Pre-operation checks
38
pouch is securely installed. (See page 24 for
information on the storage pouch.)
EJU41071Fire extinguisher container checks
Make sure that the fire extinguisher container
is not damaged and is securely held in place.
(See page 25 for information on the fire extin-
guisher container.)
EJU32503Fire extinguisher check
Check that there is a full fire extinguisher on
board.
To check the fire extinguisher, see the instruc-
tions supplied by the fire extinguisher manu-
facturer. Always keep the fire extinguisher in
the fire extinguisher container.
Always carry a fire extinguisher on board. A
fire extinguisher is not standard equipment
with this watercraft. If you do not have one,
contact a Yamaha dealer or a fire extinguisher
dealer to obtain one meeting the proper spec-
ifications.
EJU40121Safety equipment check
Check that safety equipment meeting the ap-
plicable regulations is on board.
EJU32352Hull and deck check
Check the hull and deck for damage or other
problem.
EJU32656Jet intake checks
Make sure that the jet intake is not damaged
or clogged with weeds or debris. If the jet in-take is clogged, clean it. (See page 65 for in-
formation on the jet intake.)
EJU40702Hood check
Make sure that the hood is securely closed.
(See page 23 for information on the hood.)
EJU40144Post-launch checks
Perform the post-launch checks in the pre-op-
eration checklist while the watercraft is in the
water and the engine is running.
To perform the post-launch checks:
(1) Launch the watercraft. (See page 40 for
information on launching the watercraft.)
(2) Perform the checks and make sure that
there are no malfunctioning items or oth-
er problems.
EJU40552Cooling water pilot outlet check
Make sure that water is discharged from the
cooling water pilot outlet while the engine is
running. (See page 20 for information on the
cooling water pilot outlet.)
UF2F74E0.book Page 38 Tuesday, May 24, 2011 8:42 AM
Operation
40
wake, but the watercraft is moving through the
water rather than skimming on top of it.)
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.
Standing
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.
EJU32821Launching the watercraft
When launching the watercraft, make sure
that there are no obstacles around you.If the watercraft is launched from a trailer,
someone should make sure that waves do not
push the watercraft into the trailer.
After the watercraft is in the water, turn it
around so that the bow faces the direction you
wish to go.
EJU32835Starting the engine on water
WARNING
EWJ01520
Do not apply throttle when others are at
the rear of the watercraft. Turn the engine
off or keep it at idle. Water and debris exit-
ing the jet thrust nozzle can cause severe
injury.
To start the engine:
(1) Move the watercraft to an area that is free
from weeds and debris, and has a water
depth of at least 60 cm (2 ft) from the bot-
tom of the watercraft. 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 in-
take, causing impeller damage and en-
gine overheating.
[ECJ00472]
UF2F74E0.book Page 40 Tuesday, May 24, 2011 8:42 AM
Operation
41
(2) Turn the fuel cock knob to “ON”.
(3) Attach the engine shut-off cord (lanyard)
to your left wrist, and then attach the clip
to the engine shut-off switch. (See page
18 for information on operating the en-
gine shut-off switch.) WARNING! Check
that the engine shut-off cord (lanyard)
is attached correctly. If the engine
shut-off cord (lanyard) is not attached
correctly, it may not pull free when the
operator falls off, allowing the water-
craft to continue to run and cause an
accident.
[EWJ00581]
(4) Pull the choke knob all the way out to
start a cold engine.
TIP:
The choke should not be used when the en-
gine is warm.
(5) While lightly squeezing the throttle lever,
push the start switch (green button) to
start the engine. (See page 18 for infor-
mation on operating the start switch.)
WARNING! Do not apply too much
throttle when starting the engine, oth-
erwise the watercraft will accelerate
unexpectedly. This could cause a col-
lision or cause the operator to be
thrown overboard.
[EWJ00591]
(6) After the engine has warmed up, push
the choke knob in to its original position.
TIP:
If the choke knob is left pulled out, the engine
will stall.
1Clip
2Engine shut-off switch
3Engine shut-off cord (lanyard)
12
3
START
UF2F74E0.book Page 41 Tuesday, May 24, 2011 8:42 AM
Operation
42
EJU32862Stopping the engine
Release the throttle lever, and then push the
engine stop switch (red button) to stop the en-
gine. 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 severe in-
jury or death.
[EWJ00601]
EJU32872
Leaving the watercraft
If leaving the watercraft, remove the clip from
the engine shut-off switch to prevent acciden-
tal starting or unauthorized operation by chil-
dren or others.
EJU41171Operating the watercraft
When the engine is running, the watercraft will
move forward at trolling speed even if thethrottle lever is in the fully closed (idle) posi-
tion.
EJU33243Turning 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.
STOP
UF2F74E0.book Page 42 Tuesday, May 24, 2011 8:42 AM
Operation
43
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 positionalone 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.
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
UF2F74E0.book Page 43 Tuesday, May 24, 2011 8:42 AM
Operation
44
general, the higher the speed or the sharper
the turn, the more you lean.
EJU33272Stopping 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 beforehitting an obstacle, apply throttle and turn in
another direction.
WARNING
EWJ00722
Allow adequate stopping distance.
Take early action to avoid collisions. Re-
member, 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 slowing
down in case you need engine power to
steer away from a boat or other obstacle
that comes into your path.
EJU33074Starting off
WARNING
EWJ00711
To avoid collisions:
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
UF2F74E0.book Page 44 Tuesday, May 24, 2011 8:42 AM
Operation
45
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.
WARNING
EWJ00632
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.
NOTICE
ECJ01340
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, caus-
ing impeller damage and engine overheat-
ing.
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.
To stabilize the watercraft when accelerating
to planing speed, maintain a low center of
gravity by operating it in the kneeling position.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.
EJU33104Boarding 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 46 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 from the bottom of the watercraft.
NOTICE: Never run the engine in water
that is less than 60 cm (2 ft) deep from
the bottom of the watercraft, other-
wise pebbles or sand could be sucked
into the jet intake, causing impeller
damage and engine overheating.
[ECJ00472]
(2) Attach the engine shut-off cord (lanyard)
to your left wrist, and then attach the clip
to the engine shut-off switch.
(3) Grip the handlebars with both hands.
Place one knee on the riding tray and bal-
ance there.
(4) Look in all directions, start the engine,
and then begin to accelerate.
UF2F74E0.book Page 45 Tuesday, May 24, 2011 8:42 AM
Operation
46
(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.
TIP:
The watercraft will become easier to balance
as the speed increases, because jet thrust
provides stability as well as directional control.
EJU33124Boarding and starting in deep water
WARNING
EWJ01260
Be sure the operator have practiced
boarding from the water while still close to
shore before riding. A person who has
made many unsuccessful attempts to get
back on the watercraft may become fa-
tigued and suffer from exposure, increas-
ing the risk of injury and drowning.
(1) Swim to the rear of the watercraft. Attach
the engine shut-off cord (lanyard) to yourleft 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) Look in all directions, start the engine,
and then begin to accelerate.
(4) Continue to pull your body up onto the
watercraft as the watercraft speed in-
creases.
UF2F74E0.book Page 46 Tuesday, May 24, 2011 8:42 AM