2003 YAMAHA FX ESP

E
1
EJU00993
GENERAL AND
SAFETY
INFORMATION
Identification numbers ............................ 1-1
Primary Identification (PRI-ID)
number ................................................... 1-1
Hull Identification Number (HIN) ............ 1-2
Engine serial number ............................. 1-2
Emission control information
(For Canada only) .................................... 1-3
Approval label of Emission control
certificate ................................................ 1-3
Manufactured date label ........................ 1-3
Important labels ....................................... 1-4
Label location ......................................... 1-4
Warning labels ....................................... 1-5
Other labels ............................................ 1-9
Safety information ................................. 1-11
Limitations on who may operate
the watercraft ....................................... 1-11
Cruising limitations ............................... 1-12
Operation requirements ....................... 1-13
Recommended equipment .................. 1-15
Hazard information .............................. 1-16
Watercraft characteristics .................... 1-16
Water-skiing ......................................... 1-17
Safe boating rules ................................. 1-19
Enjoy your watercraft responsibly ...... 1-19
UF1B71.book Page 4 Tuesday, November 12, 2002 4:17 PM

1-15
E

Do not attempt to modify this watercraft!
Modifications to your watercraft may
reduce safety and reliability, and render
the watercraft unsafe or illegal for use.

Attach the engine shut-off cord (lanyard)
to wrist and keep it free from the handle-
bars so that the engine stops if the opera-
tor falls off. After riding, remove the
engine shut-off cord from the watercraft to
avoid accidental starting or unauthorized
use by children or others.

Scan carefully for swimmers and stay
away from swimming areas. Swimmers
are hard to see and you could acciden-
tally hit someone in the water.

Avoid being hit by another boat! You
should always take the responsibility to
watch for traffic; other boaters may not be
watching for you. If they do not see you,
or you maneuver more quickly than other
boaters expect, you risk a collision.

Maintain a safe distance from other boats
or watercraft, and also watch for boats’ ski
ropes or fishing lines. Obey the “Safe
boating rules,” and be sure to check
behind you before making a turn. (See
Safe boating rules on page 1-19.)
EJU01382
Recommended equipment
The following items should be carried on
board your watercraft:

Sound-signaling device
You should carry a whistle or other sound-
signaling device that can be used to sig-
nal other boats.

Visual distress signals
It is recommended that an authority-
approved pyrotechnic device be stored in
a waterproof container on your watercraft.
A mirror can also be used as an emer-
gency signal. Contact your Yamaha
dealer for more information.

Watch
A watch is helpful so you will know how
long you have been operating.

Towline
A towline can be used to tow a disabled
watercraft in an emergency.
UF1B71.book Page 15 Tuesday, November 12, 2002 4:17 PM

1-16
E
EJU01781
Hazard information

Never start the engine or let it run for any
length of time in an enclosed area.
Exhaust fumes contain carbon monoxide,
a colorless, odorless gas that may cause
loss of consciousness and death within a
short time. Always operate the watercraft
in an open area.

Hot oil tank, muffler, and engine surfaces
can cause serious burns. Do not touch
the oil tank, muffler, or engine immedi-
ately after turning the engine off.
EJU19970
Watercraft characteristics

Jet thrust turns the watercraft. Releasing
the throttle lever completely produces
only minimum thrust. If you are traveling
at speeds above trolling, you will have
rapidly decreasing ability to steer without
throttle. This model has the Yamaha
Engine Management System (YEMS)
that includes an Off-Throttle Steering
(OTS) system. It will activate at planing
speeds should you attempt to steer the
watercraft after releasing the throttle lever.
The OTS system assists in turning by
continuing to supply some thrust while the
watercraft is decelerating, but you can
turn more sharply if you apply throttle
while turning the handlebars. The OTS
system does not function below planing
speeds or when the engine is off. Once
the engine slows down, the watercraft will
no longer turn in response to handlebar
input until you apply throttle again or you
reach trolling speed. Practice turning in
an open area without obstructions until
you have a good feel for this maneuver.

This watercraft is water-jet propelled. The
jet pump is directly connected to the
engine. This means that jet thrust will pro-
duce some movement whenever the
engine is running. There is no “neutral”
position. You are in either “forward” or
“reverse,” depending upon the shift lever
position.

Do not use the reverse function to slow
down or stop the watercraft as it could
cause you to lose control, be ejected, or
impact the handlebars. You could also
damage the shift mechanism.
This could increase the risk of back/spinal
injury (paralysis), facial injuries, and bro-
ken legs, ankles, and other bones.
UF1B71.book Page 16 Tuesday, November 12, 2002 4:17 PM

1-17
E

Reverse can be used to slow down or
stop during low-speed maneuvering, such
as when docking. Once the engine is
idling, shift to reverse and gradually
increase engine speed. Make sure that
there are no obstacles or people behind
you before shifting into reverse.

Keep away from the intake grate 1 while
the 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.

Never insert any object into the jet thrust
nozzle 2 while the engine is running.
Severe injury or death could result from
coming in contact with the rotating parts
of the jet pump.

Stop the engine and remove the clip 3
from the engine shut-off switch 4 before
removing any debris or weeds, which may
have collected around the jet intake.
EJU01863
Water-skiing
You can use the watercraft for water-ski-
ing if it has the seating capacity to carry the
operator, a rearward-facing spotter, and the
water-skier when he or she is not skiing.
The watercraft must also have a cleat 1
designed to pull a ski towrope; do not attach
the towrope to any other location.
It is the watercraft operator’s responsibility
to be alert to the safety of the water-skier
and others. Know and follow all local water-
skiing regulations in effect for the waters in
which you will be operating.
The operator should be comfortable car-
rying passengers before attempting to pull a
skier.
The following are some important consid-
erations for minimizing risks while water-ski-
ing.

The skier should wear an approved PFD,
preferably a brightly colored one so boat
operators can see the skier.

The skier should wear protective clothing.
Severe internal injuries can occur if water
is forced into body cavities as a result of
falling into the water. Normal swimwear
does not adequately protect against
forceful water entry into rectum or vagina.
The skier should wear a wetsuit bottom or
clothing that provides equivalent protec-
tion.
UF1B71.book Page 17 Tuesday, November 12, 2002 4:17 PM

1-19
E
EJU01005
Safe boating rules
Your Yamaha watercraft is legally consid-
ered a powerboat. Operation of the water-
craft must be in accordance with the rules
and regulations governing the waterway on
which it is used.
EJU01006
Enjoy your watercraft
responsibly
You share the areas you enjoy when
riding your watercraft with others and with
nature. So your enjoyment includes a
responsibility to treat these other people,
and the lands, waters, and wildlife with
respect and courtesy.
Whenever and wherever you ride, think of
yourself as the guest of those around you.
Remember, for example, that the sound of
your watercraft may be music to you, but it
could be just noise to others. And the excit-
ing splash of your wake can make waves
others won’t enjoy. Avoid riding close to
shoreline homes and waterfowl nesting
areas or other wildlife areas, and keep a
respectful distance from fishermen, other
boats, swimmers, and populated beaches.
When travel in areas like these is unavoid-
able, ride slowly and obey all laws.
Remember that pollution can be harmful
to the environment. Do not refuel or add oil
where a spill could cause damage to nature.
Remove your watercraft from the water and
move it away from the shoreline before refu-
eling. And keep your surroundings pleasant
for the people and wildlife that share the
waterways: don’t litter!
When you ride responsibly, with respect
and courtesy for others, you help ensure
that our waterways stay open for the enjoy-
ment of a variety of recreational opportuni-
ties.
UF1B71.book Page 19 Tuesday, November 12, 2002 4:17 PM

2-10
E
EJU19950
Steering system
Your watercraft can be steered by turning
the handlebars 1 in the direction you wish
to travel.
When the handlebars are turned, the
angle of the jet thrust nozzle 2 is changed
and the direction of the watercraft is
changed accordingly. Since the strength of
the jet thrust determines the speed and
degree of a turn, throttle must always be
applied when attempting a turn, except at
trolling speed.
This model has the Yamaha Engine Man-
agement System (YEMS) that includes an
Off-Throttle Steering (OTS) system. It will
activate at planing speeds should you
attempt to steer the watercraft after releas-
ing the throttle lever. The OTS system
assists in turning by continuing to supply
some thrust while the watercraft is deceler-
ating, but you can turn more sharply if you
apply throttle while turning the handlebars.
The OTS system does not function below
planing speeds or when the engine is off.
Once the engine slows down, the watercraft
will no longer turn in response to handlebar
input until you apply throttle again or you
reach trolling speed.
UF1B71.book Page 10 Tuesday, November 12, 2002 4:17 PM

3-29
E
EJU19960
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 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 lever completely
produces 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 lever, but once the
engine slows down, the watercraft will no
longer respond to handlebar input until
you apply throttle again or you reach
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.
UF1B71.book Page 29 Tuesday, November 12, 2002 4:17 PM

3-30
E
WARNING@
Do not release the throttle lever 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.
@
This model has the Yamaha Engine Man-
agement System (YEMS) that includes an
Off-Throttle Steering (OTS) system. It will
activate at planing speeds should you
attempt to steer the watercraft after releas-
ing the throttle lever (see condition C
above). The OTS system assists in turning
by continuing to supply some thrust while
the watercraft is decelerating, but you can
turn more sharply if you apply throttle while
turning the handlebars. The OTS system
does not function below planing speeds or
when the engine is off. Once the engine
slows down, the watercraft will no longer
turn in response to handlebar input until you
apply throttle again or you reach trolling
speed.
UF1B71.book Page 30 Tuesday, November 12, 2002 4:17 PM