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EJU01058
Jet unit
Carefully check the jet intake for weeds,
debris, or anything else that might restrict
the intake of water. If the intake is clogged,
cavitation could occur, reducing jet thrust,
and possibly damaging the jet pump.
In some cases, the engine may overheat
because of lack of cooling water, and dam-
age to the engine could result. Engine cool-
ing water is fed to the engine by the jet
pump. (See page 5-4 for jet intake cleaning
procedures.)
WARNING@ Keep away from intake grate while
engine is on. Items such as long hair,
loose clothing, or PFD straps can
become entangled in moving parts
resulting in severe injury or drowning.
Stop the engine and remove the clip
from the engine shut-off switch before
removing any debris or weeds, which
may have collected around the jet
intake.
@
EJU01059
Engine shut-off cord (lanyard)
Check that the engine shut-off cord is not
frayed or broken. If the cord is damaged,
replace it; never try to repair it or tie it
together.
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EJU01063
Operation
WARNING@ Before operating your watercraft,
become familiar with all controls. Con-
sult your Yamaha dealer about any con-
trol or function you do not fully
understand. Failure to understand how
controls work could cause an accident or
prevent you from avoiding an accident.
@
CAUTION:@ Make sure that stern drain plugs are
securely tightened before launching the
watercraft.
@
EJU01064
Engine break-in
The engine break-in period is essential to
allow the various components of the engine
to wear and polish themselves to the correct
operating clearances. This ensures proper
performance and promotes longer compo-
nent life.
CAUTION:@ For the first tankful of operation, pre-
mix a 50:1 mixture of fuel and oil (in
addition to the oil in the oil tank).
After break-in, use straight gasoline
for normal operation.
@
1. Launch the watercraft and start the
engine. (See pages 3-15 to 3-17 for
engine starting procedures.)
2. Run the engine at the lowest possible
speed for 5 minutes.
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EJU01065
Starting the engine
WARNING@ Never start the engine or let it run for any
length of time in an enclosed area.
Exhaust fumes contain carbon monox-
ide, a colorless, odorless gas that may
cause loss of consciousness and death
within a short time. Always operate the
watercraft in an open area.
@
1. Launch the watercraft in water free from
weeds and debris and at least 60 cm
(2 ft) deep.
WARNING@ Never operate in water that is less than
60 cm (2 ft) deep, otherwise you increase
your chance of hitting a submerged
object, which could result in injury.
@
CAUTION:@ Never operate in water that is less than
60 cm (2 ft) deep, otherwise pebbles or
sand could be sucked into the jet intake,
causing impeller damage or engine over-
heating.
@
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3-16
E
2. Turn the fuel cock knob to the “ON” posi-
tion.
NOTE:@ Before starting the watercraft, after it has
been sitting, remove the fuel tank filler cap
to release any built-up pressure in the tank
due to fuel expansion.
@
3. Attach the clip 1 to the engine shut-off
switch 2. Also, attach the engine shut-
off cord 3 to your left wrist.
WARNING@ Check that the engine shut-off cord is not
frayed or broken, and keep it free from
the handlebars so the engine stops if the
operator falls off. The engine shut-off
cord may not pull free if wrapped around
the handlebars when the operator falls
off, allowing the watercraft to continue to
run and cause an accident.
@
NOTE:@ It is not possible to start the engine with the
clip removed from the engine shut-off
switch.
@
4. Move the choke lever all the way in the
direction of the arrow to start a cold
engine.
NOTE:@ The choke should not be used when the
engine is warm.
@
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5. While lightly squeezing the throttle lever,
push the start switch (green button).
WARNING@ On this watercraft, the engine is con-
nected directly to the jet pump. Starting
the engine immediately generates some
thrust. Apply only enough throttle to
keep the engine running.
@
6. Release the start switch as soon as the
engine starts to run.
CAUTION:@ Never push the start switch while the
engine is running.
Do not operate the start switch for
more than 5 seconds, otherwise the
battery will be discharged and the
engine will not start. Also, the starter
motor may be damaged. If the engine
does not start in 5 seconds, release
the start switch, wait 15 seconds, and
try again.
@
7. After the engine has warmed up, move
the choke lever back to its original posi-
tion.
NOTE:@ If the choke lever is left turned on, the
engine will stall.
@
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EJU01066
Stopping the engine
To stop the engine, release the throttle
lever, and then push the engine stop switch
(red button).
WARNING@ You need throttle to steer. Shutting off
the engine can cause you to hit an obsta-
cle you are attempting to avoid. A colli-
sion could result in severe injury or
death.
@
EJU01067
Leaving the watercraft
If leaving the watercraft, remove the
engine shut-off cord to reduce the chance of
accidental starting or unauthorized use by
children or others.
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EJU01068
Operating your watercraft
EJU01069
Getting to know your
watercraft
Operating your watercraft requires skills
acquired through practice over a period of
time. Take the time to learn the basic tech-
niques well before attempting more difficult
maneuvers.
Operating your new watercraft can be a
very enjoyable activity, providing you with
hours of pleasure. However, it is essential to
familiarize yourself with the operation of the
watercraft to achieve the skill level neces-
sary to enjoy riding safely. Before operating
this watercraft, read this Owner’s/Operator’s
Manual, the Riding Practice Guide, and all
warning and caution labels on the water-
craft. Pay particular attention to the safety
information on pages 1-10 to 1-16. These
materials should give you an understanding
of the watercraft and its operation.
Remember: This watercraft is designed to
carry the operator and one passenger.
Never exceed the maximum load limit or
allow more than 2 persons to ride the water-
craft at one time.
EJU01070
Learning to operate your
watercraft
Before operating the watercraft, always
perform the pre-operation checks listed on
page 3-5. The short time spent checking the
watercraft will reward you with added safety
and reliability.
Check all local laws before operating your
watercraft.
Operate defensively at safe speeds and
keep a safe distance away from people,
objects, and other watercraft. Select a wide
area to learn in, where you have good visi-
bility and light boat traffic.
Use the buddy system—operate with
someone nearby. Scan constantly for peo-
ple, objects, and other watercraft. Be alert
for conditions that limit your visibility or block
your vision of others.
Attach the engine shut-off cord (lanyard)
to your wrist and keep it free from the han-
dlebars so that the engine stops if the opera-
tor falls off.
Wear a personal flotation device (PFD).
All riders must wear an authority-approved
PFD that is suitable for personal watercraft
use. Maximum load: 160 kg (353 lb)
Load is the total weight of cargo, opera-
tor and passenger.
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Wear protective clothing. Severe internal
injuries can occur if water is forced into body
cavities as result of falling into the water or
being near the jet thrust nozzle. Normal
swimwear does not adequately protect
against forceful water entry into rectum and
vagina. All riders must wear a wetsuit bot-
tom or clothing that provides equivalent pro-
tection.
Such clothing includes thick, tightly
woven, sturdy and snug-fitting apparel such
as denim, but does not include spandex or
similar fabrics like those used in bicycle
shorts. A full wetsuit can also protect against
hypothermia (subnormal body temperature)
and abrasions.
Footwear and gloves are recommended.
Eye protection is recommended to keep
wind, water, and glare from the sun out of
your eyes while you operate your watercraft.
Restraining straps for eyewear are made
which are designed to float should your eye-
wear fall in the water.
You should grip the handlebars firmly and
keep both feet on the floor of the footwell. Do
not attempt to ride with passengers until
your operating skills are fully developed.
EJU01071
Riding watercraft with a
passenger
When a passenger is on board with the
operator, the watercraft handles differently,
and is not as easy to maneuver, so operat-
ing it requires a higher degree of skill.
Before attempting to operate the watercraft
with a passenger on board, the operator
must practice operating the watercraft alone
enough to be able to acquire the necessary
skills. The passenger must always wear an
authority-approved PFD and a wetsuit bot-
tom or equivalent.
WARNING@ Do not apply throttle when anyone is at
rear of watercraft. Turn engine off or keep
engine at idle. Water and/or debris exit-
ing the jet thrust nozzle can cause severe
injury. The passenger should not attempt
to board the watercraft if the operator is
applying throttle.
@
Do not give a ride to a child whose feet
cannot reach the floor of the footwell. The
passenger should hold on firmly to the oper-
ator and keep both feet in the footwell.
WARNING@ When a passenger is on board, make
sure that he or she is holding on firmly
and has his or her feet in the footwell
before you start to accelerate.
@
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