Alright, let’s talk about my time with the Yamaha 250 four-stroke. I’d been running an older engine for years, and frankly, it was time for an upgrade. Heard a lot of chatter about Yamaha being reliable, guys at the dock always seemed happy with theirs. So, I decided to bite the bullet and get the 250 horse four-stroke model.
Getting Started
Getting the thing mounted was the first step. Took a good part of a weekend. Me and a buddy wrestled the old one off, cleaned up the transom, and then carefully hoisted the Yamaha into place. Bolted it down solid. Then came hooking everything up – fuel lines, control cables, the wiring harness. Gotta say, the connections felt pretty well put together. Didn’t have too much trouble figuring out where everything went, which was nice.
First time firing it up was a good moment. Turned the key, and it just started right up. Nice low rumble, smooth. None of that coughing and sputtering I got used to with the old motor. Let it warm up on the flush hose, sounded good.
On The Water Experience
Finally got it out on the water. The first thing I noticed was the power. Smooth acceleration, really got my boat up on plane quick. It felt strong, responsive. Spent that first day just cruising around, getting a feel for it. Handled well at low speeds for docking too, which is always a plus.
Over the next few seasons, I really put it through its paces. Took it on some long runs offshore.
Here’s what stood out:
- Reliability: It just started. Every single time. Cold mornings, hot afternoons, after sitting for a week – turn the key, it runs. That peace of mind is huge when you’re miles from shore.
- Power: Plenty of grunt for my boat. Handled extra weight from gear and buddies without complaining. Pulling a tube for the kids was effortless.
- Fuel Use: Seemed pretty decent on gas for its size. Definitely noticed I was filling up less often compared to my old two-stroke. Trolling for hours didn’t drain the tank nearly as fast.
- Quietness: Much quieter than my old engine. Could actually have a conversation while cruising without shouting.
Keeping it Running
Maintenance hasn’t been too bad. I do the basics myself. Changed the oil and filter after the break-in period, and do it every season now. Pretty standard stuff. Check the spark plugs, fuel filter. The most important thing, especially after running in saltwater, is flushing it thoroughly with freshwater every time. Takes a few extra minutes, but worth it. Haven’t had any major breakdowns or issues, just the regular upkeep.
So yeah, my practical experience with the Yamaha 250 four-stroke has been solid. It does what it’s supposed to do, starts every time, has the power I need, and hasn’t given me any real headaches. It just works, and that’s pretty much what you want from an outboard motor, right? Been happy with the choice.
