2008 YAMAHA SUPERJET warning

Operation
36
EJU32900
Operating your watercraft EJU32920Getting 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 page 7. These ma-
terials should give you an understanding of
the watercraft and its operation.
Remember: This watercraft is designed to
carry the operator only. Never have more than
one person on the watercraft at any time.
EJU32980Learning to operate your watercraft
Before operating the watercraft, always per-
form the pre-operation checks listed on page
27. 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,
and other watercraft. Select a wide area tolearn 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). The
operator 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 or vagina.
The operator 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.
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Operation
37
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 get
to a standing or kneeling position quickly.
Keep both feet or knees on the riding tray
when the watercraft is in motion.
WARNING
EWJ00500

Do not apply throttle when anyone is at
the rear of the watercraft—turn the en-
gine off or keep it at idle. Water and/or
debris exiting the jet thrust nozzle can
cause severe injury.

Avoid the forceful jet thrust and make
sure that your visibility is not limited
while reboarding. Get to a standing or
kneeling position quickly, but do not ex-
pose yourself to the forceful jet thrust.
EJU33170Operating positions
After you are underway, you may choose to
kneel or stand, depending upon watercraft
speed, your skill level, and your preference.
Here are some guidelines.
EJU33180Kneeling
It is easier to maintain your balance when
kneeling than when standing. This position is
recommended when traveling at sub-planing
speeds. (At sub-planing speeds, there is awake, but the watercraft is moving through the
water rather than skimming on top of it.)
NOTE:
At very slow speeds, it may be necessary to
support your upper-body weight with your el-
bows resting on the gunwales, trailing your
legs in the water.
EJU33190Standing
After you are comfortable handling the water-
craft from a kneeling position, try standing as
the watercraft gains speed. The watercraft will
become easier to balance as the speed in-
creases, because jet thrust provides stability
as well as directional control. When you are
moving slowly, or preparing to stop, you will
probably need to return to the kneeling posi-
tion to maintain your balance.
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Operation
38
EJU33070Starting the watercraft
WARNING
EWJ00700

Scan constantly for people, objects, and
other watercraft. Be alert for conditions
that limit your visibility or block your vi-
sion 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 shal-
low water.

Take early action to avoid collisions. Re-
member, watercraft and other boats do
not have brakes. Do not release the
throttle lever when trying to steer away
from objects—you need throttle to steer.

Practice deep-water starting near shore
before riding in deep water.
The watercraft is less stable when at a stand-
still or at a slow speed. It takes skill to keep the
watercraft upright when starting.
Even though it is easier to start in shallow wa-
ter, you must learn deep-water boarding first.You will inevitably fall off, so be sure you know
how to get back on the watercraft once you
are away from shore.
EJU33101Boarding and starting in shallow water
Be sure to learn the deep-water starting meth-
od before operating the watercraft in water
where it is too deep for you to stand. (See
page 39 for the deep-water starting method.)
(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.
(2) Attach the engine shut-off cord to your left
wrist, and then attach the clip to the en-
gine shut-off switch.
(3) Grip the handlebars with both hands.
Place one knee on the riding tray and bal-
ance there.
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Operation
39
(4) Start the engine and begin to accelerate.
(5) Pull your other knee up onto the riding
tray as the watercraft speed increases.
(6) Move as far forward as possible without
interfering with the movement of the han-
dlebars. Keep your body perpendicular to
the water, with your weight forward and
low.
NOTE:
The watercraft will become easier to balance
as the speed increases, because jet thrust
provides stability as well as directional control.
EJU33120Boarding and starting in deep water
(1) Swim to the rear of the watercraft. Attach
the engine shut-off cord to your left wrist,
and then attach the clip to the engine
shut-off switch.
(2) Grip the handlebars with both hands. Pull
your body up onto the riding tray and bal-ance there, using your elbows on the
gunwales for leverage.
(3) Start the engine and begin to accelerate.
(4) Continue to pull your body up onto the
watercraft as the watercraft speed in-
creases.
(5) Bring your knees up onto the riding tray
and change to a kneeling position as
soon as you can do so.
WARNING
EWJ00630
Avoid forceful jet thrust and limited visibil-
ity while reboarding. Get to a standing or
kneeling position quickly, but do not ex-
pose yourself to the forceful jet thrust.
(6) Move as far forward as possible without
interfering with the movement of the han-
dlebars. Keep your body perpendicular to
the water, with your weight forward and
low.
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Operation
40
(7) Once the bow drops, and the watercraft
has leveled out in the water and reached
planing speed, back off the throttle and
select your desired speed.
NOTE:

The watercraft will become easier to bal-
ance as the speed increases, because jet
thrust provides stability as well as direction-
al control.

It will take longer for a heavier operator to
reach planing speed than it will for a light
operator.
EJU33200Capsized watercraft
If the watercraft capsizes, turn it over immedi-
ately.
Be sure to carefully follow the procedures be-
low to prevent injury, or damage to the water-
craft.
WARNING
EWJ00670
IMPROPER UPRIGHTING CAN CAUSE IN-
JURY:

Be sure to shut the engine off by pulling
on the engine shut-off cord to remove
the clip from the engine shut-off switch.

Do not put your hands in the intake
grate.
CAUTION:
ECJ00510
Be sure to remove the clip from the engine
shut-off switch to shut the engine off, oth-
erwise the engine can overheat, which can
result in severe damage.
(1) Remove the clip from the engine shut-off
switch.(2) Swim to the rear of the watercraft and up-
right it by turning it clockwise only.
NOTE:
If the port (left) side of the capsized watercraft
is tilting up, push down on the gunwale so that
the port (left) side is down before turning the
watercraft clockwise.
CAUTION:
ECJ00520
Do not turn the watercraft over counter-
clockwise, otherwise water can enter the
carburetor and 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 “Towing the water-
craft” on page 67 or “Submerged water-
craft” on page 68.)
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Operation
42
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.
To maintain your balance, lean into a turn.
How much you lean depends on the sharp-
ness of the turn and your traveling speed. In
general, the higher the speed or the sharper
the turn, the more you lean.WARNING
EWJ00760
Do not release the throttle lever when try-
ing to steer away from objects—you need
throttle to steer. A collision could result in
severe injury or death.
EJU33270Stopping the watercraft
The watercraft is not equipped with a sepa-
rate braking system. It is stopped by water re-
sistance when the throttle lever is released.
From full speed, the watercraft comes to a
complete stop in approximately 90 m (300 ft)
after the throttle lever is released or the en-
gine is stopped, although this distance will
vary depending on many factors, including
gross weight, water surface conditions, 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 ob-
stacle, apply throttle and turn in another direc-
tion.
WARNING
EWJ00720

Allow adequate stopping distance.

Take early action to avoid collisions. Re-
member, watercraft and other boats do
not have brakes.
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Operation
44
(5) Flush the cooling system to prevent it
from clogging with salt, sand, or dirt. (See
page 46 for flushing procedures.)
(6) Drain residual water from the exhaust
system by alternately squeezing and re-
leasing the throttle lever for 10 to 15 sec-
onds while the engine is running.
CAUTION:
ECJ00561
Do not run the engine for more than 15
seconds without supplying water, other-
wise the engine could overheat.
(7) If the watercraft will be stored for a week
or more, lubricate internal engine compo-
nents to help prevent corrosion. (See
page 47 for lubrication procedures.)
(8) Rinse the engine and engine compart-
ment with a small amount of water.
CAUTION:
ECJ00570
Do not use high-pressure water when rins-
ing the engine or engine compartment as
severe engine damage could result.
(9) Wipe the engine and engine compart-
ment dry with a clean cloth (repeat step 3,
if necessary).
(10) Wipe the hull, steering pole, handlebars,
and jet unit dry with a clean cloth.
(11) Spray a rust inhibitor on metallic parts to
minimize corrosion.
(12) Allow the engine compartment to air dry
completely before installing the hood.
EJU33420
Transporting
WARNING
EWJ00750
Always turn the fuel cock knob to “OFF”
when transporting the watercraft, other-
wise fuel could leak out into the engine or
engine compartment, which would create
a fire hazard.
Transport this watercraft using a special trail-
er that incorporates a hole into which the pin
can be inserted and locked after passing it
through the bow rope hole.
After securing the bow with the pin, secure the
stern with ropes or tie downs routed over the
1Pin
2Bow rope hole
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Maintenance and care
46
EJU33480
Storage
WARNING
EWJ00320
Always turn the fuel cock knob to “OFF”
when storing the watercraft, otherwise
fuel could leak out into the engine or en-
gine compartment, which would create a
fire hazard.
Storage for long periods of time, such as win-
ter storage, requires preventive maintenance
to ensure against deterioration. It is advisable
to have the watercraft serviced by a Yamaha
dealer prior to storage. However, the following
procedures can be performed by the owner.
EJU33512Flushing the cooling system
Flushing the cooling system is essential to
prevent it from clogging with salt, sand, or dirt.
CAUTION:
ECJ00920

Do not supply water to the cooling water
passages when the engine is not run-
ning. The water could flow back through
the muffler into the crankcase, causing
severe engine damage.

Do not run the engine for more than 15
seconds on land without supplying wa-
ter, otherwise the engine could over-
heat.
(1) Place the watercraft in a horizontal posi-
tion.
(2) Remove the flushing hose connector
cap, and then insert the garden hose
adapter into the flushing hose connector
and turn it until it is securely connected.
(3) Connect the garden hose adapter to a
water tap using a garden hose.
NOTE:
A garden hose is not included and must be
purchased separately.
(4) Start the engine, and then immediately
turn the water supply on until water flows
out continually from the cooling water pi-
lot outlet.
(5) Run the engine at idling speed for about
3 minutes watching the engine condition.
If the engine stops while flushing, turn the
water supply off immediately and repeat
the above steps.
(6) Turn the water supply off, and then force
the remaining water out of the cooling
water passages by alternately squeezing
and releasing the throttle lever for 10 to
15 seconds.
(7) Stop the engine.
1Garden hose adapter
2Flushing hose connector
3Flushing hose connector cap
UF2F70E0.book Page 46 Tuesday, April 17, 2007 9:56 AM