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Operation
42
contact a Yamaha dealer or a fire extin-
guisher dealer to obtain one meeting the
proper specifications.
EJU32590Throttle lever
Check the throttle lever for proper operation.
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 com-
plete range and spring back to the idle posi-
tion when released.
WARNING
EWJ00490
Before starting the engine, always check
the operation of the throttle lever.
EJU32600Steering system
Check the handlebars for looseness.
Turn the handlebars as far as possible to the
right and left to make sure that operation is
smooth and unrestricted throughout the
whole range. Also, make sure that the jet
thrust nozzle moves as the handlebars areturned, and that there is no free play between
the handlebars and the jet thrust nozzle.
EJU32640Quick Shift Trim System (QSTS)
Check the QSTS selector lock lever and the
QSTS selector for proper operation.
(1) Operate the QSTS selector lock lever
and the QSTS selector to check that they
operate properly.
(2) Check that the QSTS selector locks when
the lever is released.
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Operation
43
(3) Check that the QSTS selector turns
smoothly when the lever is squeezed and
held in place.
(4) Check that the angle of the jet thrust noz-
zle changes when the QSTS selector is
shifted from neutral to bow up or bow
down.
If the mechanism does not work properly,
have a Yamaha dealer service it.
EJU32650Jet intake
Carefully check the jet intake for weeds, de-
bris, or anything else that might restrict the in-
take of water. If the jet intake is clogged,
cavitation could occur, reducing jet thrust, and
possibly damaging the jet pump.
In some cases, the engine may overheat be-
cause of lack of cooling water, and damage to
the engine could result. Cooling water is fed to
the engine by the jet pump. (See page 76 for
jet intake cleaning procedures.)
WARNING
EWJ00470
Keep away from the intake grate while
the engine is on. Items such as long hair,
loose clothing, or PFD straps can be-
come entangled in moving parts, result-
ing in severe injury or drowning.
Stop the engine and remove the clip
from the engine shut-off switch before
removing any debris or weeds, which
may have collected around the jet in-
take.
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Operation
44
EJU32660Engine shut-off cord
Check that the engine shut-off cord is not
frayed or broken. If the cord is damaged, re-
place it; never try to repair it or tie it together.
EJU32670Switches
CAUTION:
ECJ00410
Do not run the engine for more than 15
seconds when checking the switches on
land without supplying water, otherwise
the engine could overheat.
Check the start switch, the engine stop
switch, and the engine shut-off switch for
proper operation.
Push the start switch to start the engine. As
soon as the engine starts running, push the
engine stop switch to verify that the engine
stops immediately. Restart the engine, and
then pull the engine shut-off cord to remove
the clip from the engine shut-off switch to ver-
ify that the engine stops immediately. (See
pages 22 to 23 for information on proper op-eration of the start switch, the engine stop
switch, and the engine shut-off switch.)
EJU32690Cooling water pilot outlets
Check that water comes out from the cooling
water pilot outlets while the engine is running
and the watercraft is in the water.
EJU32710Multifunction information center
Check the multifunction information center for
proper operation. (See page 27 for informa-
1Start switch
2Engine stop switch
3Engine shut-off switch
4Clip
5Engine shut-off cord
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Operation
45
tion on proper operation of the multifunction
information center.)EJU32740
Operation
WARNING
EWJ00510
Before operating your watercraft, become
familiar with all of the controls. Consult a
Yamaha dealer about any control or func-
tion that you do not fully understand. Fail-
ure to understand how the controls work
could cause an accident or prevent you
from avoiding an accident.
CAUTION:
ECJ00460
Make sure that the stern drain plugs are
tightened securely before launching the
watercraft.
EJU32760Engine break-in
The engine break-in period is essential to al-
low the various components of the engine to
wear and polish themselves to the correct op-
erating clearances. This ensures proper per-
formance and promotes longer component
life.
CAUTION:
ECJ00450
For the first tankful of fuel, premix the
fuel in a fuel-to-oil ratio of 50:1 (in addi-
tion to the oil in the oil tank).
After break-in, use straight gasoline for
normal operation.
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Operation
46
(1) Launch the watercraft and start the en-
gine. (See page 46 for engine starting
procedures.)
(2) Run the engine at trolling speed for 5 min-
utes.
(3) Gradually apply throttle and run the en-
gine at 5000 r/min or less.
(4) Operate the watercraft at 5000 r/min or
less for the first tankful of fuel.
(5) Fill the fuel tank with straight gasoline,
and then proceed with normal operation.
CAUTION:
ECJ00430
Failure to follow the engine break-in pro-
cedure could result in reduced engine life
or even severe engine damage.
EJU32820Launching the watercraft
When launching the watercraft, make sure
that there are no obstacles around you.
After the watercraft is in the water, turn it
around so that the bow faces the direction you
wish to go. Start the engine, and then slowly
move away from the launching area. If there
are waves, someone should make sure that
the watercraft is not pushed into the trailer af-
ter launching the watercraft.
EJU32840Starting the engine
WARNING
EWJ00560
Never start the engine or let it run for any
length of time in an enclosed area. Ex-
haust 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.
(1) Launch the watercraft in water free from
weeds and debris and at least 60 cm (2 ft)
deep.
WARNING
EWJ00570
Never operate in water that is less than 60
cm (2 ft) deep, otherwise you increase
your chance of hitting a submerged ob-
ject, which could result in injury.
CAUTION:
ECJ00470
Never operate in water that is less than 60
cm (2 ft) deep, otherwise pebbles or sand
could be sucked into the jet intake, caus-
ing impeller damage and engine overheat-
ing.
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Operation
47
(2) Attach the engine shut-off cord to your left
wrist, and then attach the clip to the en-
gine shut-off switch.
WARNING
EWJ00580
Check that the engine shut-off cord is not
frayed or broken, and keep it free from the
handlebars so that the engine stops if the
operator falls off. The engine shut-off cord
may not pull free if wrapped around the
handlebars when the operator falls off, al-
lowing the watercraft to continue to run
and cause an accident.
NOTE:
It is not possible to start the engine with the
clip removed from the engine shut-off switch.
(3) Push the start switch (green button), and
then release it as soon as the engine
starts to run.
NOTE:
The engine will not start if the throttle lever is
squeezed.
CAUTION:
ECJ00480
Never push the start switch while the en-
gine is running.
Do not operate the start switch for more
than 5 seconds, otherwise the battery
will be discharged and the engine will
not start. Also, the starter motor could
be damaged. If the engine does not start
in 5 seconds, release the start switch,
wait 15 seconds, and then try again.
1Clip
2Engine shut-off switch
3Engine shut-off cord
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Operation
48
EJU32860Stopping the engine
To stop the engine, release the throttle lever,
and then push the engine stop switch (red
button).
WARNING
EWJ00600
You need throttle to steer. Shutting the en-
gine off can cause you to hit an obstacle
you are attempting to avoid. A collision
could result in severe injury or death.
EJU32870Leaving the watercraft
If leaving the watercraft, remove the engine
shut-off cord to reduce the chance of acciden-
tal starting or unauthorized use by children or
others.
EJU32900
Operating your watercraft EJU32940Getting to know your watercraft
Operating your watercraft requires skills ac-
quired through practice over a period of time.
Take the time to learn the basic techniques
well before attempting more difficult maneu-
vers.
Operating your new watercraft can be a very
enjoyable activity, providing you with hours of
pleasure. However, it is essential to familiar-
ize yourself with the operation of the water-
craft to achieve the skill level necessary to
enjoy riding safely.
Before operating this watercraft, read this
owner’s/operator’s manual, the Riding Prac-
tice Guide, and all warning and caution labels
on the watercraft. Pay particular attention to
the safety information on pages 9. These ma-
terials should give you an understanding of
the watercraft and its operation.
Remember: This watercraft is designed to
carry the operator and 1 passenger. Never
exceed the maximum load limit or allow more
than 2 persons to ride the watercraft at any
time.
EJU36040Learning to operate your watercraft
Before operating the watercraft, always per-
form the pre-operation checks listed on page
38. The short time spent checking the water-
craft will reward you with added safety and re-
liability.
Check local laws before operating your water-
craft.
Operate defensively at safe speeds and keep
a safe distance away from people, objects,
Maximum load:
160 kg (353 lb)
Load is the total weight of cargo, oper-
ator, and passenger.
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Operation
49
and other watercraft. Select a wide area to
learn in, where there is good visibility and light
boat traffic.
Use the buddy system—operate with some-
one nearby. Scan constantly for people, ob-
jects, and other watercraft. Be alert for
conditions that limit your visibility or block your
vision of others.
Attach the engine shut-off cord to your left
wrist and keep it free from the handlebars so
that the engine stops if you, the operator, fall
off.
Wear a personal flotation device (PFD). All
riders must wear a PFD that is approved by
the appropriate authorities and is suitable for
personal watercraft use.
Wear protective clothing. Severe internal inju-
ries can occur if water is forced into body cav-
ities as a result of falling into the water or
being near the jet thrust nozzle. Normal swim-
wear does not adequately protect against
forceful water entry into the rectum and vagi-
na. 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 den-
im, but does not include spandex or similar
fabrics, like those used in bicycle shorts. A full
wetsuit can also protect against hypothermia
(subnormal body temperature) and abra-
sions.Footwear and gloves are recommended.
Eye protection is recommended to keep wind,
water, and glare from the sun out of your eyes
while you operate your watercraft. Restraining
straps for eyewear are made which are de-
signed to float should your eyewear fall in the
water.
You should grip the handlebars firmly and
keep both feet on the floor of the footwell. Do
not attempt to ride with a passenger until your
operating skills are fully developed.
EJU33020Riding with a passenger
When a passenger is on board with the oper-
ator, the watercraft handles differently, and is
not as easy to maneuver, so operating it re-
quires a higher degree of skill. Before at-
tempting to operate the watercraft with a
passenger on board, the operator must prac-
tice operating the watercraft alone enough to
be able to acquire the necessary skills.
The passenger must always wear a PFD that
is approved by the appropriate authorities and
a wetsuit bottom or equivalent.
WARNING
EWJ00520
Do not apply throttle when anyone is at the
rear of the watercraft. Turn the engine off
or keep it at idle. Water and/or debris exit-
ing the jet thrust nozzle can cause severe
injury. The passenger should not attempt
to board the watercraft if the operator is
applying throttle.
Do not give a ride to a child whose feet cannot
reach the floor of the footwell. The passenger
should hold on firmly to the operator and keep
both feet on the floor of the footwell. Never al-
low a passenger to ride in front of the opera-
tor.
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