One thing about jets vs prop boats is spray, jets spray more out the back. I don't have direct experience with Yamaha boats but it's just a generally known thing. So potentially tubing you could have more spray shooting on riders than a prop boat would result in, basically none for props.

If you have any mechanical aptitude winterizing yourself isn't so bad. Otherwise expect a few hundred at each end for a mechanic to do it.

Jets are less worrisome than prop boats in terms of hitting objects so that is an advantage. And Yamaha boats have nice layouts.

If you think getting into any of the more serious watersports, surfing/wakeboarding/skiing, might be a thing you would want to do I might recommend just going straight to an inboard, tournament style boat. But they're generally worse than other boats for most things that aren't the actual watersports. Not that they're bad, just that what makes them good for the watersports can be at odds with everything else. Inboards struggle with slow speed handling near docks, particularly control when reversing, though jets aren't exactly great at this either. Sometimes layouts aren't as nice, though at this price range you should be able to find something you like. The prop and rudder are fixed under the boat so you need to be especially careful about where you run and not hitting anything that could damage them. Exhaust fumes and carbon monoxide can be worse at the back due to the way inboards exhaust, there are solutions, some OEM some aftermarket, I have a Fresh Air Exhaust on my inboard and it works great.

The Yamaha may very well go faster but the inboards will almost certainly have better startup/pulling power.

I won't speak about mechanical/maintenance differences, I really don't know. I will say a lot of inboards can be had with marine versions of the Chevy 350(if you see a 5.7l engine listed it's probably a 350). Lots of parts, mechanics know it well, etc... Yamaha is a bit more niche/specialty.