
Safety information
11
EJU30683
The safe use and operation of this water-
craft is dependent upon the use of proper
riding techniques, as well as upon the
common sense, good judgment, and ex-
pertise of the operator. Before using this
watercraft, make sure that its use is per-
mitted under local laws, bylaws, and regu-
lations, and always operate the watercraft
in full conformity with any requirements
and limitations imposed. Every operator
should know the following requirements
before riding the watercraft.
Before operating the watercraft, read this
owner’s/operator’s manual, the Riding
Practice Guide, the Riding Instruction card,
and all labels on the watercraft. These ma-
terials should give you an understanding of
the watercraft and its operation.
Never allow anyone to operate this water-
craft until they too have read this own-
er’s/operator’s manual, the Riding Practice
Guide, the Riding Instruction card, and all
labels.
EJU30742
Limitations on who may operate the watercraft
Yamaha recommends a minimum operator
age of 16 years old.
Adults must supervise use by minors.
Know your local operator age and training
requirements.
This watercraft is designed to carry the op-
erator and up to 2 passengers. Never ex-
ceed the maximum load limit or allow more
than 3 persons (or 2 persons if a wake-
boarder or water-skier is being pulled) to
ride the watercraft at any time.
Do not operate the watercraft with any pas-
sengers on board until you have consider-
able practice and experience riding alone.
Operating the watercraft with passengers
requires more skill. Take the time to be-
come accustomed to the handling charac-
teristics of the watercraft before trying any
difficult maneuvers. Maximum load:
240 kg (530 lb)
Load is the total weight of cargo, op-
erator, and passengers.
UF3J71E0.book Page 11 Friday, June 27, 2014 1:50 PM

Safety information
12
EJU43321
Cruising limitations
Scan constantly for people, objects, and
other watercraft. Be alert for conditions
that limit your visibility or block your vision
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.
Take early action to avoid collisions. Re-
member, watercraft and other boats do not
have brakes. In addition, the Reverse with
Intuitive Deceleration Electronics (RiDE)
system is not a braking device for avoiding
dangerous situations. The RiDE system is
an electronic system for controlling the en-
gine speed and reverse gate, which is lo-
cated near the jet thrust nozzle. The RiDE
lever located at the left handlebar grip can
be used to change the direction of the jet
thrust so that the watercraft moves in re-
verse or is in neutral. The RiDE system as-
sists the operator when slowing down and
during slow-speed maneuvering, such as
launching, beaching, and docking.
Avoid sharp turns, slowing down rapidly by
squeezing the RiDE lever forcefully, and
other maneuvers that make it hard for oth-ers to avoid you or understand where you
are going.
Avoid areas with submerged objects or
shallow water.
Do not release the throttle lever when trying
to steer away from objects—you need
throttle to steer. Always check throttle and
steering controls before starting the water-
craft.
Ride within your limits and avoid aggres-
sive maneuvers to reduce the risk of loss of
control, ejection, and collision.
This is a high performance boat—not a toy.
Sharp turns or jumping wakes or waves
can increase the risk of back/spinal injury
(paralysis), facial injuries, and broken legs,
ankles, and other bones. Do not jump
wakes or waves.
Do not operate the watercraft in rough wa-
ter, bad weather, or when visibility is poor;
this may lead to an accident causing injury
or death. Be alert to the possibility of ad-
verse weather. Take note of weather fore-
casts and the prevailing weather
conditions before setting out on your wa-
tercraft.
As with any water sport, you should not op-
erate your watercraft without someone else
nearby. If you operate further than swim-
ming distance from shore, you should be
accompanied by another boat or water-
craft, but make sure you stay a safe dis-
tance away. It’s good, common sense.
Never operate in water that is less than 60
cm (2 ft) deep from the bottom of the wa-
tercraft, otherwise you increase your chan-
UF3J71E0.book Page 12 Friday, June 27, 2014 1:50 PM

Safety information
14
in certain kinds of accidents and that it
could injure you in others.
A helmet is designed to provide some head
protection. Although helmets cannot pro-
tect against all foreseeable impacts, a hel-
met might reduce your injuries in a collision
with a boat or other obstacle.
A helmet may have potential safety haz-
ards, as well. Falling into the water could
risk the chance of the helmet catching wa-
ter, commonly known as “bucketing”, and
the resulting strain on your neck could cau-
se choking, severe and permanent neck in-
juries, or death. A helmet could also
increase the risk of an accident if it reduces
your vision or hearing, or if it distracts you
or increases your fatigue.
How should you decide if a helmet’s poten-
tial safety benefits outweigh its potential
risks for you? Consider your particular rid-
ing conditions. Consider factors such as
your riding environment and your riding
style and ability. Also consider the likeli-
hood of traffic congestion, and the water
surface conditions.
If you decide to wear a helmet based upon
your riding circumstances, choose one
carefully. Look for a helmet designed for
personal watercraft use, if possible. If you
will be engaging in closed-course competi-
tion, follow the helmet requirements of the
sanctioning organization.
Never operate the watercraft after consum-
ing alcohol or taking other drugs.
For reasons of safety and proper care of
the watercraft, always perform the pre-op-
eration checks listed on page 66 before op-
erating the watercraft.
The operator should grip the handlebars
firmly with both hands and the passengers
should hold on firmly, either to the person in front of them or to the handgrip provid-
ed.
The operator and passengers should al-
ways keep their feet on the floor of the foot-
well when the watercraft is in motion.
Lifting your feet increases the chances of
losing your balance,
or hitting objects out-
side the watercraft with your feet. Do not
give a ride to children if their feet cannot
reach the floor of the footwell.
Never allow a passenger to ride in front of
the operator.
Always consult your doctor on whether it is
safe for you to ride this watercraft if you are
pregnant or in poor health.
Do not attempt to modify this watercraft.
Modifications to your watercraft may re-
duce safety and reliability, and render the
watercraft unsafe or illegal for use.
Attach the engine shut-off cord (lanyard) to
y o u r l ef t w r is t an d k ee p i t fr e e f r o m t h e h an -
dlebars so that the engine stops if you, the
operator, fall off. After riding, remove the
engine shut-off cord (lanyard) from the wa-
UF3J71E0.book Page 14 Friday, June 27, 2014 1:50 PM

Safety information
15
tercraft to avoid accidental starting or un-
authorized 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 maneuver more quickly than other
boaters expect, 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 boat-
ing rules” and be sure to check behind you
before making a turn or slowing down. (See
“Safe boating rules” on page 19.)
EJU30841
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 water-
craft.
Towline
A towline can be used to tow a disabled
watercraft in an emergency.
UF3J71E0.book Page 15 Friday, June 27, 2014 1:50 PM

Safety information
19
er’s or water-skier’s ability, as well as water
and weather conditions.
When preparing to pull a wakeboarder or
water-skier, operate the watercraft at the
slowest possible speed until the watercraft
is well away from the person being pulled
and slack in the ski rope is taken up. Make
sure that the rope is not looped around
anything.
After checking that the wakeboarder or wa-
ter-skier is ready and that there is no traffic
or other obstacles, apply enough throttle to
raise the person.
Make smooth, wide turns. The watercraft is
capable of very sharp turns, which could
exceed the abilities of the wakeboarder or
water-skier. Keep the person being towed
at least 50 m (164 ft), about twice the dis-
tance of a standard ski rope, away from
any potential hazard.
The operators of boats and other water-
craft may not be aware that you are pulling
a wakeboarder or water-skier. Together
with the spotter, pay attention to others
around you and cruise at safe speeds.
Be alert to the hazard of the ski rope handle
snapping back at the watercraft when the
wakeboarder or water-skier falls or is un-
able to get up.
Towing heavy or bulky objects other than
wakeboarders or water-skiers, such as an-
other boat or watercraft, can cause loss of
steering control and create a hazardous
condition. If you must tow another boat in
an emergency situation, operate slowly
and cautiously.
EJU30971
Safe boating rules
Your Yamaha watercraft is legally considered
a powerboat. Operation of the watercraft
must be in accordance with the rules and
regulations governing the waterway on which
it is used.
UF3J71E0.book Page 19 Friday, June 27, 2014 1:50 PM

Safety information
20
EJU30992
Enjoy your watercraft responsibly
You share the areas you enjoy when riding
your watercraft with others and with nature.
So your enjoyment includes a responsibility
to treat these other people, and the lands,
waters, and wildlife with respect and courte-
sy.
Whenever and wherever you ride, think of
yourself as the guest of those around you.
Remember, for example, that the sound of
your watercraft may be music to you, but it
could be just noise to others. And the exciting
splash of your wake can make waves others
won’t enjoy.
Avoid riding close to shoreline homes and
waterfowl nesting areas or other wildlife ar-
eas, and keep a respectful distance from fish-
ermen, other boats, swimmers, and
populated beaches. When travel in areas like
these is unavoidable, ride slowly and obey all
laws.
Proper maintenance is necessary to ensure
that the exhaust emission and sound levels of
your watercraft will continue to be within reg-
ulated limits. You have the responsibility to
make sure that the recommended mainte-
nance in this owner’s/operator’s manual is
carried out.
Remember, pollution can be harmful to the
environment. Do not refuel or add oil where a
spill could cause damage to nature. Remove
your watercraft from the water and move it
away from the shoreline before refueling. Dis-
pose of water and any fuel and oil residue in
the engine compartment according to local
regulations. And keep your surroundings
pleasant for the people and wildlife that share
the waterways: don’t litter. When you ride responsibly, with respect and
courtesy for others, you help ensure that our
waterways stay open for the enjoyment of a
variety of recreational opportunities.
UF3J71E0.book Page 20 Friday, June 27, 2014 1:50 PM

Control function operation
26
EJU31026
Watercraft control functionsEJU42551Remote control transmitter
The Yamaha Security System and Low RPM
Mode settings can be selected by operating
the remote control transmitter. (See page 27
for Yamaha Security System setting proce-
dures and page 36 for Low RPM Mode acti-
vation procedures.)
Since the watercraft is programmed to rec-
ognize the internal code from this transmitter
only, the settings can only be selected with
this transmitter.
If you accidentally lose your remote control
transmitter or if it is not operating properly,
contact a Yamaha dealer.
When operating the watercraft, always keep
the transmitter with you, such as by storing it
in the transmitter holder in the built-in water-tight storage compartment, so that it is not
lost.
NOTICE
ECJ00753
The remote control transmitter is not
completely waterproof. Do not sub-
merge the transmitter or operate it un-
derwater. If the transmitter is
submerged, dry it with a soft, dry cloth,
and then check that it is operating prop-
erly. If the transmitter is not operating
properly, contact a Yamaha dealer.
Keep the remote control transmitter
away from high temperatures and do
not place it in direct sunlight.
Do not drop the remote control trans-
mitter, subject it to strong shocks, or
place any heavy items on it.
Use a soft, dry cloth to clean the remote
control transmitter. Do not use deter-
gent, alcohol, or other chemicals.
Do not attempt to disassemble the re-
mote control transmitter yourself. Oth-
erwise, the transmitter may not operate
properly. If the transmitter needs a new
battery, contact a Yamaha dealer. Refer
to local hazardous waste regulations
when disposing of transmitter batteries.
1
Remote control transmitter
1Transmitter holder
1
UF3J71E0.book Page 26 Friday, June 27, 2014 1:50 PM

Control function operation
28
EJU31153Engine stop switch “ ”
The engine stop switch (red button) stops the
engine when the switch is pushed.
EJU31164Engine shut-off switch “ ”
The engine shut-off switch automatically
stops the engine when the clip, on the end of
the engine shut-off cord (lanyard), is removed
from the switch, such as if the operator falls
off the watercraft.
Insert the clip under the engine shut-off
switch before starting the engine.
When the engine is not running, remove the
clip from the engine shut-off switch to pre-vent accidental starting or unauthorized op-
eration by children or others.
EJU42323Start switch “ ”
NOTICE
ECJ01311
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.
The start switch (green button) starts the en-
gine when the switch is pushed.
Release the start switch as soon as the en-
gine starts to run. If the engine does not start
in 5 seconds, release the start switch, wait 15
seconds, and then try again.
NOTICE: Never
push the start switch while the engine is
running. Do not operate the start switch
for more than 5 seconds, otherwise the
battery will be discharged and the engine
1 Engine stop switch
1 Engine shut-off switch
2 Clip
3 Engine shut-off cord (lanyard)
1
1
2
3
UF3J71E0.book Page 28 Friday, June 27, 2014 1:50 PM