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Safety information
10
erate the watercraft after sunset or before
dawn, otherwise you increase the risk of
colliding with another boat, which could re-
sult in severe injury or death.
Follow navigation rules, and state/provin-
cial and local laws that apply to watercraft.
EJU30783
Operation requirements
All riders must wear a personal flotation de-
vice (PFD) that is approved by the appro-
priate authorities and is suitable for
personal watercraft use.
Wear protective clothing. Severe internal
injuries can occur if water is forced into
body cavities as a result of falling into the
water or being near the jet thrust nozzle.
You must wear shorts with neoprene (wet-
suit material) to keep water from being
forcefully injected into the rectum or vagina
during a fall backward. Riders not wearing
neoprene shorts have received severe rec-
tal, vaginal, and internal injuries resulting in
permanent damage. Normal swimwear
does not offer adequate protection.
Eye protection is recommended to keep
wind, water, and glare from the sun out of
your eyes while you operate your water-
craft. Restraining straps for eyewear are
made which are designed to float should
your eyewear fall in the water.
Footwear and gloves are recommended.
You must decide whether to wear a helmet
while you ride for recreation. You should
know that a helmet could help protect you
1Authority-approved PFD
2 Wetsuit bottom
1
2
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Safety information
11
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
cause choking, severe and permanent
neck injuries, 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 39 before op-
erating the watercraft.
The operator should always keep both feet
or knees on the riding tray when the water-
craft is in motion. Lifting your feet increases the chances of losing your balance or hit-
ting objects outside the watercraft with
your feet.
Always consult your doctor on whether it is
safe for you to operate 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-
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
someone in the water.
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Safety information
12
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. (See “Safe boating
rules” on page 14.)
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.
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Safety information
13
EJU30872
Hazard information
Never start the engine or let it run for any
length of time in an enclosed area. Exhaust
fumes contain carbon monoxide, a color-
less, odorless gas that may cause loss of
consciousness and death within a short
time. Always operate the watercraft in an
open area.
Do not touch the hot oil tank, muffler, or en-
gine during or immediately after engine op-
eration; they can cause serious burns.
EJU30883
Watercraft characteristics
Jet thrust turns the watercraft. 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 im-
mediately after releasing the throttle lever,
but once the engine slows down, the wa-
tercraft will no longer respond to handlebar
input until you apply throttle again or you
reach trolling speed.
Practice turning in an open area without
obstacles until you have a good feel for this
maneuver.
This watercraft is water-jet propelled. The
jet pump is directly connected to the en-
gine. This means that jet thrust will produce
some movement whenever the engine is
running. There is no “neutral” position.
Keep away from the intake grate while the
engine is on. Items such as long hair, loose
clothing, or PFD straps can become entan-
gled in moving parts, resulting in severe in-
jury or drowning.
Never insert any object into the jet thrust
nozzle while the engine is running. Severe
injury or death could result from coming in
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Page 21 of 84
Safety information
14
contact with the rotating parts of the jet
pump.
Stop the engine and remove the clip from
the engine shut-off switch before removing
any debris or weeds, which may have col-
lected around the jet intake.
Avoid forceful jet thrust and limited visibility
while reboarding. Get to a standing or
kneeling position quickly. This will improve
visibility and limit exposure to jet thrust.
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.
1 Intake grate
2 Jet thrust nozzle
1 Clip
2 Engine shut-off switch
1
2
1 2
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Safety information
15
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.
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Page 23 of 84
Description
16
EJU40654
Watercraft glossary
Trolling speed
“Trolling” is the lowest maneuvering speed. You are applying little or no throttle. The water-
craft is down in the water, and there is no wake.
Sub-planing speed
“Sub-planing” is a medium speed. The bow of the watercraft is slightly up from the water sur-
face, but you are still traveling through the water. There is a wake.
Planing speed
“Planing” is a faster speed. The watercraft is more level and is skimming on top of the water.
There is a wake.
Bow
The front end of the watercraft.
Stern
The rear end of the watercraft.
Starboard
The right side of the watercraft when facing forward.
Port
The left side of the watercraft when facing forward.
Bilge water
Water that has collected in the engine compartment.
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Page 24 of 84
Description
17
EJU31012
Location of main components
Exterior
1
23
4
5
6
8
9
10
11
14
16
15
14
13
8
12
7
1Fuel filler cap (page 31)
2 Steering pole
3 Steering pole cover
4 Hood
5 Storage pouch
6 Cooling water pilot outlet (page 22)
7 Bow eye (page 28)
8 Handlebar
9 Hood latch
10 Reboarding holder (page 28) 11
Riding tray
12 Intake grate
13 Stern eye (page 28)
14 Stern drain plug (page 35)
15 Jet thrust nozzle
16 Ride plate
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