2005 YAMAHA XL 700 steering

1-16
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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 one hand and the finger
grip3 with the other hand, and place his/
her feet firmly on the footrest 4 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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EJU01007
FEATURES AND
FUNCTIONS
Location of main components .............. 2-1
Operation of controls and other
functions ................................................... 2-4
Rear seat ................................................ 2-4
Front seat ............................................... 2-5
Hood ....................................................... 2-6
Fuel tank filler cap .................................. 2-7
Oil tank filler cap ..................................... 2-7
Fuel cock knob ....................................... 2-8
Engine stop switch ................................. 2-9
Engine shut-off switch ............................ 2-9
Choke knob ............................................ 2-9
Throttle lever ........................................ 2-10
Start switch ........................................... 2-10
Cooling water pilot outlet ..................... 2-11
Steering system ................................... 2-11
Handgrip ............................................... 2-12
Finger grip ............................................ 2-12
Engine overheat warning system ........ 2-13
Oil level warning lamp .......................... 2-14
Storage compartments ........................ 2-15
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2-11
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EJU01130
Cooling water pilot outlet
This watercraft is equipped with a cooling
water pilot outlet.
When the engine is running, cooling
water is circulated in the engine, and then it
is discharged from the pilot outlet.
To check for proper operation of the cool-
ing system, check that water is being dis-
charged from the pilot outlet. If water is not
being discharged from the outlet, cooling
water may not be circulating in the engine.
When this occurs, stop the engine and check
for the cause. (See pages 2-13 and 5-4 for
further instructions.)
NOTE:@ If the cooling water passages are dry, it will
take about 20 seconds for the water to reach
the outlet after the engine is started.
@
EJU01021
Steering system
Your watercraft can be steered by turning
the handlebars 1 the same 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
direction of a turn, the throttle must always
be open when attempting a turn, except at
trolling speed.
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3-5
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EJU01346
Pre-operation checks
EJU01347
Pre-operation check list
Before operating this watercraft, perform the checks in the following check list. See the
accompanying text in this chapter for details on how to perform the checks.
WARNING@ If any item in the pre-operation check list is not working properly, have it inspected
and repaired before operating the watercraft, otherwise an accident could occur.
@
NOTE:@ Pre-operation checks should be made thoroughly each time the watercraft is used. This pro-
cedure can be completed in a short time. It is worth the time spent to assure safety and reli-
ability.
@
ITEM ROUTINE PAGE
Engine compartment Remove all seats and the front storage compart-
ment to ventilate the engine compartment.
Check for fuel vapors and loose electrical con-
nections.3-6
Bilge Check for water and fuel and remove if neces-
sary.3-8
Stern drain plugs Check for proper installation. 3-8
Throttle lever Check that the throttle lever springs back
smoothly.3-11
Steering system Check for proper operation. 3-11
Fuel and oil Check fuel and oil levels and add if necessary.
Check the hoses and tanks for leakage.3-7
Water separator Check for water and drain if necessary. 3-7
Battery Check electrolyte level and battery condition. 3-9
Hood Check that the hood is properly secured. 2-6
Front and rear seats Check that the seats are properly secured. 2-4–2-5
Hull and deck Check the hull and deck for cracks or other dam-
age.3-6
Jet unit Check for debris and remove if necessary. 3-12
Fire extinguisher Check condition and replace if necessary. 3-10
Engine shut-off cord Check condition and replace if frayed or broken. 3-12
Switches Check the start switch, engine stop switch, and
engine shut-off switch for proper operation.3-13
Cooling water pilot outlet Check that water is discharged while the engine
is running and the watercraft is in the water.3-13
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3-11
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EJU01834
Throttle
Squeeze and release the throttle lever
several times to make sure that there is no
hesitation in its travel. It should be smooth
over the complete range, and spring back to
the idle position when released.
WARNING@ Before starting the engine, always check
the operation of the throttle lever.
@
EJU01057
Steering system
Check for looseness in the handlebars.
Turn them as far as possible to the right
and left to make sure that operation is
smooth and unrestricted throughout the
whole range. Make sure that the jet thrust
nozzle also changes directions as the han-
dlebars are turned, and that there is no free
play between the handlebars and the jet
thrust nozzle.
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EJU01839
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
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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4-3
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EJU01299
Lubrication
WARNING@ To reduce the risk of fire or explosion:
Never pour or spray gasoline, or any sub-
stance other than a rust inhibitor through
the hole in the carburetor silencer cover.
@
CAUTION:@
Make sure to replace the cap securely
after fogging the engine, otherwise
water could enter the engine and
cause damage.

Do not attempt to run the engine at full
throttle or for more than 15 seconds
while the watercraft is out of the water,
otherwise the engine may overheat
and/or seize.
@
1. Open the silencer cap 1 on the silencer.
2. Start the engine with the watercraft in a
well-ventilated area.
3. With the engine running at a fast idle,
quickly spray as much rust inhibitor as
possible through the hole in the silencer
cover. Keep spraying until the engine
stalls (or a maximum of 15 seconds).
4. Install the cap securely.
5. Lubricate all cables such as the throttle,
choke, and steering cables.
NOTE:@ Use a suitable marine grease applicator to
pressure lubricate the cables and purge out
any moisture between the inner and outer
cables.
@
6. Lubricate the areas of the watercraft
specified under Lubrication points on
page 4-15.
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4-13
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EJU01891
Inspecting the jet thrust nozzle
angle
Check for smooth operation of the handle-
bars and jet thrust nozzle.
Turn the handlebars as far as possible to
the right and left and check that the distance
between the jet thrust nozzle and the hull
are equal on right and left sides.
If steering is stiff or misadjusted, have a
Yamaha dealer service it.Distance A and B: A=B
EJU01104
Inspecting and adjusting the
throttle cable
Check that the throttle cable moves back
to the set position smoothly and that free
play is within specification.
1. Squeeze and release the throttle lever. If
the lever does not return smoothly, have
a Yamaha dealer service it.
2. Adjust free play a by loosening the lock-
nut 1 and turning the adjuster 2.
Throttle lever free play:
4–7 mm (0.16–0.28 in)
E_F0M-70.book Page 13 Wednesday, June 23, 2004 4:52 PM