Operation
62
EJU40212Riding 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(s) should hold on firmly, either
to the person in front of them or to the hand-
grip provided, and sit astride the seat with
their feet on the floor of the footwell. Never al-
low a passenger to ride in front of the opera-
tor. (See page 17 for information on the riding
position when pulling a wakeboarder or wa-
ter-skier.)
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.
EJU43580Starting 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) 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]
(2) Attach the engine shut-off cord (lanyard)
to your left wrist, and then attach the clip
to the engine shut-off switch. (See page
25 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-
UF3Y71E0.book Page 62 Thursday, May 25, 2017 11:17 AM
Operation
63
craft to continue to run and cause an
accident.
[EWJ00582]
(3) With the throttle lever released, push the
start switch (green button) to start the
engine. (See page 25 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.
EJU44361Operating the watercraft
EX:
When the engine is running, the watercraft
will move forward at trolling speed even if the
1Clip
2Engine shut-off switch
3Engine shut-off cord (lanyard)
12
3
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Operation
64
throttle lever is in the fully closed (idle) posi-
tion.
EX Sport:
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 page29 for information on operating the shift le-
ver.)
EX Deluxe:
When the throttle lever is squeezed, the “F”
(forward) shift indicator will be displayed and
the watercraft will move forward. While the
“F” (forward) shift indicator is displayed, the
watercraft will move forward at trolling speed
even if the throttle lever is in the fully closed
1Shift lever
2Forward position
1
2
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Operation
65
(idle) position. (See page 29 for shift system
operation procedures.)
EJU43422Turning the watercraft
WARNING
EWJ01782
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.
EX Deluxe: Take early action to avoid
collisions. The RiDE system is not a
braking device for avoiding dangerous
situations.
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
1“F” (Forward position)
1
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Operation
66
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 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.
E. EX Deluxe: If the RiDE lever is squeezed
and the handlebars are turned when the
watercraft is cruising at planing speed,the watercraft will turn gradually while
slowing down.
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.
EJU44370Stopping the watercraft
The watercraft is not equipped with a sepa-
rate braking system. The watercraft slows
down by water resistance or, when operating
in reverse, by the water jet. The watercraft
slows down as soon as the throttle lever is re-
leased, 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.
From full speed, the watercraft comes to a
complete stop due to water resistance in ap-
1Reverse gate
E
1
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Operation
67
proximately 90 m (300 ft) after the throttle le-
ver is released or the engine is stopped,
although this distance will vary depending on
many factors, including gross weight, water
surface conditions, and wind direction.
EX Deluxe: If the RiDE lever is squeezed to
slow down, the stopping distance is approxi-
mately 30% shorter than when the RiDE lever
is not used. However, this distance will vary
depending on many factors, including gross
weight, water surface conditions, and wind
direction.
WARNING
EWJ01970
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.
EX Sport: Do not use the reverse func-
tion to slow down or stop the watercraft
as it could cause you to lose control, be
ejected, or impact the handlebars.
EX Deluxe: To avoid rear-end collisions
while operating the watercraft, check
behind you before using the RiDE lever
to slow down or stop the watercraft.
EJU44682Operating the watercraft in reverse or
neutral (EX Sport / EX Deluxe)
Operating in reverse (EX Sport)
Pull the shift lever rearward to the reverse po-
sition. The watercraft will move in reverse.
(See page 29 for information on the reverse
system.)
Make sure that there are no obstacles or peo-
ple behind you before shifting into reverse.
TIP:
This model is not equipped with a neutral
function.
90 m (300 ft)
1Shift lever
2Reverse position
1
2
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Operation
68
Operating in reverse (EX Deluxe)
When the RiDE lever is squeezed, the “R” (re-
verse) shift indicator will be displayed and the
watercraft will move in reverse. (See page 29
for shift system operation procedures.)
Make sure that there are no obstacles or peo-
ple behind you before shifting into reverse.
TIP:
This model is equipped with a function which
limits the engine speed in reverse.
Operating in neutral (EX Deluxe)
When the RiDE lever is squeezed lightly and
released, the “N” (neutral) shift indicator will
be displayed and the watercraft will stop in itscurrent location. (See page 29 for shift sys-
tem operation procedures.)
EJU36087Boarding the watercraft
WARNING
EWJ01112
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 ex-
posure, 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 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 peb-
1“R” (Reverse position)
1
1“N” (Neutral position)
1
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Operation
69
bles or sand could be sucked into the jet
intake, causing impeller damage and en-
gine overheating.
[ECJ00473]
TIP:
EX Sport / EX Deluxe: This watercraft is
equipped with a reboarding step, which can
be lowered and used to assist in reboarding.
(See page 39 for information on operating the
reboarding step.)
EJU36354Boarding alone
(1) From the rear of the watercraft, place
both hands on the boarding platform,
pull yourself up, and then grasp the
handgrip with one hand.(2) Pull yourself up to a kneeling position on
the boarding platform, and then move to
the seat and sit astride.
(3) Attach the engine shut-off cord (lanyard)
to your left wrist, and then attach the clip
to the engine shut-off switch.
(4) Grip the handlebars with both hands and
place both feet on the floor of the foot-
well.
(5) Look in all directions, start the engine,
and then start off slowly.
EJU43260Boarding with passenger(s)
WARNING
EWJ01800
Severe internal injuries can occur if wa-
ter is forced into body cavities as a re-
sult of being near the jet thrust nozzle.
Do not start the engine until the passen-
gers are seated with their feet on the
floor of the footwell and are securely
60 cm (2 ft)
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