Pre-operation checks
38
Make sure that there is the proper amount of
throttle lever free play when the throttle lever
is in the fully closed (idle) position.
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 contin-
ue to run and cause an accident.
[EWJ01221]EJU41021
Switch checks
NOTICE
ECJ01361
Do not run the engine for more than 15
seconds on land without supplying water,
otherwise the engine could overheat.
Check the start switch, the engine stop
switch, and the engine shut-off switch for
proper operation. (See pages 19 to 19 for in-
formation on operating each switch.)
To check the operation of the switches:
(1) Push the start switch to make sure that
the engine starts.
(2) As soon as the engine starts running,
push the engine stop switch to make
sure that the engine stops immediately.
(3) 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.
EJU41211Storage pouch checks
Make sure that the storage pouch is not dam-
aged and that water has not collected in the
pouch. Also, make sure that the storage
1Throttle lever free play
Throttle lever free play:
7.0–10.0 mm (0.28–0.39 in)
1Engine shut-off switch
2Clip
3Start switch
4Engine stop switch
5Engine shut-off cord (lanyard)
123
4
5
UF4D71E0.book Page 38 Thursday, April 23, 2015 1:48 PM
Pre-operation checks
39
pouch is securely installed. (See page 25 for
information on the storage pouch.)
EJU41072Fire extinguisher container checks
Make sure that the fire extinguisher container
is not damaged and is securely held in place.
(See page 26 for information on the fire extin-
guisher container.)
EJU32504Fire extinguisher check
Check that there is a full fire extinguisher on
board.
To check the fire extinguisher, see the in-
structions supplied by the fire extinguisher
manufacturer. Always keep the fire extin-
guisher 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 extinguish-
er dealer to obtain one meeting the proper
specifications.
EJU40122Safety equipment check
Check that safety equipment meeting the ap-
plicable regulations is on board.
EJU32353Hull and deck check
Check the hull and deck for damage or other
problem.
EJU32657Jet 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 66 for in-
formation on the jet intake.)
EJU40703Hood check
Make sure that the hood is securely closed.
(See page 24 for information on the hood.)
EJU40145Post-launch checks
Perform the post-launch checks in the pre-
operation 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 41 for
information on launching the watercraft.)
(2) Perform the checks and make sure that
there are no malfunctioning items or oth-
er problems.
EJU40553Cooling water pilot outlet check
Make sure that water is discharged from the
cooling water pilot outlet while the engine is
running. (See page 21 for information on the
cooling water pilot outlet.)
UF4D71E0.book Page 39 Thursday, April 23, 2015 1:48 PM
Operation
41
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
increases, because jet thrust provides stabil-
ity as well as directional control. When you
are moving slowly, or preparing to stop, you
will probably need to return to the kneeling
position to maintain your balance.
EJU32822Launching 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.
EJU32836Starting the engine on water
WARNING
EWJ01521
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 ex-
iting 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 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]
UF4D71E0.book Page 41 Thursday, April 23, 2015 1:48 PM
Operation
42
(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
19 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.
[EWJ00582]
(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 19 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.
[EWJ00592]
(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
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Operation
43
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 attempting
to 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.
EJU41172Operating 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.
EJU33244Turning the watercraft
WARNING
EWJ00762
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
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.
STOP
UF4D71E0.book Page 43 Thursday, April 23, 2015 1:48 PM
Operation
44
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
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 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
UF4D71E0.book Page 44 Thursday, April 23, 2015 1:48 PM
Operation
45
general, the higher the speed or the sharper
the turn, the more you lean.
EJU33273Stopping 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 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
EWJ00723
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.
EJU33075Starting off
WARNING
EWJ00712
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
UF4D71E0.book Page 45 Thursday, April 23, 2015 1:48 PM
Operation
46
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
EWJ00633
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
ECJ01341
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 ofgravity by operating it in the kneeling posi-
tion.
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.
EJU33105Boarding and starting in shallow water
Be sure to learn the deep-water starting
method before operating the watercraft in
water where it is too deep for you to stand.
(See page 47 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 water-
craft. NOTICE: Never run the engine in
water that is less than 60 cm (2 ft)
deep from the bottom of the water-
craft, otherwise pebbles or sand could
be sucked into the jet intake, causing
impeller damage and engine over-
heating.
[ECJ00473]
(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
balance there.
(4) Look in all directions, start the engine,
and then begin to accelerate.
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