2006 YAMAHA FX Owners Manual

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EJU19902
Other labels
This label indicates the
correct direction to upright
a capsized watercraft. CD B
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EF (For Canada only)(For Canada only)
GH
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Safety information
The safe use and operation of this
watercraft is dependent upon the use of
proper riding techniques, as well as upon
the common sense, good judgment, and
expertise of the operator. Before using
this watercraft, make sure that its use is
permitted under local laws, bylaws and
regulations and always operate the
watercraft in full conformity with any
requirements and limitations imposed.
Every operator should know the follow-
ing requirements before riding the water-
craft.

Before operating the watercraft, read this
Owner’s/Operator’s Manual, the Riding
Practice Guide, and all warning and cau-
tion labels on the watercraft. These mate-
rials should give you an understanding of
the watercraft and its operation.

Never allow anyone to operate this water-
craft until they too have read this Owner’s/
Operator’s Manual, the Riding Practice
Guide and all warning and caution labels.
EJU01207
Limitations on who may
operate the watercraft

Yamaha recommends a minimum opera-
tor age of 16 years old.
Adults must supervise use by minors.
Know your local operator age and training
requirements.

This watercraft is designed to carry the
operator and up to 2 passengers. Never
exceed the maximum load limit or allow
more than 3 persons (or 2 persons if a
water-skier is being pulled) to ride the
watercraft at one time.

Do not operate the watercraft with any
passengers on board until you have con-
siderable practice and experience riding
alone. Operating the watercraft with pas-
sengers requires more skill. Take the time
to become accustomed to the handling
characteristics of the watercraft before
trying any difficult maneuvers.
Maximum load: 240 kg (530 lb)
Load is the total weight of cargo,
operator and passengers.
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Cruising limitations

Scan constantly for people, objects, and
other watercraft. Be alert for conditions
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 watercraft 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 submerged 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 throt-
tle to steer. Always check throttle and
steering controls before starting the
watercraft.

Ride within your limits and avoid aggres-
sive maneuvers to reduce the risk of loss
of control, ejection, and collision.

This is a high performance boat—not a
toy. Sharp turns or jumping wakes or
waves can increase the risk of back/spinal
injury (paralysis), facial injuries, and bro-
ken legs, ankles and other bones. Do not
jump wakes or waves.

Do not operate the watercraft in rough
water, bad weather or when visibility is
poor; this may lead to an accident caus-
ing injury or death. Be alert to the possi-
bility of adverse weather. Take note of
weather forecasts and the prevailing
weather conditions before setting out on
your watercraft.

As with any water sport, you should not
operate your watercraft without someone
else nearby. If you operate further than
swimming distance from shore, you
should be accompanied by another boat
or watercraft, but make sure you stay a
safe distance away. It’s good, common
sense!

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.
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This watercraft is not equipped with light-
ing required for night operation. Do not
operate the watercraft after sunset or
before dawn, otherwise you increase the
risk of colliding with another boat, which
could result in severe injury or death.

Follow navigation rules, and state/provin-
cial and local laws that apply to water-
craft.
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Operation requirements

All riders must wear a personal flotation
device (PFD) that is approved by the
appropriate authorities and suitable for
personal watercraft use.

Wear protective clothing. Severe internal
injuries can occur if water is forced into
body cavities as a result of falling into
water or being near the jet thrust nozzle.
Normal swimwear does not adequately
protect against forceful water entry into
the rectum or vagina. All riders must wear
a wetsuit bottom or clothing that provides
equivalent protection. Such clothing
includes thick, tightly woven, sturdy and
snug-fitting apparel such as denim, but
does not include spandex or similar fab-
rics, like those used in bicycle shorts.
1
Authority-approved PFD
2
Wetsuit bottom

Eye protection is recommended to keep
wind, water, and glare from the sun out of
your eyes while you operate your water-
craft. Restraining straps for eyewear are
made which are designed to float should
your eyewear fall in the water.
Footwear and gloves are recommended.
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You must decide whether to wear a hel-
met while you ride for recreation. You
should know that a helmet could help pro-
tect you in certain kinds of accidents and
that it could injure you in others.
A helmet is designed to provide some
head protection. Although helmets cannot
protect against all foreseeable impacts, a
helmet might reduce your injuries in a col-
lision with a boat or other obstacle.
A helmet may have potential safety haz-
ards, as well. Falling into the water could
risk the chance of the helmet catching
water, commonly known as “bucketing,”
and the resulting strain on your neck
could cause choking, severe and perma-
nent neck injuries, or death. A helmet
could also increase the risk of an accident
if it reduces your vision or hearing, or if it
distracts you or increases your fatigue.
How should you decide if a helmet’s
potential safety benefits outweigh its
potential risks for you? Consider your par-
ticular riding conditions. Consider factors
such as your riding environment and your
riding style and ability. Also consider the
likelihood of traffic congestion, and the
water surface conditions. If you decide to
wear a helmet based upon your riding cir-
cumstances, choose one carefully. Look
for a helmet designed for personal water-
craft use, if possible. If you will be engag-
ing in closed-course competition, follow
the helmet requirements of the sanction-
ing organization.

NEVER operate the watercraft after con-
suming alcohol or taking other drugs.

For reasons of safety and proper care of
the watercraft, always perform the pre-
operation checks listed on page 3-5
before operating the watercraft.

The operator and passengers should
always keep both feet in the footwell when
the watercraft is in motion. Lifting your
feet increases the chances of losing your
balance, or hitting objects outside the
watercraft with your feet. Do not give a
ride to children if their feet cannot reach
the floor of the footwell.

The passengers should hold on firmly,
either to the person in front of them or to
the handgrip provided.

Never allow a passenger to ride in front of
the operator.

Always consult your doctor on whether it
is safe for you to ride this watercraft if you
are pregnant or in poor health.
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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 your wrist and keep it free from the
handlebars so that the engine stops if the
operator 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 if you maneuver more quickly than
other boaters expect, you risk a collision.

Maintain a safe distance from other boats
and watercraft, and also watch for 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 1-20.)
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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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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.
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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.
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