As a rule of thumb, Yamaha outboard motors feature 1-8 cylinders depending on the model. To be more precise, the number of cylinders in each powerband is as follows:
- 2.5-6 HP: 1 cylinder
- 8-25 HP: 2 cylinders
- 30-40 HP: 3 cylinders
- 50-200 HP: 4 cylinders (inline-4)
- 200-300 HP: 6 cylinders (V6)
- 425-450 HP: 8 cylinders (V8)
If you want to find out more about the engine architecture and specifications of different Yamaha outboards, this post is for you.
We at PowerSportsGuide have compiled all you need to know under one roof!
How Many Cylinders does a Yamaha Outboard Have?
Single-Cylinder Yamaha Outboards
You can find the smallest, single-cylinder engines in the 2.5, 4, and 6 HP Yamaha outboards.
These tiny portable motors only weigh 37-61 pounds, which makes them easy to transport.
The key features of single-cylinder Yamaha outboard motors are as follows:
- 4-stroke, single-cylinder configuration
- Displacement: 72-139cc
- Overhead-valve design (OHV)
- Wet sump lubrication system
- Fuel induction: carburetor
- Control: Tiller with forward-neutral-reverse shifting
- Throttle: Ergonomic twist-grip throttle
Twin-Cylinder Yamaha Outboards
8-25 HP Yamaha outboards enjoy much smoother and more powerful, twin-cylinder engines.
Although they are considered portable units, dealing with these heavy engines can sometimes be tricky.
The main specifications of 2-cylinder Yamaha outboards are as follows:
- 4-stroke, twin-cylinder configuration
- Displacement: 212-432cc
- Overhead-valve design (OHV)
- Wet sump lubrication system
- Ignition: CDI
- Fuel induction: carburetor (8-15 HP) or EFI (20-25 HP)
- Control: Tiller or mechanical
3-Cylinder Yamaha Outboards
The 30-40 HP Yamaha outboard family enjoys the same triple-cylinder, 4-stroke, 747cc engine.
The Yamaha F30 comes with a de-tuned engine configuration while the F40 gets the unleashed, 40 HP engine option.
The specs of this triple Yamaha marine engine are as follows:
- 4-stroke, 3-cylinder configuration
- Displacement: 747cc
- Overhead-valve design (OHV)
- Wet sump lubrication system
- Ignition: CDI Microcomputer
- Fuel induction: EFI
- Control: Mechanical or tiller
4-Cylinder Yamaha Outboards
You can find 4-stroke, 4-cylinder engines in 50-200 HP Yamaha outboard motors.
(However, the V MAX SHO 200 is available with a V6 engine.)
The hearts of 4-cylinder Yamaha outboards are 996-2785cc, inline-4, SOHC, or DOHC engines.
Specifications:
- 4-stroke, inline-4 configuration
- Displacement: 996-2785cc
- Valve design: SOHC or DOHC
- Wet sump lubrication system
- Ignition: TCI Microcomputer
- Fuel induction: EFI
- Control: Mechanical or tiller
6-Cylinder Yamaha Outboards
200-300 HP Yamaha outboards are powered by a 6-cylinder (V6), 24-valve, DOHC engine.
You can find the same power mill in both V6 Yamaha outboard families.
The standard V6 series is available with 225, 250, and 300 HP while the high-performance V6 V MAX SHO family is marketed with 200, 225, and 250 HP engine options.
Specifications of this V6 Yamaha marine engine include:
- 4-stroke, V6 configuration
- Displacement: 4169cc
- Valve design: DOHC
- Wet sump lubrication system
- Ignition: TCI Microcomputer
- Fuel induction: EFI
- Control: Digital or Mechanical
8-Cylinder Yamaha Outboards
The most powerful, 435-450 HP Yamaha outboards are powered by an impressive, 8-cylinder engine.
Baptisted as XTO Offshore, these flagship outboards utilize a 4-stroke, 5559cc, 32-valve, DOHC, V8 power mill.
The specifications of this V8 Yamaha marine engine are as follows:
- 4-stroke, V8 configuration
- Displacement: 5559cc
- Valve design: DOHC
- Wet sump lubrication system
- Ignition: TCI Microcomputer
- Fuel induction: Direct Injection / Up to 2900 PSI
- Control: Digital
Yamaha Outboard Engine Chart
For your convenience, we’ve compiled the main specs of Yamaha outboards into one Yamaha Outboard Engine Chart:
| HP | Cylinders | CC |
| 2.5 HP | 1 | 72cc |
| 4 HP | 1 | 139cc |
| 6 HP | 1 | 139cc |
| 8 HP | 2 | 212cc |
| 10 HP | 2 | 212cc |
| 15 HP | 2 | 362cc |
| 20 HP | 2 | 432cc |
| 25 HP | 2 | 432cc |
| 30 HP | 3 | 747cc |
| 40 HP | 3 | 747cc |
| 50 HP | 4 | 996cc |
| 60 HP | 4 | 996cc |
| 70 HP | 4 | 996cc |
| 75 HP | 4 | 1832cc |
| 90 HP | 4 | 1832cc |
| 115 HP | 4 | 1832cc |
| 150 HP | 4 | 2670-2785cc |
| 175 HP | 4 | 2785cc |
| 200 HP | 4/V6 | 2785-4169cc |
| 225 HP | V6 | 4169cc |
| 250 HP | V6 | 4169cc |
| 300 HP | V6 | 4169cc |
| 425 HP | V8 | 5559cc |
| 450 HP | V8 | 5559cc |
Disclaimer: This chart is for informational purposes only! For more information, please check the official factory manuals.
Takeaways
Portable Yamaha outboard motors are powered by 1-cylinder (2.3-6 HP) or 2-cylinder (8-25 HP) engines.
You can only find two triple-cylinder Yamaha outboards in the marketplace; the F30 (30 HP) and F40 (40 HP) and they share the same 4-stroke, 747cc triple engine.
The engine power of 4-cylinder Yamaha outboards ranges from 50 HP up to 200 HP. They house 4-stroke, inline-4, 16-valve, DOHC, or SOHC power mills.
If you are looking for a high-end Yamaha outboard, you should take a close look at the V6 and V8 families.
200-300 HP Yamaha outboards feature 6-cylinder (V6) engines, while the 425-450 HP models are designed with an 8-cylinder (V8) power mill.
References: