
Operation
79
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.
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.
This model is equipped with the Yamaha En-
gine Management System (YEMS) that in-
cludes an off-throttle steering (OTS) system.
It will activate at planing speeds should you
attempt to steer the watercraft after releasing
the throttle lever (see condition C above).
The OTS system assists in turning by continu-
ing to supply some thrust while the watercraft
is decelerating, but you can turn more sharplyif you apply throttle while turning the handle-
bars. The OTS system does not function be-
low planing speeds or when the engine is off.
Once the engine slows down, the watercraft
will no longer turn in response to handlebar in-
put until you apply throttle again or you reach
trolling speed.
EJU42580Stopping 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 110 m (360 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 obstacle, apply throttle and turn in
another direction.
WARNING
EWJ00744
●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,
110 m (360 ft)
UF2S70E0.book  Page 79  Wednesday, December 7, 2011  3:56 PM 

Operation
81
movement may occur. (See page 32 for infor-
mation on operating the shift lever.)
TIP:
This model is equipped with a function which
limits the engine speed in neutral.
EJU42450Boarding the watercraft 
WARNING
EWJ01111
Be sure the operator and any passengers
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 fatigued and suffer from expo-
sure, increasing the risk of injury and
drowning.
Board the watercraft in water free from weeds
and debris and at least 60 cm (2 ft) deep fromthe 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 wa-
tercraft, otherwise pebbles or sand could
be sucked into the jet intake, causing im-
peller damage and engine overheating.
[ECJ00472]
EJU42460
Boarding alone 
(1) From the rear of the watercraft, lower the
reboarding step with one hand and hold it
in place.
1Shift lever
2Neutral position
12
60 cm (2 ft)
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Operation
82
(2) Put one foot on the step, and then grasp
the reboarding grip with your other hand.
(3) Pull yourself up onto the boarding plat-
form and grasp the handgrip, and then
move to the seat and sit astride.
(4) Attach the engine shut-off cord (lanyard)
to your left wrist, and then attach the clip
to the engine shut-off switch.
(5) Grip the handlebars with both hands and
place both feet on the floor of the footwell.(6) Look in all directions, start the engine,
and then start off slowly.
EJU33169Boarding with passenger(s) 
WARNING
EWJ00660
Severe internal injuries can occur if water
is forced into body cavities as a result of
being near the jet thrust nozzle. Do not ap-
ply throttle until the passengers are seated
with their feet on the floor of the footwell
and are securely holding on to the person
in front of them or to the handgrip provid-
ed.
The heavier the total weight of the operator
and passenger(s), the more difficult it will be
to balance the watercraft. Do not operate the
watercraft when the total weight exceeds 240
kg (530 lb) including any cargo.
To board at a standstill:
(1) Board as noted in the previous section
“Boarding alone”.
(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 and
place both feet on the floor of the footwell.
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Operation
84
(4) Attach the engine shut-off cord (lanyard)
to your left wrist, and then attach the clip
to the engine shut-off switch.
(5) Look in all directions, and then start the
engine and operate at trolling speed.
(6) Have the second passenger pull them-
selves up onto the boarding platform into
a kneeling position and balance there.
Look in all directions, and then gradually
accelerate. Then, have the second pas-
senger crawl onto the seat while main-
taining their balance.
(7) Have the second passenger sit astride
the seat, place their feet on the floor of
the footwell, securely hold on to the per-
son in front of them or to the handgrip
provided, and balance there.
(8) Make sure that the passenger(s) have
their feet on the floor of the footwell and
are securely holding on to the person in
front of them or to the handgrip provided,and then gradually increase the speed to
balance the watercraft.
EJU33082Starting 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
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.
NOTICE
ECJ01340
Never run the engine in water that is less
than 60 cm (2 ft) deep from the bottom of
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Operation
85
the watercraft, otherwise pebbles or sand
could be sucked into the jet intake, caus-
ing impeller damage and engine overheat-
ing.
EJU40232Starting off from a trailer 
(1) Launch the watercraft and move the shift
lever to the reverse position. (See page
32 for information on the reverse sys-
tem.)
(2) Attach the engine shut-off cord (lanyard)
to your left wrist, and then attach the clip
to the engine shut-off switch.
(3) Look in all directions, start the engine,
and then start off slowly.
EJU33113Boarding and starting off from a dock 
(1) Board the watercraft from the side.
(2) Attach the engine shut-off cord (lanyard)
to your left wrist, and then attach the clip
to the engine shut-off switch.(3) Push the watercraft away from the dock,
grip the handlebars with both hands, and
place both feet on the floor of the footwell.
(4) Look in all directions, start the engine,
and then start off slowly.
EJU33235Capsized watercraft 
WARNING
EWJ00671
Improper uprighting can cause injury.
●Be sure to shut the engine off by pulling
on the engine shut-off cord (lanyard) to
remove the clip from the engine shut-off
switch.
●Do not put your hands in the intake
grate.
If the watercraft capsizes, turn it over immedi-
ately.
To upright the watercraft:
(1) Remove the clip from the engine shut-off
switch.
(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-
UF2S70E0.book  Page 85  Wednesday, December 7, 2011  3:56 PM 
![YAMAHA SVHO CRUISER 2012  Owners Manual Operation
86
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 drai YAMAHA SVHO CRUISER 2012  Owners Manual Operation
86
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 drai](/manual-img/51/49838/w960_49838-91.png)
Operation
86
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 61 for information on draining
the bilge water. If the engine does not
start, see “Towing the watercraft” on
page 106 or “Submerged watercraft” on
page 107.) 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]EJU42590
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 110 m (360 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 110 m (360 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
to avoid. A collision could result in se-
vere injury or death.
 [EWJ00601]
(4) Come alongside the dock and get off the
watercraft.
EJU37193Operating in weeded areas 
Always avoid using your watercraft in areas
where weed growth is thick. If operating in
UF2S70E0.book  Page 86  Wednesday, December 7, 2011  3:56 PM 

Care and storage
88
EJU37145
Post-operation care 
WARNING
EWJ00330
Always place the watercraft upright in a
horizontal position when storing it, other-
wise fuel could leak out into the engine or
engine compartment, which could create a
fire hazard.
After using the watercraft, always take it out of
the water, clean it, and store it. Leaving the
watercraft in the water for extended periods
will accelerate the rate of normal deterioration
of the jet pump and hull. Marine organisms
and corrosion are some of the conditions that
can shorten the life of many watercraft com-
ponents.
EJU42220Flushing the cooling water passages 
NOTICE
ECJ01310
Do not run the engine over 4000 r/min on
land. Also, do not run the engine for more
than 15 seconds without supplying water,
otherwise the engine could overheat.
Flush the cooling water passages to prevent
them from clogging with salt, sand, or dirt.
(1) Place the watercraft in a horizontal posi-
tion.
(2) Remove the seats and removable water-
tight storage compartment. (See page 49
for seat removal and installation proce-
dures and page 55 for information on the
removable watertight storage compart-
ment.)
(3) Open the stern storage compartment.
(See page 54 for information on the stern
storage compartment.)(4) Connect the garden hose adapter to a
garden hose.
(5) Loosen the flushing hose connector cap
and remove it. Insert the garden hose
adapter into the flushing hose connector
and turn it until it is securely connected.
(6) Connect the garden hose to a water tap.
(7) Make sure that the area around the wa-
tercraft is clear, and then start the engine.
Immediately after the engine starts, fully
turn the water supply on so that water
1Garden hose adapter
1Flushing hose connector
2Flushing hose connector cap
3Garden hose adapter
1
3
2
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Care and storage
89
flows out continually from the jet thrust
nozzle.
(8) 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 perform
the procedure again from step 7.
NOTICE: Do not supply water to the
cooling water passages when the en-
gine is not running. The water could
flow back through the muffler into the
engine, causing severe engine dam-
age.
 [ECJ00122]
(9) Turn the water supply off.
(10) Discharge the remaining water out of the
cooling water passages by alternately
squeezing and releasing the throttle lever
quickly for 10 to 15 seconds.
(11) Stop the engine.
(12) Remove the garden hose adapter, and
then securely install the flushing hose
connector cap by tightening it until it
stops.
(13) Securely close the stern storage com-
partment.
(14) Securely install the removable watertight
storage compartment and seats in their
original positions.
EJU33735Cleaning the watercraft 
(1) Remove the seats. (See page 49 for seat
removal and installation procedures.)(2) 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]
(3) Drain the water from the engine compart-
ment. (See page 61 for information on
draining the bilge water.)
(4) Wipe the engine and engine compart-
ment with a dry cloth.
(5) Wash down the hull, deck, and jet pump
with fresh water.
(6) Wipe the hull, deck, and jet pump with a
dry cloth.
(7) Wipe all vinyl and rubber components,
such as the seats and engine compart-
ment seals, with a vinyl protectant.
(8) To minimize corrosion, spray metallic
parts of the hull, deck, and engine with a
rust inhibitor.
(9) Allow the engine compartment to air dry
completely before installing the seats.
(10) Securely install the seats in their original
positions.
EJU33686Battery care 
If the watercraft will not be used for more than
a month, remove the battery from the water-
craft, check it, and then store it in a cool, dry
place.
WARNING
EWJ00791
Battery electrolyte is poisonous and dan-
gerous, causing severe burns, etc. Elec-
trolyte contains sulfuric acid. Avoid
contact with skin, eyes, or clothing.
Antidotes
External: Flush with water.
Internal: Drink large quantities of water or
milk. Follow with milk of magnesia, beaten
UF2S70E0.book  Page 89  Wednesday, December 7, 2011  3:56 PM