Yamaha Four Strokes - Hours Recorded?

[CND]

Dear All,

Just a very quick question. In order to verify the "Hours" on a Yamaha 60 Fourstroke (Around 2002/2003 vintage)

I was just wondering where the hours are actually "stored" in terms of the whole system. Are they stored on the rpm guage/similar or is there an hour meter in the engine that can be interrogated by plugging in the relevant diagnostic equipment?

So basically if you have to buy a new rev counter do the hours go back to zero? or does it get the information from the engine and the old hours come up?

Appreciate that this may be a simple question but I was just wondering!!!

Thanks

CND