F250 Reliability

Katsuwonus

Member
Joined
Aug 10, 2007
Messages
7
Reaction score
0
Points
0
Location
New Jersey
I am a little gun shy to pull the trigger on a used Grady with F250s since the warranties will be running out in 8 months. The engines have about 380 hrs on them and they have received their scheduled maintenance. They are 2005 models. How many hours should I expect from them? How many years do we think they are good for? Is buying used a mistake?
Thanks
 

Coconut330

Well-Known Member
Joined
Nov 26, 2009
Messages
96
Reaction score
1
Points
8
Age
70
Location
Port Orange Florida
Just have them checked out . I had almost 1100 hours on my last boat berfore I sold it (Twin F225's) and never had any problems. My current boat has 800 problem free hours with Yamahas. They are great motors.
 

Bama96

Well-Known Member
Joined
May 20, 2008
Messages
411
Reaction score
2
Points
0
Location
Birmingham, AL / Destin,FL
Katsuwonus said:
I am a little gun shy to pull the trigger on a used Grady with F250s since the warranties will be running out in 8 months. The engines have about 380 hrs on them and they have received their scheduled maintenance. They are 2005 models. How many hours should I expect from them? How many years do we think they are good for? Is buying used a mistake?
Thanks

No those F250s are not even broken in. They will last for 1000s of hours if maintained. Just have them checked out. You may be able to extend that warranty as well. I bought an 06' with 87 hours on the F250 and no warranty left. It runs great and should last for years. Buying used is the way to go. 8)
 

wahoo33417

GreatGrady Captain
Joined
Feb 28, 2005
Messages
1,233
Reaction score
240
Points
63
Location
West Palm Beach, FL
Model
Sailfish
I have 1240 hours on a 2005 F250 and it has been perfect. Commercial guys in the area say they swap them out at 5,000 hours.

Rob
 

Blackbird

Well-Known Member
Joined
May 24, 2008
Messages
77
Reaction score
1
Points
8
Location
Palm Harbor, FL
I have a pair of them with 700 hours each and they have been flawless. There is no reason why, with proper operation and maintenance, the engine won't run for years. I agree with coconut330. Have it checked out by a good mechanic. He'll let you know if it's been trashed.
 

HDGWJOE

GreatGrady Captain
Joined
Feb 23, 2005
Messages
670
Reaction score
0
Points
0
Location
Hopewell Jct., NY
my 2005 F250's run perfect. Just changed the water pumps and they didn't need it!!! Old ones looked new.
 

Tashmoo

Well-Known Member
Joined
Oct 7, 2007
Messages
349
Reaction score
1
Points
0
Location
North Shore, Boston
I would absolutely hate to be the one that experiences this statistical reality but it happens in all mechanical equipment. That is, that it is a simple statistical reality that a very small percentage of engines will fail prematurely regardless of how well you treat or service them. To make moving machinery so that 100% of all engines will never fail in say the first 2,000 hours is very difficult and to do so is very expensive i.e. airplane engines. If you are concerned about being one of the statistically improbable, Yamaha offers an extended warranty and you should buy it. I had that concern with my F350 and did in fact obtain the extended warranty.
 

SmokyMtnGrady

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jul 11, 2009
Messages
2,020
Reaction score
504
Points
113
Even with my bad experience with my F250, I would buy another. Sometimes bad stuff happens. My old f150 was a solid motor and I expect Yammaha will take care of me with this motor. I took the cash instead of the YES warranty, but once my current situation is resolved I am likely going to extend my warranty.
 

Fishtales

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jan 31, 2005
Messages
8,033
Reaction score
1,286
Points
113
I put 600 hours on a pair of F225s and have 360 on my current pair of F250s. No problems at all. Most dealers follow the Yamaha service schedule to the letter and many change things early (for instance mine does water pumps every 3 years) to mitigate mid season loss of use.
Have them gone over real well by a mechanic and you should be fine. Look into the YES extended warranty if concerned, but they are expensive....
 

Katsuwonus

Member
Joined
Aug 10, 2007
Messages
7
Reaction score
0
Points
0
Location
New Jersey
Thanks guys. The info is great. I love this site and is a reason that I will likely buy a Grady over an Albie or Cabo. Really, my desire (now that I have a daughter) is not to have an engine room. My experience is all with inboard diesels and OBs are new to my train of thought. I will likely get a 360 for the extra room and am hesitant for buying a boat with three used OBs. If they were Mercs - no way. Yamaha's reputation and everybody's satisfaction here on this site is very encouraging. I'm hoping they will be soft and smell good - diesel fumes and their noise in an express boat I doubt would be a family pleaser.