YAMAHA GP800R 2003 Repair Manual

3-18
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EJU01066
Stopping the engine
To stop the engine, release the throttle
lever, and then push the engine stop switch
(red button).
WARNING@ You need throttle to steer. Shutting off
the engine can cause you to hit an obsta-
cle you are attempting to avoid. A colli-
sion could result in severe injury or
death.
@
EJU01067
Leaving the watercraft
If leaving the watercraft, remove the
engine shut-off cord to reduce the chance of
accidental starting or unauthorized use by
children or others.
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EJU01068
Operating your watercraft
EJU01069
Getting to know your
watercraft
Operating your watercraft requires skills
acquired through practice over a period of
time. Take the time to learn the basic tech-
niques well before attempting more difficult
maneuvers.
Operating your new watercraft can be a
very enjoyable activity, providing you with
hours of pleasure. However, it is essential to
familiarize yourself with the operation of the
watercraft to achieve the skill level neces-
sary to enjoy riding safely. Before operating
this watercraft, read this Owner’s/Operator’s
Manual, the Riding Practice Guide, and all
warning and caution labels on the water-
craft. Pay particular attention to the safety
information on pages 1-7 to 1-13. These
materials should give you an understanding
of the watercraft and its operation.
Remember: This watercraft is designed to
carry the operator and one passenger.
Never exceed the maximum load limit or
allow more than 2 persons to ride the water-
craft at one time.
EJU01070
Learning to operate your
watercraft
Before operating the watercraft, always
perform the pre-operation checks listed on
page 3-5. The short time spent checking the
watercraft will reward you with added safety
and reliability.
Check all local laws before operating your
watercraft.
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 you have good visi-
bility and light boat traffic.
Use the buddy system—operate with
someone nearby. Scan constantly for peo-
ple, objects, and other watercraft. Be alert
for conditions that limit your visibility or block
your vision of others.
Attach the engine shut-off cord (lanyard)
to your wrist and keep it free from the han-
dlebars so that the engine stops if the opera-
tor falls off.
Wear a personal flotation device (PFD).
All riders must wear an authority-approved
PFD that is suitable for personal watercraft
use. Maximum load: 160 kg (353 lb)
Load is the total weight of cargo,
operator and passenger.
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3-20
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Wear protective clothing. Severe internal
injuries can occur if water is forced into body
cavities as result of falling into the water or
being near the jet thrust nozzle. Normal
swimwear does not adequately protect
against forceful water entry into rectum and
vagina. All riders must wear a wetsuit bot-
tom or clothing that provides equivalent pro-
tection.
Such clothing includes thick, tightly
woven, sturdy and snug-fitting apparel such
as denim, but does not include spandex or
similar fabrics like those used in bicycle
shorts. A full wetsuit can also protect against
hypothermia (subnormal body temperature)
and abrasions.
Footwear and gloves are recommended.
Eye protection is recommended to keep
wind, water, and glare from the sun out of
your eyes while you operate your watercraft.
Restraining straps for eyewear are made
which are designed to float should your eye-
wear fall in the water.
You should grip the handlebars firmly and
keep both feet on the floor of the footwell. Do
not attempt to ride with passengers until
your operating skills are fully developed.EJU01071
Riding watercraft with a
passenger
When a passenger is on board with the
operator, the watercraft handles differently,
and is not as easy to maneuver, so operat-
ing it requires a higher degree of skill.
Before attempting to operate the watercraft
with a passenger on board, the operator
must practice operating the watercraft alone
enough to be able to acquire the necessary
skills.
The passenger must always wear an
authority-approved PFD and a wetsuit bot-
tom or equivalent.
WARNING@ Do not apply throttle when anyone is at
rear of watercraft. Turn engine off or keep
engine at idle. Water and/or debris exit-
ing the jet thrust nozzle can cause severe
injury. The passenger should not attempt
to board the watercraft if the operator is
applying throttle.
@
Do not give a ride to a child whose feet
cannot reach the floor of the footwell. The
passenger should hold on firmly to the oper-
ator and keep both feet in the footwell.
WARNING@ When a passenger is on board, make
sure that he or she is holding on firmly
and has his or her feet in the footwell
before you start to accelerate.
@
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EJU01837
Starting the watercraft
WARNING@
Scan constantly for people, objects,
and other watercraft. Be alert for con-
ditions that limit your visibility or block
your vision of others.

Operate defensively at safe speeds
and keep a safe distance away from
people, objects, and other watercraft.

Do not follow directly behind water-
craft or other boats. Do not go near
others to spray or splash them with
water. 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.
Remember watercraft and other boats
do not have brakes. Do not release the
throttle when trying to steer away from
objects—you need throttle to steer.

Practice reboarding in shallow water
before riding in deep water.
@
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F0X0315
EJU01073
Starting and boarding in shallow
water
1. Do not start the engine in less than
60 cm (2 ft) of water. Put the watercraft
in water that is deep enough, and then
board the watercraft from the side or the
rear.
2. Attach the engine shut-off cord to your
left wrist, and then install the clip to the
engine shut-off switch.
3. Grip the handlebars with both hands,
place both feet on the floor of the foot-
well, start the engine, and start off.
EJU01074
Starting from a dock
1. Board the watercraft from the side.
2. Attach the engine shut-off cord to your
left wrist, and then install the clip to the
engine shut-off switch.
3. Push the watercraft away from the dock,
grip the handlebars with both hands,
place both feet on the floor of the foot-
well, start the engine, and start off.
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F0X0316
F0X0317
F0X0318
EJU01075
Boarding and starting in deep
water
WARNING@
Operator and passenger should prac-
tice getting on board in shallow water
before riding in deep water. Boarding
in deep water requires more skill.

The fatigue and exposure that could
result after unsuccessful attempts to
get back on the watercraft may
increase the risk of injuries and drown-
ing.
@
EJU01838
Boarding alone
1. Swim to the rear of the watercraft and
place both hands on the boarding plat-
form, pull yourself up, and then grasp the
handgrip with one hand.
2. Pull yourself up to a kneeling position on
the platform, and then move to the seat
and sit astride.
3. Attach the engine shut-off cord to your
left wrist, and then install the clip to the
engine shut-off switch.
4. Grip the handlebars firmly with both
hands, place both feet on the floor of the
footwell, start the engine, and then look
in all directions before starting off.
WARNING@ Before starting off, make sure that there
are no boats, obstructions, or swimmers
around you.
@
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F0X0319
EJU01077
Boarding with a passenger
WARNING@ Severe internal injuries can occur if
water is forced into body cavities as a
result of being near the jet thrust nozzle.
Do not apply throttle until the passenger
is seated with his or her feet on the floor
of the footwell and is holding on to the
operator.
@
1. Climb on board as noted in the previous
section, and sit astride the seat. Attach
the engine shut-off cord to your wrist,
and then install the clip to the engine
shut-off switch.
2. Have the passenger move to the rear of
the watercraft.
3. Have the passenger get on board and sit
on the seat.
NOTE:@ When a passenger is getting on board, both
the passenger and the operator should try to
balance the watercraft.
@
4. The operator should check to see that
the passenger has his or her feet on the
floor of the footwell and that he or she is
securely holding on to the operator.
5. Start the engine, look in all directions,
and then accelerate to planing speed.
WARNING@ Before starting off, make sure that there
are no boats, obstructions, or swimmers
around you.
@
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3-25
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NOTE:@ The heavier the total weight of the operator
and passengers, the more difficult it will be
to balance the watercraft. Do not operate the
watercraft when the total weight exceeds
160 kg (353 lb) including any cargo. If it is
difficult to balance the watercraft at a stand-
still, proceed as follows:
1. The passenger must steady the water-
craft while the operator is boarding. The
operator pulls himself up onto the plat-
form into a seating position, then bal-
ances the watercraft.
2. Attach the lanyard to your left wrist, then
install the clip on the lanyard to the
engine shut-off switch. Start the engine
and keep it at idle.
3. The passenger pulls himself up on the
platform, kneels down, then crawls onto
the seat as the watercraft accelerates.
4. The watercraft can now be accelerated
to planing speed, then the operator can
reduce the throttle to the desired running
speed.
@
EJU01883
Capsized watercraft
If the watercraft capsizes, follow the pro-
cedures below carefully to prevent damage
or injury.
WARNING@ IMPROPER UPRIGHTING CAN CAUSE
INJURY:

Shut engine off, and be sure engine
shut-off cord is removed from the
engine shut-off switch.

Do not put hand in intake grate.

Watch so you are not hit by the water-
craft as it comes over.
@
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3-26
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CAUTION:@ Be sure to remove the clip from the
engine shut-off switch, otherwise the
engine will overheat and engine damage
may occur.
@
1. Shut the engine off by removing the clip
from the engine shut-off switch.
2. Swim to the rear of the watercraft. Pull
the watercraft over with left hand on ride
plate while pushing down on the gun-
wale with your right hand/foot.
NOTE:@ If the port (left) side of the capsized water-
craft is tilting upward, first tilt the watercraft
so the port (left) side is down by using your
weight to press down on the gunwale.
@
CAUTION:@ Do not turn the watercraft over counter-
clockwise, otherwise water may leak into
the carburetor and engine and cause
damage.
@
3. Start the engine, and then head for
shore to inspect the engine for water
damage.
CAUTION:@ If the watercraft has been capsized for
5 minutes or more, air may have entered
the oil injection system. Leave the engine
off, or operate only at trolling speed, for
10 minutes after the watercraft has been
turned right-side up. This will allow any
air to bleed off.
@
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3-27
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EJU01839
Turning the watercraft
Steering control depends on the combi-
nation 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 is produced.
The amount of jet thrust, in addition to the
position 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 completely pro-
duces 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
releasing the throttle, 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.
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