Yamaha 175 HP VF175XA V MAX SHO Outboard Motor

Description

This is a new Yamaha VF175XA for sale, the 25 inch shaft version of Yamaha’s 175 horsepower in-line four V MAX SHO. It is aimed at faster bay boats, performance center consoles and flats boats with a taller transom. The motor is crated, ready to go, and we ship to buyers in just about every corner of the world.

Most V MAX SHO buyers know the 20 inch version that sits on bass boats. The XA is its big brother in leg length. Same powerhead, same variable cam timing, same 175 hp, but with an extra five inches of shaft so the prop sits where it should on a boat with a 25 inch transom. That makes it a smart choice for anyone who wants SHO punch on a saltwater bay boat or a lighter offshore hull.

I have tried to answer the usual questions on this one page: specs, who it suits, how to set it up, what it costs to own, and how to buy it from us. If you still need help, contact us and a real person will reply.

Yamaha VF175XA for Sale: The Short Story

• New Yamaha VF175XA V MAX SHO outboard
• 175 hp, 2.8 litre in-line four, DOHC, 16 valves
• Variable Camshaft Timing for quick acceleration
• 25 inch extra-long shaft
• Mechanical throttle and shift
• Electronic fuel injection, electric start
• Power trim and tilt
• 50 amp alternator for heavy electronics loads

If you run a performance hull rated for 175 with a 25 inch transom, the Yamaha VF175XA for sale here is likely the motor you are looking for. The price is at the top of the page.

Specifications

These figures apply to the Yamaha VF175XA for sale on this listing.

Why Choose the SHO on a 25 Inch Transom

Plenty of saltwater bay boats and lighter center consoles have a 25 inch transom. Owners of those boats often want the punch of a V MAX SHO, but the bass-boat focused 20 inch version simply does not fit. The Yamaha VF175XA for sale solves that. You get the performance tuning on the right leg for your boat.

Faster hole shot

The variable camshaft timing adds low end torque, so the boat jumps up on plane even with a full load of fuel, ice and anglers. On a bay boat that means less bow rise and less time plowing through the water before you get running.

Better top end

The SHO is tuned to breathe freely at higher rpm. With the right prop and setup, it gives you more top speed than the standard F175 on the same hull.

Light for the power

The in-line four keeps weight down compared to a V6, which matters on smaller performance boats. Less weight at the stern helps the boat plane, ride level and draft less in shallow water.

Strong charging

The 50 amp alternator keeps batteries up even when you run a lot of electronics. On a modern bay boat with big screens, livewells and a trolling motor, that is a real advantage.

Boats That Suit It

• Saltwater bay boats from about 20 to 22 feet
• Lighter center consoles built for speed
• Hybrid flats and bay boats with 25 inch transoms
• Performance multispecies boats

If your boat has a 20 inch transom, choose the Yamaha VF175LA instead. If your boat is heavy and you care more about smooth cruising and regular fuel than top end, the standard Yamaha F175XA may suit you better.

How to Check Your Transom

Measure from the top of the transom, where the motor mounts, straight down to the bottom of the hull. Do not follow the angle of the transom, measure vertically. If you have a jack plate, measure to where the motor bracket sits on the plate.

• About 20 inches: L shaft
• About 25 inches: X shaft, like this Yamaha VF175XA for sale

Send us a photo with a tape measure if you are unsure. It takes a minute and avoids a costly mistake.

Performance on the Water

Every boat is different, but here is a general idea. On a 21 foot bay boat with two people and a good load, a well set up VF175 often reaches the high 40s to low 50s mph, with a comfortable cruise in the mid 30s. Lighter boats with jack plates and good props can go faster. Heavier ones will be slower.

What owners notice most is the hole shot. The SHO gets the boat up quickly and accelerates hard through the mid range. It is also quiet and smooth for a performance motor, with no smoke and no oil mixing.

Setting It Up Properly

Mounting height

Start with the anti-ventilation plate level with the keel line. Run the boat, then raise the motor gradually. On a jack plate you can do this on the water. The goal is the highest position where the prop still grips in turns and the water pressure stays healthy.

Prop choice

Performance bay boats usually run 3 or 4 blade stainless props with good cupping. Four blade props help hold in rough water and offer better hole shot. Three blade props often give a little more top end. Choose a pitch that lets the motor reach the top of its rpm range with a normal load. Yamaha’s propeller lineup includes options built for the in-line fours.

Trim

Trim down to plane, then trim up as speed builds. In a chop, keep the bow a little lower for a softer ride. On calm water, trim up for speed until the boat starts to feel loose.

Water pressure gauge

If you run the motor high, add a water pressure gauge. It tells you whether the motor is getting enough cooling at speed.

Rigging List

The Yamaha VF175XA for sale comes as the outboard. To get it running you will need:

1. A Yamaha mechanical control box
2. Throttle and shift cables
3. Main engine harness and key switch
4. Yamaha gauges, plus a water pressure gauge
5. Hydraulic steering
6. Jack plate, if your boat uses one
7. Fuel line, primer bulb and 10 micron water separating filter
8. Battery and cables
9. A performance prop

A rigger experienced with performance boats will get the most out of the motor.

Repowering

Older bay boats and performance center consoles that once ran 175 or 200 hp two strokes are perfect candidates for a Yamaha VF175XA for sale. You gain fuel economy, reliability and a cleaner, quieter ride, often with similar or better performance.

Check these first:

• Capacity plate horsepower and weight limits
• Transom condition
• Steering system strength
• Fuel tank, hoses and vents
• Batteries and charging setup

Fuel and Running Costs

The V MAX SHO is tuned for performance, so check the owner’s manual for the recommended octane. Use fresh fuel with no more than 10 percent ethanol. Fit a water separating filter and use stabilizer if the boat sits.

Even with premium fuel, a modern four stroke SHO uses much less fuel than an older two stroke and needs no mixing oil. Over a season the savings add up.

Maintenance

Every 100 hours or once a year:

• Engine oil and filter
• Gear oil
• Fuel filter and separator element
• Spark plugs as needed
• Anodes
• Grease points
• Water pump impeller every two to three years, sooner in sandy water
• Timing belt check

Flush after every saltwater trip. Rinse the outside of the motor. Watch anodes closely in warm salt water. Spray the powerhead with a corrosion inhibitor now and then.

Break-in

Follow the break-in steps in the owner’s manual. Vary throttle for the first hours, avoid full throttle for long periods, and change the oil after break-in.

The SHO Family and Other 175s

• Yamaha VF175XA for sale (this listing): V MAX SHO, 25 inch
• Yamaha VF175LA: V MAX SHO, 20 inch
• Yamaha F175XA: standard, 25 inch, mechanical
• Yamaha F175XCA: standard, 25 inch, digital
• Yamaha LF175XCA: counter-rotation

Need more? The Yamaha VF200LA V MAX SHO is the V6 option. Want less? The VF115 V MAX SHO suits smaller boats. Our 175 HP Yamaha section lists them all.

Ordering From Us

Condition

The Yamaha VF175XA for sale here is new in the factory crate. Ask if you want photos of the crate or serial plate.

Shipping

We ship worldwide with FedEx, UPS and USPS. Crated and tracked. Ask us for a delivered price.

Payment

Check out through our shop, or contact us if you need an invoice for import.

Delivery

Inspect the crate before signing. Photograph and note any damage. Our refund and return policy and terms and conditions cover the details.

Warranty

Warranty depends on the country of registration and use. Ask us before ordering the Yamaha VF175XA for sale and we will confirm what applies.

Read customer feedback on our reviews page, or learn more about us.

Saltwater Care for a Performance Motor

Many owners of a Yamaha VF175XA for sale run in salt. Performance boats tend to be run hard and fast, often in shallow water and with lots of spray. Salt gets everywhere. A few habits keep it from causing trouble:

• Flush with fresh water after every trip, even short ones
• Rinse the cowling, bracket and trim rams
• Keep electrical plugs clean and greased
• Check anodes monthly in summer
• Wax the cowling to protect the paint
• Inspect the prop and gearcase for damage after running shallow

Shallow Water Tips

Bay boats spend a lot of time in skinny water. The SHO’s light weight and the ability to run high help, but caution still matters. Use trim and the jack plate to lift the lower unit when coming off plane. Watch the water pressure gauge. Know the depth of your favourite flats at different tides. And check the water pump more often if you run in sandy or muddy water.

Why the I4 SHO Has a Strong Following

The In-Line Four V MAX SHO series has won over a lot of anglers because it combines speed with real-world reliability. It shares its base with Yamaha’s popular 2.8 litre F175, so parts and service are easy to find in many countries. That matters if you fish far from big cities.

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

Before You Buy

• Check the capacity plate
• Confirm a 25 inch shaft suits your transom
• Budget for a performance prop and rigging
• Get a delivered price in writing
• Confirm the motor is new, as this Yamaha VF175XA for sale is

What Owning a Bay Boat SHO Is Really Like

People often ask me what it is actually like to run a Yamaha VF175XA for sale on a bay boat, day in and day out. So here is the honest version, the way an owner would tell you over a cold drink at the dock.

First, it starts. Every time. You turn the key, the motor fires and settles into a calm idle within a second or two. There is no choke to fiddle with and no cloud of smoke drifting over the ramp. That alone is a big change for anyone coming from an older two stroke.

Second, it gets up and goes. When you push the throttle down with a full live well, a cooler of ice and a couple of friends aboard, the boat lifts onto plane fast. The variable cam timing gives the SHO a real shove low down, so you are not sitting there with the bow in the air, waiting. On a crowded channel that makes the boat feel safer and more in control.

Third, it is easy to live with. Running down the bay at cruise, you can talk without yelling. The motor sips fuel compared to what older motors used. The charging keeps your fishfinders and trolling batteries topped up. At the end of the day you flush it with fresh water, rinse it off and put the cover on. That is about it.

Fourth, it handles rough days well for a light motor. With the longer 25 inch leg, the prop stays in the water better when the bay kicks up. You can trim the bow down a bit, keep the speed sensible and still make good time home.

And finally, it holds its value. The V MAX SHO line has a strong name, so if you keep the service records and look after it, a Yamaha VF175XA for sale today will still be worth good money years from now.

Common Setup Mistakes to Avoid

Performance outboards reward good setup and punish poor setup. These are the mistakes I see most often, and they all cost speed or reliability:

• Mounting too low. The motor drags more water than it needs to. Speed drops, fuel use rises, spray increases.
• Mounting too high without a pressure gauge. The motor might be fine, or it might be running short of cooling water. Without a gauge you will not know until something overheats.
• Wrong prop. Too much pitch and the motor lugs and cannot reach its rpm range. Too little and it over-revs. Both are hard on the engine and leave performance on the table.
• Weak steering. Performance boats need solid hydraulic steering. Cable steering on a fast boat is asking for trouble.
• Poor battery setup. Big electronics with one tired battery leads to slow starts and strange gauge readings.
• Skipping the break-in. A few careful hours at the start help the motor last.

Get these right and the Yamaha VF175XA for sale will give you the speed and reliability it was built for.

Choosing Between SHO and V6 Power

Some bay boats are rated for 200 or even 250 hp, and owners wonder whether a V6 is a better choice than the 175 SHO. It depends on how you use the boat.

A V6 gives more power and torque, which helps if you carry big loads or run long offshore trips. But it is heavier, costs more to buy, and uses more fuel. The in-line four SHO is lighter, cheaper to run and very quick on lighter boats. For a 20 to 22 foot bay boat used mainly inshore, many owners find the 175 SHO is the sweet spot.

If you are still unsure, tell us about your boat and how you use it. We will give you an honest opinion on whether the Yamaha VF175XA for sale or a V6 makes more sense.

Gauges and Engine Data

Even with mechanical controls, the Yamaha VF175XA for sale works with Yamaha’s digital gauges. A good gauge setup shows rpm, trim angle, engine hours, battery voltage and warnings. Add a fuel flow sensor and you can see exactly how much fuel you burn at every speed. That is very useful on a bay boat, where you might run long distances to find fish and want to know your range.

A water pressure reading is also important on a performance setup. If your gauge supports it, connect a pressure sender. If not, a simple mechanical water pressure gauge mounted at the helm does the job.

Some newer chartplotters can show engine data through a network gateway. Ask your rigger if your display supports it. Having rpm, fuel flow and alarms on one screen keeps the dash clean and puts everything in sight.

Running in Rough Water

Bays and coastal waters can get choppy quickly when the wind picks up. A light, fast boat needs a bit of care in those conditions. Trim the bow down to cut through the chop rather than slamming over it. Back off the throttle until the ride is comfortable. Use the extra leg of the 25 inch shaft to your advantage, as it keeps the prop gripping in the troughs. With a sensible approach, a Yamaha VF175XA for sale on a well-built bay boat handles rough days with confidence.

Watch the weather before you head out, keep an eye on the sky while you fish, and leave earlier rather than later if things look like they are getting worse. A fast motor gets you home quickly, but only if you leave in time.

A Note on Twin SHO Setups

Some larger performance center consoles run two 175s. If that is your plan, remember that twin installs usually need one standard and one counter-rotating motor, with matching shaft lengths and control types. The Yamaha VF175XA for sale here is standard rotation with mechanical controls. Talk to us before ordering for a twin rig, and we will help make sure the pair matches properly. Mixing models on a twin setup causes handling and rigging headaches that are much easier to avoid than to fix.

For most single engine bay boats, though, one Yamaha VF175XA for sale is exactly the right amount of motor: quick, light, efficient and dependable.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Yamaha VF175XA for sale new?

Yes. New, in the factory crate.

VF175XA or VF175LA?

Same motor. The XA has a 25 inch shaft, the LA has a 20 inch shaft. Choose by transom height.

VF175XA or F175XA?

The VF175XA is the V MAX SHO performance version with variable cam timing. The F175XA is the standard model tuned for all-round use on regular fuel.

What fuel does it need?

Check the owner’s manual. Yamaha generally recommends higher octane for SHO models.

Does it come with a prop?

No. Props depend on your boat. We can help you choose.

Do you ship the Yamaha VF175XA for sale worldwide?

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

Get It on Your Boat

If the Yamaha VF175XA for sale on this page fits your boat, add it to your cart or contact us for a delivered price. You can also browse all our Yamaha outboards, see the 200 HP range, or read our blog for more advice.