Page 71 of 122
3-24
E
EJU10730
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.
EJU10740
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.
UF1G73.book Page 24 Tuesday, July 12, 2005 8:55 AM
Page 72 of 122
3-25
E
EJU10750
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.
@
EJU18380
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
left wrist, and then install the clip to the
engine shut-off switch.
4. Grip the handlebars firmly with both
hands, place both feet on the floor of the
footwell, start the engine, and then look
in all directions before starting off.
WARNING@ Before starting off, make sure that there
are no boats, obstructions, or swimmers
around you.
@
UF1G73.book Page 25 Tuesday, July 12, 2005 8:55 AM
Page 73 of 122
3-26
E
EJU10771
Boarding with a passenger
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 the passenger
is seated with his or her feet on the floor
of the footwell and is holding on to the
operator.
@
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.
NOTE:@ When a passenger is getting on board, both
the passenger and the operator should try to
balance the watercraft.
@
4. The operator should check to see that
the passenger has his or her feet on the
floor of the footwell and that he or she is
securely holding on to the operator.
Never allow a passenger to ride in front
of the operator.
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.
@
UF1G73.book Page 26 Tuesday, July 12, 2005 8:55 AM
Page 74 of 122
3-27
E
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
160 kg (353 lb) including any cargo. If it is
difficult to balance the watercraft at a stand-
still, proceed as follows:
1. The passenger must steady the water-
craft while the operator is boarding. The
operator pulls himself up onto the plat-
form into a seating position, then bal-
ances the watercraft.
2. Attach the lanyard to your left wrist, then
install the clip on the lanyard to the
engine shut-off switch. Start the engine
and keep it at idle.
3. The passenger pulls himself up on the
platform, kneels down, then crawls onto
the seat as the watercraft accelerates.
4. The watercraft can now be accelerated
to planing speed, then the operator can
reduce the throttle to the desired running
speed.
@
EJU20082
Capsized watercraft
If the watercraft capsizes, turn it over
immediately.
Be sure to carefully follow the procedures
below to prevent injury or damage to the
watercraft.
WARNING@ IMPROPER UPRIGHTING CAN CAUSE
INJURY:
Make sure that the engine shut-off
cord is removed from the engine shut-
off switch.
Do not put your hands in the intake
grate.
Watch so you are not hit by the water-
craft as it comes over.
@
UF1G73.book Page 27 Tuesday, July 12, 2005 8:55 AM
Page 75 of 122
3-28
E
1. Remove the clip from the engine shut-off
switch.
2. Swim to the rear of the watercraft. Pull
the watercraft over with your left hand on
the ride plate while pushing down on the
gunwale with your right hand or foot.
NOTE:@ If the port (left) side of the capsized water-
craft is tilting up, push down on the gunwale
so that the port (left) side is down before
turning the watercraft clockwise.
@
CAUTION:@ Do not turn the watercraft over counter-
clockwise, otherwise water can leak into
the engine, which can result in severe
damage.
@
3. Start the engine and operate the water-
craft to discharge any water remaining in
the engine compartment. (If the engine
does not start, see page 5-8, “Towing the
watercraft” or page 5-9, “Submerged
watercraft.”)
NOTE:@ To efficiently discharge water from the
engine compartment, operate the watercraft
as straight as possible and above planing
speed for at least 2 minutes.
@
CAUTION:@ Do not operate the engine at full throttle
for at least one minute after the engine
has been restarted. Excessive water in
the bilge can splash into the engine,
which can result in severe damage.
@
UF1G73.book Page 28 Tuesday, July 12, 2005 8:55 AM
Page 76 of 122
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.
UF1G73.book Page 29 Tuesday, July 12, 2005 8:55 AM
Page 77 of 122
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.
UF1G73.book Page 30 Tuesday, July 12, 2005 8:55 AM
Page 78 of 122
3-31
E
EJU10800
Stopping the watercraft
The watercraft is not equipped with a sep-
arate braking system. It is stopped by water
resistance when the throttle lever is
released. From full speed, the watercraft
comes to a complete stop in approximately
125 m (410 ft) after the throttle is released
and the engine is stopped, although this dis-
tance will vary depending on many factors,
including gross weight, water surface condi-
tions, and wind direction. The watercraft
slows down as soon as the throttle lever is
released, but will coast for a distance before
fully stopping. If you are not sure you can
stop in time before hitting an obstacle, apply
throttle and turn in another direction.
WARNING@ Allow adequate stopping distance.
Take early action to avoid collisions.
Remember, watercraft and other boats
do not have brakes.
Operate defensively at safe speeds
and keep a safe distance away from
people, objects, and other watercraft
to give you time to stop.
Do not shut the engine off when slow-
ing down in case you need engine
power to steer away from a boat or
other obstacle that comes into your
path.
@
UF1G73.book Page 31 Tuesday, July 12, 2005 8:55 AM
