2012 YAMAHA FZS tow

Table of contents
Pre-operation check points .......... 58
Pre-launch checks ........................... 58
Post-launch checks ......................... 65
Operation ......................................... 66
Operating your watercraft ............. 66
Getting to know your watercraft ....... 66
Learning to operate
your watercraft ............................. 66
Riding position ................................. 67
Launching the watercraft ................. 67
Starting the engine on water ........... 67
Stopping the engine ........................ 68
Leaving the watercraft ..................... 68
Operating the watercraft .................. 68
Turning the watercraft ..................... 69
Stopping the watercraft ................... 70
Operating the watercraft in reverse . 71
Boarding the watercraft ................... 71
Starting off ....................................... 74
Capsized watercraft ......................... 75
Beaching and docking
the watercraft ............................... 76
Operating in weeded areas ............. 77
After removing the watercraft
from the water .............................. 77
Care and storage ............................. 78
Post-operation care ...................... 78
Flushing the cooling water
passages ...................................... 78
Cleaning the watercraft ................... 79
Battery care ..................................... 79
Long-term storage ........................ 82
Cleaning .......................................... 82
Lubrication ....................................... 82
Rustproofing .................................... 82
Maintenance..................................... 84
Maintenance ................................. 84
Tool kit ............................................. 84
Removing and installing the engine
cover ............................................ 84
Periodic maintenance chart ............. 86Engine oil and oil filter ..................... 87
Specifications.................................. 88
Specifications ................................ 88
Trouble recovery ............................. 89
Troubleshooting ........................... 89
Troubleshooting chart ...................... 89
Emergency procedures ................ 92
Cleaning the jet intake and
impeller ........................................ 92
Jumping the battery ......................... 93
Replacing the fuses ......................... 93
Replacing the bilge pump fuse ........ 95
Towing the watercraft ...................... 96
Submerged watercraft ..................... 97
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Safety information
15
tercraft to avoid accidental starting or unau-
thorized use by children or others.

Scan carefully for swimmers and stay away
from swimming areas. Swimmers are hard
to see and you could accidentally hit some-
one 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 ma-
neuver more quickly than other boaters ex-
pect, 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 be-
fore making a turn. (See “Safe boating
rules” on page 19.)
EJU30840
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 signal
other boats.

Visual distress signals
It is recommended that a pyrotechnic de-
vice, which is approved by the appropriate
authorities, be stored in a waterproof con-
tainer on your watercraft. A mirror can also
be used as an emergency signal. Contact a
Yamaha dealer for more information.

Watch
A watch is helpful so you will know how long
you have been operating the watercraft.

Towline
A towline can be used to tow a disabled wa-
tercraft in an emergency.
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Safety information
19
Make sure that the rope is not looped
around anything.
After checking that the skier is ready and
that there is no traffic or other obstacles, ap-
ply enough throttle to raise the skier.

Make smooth, wide turns. The watercraft is
capable of very sharp turns, which could ex-
ceed the abilities of the skier. Keep the skier
at least 50 m (150 ft), about twice the dis-
tance of a standard ski rope, from any po-
tential hazard.

Be alert to the hazard of the ski rope handle
snapping back at the watercraft when the
skier falls or is unable to get up on the skis.

Towing heavy or bulky objects other than
skiers, such as another boat or watercraft,
can cause loss of steering control and cre-
ate a hazardous condition. If you must tow
another boat in an emergency situation, op-
erate slowly and cautiously.
EJU30970
Safe boating rules
Your Yamaha watercraft is legally considered
a powerboat. Operation of the watercraft must
be in accordance with the rules and regula-
tions governing the waterway on which it is
used.
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Equipment operation
43
reboarding step to lift the watercraft. The
reboarding step is not designed to sup-
port the watercraft’s weight. If the reboard-
ing step breaks, the watercraft could fall,
which could result in severe injury.
[EWJ01211]
NOTICE
ECJ00742
Use the reboarding step only to board the
watercraft in the water. Do not use the re-
boarding step for any other purpose. The
watercraft can be damaged.
EJU34872Bow eye
The bow eye is used to attach a rope to the
watercraft when transporting, mooring, ortowing it in an emergency. (See page 96 for
information on towing the watercraft.)
EJU34881Stern eyes
The stern eyes are used to attach a rope to
the watercraft when transporting or mooring it.
EJU40420Cleat
The cleat is used to attach a ski rope to the
watercraft when pulling a water-skier.
WARNING! Do not use the cleat to lift the
watercraft. The cleat is not designed to
support the watercraft’s weight. If the cleat
1Reboarding step
1
1Bow eye
1Stern eye
1
1
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Equipment operation
45
To close the bow storage compartment:
Push the rear of the hood down to securely
lock it in place.
To drain water from the bow storage compart-
ment:
(1) Remove the drain plug on the bottom of
the storage compartment to drain the wa-
ter into the engine compartment.
(2) Securely install the drain plug in its origi-
nal position.
EJU31756Glove compartment
The glove compartment is located in front of
the seat.To open the glove compartment:
Slide the glove compartment latch toward
you, and then lift up the lid.
1Drain plug
1
1Glove compartment latch
1Glove compartment
Glove compartment:
Capacity:
3.5 L (0.9 US gal, 0.8 Imp.gal)
Load limit:
1.0 kg (2 lb)
1
1
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Operation and handling requirements
54
EJU33464
Transporting on a trailer
When transporting the watercraft on a trailer,
secure the tie downs to the trailer through the
bow eye and stern eyes. NOTICE: Do not at-
tach ropes or tie downs to any part of the
watercraft other than the bow eye and
stern eyes to secure the watercraft to the
trailer. Otherwise, the watercraft may be
damaged. Wrap the ropes or tie downs
with towels or rags where they touch the
body of the watercraft to avoid scratches
or damage. Do not transport the watercraft
with the shift lever in the reverse position.
Otherwise, the reverse gate may hit an ob-
stacle, which could cause damage.
[ECJ00644]
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Operation
76
(2) Swim to the rear of the watercraft. Turn
the watercraft over clockwise by pulling
on the ride plate with your left hand while
pushing down on the gunwale with your
right hand or foot.
If the port (left) side of the capsized wa-
tercraft is tilting up, push down on the
gunwale so that the port (left) side is
down before turning the watercraft clock-
wise. NOTICE: Do not turn the water-
craft over counterclockwise,
otherwise water can enter the engine,
which can result in severe damage.
[ECJ00541]
(3) Start the engine and operate the water-
craft at planing speed to drain the bilge
water from the engine compartment.
(See page 52 for information on draining
the bilge water. If the engine does not
start, see “Towing the watercraft” on
page 96 or “Submerged watercraft” onpage 97.) NOTICE: Do not run the en-
gine at full throttle for at least 1 minute
after the engine has been restarted.
Bilge water in the engine compart-
ment can splash into the engine,
which can result in severe damage.
[ECJ00553]
EJU37521
Beaching and docking the watercraft
To beach the watercraft:
(1) Make sure that there are no boats, swim-
mers, or obstacles near the beach.
(2) Release the throttle lever to reduce
speed about 130 m (430 ft) before you
reach the intended beaching area.
(3) Slowly approach the beach and stop the
engine just before reaching land.
WARNING! You need throttle to steer.
Shutting the engine off can cause you
to hit an obstacle you are attempting
to avoid. A collision could result in se-
vere injury or death.
[EWJ00601] NOTICE:
Never run the engine in water that is
less than 60 cm (2 ft) deep from the
bottom of the watercraft, otherwise
pebbles or sand could be sucked into
the jet intake, causing impeller dam-
age and engine overheating.
[ECJ00472]
(4) Get off the watercraft and pull it up on the
beach.
To dock the watercraft:
(1) Make sure that there are no boats, swim-
mers, or obstacles near the dock.
(2) Release the throttle lever to reduce
speed about 130 m (430 ft) away from the
dock.
(3) Slowly approach the dock and stop the
engine just before coming alongside it.
WARNING! You need throttle to steer.
Shutting the engine off can cause you
to hit an obstacle you are attempting
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Trouble recovery
96
cap. (See page 93 for information on the fuse
puller.)
(5) Securely install the fuse cover, and then
fit the bilge pump fuse holder into the rub-
ber cover.
(6) Secure the bilge pump fuse leads and
corrugated tube with the plastic ties.
(7) Securely install the engine cover and
seats in their original positions.If the fuse immediately blows again, the elec-
trical system may be defective. If this occurs,
have a Yamaha dealer service the watercraft.
EJU34715Towing the watercraft
WARNING
EWJ00811

The operator of the towing boat must
keep speed to a minimum and avoid traf-
fic or obstacles which could be a hazard
to the operator on the watercraft.

The towline should be long enough so
that the watercraft will not collide with
the towing boat when slowing down.
If the watercraft becomes inoperative in the
water, it can be towed to shore.
To tow the watercraft:
Use a towline that is three times the combined
length of the towing boat and the watercraft.
(1) Securely attach the towline to the bow
eye of the watercraft being towed.
(2) Sit astride the seat and hold on to the
handlebars in order to balance the water-
craft. NOTICE: The bow must be kept
up out of the water during towing, oth-
erwise water could flood the engine
compartment or water could flow back
into the engine, causing severe en-
gine damage.
[ECJ01330]
1Bilge pump fuse holder
2Fuse cover
3Spare fuse
4Fuse
Fuse amperage:
Bilge pump fuse:
3 A
1Bilge pump fuse lead
2Plastic tie
3Corrugated tube
4Rubber cover
21
43
213
4
1Bow eye
1
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