Pre-operation checks
57
EJU40182Engine unit check
Check the exterior of the engine unit for dam-
age or other problem.
EJU36886Engine oil level check
Make sure that the engine oil level is between
the minimum and maximum level marks on
the dipstick. (See page 49 for information on
checking the engine oil level.)
EJU32456Bilge water check
Make sure that no bilge water has collected in
the engine compartment. If bilge water has
collected in the engine compartment, drain it.
(See page 50 for information on draining the
bilge water.)
EJU32485Battery checks
Make sure that the battery terminals and
breather hose are not damaged and that thebattery leads and breather hose are connect-
ed properly. WARNING! Fire or explosion
could result if the breather hose is dam-
aged, obstructed, or not connected prop-
erly.
[EWJ00452]
Make sure that the electrolyte level is be-
tween the minimum and maximum level
marks. WARNING! Never operate the wa-
tercraft if the battery does not have suffi-
cient power to start the engine or if it
shows any other signs of decreased pow-
er. Loss of battery power may leave you
stranded.
[EWJ01241]
Make sure that the battery is securely held in
place.
1Dipstick
1Maximum level mark
2Minimum level mark
1
2
1
1Negative (–) battery terminal: Black lead
2Positive (+) battery terminal: Red lead
3Breather hose
1Maximum level mark
2Minimum level mark
12
3
UF3L71E0.book Page 57 Monday, June 30, 2014 9:06 AM
Pre-operation checks
59
EJU41321Telescopic steering system checks
Operate the telescopic steering system sev-
eral times to make sure that operation is
smooth throughout the whole range. Also,
make sure that the handlebars are securely
locked in place. (See page 29 for telescopic
steering system operation procedures.)
EJU32645Quick Shift Trim System (Q.S.T.S.) checks
Operate the Q.S.T.S. selector lock lever and
the Q.S.T.S. selector several times to make
sure that operation is smooth throughout the
whole range. Also, make sure that the jet
thrust nozzle moves as the Q.S.T.S. selector
is operated and that the Q.S.T.S. selector se-curely locks in place. (See page 32 for
Q.S.T.S. operation procedures.)
EJU32635Reverse system checks
WARNING
EWJ00032
Do not touch the reverse gate while the
shift lever is being operated, otherwise
you could be pinched.
Operate the shift lever several times to make
sure that operation is smooth throughout the
whole range. Also, make sure that the reverse
UF3L71E0.book Page 59 Monday, June 30, 2014 9:06 AM
Pre-operation checks
61
EJU32664Engine shut-off cord (lanyard) check
Make sure that the engine shut-off cord (lan-
yard) is not damaged. If the cord is damaged,
replace it. WARNING! Never try to repair
the engine shut-off cord (lanyard) or tie it
together. The engine shut-off cord (lan-
yard) may not pull free when the operator
falls off, allowing the watercraft to conti-
nue to run and cause an accident.
[EWJ01221]
EJU32676
Switch checks
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.
Check the start switch, the engine stop
switch, and the engine shut-off switch forproper operation. (See pages 27 to 27 for in-
formation on operating each switch.)
To check the operation of the switches:
(1) If the lock mode is selected for the
Yamaha Security System setting, select
the unlock mode. (See page 26 for
Yamaha Security System setting proce-
dures.)
(2) Push the start switch to make sure that
the engine starts.
(3) As soon as the engine starts running,
push the engine stop switch to make
sure that the engine stops immediately.
(4) Restart the engine, and then pull the en-
gine shut-off cord (lanyard) to remove
the clip from the engine shut-off switch
to make sure that the engine stops im-
mediately.
EJU40102Storage compartment checks
Make sure that the storage compartments
are not damaged and that water has not col-
lected in the compartments. (See page 42 for
information on the storage compartments.)
1Engine shut-off switch
2Clip
3Start switch
4Engine stop switch
5Engine shut-off cord (lanyard)
23 1
5 4
UF3L71E0.book Page 61 Monday, June 30, 2014 9:06 AM
Operation
65
EJU32903
Operating your watercraft
WARNING
EWJ00511
Before operating your watercraft, become
familiar with all of the controls. Consult a
Yamaha dealer about any control or func-
tion that you do not fully understand. Fail-
ure to understand how the controls work
could cause an accident or prevent you
from avoiding an accident.
EJU32943Getting to know your watercraft
Operating your watercraft requires skills ac-
quired through practice over a period of time.
Take the time to learn the basic techniques
well before attempting more difficult maneu-
vers.
Operating your new watercraft can be a very
enjoyable activity, providing you with hours of
pleasure. However, it is essential to familiar-
ize yourself with the operation of the water-
craft to achieve the skill level necessary to
enjoy riding safely.
Before operating this watercraft, read this
owner’s/operator’s manual, the Riding Prac-
tice Guide, the Riding Instruction card, and all
labels on the watercraft. Pay particular atten-
tion to the safety information beginning on
page 11. These materials should give you an
understanding of the watercraft and its oper-
ation.
Remember: This watercraft is designed to
carry the operator and 1 passenger. Never
exceed the maximum load limit or allow more
than 2 persons to ride the watercraft at any
time.
EJU36043Learning to operate your watercraft
Before operating the watercraft, always per-
form the pre-operation checks listed on page
54. The short time spent checking the water-
craft will reward you with added safety and
reliability.
Check local laws before operating your wa-
tercraft.
Operate defensively at safe speeds and keep
a safe distance away from people, objects,
and other watercraft. Select a wide area to
learn in, where there is good visibility and
light boat traffic.
Use the buddy system—operate with some-
one nearby. Scan constantly for people, ob-
jects, and other watercraft. Be alert for
conditions that limit your visibility or block
your vision of others.
You should grip the handlebars firmly and
keep both feet on the floor of the footwell. Do
not attempt to ride with a passenger until
your operating skills are fully developed.
Maximum load:
160 kg (353 lb)
Load is the total weight of cargo, op-
erator, and passenger.
UF3L71E0.book Page 65 Monday, June 30, 2014 9:06 AM
Operation
66
EJU41341Riding position
Operator riding position
The operator should grip the handlebars firm-
ly with both hands and sit astride the seat
with both feet on the floor of the footwell.
Passenger riding position
The passenger should hold on firmly to the
operator and sit astride the seat with both
feet on the floor of the footwell. Never allow a
passenger to ride in front of the operator.
EJU32803Launching 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.
EJU36346Starting the engine on water
WARNING
EWJ01531
Do not apply throttle when anyone is at the
rear of the watercraft. Turn the engine off
or keep it at idle. Water and debris exiting
the jet thrust nozzle can cause severe in-
jury.
To start the engine:
(1) If the lock mode is selected for the
Yamaha Security System setting, select
the unlock mode. (See page 26 for
Yamaha Security System setting proce-
dures.)
(2) 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 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, otherwise
pebbles or sand could be sucked into
the jet intake, causing impeller dam-
age and engine overheating.
[ECJ00473]
(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
27 for information on operating the en-
gine shut-off switch.) WARNING! Check
that the engine shut-off cord (lanyard)
60 cm (2 ft)
UF3L71E0.book Page 66 Monday, June 30, 2014 9:06 AM
Operation
67
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.
[EWJ00582]
(4) With the throttle lever released, push the
start switch (green button) to start the
engine. (See page 27 for information on
operating the start switch.)
EJU32863Stopping the engine
Release the throttle lever, and then push the
engine stop switch (red button) to stop the
engine. WARNING! You need throttle to
steer. Shutting the engine off can cause
you to hit an obstacle you are attemptingto avoid. A collision could result in severe
injury or death.
[EWJ00602]
EJU32873
Leaving the watercraft
If leaving the watercraft, remove the clip from
the engine shut-off switch to prevent acci-
dental starting or unauthorized operation by
children or others.
EJU40222Operating the watercraft
When the shift lever is in the forward position
and the engine is running, the watercraft will
move forward. The watercraft will move for-
ward at trolling speed even if the throttle lever
is in the fully closed (idle) position. (See page
1Clip
2Engine shut-off switch
3Engine shut-off cord (lanyard)
12
3
UF3L71E0.book Page 67 Monday, June 30, 2014 9:06 AM
Operation
68
31 for information on operating the shift le-
ver.)
EJU33255Turning the watercraft
WARNING
EWJ00772
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 and passenger(s)
overboard, which could cause an injury.
Steering control depends on the combination
of handlebar position and the amount of
throttle.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 re-
leasing the throttle lever, but once the
1Shift lever
2Forward position
2 1
UF3L71E0.book Page 68 Monday, June 30, 2014 9:06 AM
Operation
69
engine slows down, the watercraft will no
longer respond to handlebar input until
you apply 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 con-
tinuing to supply some thrust while the water-craft is decelerating, but you can turn more
sharply if you apply throttle while turning the
handlebars. The OTS system does not func-
tion below planing speeds or when the en-
gine is off. Once the engine slows down, the
watercraft will no longer turn in response to
handlebar input until you apply throttle again
or you reach trolling speed.
EJU42660Stopping the watercraft
The watercraft is not equipped with a sepa-
rate braking system. It is stopped by water
resistance when the throttle lever is released.
From full speed, the watercraft comes to a
complete stop in approximately 125 m (410
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
EWJ00745
Allow adequate stopping distance.
Take early action to avoid collisions. Re-
member, watercraft and other boats do
not have brakes.
125 m (410 ft)
UF3L71E0.book Page 69 Monday, June 30, 2014 9:06 AM