2003 YAMAHA SUV 1200 tow

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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 1-17.)
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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.
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Reverse can be used to slow down or
stop during slow 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 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.
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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 tow rope 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.
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A second person should be on board as a
spotter to watch the skier; in many places
it is required by law. Let the skier direct
the operator’s control of speed and direc-
tion with hand signals.
The spotter should sit securely on the
passenger seat and hold onto the hand-
grip 2 with feet firmly on the floor of the
footwell for proper balance while facing to
the rear to watch the skier’s hand signals
and his or her condition.

Your control while pulling a skier is
affected by the skier’s ability, as well as
water and weather conditions.

When preparing to pull a skier, operate
the watercraft at the slowest possible
speed until the watercraft is well away
from the skier and slack in the towrope is
taken up. Make sure that the rope is not
looped around anything.
After checking that the skier is ready and
that there is no traffic or other obstacles,
apply enough throttle to raise the skier.

Make smooth, wide turns. The watercraft
is capable of very sharp turns, which
could exceed the abilities of the skier.
Keep the skier at least 50 m (150 ft),
about twice the distance of a standard
towrope, from any potential hazard.

Be alert to the hazard of the towrope han-
dle snapping back at the watercraft when
the skier falls or is unable to get up on the
skis.

Towing heavy or bulky objects other than
skiers, such as another boat or watercraft,
can cause loss of steering control and
create a hazardous condition. If you must
tow another boat in an emergency situa-
tion, operate slowly and cautiously.
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Location of main components
1Cooling water pilot outlet
Use to verify cooling water flow.
2Bow eye
Use to attach rope for transporting, mooring or
towing the watercraft in an emergency.
3Front storage compartment
4Hood
5Fuel cock knob
Use to select either normal or reserve fuel flow
from the fuel tank to the carburetors, or to shut
off fuel flow.
6Handlebars
Use to control direction.
7Fuel tank filler cap
8Mooring eye
Use to attach a rope for mooring only.
9Oil tank filler cap
0Choke knob
Use to start a cold engine.
AFootwell
Use to place feet for balance.BFire extinguisher container
Use to store the fire extinguisher.
CIntake grate
Prevents debris from getting into the jet pump.
DSpeed sensor
EJet intake
FDrive shaft
Transmits power from engine to the jet pump.
GHandgrip
Use for suppor t when boarding the watercraft
or when seated facing rearward and acting as
a spotter for a water-skier.
HRear seat
IFront seat
JGlove compartment
KRear storage compartments
LTilt lever
Use to adjust the tilt of the handlebars.
MSide grips
Use for suppor t when riding as a passenger.
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1Engine shut-off cord (lanyard)
Attach to wrist so that the engine stops if the
operator falls off the watercraft.
2Engine stop switch
Push to stop the engine normally.
3Clip
Insert into the engine shut-off switch to enable
starting of the engine.
Remove to stop the engine or prevent acci-
dental star ting of the engine or unauthorized
use of the watercraft.
4Engine shut-off switch
Remove the clip to stop the engine and dis-
able it from starting.
5Quick Shift Trim System (QSTS) selector
Use to select the trim angle of the watercraft.
6Start switch
Push to start the engine.
7Adjustable rearview mirrors
8Multifunction meter
Use to check watercraft operation.9Shift lever
Use to put the watercraft into forward or
reverse.
0Throttle lever
Use to accelerate and decelerate.
ACleat
Use to attach a towrope for pulling a water-
skier.
BStern eyes
Use to attach rope for transporting or mooring.
CDeck drain outlets
Drains water from the footwell.
DStern drain plugs
Use to drain water in the bilge when the water-
craft is on dry land.
EJet thrust nozzle
Changes the direction of jet thrust according
to handlebar position.
FReverse gate
Controls direction of jet thrust when in reverse.
GRide plate
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EJU01877
Shift lever
The shift lever is located on the starboard
(right) side of the watercraft and is used to
control the reverse gate, which allows the
watercraft to move into reverse or forward.
When in the reverse position, the water-
craft can be launched from a trailer, or
backed up out of tight spots where you can-
not turn around easily.
To shift into reverse:
1. Release the throttle, and then let the
engine speed return to idle.
2. Pull the shift lever toward you.
WARNING@
Make sure that the throttle is com-
pletely released and that the engine is
at idle before shifting into reverse.

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.

Use reverse for slow-speed maneuver-
ing only.

Make sure that there are no obstacles
or people behind you before shifting
into reverse.

Do not touch the reverse gate while the
shift lever is being operated, otherwise
you could be pinched.
@
To shift into forward:
1. Release the throttle, and then let the
engine speed return to idle.
2. Push the shift lever away from you.
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EJU01038
Glove compartment
A glove compartment 2 is located in front
of the seat.
To open the glove compartment, slide the
latch 1 toward you, and then lift up the lid.
To close the glove compartment, push the
lid down until it locks securely.
Glove compartment:
Capacity: 1.7 L (0.45 US gal, 0.37 Imp gal)
Load limit: 1 kg (2.2 lb)
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Transporting
WARNING@ Always place the fuel cock knob in the
“OFF” position when transporting the
watercraft, otherwise fuel could leak out
into the engine or engine compartment,
which would create a fire hazard.
@
When transporting the watercraft on a
trailer, secure the tie downs to the trailer
through the bow eye and stern rope hole.
CAUTION:@
Do not route ropes or tie downs over
the seat, as they may leave permanent
marks on the seat’s surface. Also,
wrap the ropes or tie downs with tow-
els or rags where they touch the body
of the watercraft to avoid scratching or
damage.

Before putting the watercraft on the
trailer or transporting it, be sure to put
the shift lever in the forward position,
otherwise the reverse gate may hit an
obstruction, which may cause dam-
age.
@
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