YAMAHA

F250

INDUCTION: 60-degree V-6, four-stroke, fuel-injected DISPLACEMENT: 3.4 liters

Yamaha runs neck and neck with Mercury as the top outboard based on owners’ satisfaction with power, economy and reliability. Variable valve timing and an electronically controlled throttle valve control air intake. Direct ignition means each spark plug has its own coil, boosting fuel efficiency and power. Blow-by gas reburning removes unburned fuel from blow-by gases and then burns it in the combustion chamber, which reduces harmful emissions.

Yamaha doesn’t require a valve inspection/adjustment for 500 hours, nearly reducing maintenance costs to just lubes and spark plugs, giving DIY boaters an edge on saving maintenance costs — at least until the fifth year or 500 hours.

20 HOURS: Oil, filter, gear-case lube: $225

100 HOURS: Oil, filter, gear-case lube, water pump, undercowl fuel filter, spark plugs, labor: $470

200 HOURS: Oil, filter, gear-case lube, water pump, undercowl fuel filter, spark plugs, labor: $515

300 HOURS: Oil, filter, gear-case lube, water pump, undercowl fuel filter, spark plugs, timing belt, labor: $965

400 HOURS: Oil, filter, gear-case lube, water pump, undercowl fuel filter, spark plugs, labor: $515

500 HOURS: Oil, filter, gear-case lube, water pump, undercowl fuel filter, spark plugs, valve inspection, labor: $815 MAINTENANCE PARTS: $1,335 MAINTENANCE LABOR: $2,150 GASOLINE: $12,814 TOTAL OPERATING COSTS: $16,319