2009 YAMAHA SUPERJET steering

Operation
27
EJU32280Pre-operation check points EJU32291Engine compartment
WARNING
EWJ00460
Failure to ventilate the engine compart-
ment could result in a fire or explosion. Do
not start the engine if there is a fuel leak or
a loose electrical connection.
Ventilate the engine compartment before
each use.
To ventilate the engine compartment, lift the
steering pole and support it with the lock pin,
and then remove the hood. (See page 17 for
hood removal and installation procedures.)
Leave the engine compartment open for a few
minutes to allow any fuel vapors to escape.
While the engine compartment is open, check
for loose electrical connections.
EJU32350Hull and deck
Check the hull and deck for cracks and other
damage. If any damage is found, have a
Yamaha dealer repair the watercraft.
EJU32361Fuel system
Make sure that there is sufficient fuel in the
fuel tank before each use.
Also, check the fuel system for leakage,
cracks, and malfunctions. (See page 51 for
check points and correct procedures.)(1) Remove the fuel tank filler cap to release
any pressure that might have built up in
the fuel tank.
(2) Remove the hood. (See page 17 for hood
removal and installation procedures.)
(3) Check the fuel level in the fuel tank and
replenish if necessary. (See page 25 for
filling procedures.)
(4) Install the fuel tank filler cap and the
hood.
EJU32420Water separator
Check the water separator for water. The wa-
ter separator retains any water that may have
entered through the fuel tank breather hose if
the watercraft was capsized. Normally, the
water separator is empty.
If water remains in the water separator, drain
it by removing the drain screw. Place a drain
pan under the water separator to catch the
1Water separator
2Drain screw
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Operation
28
draining water or use a dry cloth to soak up
any water that could spill into the watercraft. If
any water spills into the watercraft, be sure to
wipe it up with a dry cloth. Also, be sure to in-
stall the drain screw after draining the water
separator.
EJU32432Bilge
Check the bilge. Wipe up any remaining mois-
ture or fuel residue with a dry rag. NOTICE:
Excessive water in the engine compart-
ment can splash into the engine, which
can result in severe damage.
[ECJ00341]
EJU32482
Battery
Check the battery electrolyte level and check
that the battery has sufficient power to start
the engine easily. WARNING! Never operate
the watercraft if the battery does not have
sufficient power to start the engine or if it
shows any other signs of decreased pow-
er. Loss of battery power may leave you
stranded.
[EWJ01240]
Recharge the battery or replace it if it is not in
good condition. (See page 57 for battery re-
charging procedures.)
Also, check that the battery leads are tight-
ened securely and that there is no corrosion
on the battery terminals. Check that the
breather hose is securely connected to the
battery and that it is not pinched. WARNING!
Fire or explosion could result if the breath-er hose is damaged, obstructed, or not
connected properly.
[EWJ00451]
Make sure that the battery is securely held in
place.
EJU32501Fire extinguisher
Check that there is a full fire extinguisher on
board.
The fire extinguisher container is located on
the hood under the steering pole.
1Positive (+) battery terminal: Red lead
2Negative (–) battery terminal: Black lead
3Breather hose
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Operation
29
To open the fire extinguisher container:
(1) Grasp the tab, pull the band to the rear,
and then pull it up.
(2) Lift the container about 30 degrees from
the storage position. NOTICE: Do not
force the fire extinguisher container
up more than 30 degrees from the
storage position, otherwise the con-
tainer and hood could be damaged.
[ECJ00401]
(3) Remove the cap to access the fire extin-
guisher.
To close the fire extinguisher container:
(1) Insert the fire extinguisher into the con-
tainer, and then install the cap and tighten
it securely.(2) Lower the container on the hood to its
storage position and secure it with the
band.
To check the fire extinguisher, see the in-
structions supplied by the fire extinguish-
er manufacturer. Always keep the fire
extinguisher in the fire extinguisher con-
tainer.
Always carry a fire extinguisher on board.
A fire extinguisher is not standard equip-
ment with this watercraft. If you do not
have one, contact a Yamaha dealer or a
fire extinguisher dealer to obtain one
meeting the proper specifications.
EJU32591Throttle 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.
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 are
1Fire extinguisher holder and cover
2Ta b
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Operation
30
turned, and that there is no free play between
the handlebars and the jet thrust nozzle.
EJU32620Steering pole
Check the steering pole for looseness.
Move the steering pole up and down to make
sure that operation is smooth and unrestricted
throughout the whole range. Also, make sure
that the steering pole does not have any side
play.
EJU32651Jet 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, clean
it. (See page 63 for jet intake cleaning proce-
dures.)
If the watercraft is operated while the jet in-
take is clogged, cavitation could occur, reduc-
ing jet thrust, and possibly damaging the jet
pump. In some cases, the engine may over-
heat because of lack of cooling water, anddamage to the engine could result. Cooling
water is fed to the engine by the jet pump.
EJU32661Engine shut-off cord (lanyard)
Check that the engine shut-off cord (lanyard)
is not frayed or broken. If the cord is dam-
aged, replace it. WARNING! Never try to re-
pair the engine shut-off cord (lanyard) or
tie it together. The engine shut-off cord
(lanyard) may not pull free when the oper-
ator falls off, allowing the watercraft to
continue to run and cause an accident.
[EWJ01220]
EJU32671
Switches
NOTICE
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.
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Operation
40
EJU33241Turning the watercraft
WARNING
EWJ00761

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 turn-
ing. Sharp high-speed turns may cause
the watercraft to slide sideways or spin,
throwing the operator overboard, which
could cause an injury.
Steering control depends on the combination
of handlebar position and the amount of throt-
tle.
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 pro-
duced.
The amount of jet thrust, in addition to the po-
sition 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 ap-
ply 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.
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Operation
42
steer away from a boat or other obstacle
that comes into your path.
EJU33301Beaching the watercraft
(1) Make sure that there are no boats, swim-
mers, or obstacles near the beach. Re-
lease the throttle lever about 90 m (300 ft)
before you reach the intended beaching
area.
(2) Approach the beach slowly and stop the
engine before reaching land.
Remember, you need throttle to steer.
(3) Get off the watercraft and pull it up on the
beach. NOTICE: Small pebbles, sand,
seaweed, and other debris can be
sucked into the jet intake and impair
or damage the impeller. Always stop
the engine and get off the watercraft
before beaching it.
[ECJ00491]
EJU37190
Operating in weeded areas
Always avoid operating your watercraft in ar-
eas where weed growth is thick. If traveling in
weeded areas is unavoidable, operate the en-
gine alternately at partial throttle and full throt-
tle. Weeds tend to accumulate more at a
steady speed and at trolling speed. If weeds
clog the intake area and cause cavitation,
clean the jet intake and impeller. (See page
63 for cleaning procedures.)
EJU33362
Post-operation care
To keep your watercraft in top shape, always
take it out of the water after using it and per-
form the following procedures. Leaving the
watercraft in the water for extended periods
will accelerate the rate of normal deterioration
of the jet unit components and hull finish. Ma-
rine organisms and corrosion are some of the
conditions that can adversely affect the life of
many watercraft components.
(1) Remove the watercraft from the water.
(2) Wash down the hull, steering pole, han-
dlebars, and jet unit with fresh water.
(3) Remove the hood and check the engine
compartment for water. To drain excess
water, turn the watercraft onto its port
(left) side. If necessary, turn the water-
craft upside down to drain the water com-
pletely. Place a suitable clean cloth or
carpeting underneath the watercraft to
protect it from abrasions and scratches.
NOTICE: Always turn the watercraft
over onto its port (left) side, otherwise
the water could flow back through the
muffler into the engine. When turning
the watercraft onto its side or invert-
ing it, support the bow and secure the
steering pole, otherwise the steering
pole and handlebars could be bent or
damaged.
[ECJ00581]
TIP:
This watercraft is equipped with an automatic
bilge draining system that removes water
from the engine compartment while you are
underway. However, some residual water will
remain, therefore, wipe it up with a clean
cloth.
(4) Place the watercraft in a horizontal posi-
tion.
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Operation
43
(5) Flush the cooling system to prevent it
from clogging with salt, sand, or dirt. (See
page 45 for flushing procedures.)
(6) If the watercraft will be stored for a week
or more, lubricate internal engine compo-
nents to help prevent corrosion. (See
page 46 for lubrication procedures.)
(7) Rinse the engine and engine compart-
ment with a small amount of water.
NOTICE: Do not use high-pressure
water when rinsing the engine or en-
gine compartment as severe engine
damage could result.
[ECJ00571]
(8) Wipe the engine and engine compart-
ment dry with a clean cloth (repeat step 3,
if necessary).
(9) Wipe the hull, steering pole, handlebars,
and jet unit dry with a clean cloth.
(10) Spray a rust inhibitor on metallic parts to
minimize corrosion.
(11) Allow the engine compartment to air dry
completely before installing the hood.
EJU33421
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
gunwales. Use a rubber shock cord to secure
the steering pole to the watercraft. NOTICE:
Do not secure the steering pole with ropes
or tie downs and do not secure it to the
1Pin
2Bow rope hole
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Operation
44
trailer. Also, do not transport the water-
craft with the steering pole up. Otherwise,
the steering pole could be damaged. Wrap
the ropes or tie downs with towels or rags
where they touch the body of the water-
craft to avoid scratching or damage.
[ECJ00631]
1Rubber shock cord
2Tie down
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