tow YAMAHA XL 700 2003 Owners Manual

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Do not attempt to modify this watercraft!
Modifications to your watercraft may
reduce safety and reliability, and render
the watercraft unsafe or illegal for use.

Attach the engine shut-off cord (lanyard)
to wrist and keep it free from the handle-
bars so that the engine stops if the opera-
tor falls off. After riding, remove the
engine shut-off cord from the watercraft to
avoid accidental starting or unauthorized
use by children or others.

Scan carefully for swimmers and stay
away from swimming areas. Swimmers
are hard to see and you could acciden-
tally hit someone in the water.

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 you maneuver more quickly than other
boaters expect, you risk a collision.

Maintain a safe distance from other boats
or watercraft, and also watch for boats’ ski
ropes or fishing lines. Obey the “Safe
boating rules,” and be sure to check
behind you before making a turn. (See
Safe boating rules on page 1-15.)
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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 sig-
nal other boats.

Visual distress signals
It is recommended that an authority-
approved pyrotechnic device be stored in
a waterproof container on your watercraft.
A mirror can also be used as an emer-
gency signal. Contact your Yamaha
dealer for more information.

Watch
A watch is helpful so you will know how
long you have been operating.

Towline
A towline can be used to tow a disabled
watercraft in an emergency.
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Keep away from intake grate 1 while the
engine is on. Items such as long hair,
loose clothing, or PFD straps can become
entangled in moving parts resulting in
severe injury or drowning.

Never insert any object into the jet thrust
nozzle 2 while the engine is running.
Severe injury or death could result from
coming in contact with the rotating parts
of the jet pump.

Stop the engine and remove the clip 3
from the engine shut-off switch 4 before
removing any debris or weeds, which may
have collected around the jet intake.
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Water-skiing
You can use the watercraft for water-ski-
ing if it has the seating capacity to carry the
operator, a rearward-facing spotter, and the
water-skier when he or she is not skiing.
The watercraft must also have a cleat 1
designed to pull a ski tow rope; do not attach
the tow rope to any other location.
It is the watercraft operator’s responsibility
to be alert to the safety of the water-skier
and others. Know and follow all local water-
skiing regulations in effect for the waters in
which you will be operating.
The operator should be comfortable car-
rying passengers before attempting to pull a
skier.
The following are some important consid-
erations for minimizing risks while water-ski-
ing.

The skier should wear an approved PFD,
preferably a brightly colored one so boat
operators can see the skier.

The skier should wear protective clothing.
Severe internal injuries can occur if water
is forced into body cavities as a result of
falling into the water. Normal swimwear
does not adequately protect against
forceful water entry into rectum or vagina.
The skier should wear a wetsuit bottom or
clothing that provides equivalent protec-
tion.
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A second person should be on board as a
spotter to watch the skier; in many places
it is required by law. Let the skier direct
the operator’s control of speed and direc-
tion with hand signals.
The spotter should sit securely on the
passenger seat and hold onto the hand-
grip 2 with one hand and the finger
grip3 with the other hand, and place his/
her feet firmly on the footrest 4 for proper
balance while facing to the rear to watch
the skier’s hand signals and his or her
condition.

Your control while pulling a skier is
affected by the skier’s ability, as well as
water and weather conditions.

When preparing to pull a skier, operate
the watercraft at the slowest possible
speed until the watercraft is well away
from the skier and slack in the towrope is
taken up. Make sure that the rope is not
looped around anything.
After checking that the skier is ready and
that there is no traffic or other obstacles,
apply enough throttle to raise the skier.

Make smooth, wide turns. The watercraft
is capable of very sharp turns, which
could exceed the abilities of the skier.
Keep the skier at least 50 m (150 ft),
about twice the distance of a standard
towrope, from any potential hazard.

Be alert to the hazard of the towrope han-
dle snapping back at the watercraft when
the skier falls or is unable to get up on the
skis.

Towing heavy or bulky objects other than
skiers, such as another boat or watercraft,
can cause loss of steering control and
create a hazardous condition. If you must
tow another boat in an emergency situa-
tion, operate slowly and cautiously.
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Location of main components
1Cooling water pilot outlet
Use to verify cooling water flow.
2Bow eye
Use to attach rope for transporting, mooring or
towing the watercraft in an emergency.
3Front storage compartment
4Hood
5Fuel cock knob
Use to select either normal or reserve fuel flow
from the fuel tank to the carburetors, or to shut
off fuel flow.
6Handlebars
Use to control direction.
7Fuel tank filler cap
8Rope hole
Use to attach a rope for mooring only.
9Oil tank filler cap
0Choke knob
Use to start a cold engine.AFootwell
Use to place feet for balance.
BFootrest
To keep proper balance while facing to the rear
to watch the skier.
CFire extinguisher container
Use to store the fire extinguisher.
DIntake grate
Prevents debris from getting into the jet pump.
EHandgrip
Use for suppor t when boarding the watercraft
or when seated facing rearward and acting as
a spotter for a water-skier.
FRear seat
GFront seat
HGlove compartment
ISeat storage compartments
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1Engine shut-off cord (lanyard)
Attach to wrist so that the engine stops if the
operator falls off the watercraft.
2Engine stop switch
Push to stop the engine normally.
3Clip
Insert into the engine shut-off switch to enable
starting of the engine.
Remove to stop the engine or prevent acci-
dental star ting of the engine or unauthorized
use of the watercraft.
4Engine shut-off switch
Remove the clip to stop the engine and dis-
able it from starting.
5Start switch
Push to start the engine.6Oil level warning lamp
7Throttle lever
Use to accelerate and decelerate.
8Stern drain plugs
Use to drain water in the bilge when the water-
craft is on dry land.
9Jet thrust nozzle
Changes the direction of jet thrust according
to handlebar position.
0Cleat
Use to attach a towrope for pulling water-skier
or a rope mooring the watercraft.
ARide plate
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EJU01085
Transporting
WARNING@ Always place the fuel cock knob in the
“OFF” position when transporting the
watercraft, otherwise fuel could leak out
into the engine or engine compartment,
which would create a fire hazard.
@
When transporting the watercraft on a
trailer, secure the tie downs to the trailer
through the bow eye and stern rope holes.
CAUTION:@ Do not route ropes or tie downs over the
seat, as they may leave permanent marks
on the seat’s surface. Also, wrap the
ropes or tie downs with towels or rags
where they touch the body of the water-
craft to avoid scratching or damage.
@
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TROUBLESHOOTING
AND EMERGENCY
PROCEDURES
Troubleshooting ...................................... 5-1
Troubleshooting chart ............................ 5-1
Emergency procedures .......................... 5-4
Cleaning the jet intake and impeller ...... 5-4
Jumping the battery ............................... 5-5
Towing the watercraft ............................ 5-7
Submerged watercraft ........................... 5-8
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EJU01913
Towing the watercraft
If the watercraft becomes inoperative in
the water, it can be towed to shore.
If the watercraft must be towed in an
emergency using a towline, the operator
should ride the watercraft, holding onto the
handlebars.
CAUTION:@
Tow the watercraft at 5 mph (8 km/h) or
less, otherwise water could enter the
engine through the exhaust passages
or through the air intake and flood the
engine compartment if it is towed too
fast.

Tow the watercraft using the bow
eye1 only.

The bow must be kept up out of the
water during towing to prevent water
from entering the engine compart-
ment.
@
WARNING@
The watercraft should only be towed in
an emergency.

The towline should be long enough so
that the watercraft will not collide with
the towing boat when slowing down. A
good rule of thumb is a towline that is
three times the combined length of the
towing boat and the watercraft.

The operator of the towing boat must
keep speed to a minimum and avoid
traffic or obstacles which could be a
hazard to the rider on the watercraft.
@
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M
Maintenance and adjustments ................ 4-7
O
Oil filter .................................................. 4-12
Oil level warning lamp ........................... 2-14
Oil tank .................................................. 4-12
Oil tank filler cap...................................... 2-7
Operating your watercraft...................... 3-19
Operation .............................................. 3-13
Operation of controls and other
functions .................................................. 2-4
Operation requirements .......................... 1-9
Other labels ............................................. 1-6
Owner’s/Operator’s Manual and
tool kit ...................................................... 4-8
P
Periodic maintenance chart..................... 4-9
Post-operation checks........................... 3-32
Pre-operation check list........................... 3-5
Pre-operation check points ..................... 3-6
Pre-operation checks .............................. 3-5
Primary Identification (PRI-ID)
number .................................................... 1-1
R
Rear seat................................................. 2-4
Recommended equipment .................... 1-11
Replacing the fuse ................................ 4-21
Riding watercraft with passengers ........ 3-20
Rough water operation .......................... 3-31
S
Safe boating rules ................................. 1-15
Safety information ................................... 1-7
Seat storage compartment .................... 2-16
Specifications ........................................ 4-22
Starting and boarding in shallow
water ..................................................... 3-22
Starting from a dock .............................. 3-22
Starting the engine ................................ 3-15
Starting the watercraft ........................... 3-21
Start switch............................................ 2-10
Steering system ........................... 2-11, 3-10
Stopping the engine .............................. 3-18
Stopping the watercraft ......................... 3-29Storage.................................................... 4-1
Storage compartments .......................... 2-15
Submerged watercraft ............................. 5-8
Switches ................................................ 3-12
T
Throttle .................................................. 3-10
Throttle lever ......................................... 2-10
Towing the watercraft .............................. 5-7
Transporting .......................................... 3-34
Troubleshooting ...................................... 5-1
Troubleshooting chart ............................. 5-1
Turning the watercraft ........................... 3-27
W
Warning labels ........................................ 1-3
Watercraft characteristics ...................... 1-12
Water separator ...................................... 3-7
Water-skiing .......................................... 1-13
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