2002 YAMAHA SUV 1200 Owners Manual

3-22
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EJU01072
Starting the watercraft
WARNING@
Scan constantly for people, objects
and other watercraft. Be alert for con-
ditions that limit your visibility or block
your vision of others.

Operate defensively at safe speeds
and keep a safe distance away from
people, objects, and other watercraft.

Do not follow directly behind water-
craft or other boats. Do not go near
others to spray or splash them with
water. Avoid sharp turns or other
maneuvers that make it hard for others
to avoid you or understand where you
are going. Avoid areas with sub-
merged objects or shallow water.

Take early action to avoid collisions.
Remember watercraft and other boats
do not have brakes. Do not release the
throttle when trying to steer away from
objects—you need throttle to steer.

Practice reboarding in shallow water
before riding in deep water.
@
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3-23
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EJU01073
Starting and boarding in shallow
water
1. Do not start the engine in less than
60 cm (2 ft) of water. Put the watercraft
in water that is deep enough, and then
board the watercraft from the side or the
rear.
2. Attach the engine shut-off cord to your
left wrist, and then install the clip to the
engine shut-off switch.
3. Grip the handlebars with both hands,
place both feet on the floor of the foot-
well, start the engine, and start off.
EJU01074
Starting from a dock
1. Board the watercraft from the side.
2. Attach the engine shut-off cord to your
left wrist, and then install the clip to the
engine shut-off switch.
3. Push the watercraft away from the dock,
grip the handlebars with both hands,
place both feet on the floor of the foot-
well, start the engine, and start off.
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3-24
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EJU01075
Boarding and starting in deep
water
WARNING@
Operator and passenger should prac-
tice getting on board in shallow water
before riding in deep water. Boarding
in deep water requires more skill.

The fatigue and exposure that could
result after unsuccessful attempts to
get back on the watercraft may
increase the risk of injuries and drown-
ing.
@
EJU01076
Boarding alone
1. Swim to the rear of the watercraft and
place both hands on the boarding plat-
form, pull yourself up, and then grasp the
handgrip with one hand.
2. Pull yourself up to a kneeling position on
the platform, and then move to the seat
and sit astride.
3. Attach the engine shut-off cord to your
wrist, and then install the clip to the
engine shut-off switch.
4. Grip the handlebars firmly with both
hands, place both feet in footwell, start
the engine, and look in all directions
before starting off.
WARNING@ Before starting off, make sure that there
are no boats, obstructions, or swimmers
around you.
@
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3-25
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EJU01323
Boarding with passengers
WARNING@ Severe internal injuries can occur if
water is forced into body cavities as a
result of being near the jet thrust nozzle.
Do not apply throttle until each passen-
ger is seated with his or her feet on the
floor of the footwell and is holding on to
the person in front of him or her or to the
side grips appropriately.
@
1. Climb on board as noted in the previous
section, and sit astride the seat. Attach
the engine shut-off cord to your wrist,
and then install the clip to the engine
shut-off switch.
2. Have the passenger move to the rear of
the watercraft.
3. Have the passenger get on board and sit
on the seat. If a second or third passen-
ger is getting on, have him or her follow
the same procedure.
NOTE:@ When a passenger is getting on board, both
he and the operator should try to balance
the watercraft.
@
4. The operator should check to see that
the passengers have their feet on the
floor of the footwell and that they are
securely holding on to the person in front
of them or to the side grips appropriately.
5. Start the engine, look in all directions,
and then accelerate to planing speed.
WARNING@ Before starting off, make sure that there
are no boats, obstructions, or swimmers
around you.
@
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3-26
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NOTE:@ The heavier the total weight of the operator
and passengers, the more difficult it will be
to balance the watercraft. Do not operate the
watercraft when the total weight exceeds
300 kg (662 lb) including any cargo.
@
EJU01324
Capsized watercraft
If the watercraft capsizes, follow the pro-
cedures below carefully to prevent damage
or injury.
WARNING@ IMPROPER UPRIGHTING CAN CAUSE
INJURY:

Shut engine off, and be sure engine
shut-off cord is removed from the
engine shut-off switch.

Do not put hand in intake grate if
engine is running.

Watch so you are not hit by the water-
craft as it comes over.
@
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3-27
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CAUTION:@ Be sure to remove the clip from the
engine shut-off switch, otherwise the
engine will overheat and engine damage
may occur.
@
1. Shut the engine off by removing the clip
from the engine shut-off switch.
2. Swim to the rear of the watercraft. Climb
onto the right side of the capsized water-
craft and place both feet on the rub rail
near the stern.
NOTE:@ If the port side of the capsized watercraft
is tilting upward, first tilt the watercraft so the
port side is down by using your weight to
press down on the rub rail.
@
3. Grasp the ride plate with your left hand
and place your right hand under the
intake grate.
4. Lean backwards and forcefully pull the
watercraft clockwise until it is upright.
CAUTION:@ Do not turn the watercraft over counter-
clockwise, otherwise water may leak into
the carburetor and engine and cause
damage.
@
5. Start the engine, and then head for
shore to inspect the engine for water
damage.
CAUTION:@ If the watercraft has been capsized for
5 minutes or more, air may have entered
the oil injection system. Leave the engine
off, or operate only at trolling speed, for
10 minutes after the watercraft has been
turned right-side up. This will allow any
air to bleed off.
@
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3-28
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A
B
C
D
EJU01079
Turning the watercraft
Steering control depends on the combi-
nation of handlebar position and the amount
of throttle.
Water sucked in through the intake grate
is pressurized by the impeller in the jet
pump. As the pressurized water is expelled
from the pump through the jet thrust nozzle,
it creates thrust to move and steer the
watercraft. The higher the engine speed, the
more thrust is produced.
The amount of jet thrust, in addition to the
position of the handlebars, determines how
sharply you turn.
A. More throttle produces higher thrust, so
the watercraft will turn more sharply.
B. Less throttle produces lower thrust, so
the watercraft will turn more gradually.
C. Releasing the throttle completely pro-
duces only minimum thrust. If you are
traveling at speeds above trolling, you
will have rapidly decreasing ability to
steer without throttle. You may still have
some turning ability immediately after
releasing the throttle, but once the
engine slows down, the watercraft will no
longer respond to handlebar input until
you apply throttle again or you reach a
trolling speed.
At trolling speed, the watercraft can be
turned gradually by handlebar position
alone using just the amount of thrust
available at idle.
D. If the engine is stopped while riding,
there is no thrust. The watercraft will go
straight even though the handlebars are
turned.
You need throttle to steer.
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3-29
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WARNING@
Do not release the throttle when trying
to steer away from objects—you need
throttle to steer. A collision could
result in severe injury or death.

When operating at higher speeds,
make gradual turns or slow down
before turning. Sharp high-speed turns
may cause the watercraft to slide side-
ways or spin, throwing the operator
and passengers overboard which
could cause an injury.
@
UGU571.book Page 29 Tuesday, July 10, 2001 2:25 PM