high on a jack plate, with the prop partly out of the water, which is how bass and flats boats get their speed. Yamaha says its I4 SHO 175 has run around 60 mph on a loaded bass boat in its own testing, several miles an hour faster than the 150 SHO. Real numbers depend on the boat, the prop and setup.

Lighter weight

At around 480 pounds, the in-line four SHO is lighter than V6 motors of the same power. On a bass boat, less weight at the back means quicker planing, better balance and a boat that is easier to get into shallow water.

Built for electronics

Tournament anglers run a lot of electronics: big screens, forward-facing sonar, livewell pumps and trolling motor chargers. The 50 amp alternator on the Yamaha VF175LA for sale gives strong charging to keep up.

Boats That Suit the Yamaha VF175LA

• Fiberglass bass boats from about 19 to 20 feet rated for 175
• Aluminum bass boats and crossover fish-and-ski boats
• Performance flats and bay boats
• Lighter multispecies boats where speed matters

If your boat is a heavy family runabout or pontoon, the standard F175 is usually the better choice. It runs on regular fuel and is tuned for loaded cruising rather than top speed.

Setting Up the Yamaha VF175LA for Speed

The SHO only shows its best with the right setup. That is where many owners either get excellent results or leave speed on the table.

Jack plate

Most bass boats run a hydraulic jack plate. It lets you raise the motor at speed so less of the gearcase is in the water, reducing drag. It also lets you lift the motor in shallow water. If your boat has one, set the Yamaha VF175LA for sale up on it and experiment with height.

Props

Performance boats usually run 3 or 4 blade stainless props with high pitch and plenty of cupping to grip when the motor is high. Pitch often falls between 23 and 26 on bass boats, but it varies a lot. You want the motor to hit the top of its rpm range at full throttle with a normal tournament load. Yamaha offers performance propellers designed for the in-line four series.

Trim

Trim down for the hole shot, then trim up progressively as the boat gains speed. On a bass boat, the right trim at top speed makes the boat feel light and free. Too much and the bow starts to bounce. Learn your boat on calm water before trying it in chop.

Water pressure

Running a motor high means checking water pressure. A water pressure gauge is a smart addition on any SHO setup so you can see if the motor is getting enough cooling water at speed.

Mechanical Controls

The “A” version uses cable throttle and shift. Many bass boat owners like this for its simplicity. If your boat already has a compatible Yamaha mechanical control, you may be able to reuse it. It also keeps rigging costs down compared to a digital system.

Rigging the Yamaha VF175LA

When you buy the Yamaha VF175LA for sale here, you get the motor. You will also need:

1. Yamaha mechanical control box
2. Throttle and shift cables
3. Main engine harness and key switch
4. Yamaha gauges, plus a water pressure gauge if running high
5. Hydraulic steering suited to a performance boat
6. Jack plate (if your boat uses one)
7. Fuel line, primer bulb and 10 micron fuel water separator
8. Cranking battery and cables
9. A performance prop

Have a rigger familiar with performance boats do the install. Setup makes a huge difference with an SHO.

Repowering a Bass Boat

Older bass boats with 150 or 175 hp two strokes are great candidates for a Yamaha VF175LA for sale. You lose the smoke and the oil mixing, gain fuel economy, and often keep or improve performance thanks to the lighter weight.

Before you buy, check:

• The capacity plate for maximum horsepower and engine weight
• Transom and jack plate condition
• Steering, since performance boats need solid hydraulic steering
• Fuel system hoses and vents
• Battery setup, including the trolling motor batteries and charger

Fuel and Running Costs

Yamaha’s V MAX SHO motors are tuned for performance, and Yamaha typically recommends higher octane for best results. Check the owner’s manual for the exact minimum. Use fresh fuel with no more than 10 percent ethanol, and fit a water separating filter.

Even with higher octane fuel, a four stroke SHO uses far less fuel than an older two stroke of the same power, and you will not be buying two stroke oil.

Maintenance

Every 100 hours or every year:

• Oil and filter change
• Gear oil change
• Fuel filter and separator element
• Plugs as needed
• Anodes
• Grease points
• Water pump impeller every two to three years, more often if you run in sandy or muddy water
• Timing belt inspection

Because SHO motors often run high and fast, keep a close eye on the water pump and cooling. Flush after salt or brackish water.

Break-in

Follow the owner’s manual. Avoid wide open throttle and long steady runs during the first hours. Vary speed. Check the oil often and change it after break-in.

The Rest of the 175 Range

• Yamaha VF175LA for sale (this one): V MAX SHO, 20 inch
• Yamaha VF175XA V MAX SHO: 25 inch
• Yamaha F175LA: standard 20 inch, mechanical
• Yamaha F175LCA: standard 20 inch, digital
• Yamaha F175XA: standard 25 inch, mechanical

Want even more punch? The Yamaha VF200LA V MAX SHO is the V6 option. Smaller boats might suit the VF115 V MAX SHO. You can see all our 175s in the 175 HP Yamaha section.

How to Order

Buying the Yamaha VF175LA for sale on this page is simple.

Condition

New in the factory crate. Photos of the crate and serial plate are available on request.

Shipping

We ship worldwide with FedEx, UPS and USPS, crated and tracked. Contact us for a delivered price to your country.

Payment

Order through our shop, or get in touch if you need an invoice or want to talk first.

On arrival

Inspect the crate, take photos of any damage and note it on the delivery slip. Our refund and return policy and terms cover the rest.

Warranty

Warranty depends on the country where the motor is registered and used. Ask before you order the Yamaha VF175LA for sale and we will confirm in writing.

See what customers say on our reviews page or read about us.

Why Anglers Love the I4 SHO

Tournament anglers want three things from a motor: it must start every time, get them to the spot first and keep the electronics charged. The in-line four V MAX SHO delivers on all three. It is light, quick and has a strong alternator. And because it shares its base design with Yamaha’s popular F175, parts and service are easy to find.

Read more about the series on Yamaha’s In-Line Four V MAX SHO page or the main Yamaha Outboards site.

Before You Buy

• Check your boat’s capacity plate
• Confirm a 20 inch shaft fits your transom or jack plate
• Plan your prop budget, as performance props are not cheap
• Ask for a delivered price, not just the motor price
• Confirm the motor is new, as this Yamaha VF175LA for sale is

A Day on the Water With the SHO

To give you an idea of what owning a Yamaha VF175LA for sale like this one feels like, picture a typical tournament morning.

You launch before sunrise. The motor starts with a turn of the key and settles into a quiet idle while you idle out of the no-wake zone. At the starting line the boat sits low and heavy, full of tackle, fuel and two anglers. When your number is called, you trim down, push the throttle forward, and the SHO digs in. The bow lifts briefly and the boat jumps onto plane quicker than you would expect from a four cylinder.

Once on plane, you trim up and raise the jack plate a little. The boat lightens, the tach climbs, and the speed builds. On a good setup you are running well past 50 mph within seconds. The motor stays smooth and the sound is a deep hum rather than the scream of an old two stroke.

At the first spot you shut down and drop the trolling motor. All day your electronics draw power, and every time you run between spots the 50 amp alternator tops the batteries back up. In the afternoon you run back to weigh in, often in rough water, and the motor holds steady rpm without complaint.

That is the point of the V MAX SHO. Fast, smooth, dependable and light enough that the boat stays nimble.

SHO vs Standard: Which Should You Buy?

Choose the Yamaha VF175LA for sale if:

• You run a bass boat, flats boat or other performance hull
• Top speed and hole shot matter to you
• You plan to run the motor high on a jack plate
• You are fine using the fuel the manual recommends for SHO models

Choose the standard F175 if:

• You run a pontoon, family runabout or heavier center console
• You want the simplest regular fuel option
• You care more about economy and smooth cruising than top end

Both are excellent motors. They are just built for different jobs.

Protecting Your Investment

Performance boats live hard lives. They hit waves at speed, run shallow and get trailered a lot. Some simple habits protect the Yamaha VF175LA for sale you buy now:

• Use a motor support (transom saver) when trailering
• Check prop nuts and cotter pins regularly
• Inspect the skeg and gearcase after any hard contact
• Watch water pressure at speed
• Keep the hull clean, since a dirty bottom costs real speed
• Replace the water pump impeller on schedule

Understanding the Model Code

Yamaha model codes look confusing at first, but they make sense once you know the pattern. Here is how to read the Yamaha VF175LA for sale:

• V means V MAX SHO, the performance line
• F means four stroke
• 175 is the horsepower
• L is the shaft length, 20 inches
• A is the model version, here with mechanical controls

So a VF175XA is the same motor on a 25 inch shaft. An F175LA is the standard, non-SHO motor on a 20 inch shaft. Once you know this, shopping across sites gets much easier, and you can quickly spot a listing that does not match what your boat needs.

Shallow Water Running

A lot of people who buy a Yamaha VF175LA for sale fish shallow flats, grass beds and backwaters. The SHO’s light weight and the ability to run it high on a jack plate both help here. With the motor up, the boat drafts less and you can run across water that would stop a heavier rig.

A few things to keep in mind when running shallow:

• Watch the water pressure gauge. A high motor can lose cooling water if the pickups come out of the water.
• Know your water. Sandbars move and oyster beds do not forgive.
• Use the trim to lift the lower unit when coming off plane in skinny water.
• Check the water pump more often if you run in sandy or muddy areas, because grit wears the impeller faster.
• Inspect the skeg and prop after any touch on the bottom.

Run carefully and the SHO will take you to places other boats can only look at.

Trailering and Storage

Bass and flats boats spend a lot of time on trailers. Bumpy roads put stress on the transom and the motor’s tilt system. Always use a transom saver or motor support bracket that holds the lower unit, so the full weight is not hanging on the tilt rams. Check tie-downs and the prop for road debris after long trips.

When storing the boat, keep the motor trimmed down so water drains from the lower unit. Disconnect the battery or use a maintainer. Stabilize the fuel if the boat will sit for weeks. Put a cover on to keep the sun off the cowling and the dirt off the electronics.

These small steps keep your Yamaha VF175LA for sale looking good and running right for many seasons, and help it hold value when you eventually upgrade.

Resale Value

Yamaha motors tend to hold their value well, and the V MAX SHO line is popular on the used market. Keeping a service record, using genuine parts and looking after the motor’s appearance all help when it is time to sell. Buyers looking for a used SHO like to see proof of regular servicing and a clean, well-kept motor. Buying new means you start that record from day one with the Yamaha VF175LA for sale here.

Electronics and Batteries on a Bass Boat

Modern bass boats carry a lot of electrical load. Two or three large displays, forward-facing sonar, side imaging, a powerful trolling motor, livewell pumps, bilge pumps and lights. All of that has to be powered and recharged.

The 50 amp alternator on the Yamaha VF175LA for sale is one of the strongest in its class, and it makes a real difference. Every run between spots puts charge back into your cranking battery and, with the right setup, your accessory batteries too.

A few suggestions:

• Use a dedicated cranking battery for the outboard
• Use separate deep cycle batteries for the trolling motor
• Fit an onboard charger to recharge everything overnight
• Keep wiring tidy, fused and away from the engine harness
• Check battery terminals for corrosion regularly

Many tournament anglers also use a battery management device so the cranking battery is protected when electronics are running with the motor off. That way you can always start the motor, no matter how long you have been fishing on the trolling motor.

Noise and Comfort

Older performance two strokes were loud. The four stroke SHO is a lot quieter at idle and cruise, and much easier on the ears during a long day. There is still a satisfying sound at full throttle, but you can talk to your partner at cruise without shouting. No smoke, no oily smell, and no blue haze when you start up at the ramp.

For anyone who has spent years behind a two stroke, switching to a Yamaha VF175LA for sale is one of the bigger quality of life upgrades you can make on a bass boat.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Yamaha VF175LA for sale new?

Yes. New, in the factory crate.

What is the difference between VF175LA and F175LA?

The VF175LA is the V MAX SHO version with variable camshaft timing and performance tuning. The F175LA is the standard model built for all-round use.

What is the top speed?

It depends on the boat. Yamaha reports around 60 mph on a loaded bass boat in its testing. Lighter boats with good setup can go faster.

What fuel does it need?

Check the owner’s manual. Yamaha generally recommends higher octane for SHO motors to get full performance.

Does the Yamaha VF175LA for sale come with a prop?

No. Performance props are boat specific. We can help you choose one.

Do you ship worldwide?

Yes. Tell us your country and we will quote shipping.

Get Yours on the Water

If the Yamaha VF175LA for sale on this page is right for your boat, add it to your cart or ask us for a shipping quote. You can also browse all our Yamaha outboard motors, look at the 200 HP range, or read our blog.