2021 YAMAHA SUPERJET Owners Manual

Operation
50
throttle lever is in the fully closed (idle) posi-
tion.
EJU33247Turning the watercraftEWJ00764
Do not release the throttle lever when
trying to steer away from objects—as
with other powerboats, you need throt-
tle to steer. A collision could result in se-
vere 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.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 position
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Operation
51
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.
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 general, the higher the speed or the sharper
the turn, the more you lean.
EJU33276Stopping 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 before
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Operation
52
hitting an obstacle, apply throttle and turn in
another direction.
EWJ00725
Allow adequate stopping distance. Stay
far enough away from others so you can
always safely coast to a stop.
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.
EJU33078Starting offEWJ00714
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, go too
close to other boats, or go too fast for
the traffic conditions. Avoid sharp turns
or other maneuvers that make it hard for
others to avoid you or understand where
you are going. Avoid areas with sub-
merged objects or shallow 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—as with other power-
boats, you need throttle to steer.
EWJ00634
Avoid forceful jet thrust and limited visibil-
ity while reboarding. Get to a standing or
kneeling position quickly. This will im-
prove visibility and limit exposure to jet
thrust.
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.
90 m (300 ft)
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Operation
53
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 of
gravity 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.
EJU33106Boarding 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 54 for the deep-water starting
method.)
(1) Launch the watercraft in water free fromweeds 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.
(5) Pull your other knee up onto the riding tray as the watercraft speed increases.
(6) Move as far forward as possible without interfering with the movement of the han-
dlebars. Keep your body perpendicular
to the water, with your weight forward
and low.
TIP:
The watercraft will become easier to balance
as the speed increases, because jet thrust
provides stability as well as directional con-
trol.
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Operation
54
EJU33127Boarding and starting in deep waterEWJ01262
Be sure the operator 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 fa-
tigued and suffer from exposure, increas-
ing the risk of injury and drowning.
(1) Swim to the rear of the watercraft. Attachthe engine shut-off cord (lanyard) to your
left wrist, and then attach the clip to the
engine shut-off switch.
(2) Grip the handlebars with both hands. Pull your body up onto the riding tray and
balance there, using your elbows on the
gunwales for leverage.
(3) Look in all directions, start the engine, and then begin to accelerate. (4) Continue to pull yo
ur body up onto the
watercraft as the watercraft speed in-
creases.
(5) Bring your knees up onto the riding tray and change to a kneeling position as
soon as you can do so.
(6) Move as far forward as possible without interfering with the movement of the han-
dlebars. Keep your body perpendicular
to the water, with your weight forward
and low.
(7) Once the bow drops, and the watercraft has leveled out in the water and reached
planing speed, back off the throttle and
select your desired speed.
TIP:
The watercraft will become easier to bal-
ance as the speed increases, because jet
thrust provides stability as well as direc-
tional control.
It will take longer for a heavy operator to
reach planing speed than it will for a light
operator.
EJU33207Capsized watercraftEWJ00672
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.
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Operation
55
Do not put your hands in the intake
grate.
If the watercraft capsizes, turn it over imme-
diately.
To upright the watercraft:
(1) Remove the clip from the engine shut-offswitch.
(2) Swim to the rear of the watercraft. Turn the watercraft over in either direction by
grabbing both sides.
(3) Start the engine and operate the water- craft at planing speed to drain the bilge
water from the engine compartment.
(See page 35 for information on draining
the bilge water. If the engine does not
start, see “Towing the watercraft” on
page 73 or “Submerged watercraft” on
page 74.) 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.
[ECJ00554]
EJU33304
Beaching 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 90 m (300 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.
[EWJ00602] 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]
( 4 ) G e t o f f t h e w a t e r c r a f t a n d p u l l i t u p o n t h e beach.
EJU37194Operating in weeded areas
Always avoid using your watercraft in areas
where weed growth is thick. If operating in
weeded areas is unavoidable, alternately
squeeze the throttle lever and relax your grip
on the throttle lever to vary the engine speed.
Weeds tend to become clogged more when
operating at a steady speed and at trolling
speed. If weeds may have clogged the intake
area, clean the jet intake. (See page 72 for in-
formation on the jet intake.)
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Operation
56
EJU41062After removing the watercraft from
the water
ECJ01361
Do not run the engine for more than 15
seconds on land without supplying water,
otherwise the engine could overheat.
After operating and removing the watercraft
from the water, promptly discharge the re-
maining water from the cooling water pas-
sages.
To discharge water from the cooling water
passages:
(1) Make sure that the area around the wa- tercraft is clear, and then start the en-
gine.
(2) Discharge the remaining water out of the cooling water passages by alternately
squeezing and releasing the throttle lever
quickly for 10 to 15 seconds.
(3) Stop the engine.
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Care and storage
57
EJU37148
Post-operation careEWJ00332
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 deteriora-
tion of the jet pump and hull. Marine organ-
isms and corrosion are some of the
conditions that can shorten the life of many
watercraft components.
EJU3351BFlushing the cooling water passagesECJ01361
Do not run the engine for more than 15
seconds on land 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 hood. (See page 26 for hood removal and installation procedures.) (3) Connect the garden hose adapter to a
garden hose.
(4) Loosen the flushing hose connector cap and remove it. Insert the garden hose
adapter into the flushing hose connector
by pushing and twisting it until it is se-
curely connected.
(5) Connect the garden hose to a water tap.
(6) Make sure that the area around the wa- tercraft is clear, and then start the en-
gine. Immediately after the engine starts,
turn the water supply on gradually until
1Garden hose adapter
2 Garden hose
1 Flushing hose connector
2 Flushing hose connector cap
3 Garden hose adapter
12
2
1
3
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