Yamaha XA1200Ltd WaveRunner Owner's manual

WaveRunner
XL1200Ltd
OWNER’S/OPERATOR’S
MANUAL
YAMAHA MOTOR CORPORATION, U.S.A.
LIT-18626-03-82●
U.S.A.Edition
READ THIS MANUAL
CAREFULLY BEFORE
OPERATION!

E
EJU00270a
TO THE OWNER
Thank you for choosing a Yamaha water
vehicle. This owner’s/operator’s manual con-
tains information you will need for proper
operation, maintenance, and care. A thor-
ough understanding of these simple instruc-
tions will help you to obtain maximum
enjoyment from your new Yamaha. If you
have any questions about the operation or
maintenance of your water vehicle, please
consult a Yamaha water vehicle dealer.
YAMAHA MOTOR CO., LTD.
Because Yamaha has a policy of continuing
product improvement, this product may not
be exactly as described in this owner’s/oper-
ator’s manual. Specifications are subject to
change without notice.
This manual should be considered a perma-
nent part of this water vehicle and should
remain with it even if the vehicle is subse-
quently sold.
IMPORTANT MANUAL
INFORMATION:
In this manual, information of particular
importance is distinguished in the following
ways: The Safety Alert Symbol means
ATTENTION! BECOME ALERT!
YOUR SAFETY IS INVOLVED!
EWJ00043
WARNING
Failure to follow WARNING instructions
could result in severe injury or death to
the machine operator, a bystander, or a
person inspecting or repairing the vehi-
cle.
ECJ00045
CAUTION
:
A CAUTION indicates special precau-
tions that must be taken to avoid damage
to the vehicle.
N
O
TE:
A NOTE provides key information to make
procedures easier or clearer.
EJU00271a
WaveRunner XL1200Ltd
OWNER’S/OPERATOR’S MANUAL
1999 by Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd.
2nd Edition, September 1999
All rights reserved. Any reprinting
or unauthorized use without
the written permission of
Yamaha Motor Corporation,
U.S.A. is expressly prohibited.
Printed in U.S.A.
P/N LIT-18626-03-82

EJU00273 CONTENTS E
READ THIS OWNER’S / OPERATOR’S MANUAL CAREFULLY
BEFORE OPERATING YOUR WATER VEHICLE.
GENERAL AND SAFETY INFORMATION
1
FEATURE AND FUNCTIONS
2
OPERATION AND RIDING
3
MAINTENANCE AND CARE
4
TROUBLESHOOTING AND
EMERGENCY PROCEDURE
5
INDEX
6

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1
EJU00274 Chapter 1
GENERALANDSAFETY
INFORMATION
IDENTIFICATION NUMBER
RECORDS.............................................1-1
Primary identification (PRI-ID)
number...............................................1-1
Hull identification number (H.I.N).......1-1
Engine serial number.........................1-1
EMISSION CONTROL
INFORMATION......................................1-2
IMPORTANT LABELS ..........................1-3
Location..............................................1-3
Labels.................................................1-4
SAFETY INFORMATION.......................1-8
Limitations on who may
operate the vehicle.............................1-8
Cruising limitations.............................1-9
Operational requirements...................1-9
Hazard information...........................1-12
Water vehicle characteristics ...........1-13
Water skiing .....................................1-14
RULES OF THE ROAD.......................1-15
Steering and sailing rules and
sound signals...................................1-15
Rules when encountering vessels....1-16
Other special situations....................1-17
TO GET MORE BOATING SAFETY
INFORMATION....................................1-19
ENJOY YOUR WATER VEHICLE
RESPONSIBLY ...................................1-19
FUEL REQUIREMENTS......................1-20
Gasoline (petrol)...............................1-20
Engine oil .........................................1-20

1-1
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EJU00275a
IDENTIFICATION NUMBER
RECORDS
Record your Primary identification (PRI-ID)
number, Hull identification number (H.I.N)
and Engine serial number in the spaces pro-
vided, to assist you in ordering spare parts
from your Yamaha water vehicle dealer. Also
record and keep these ID numbers in a sep-
arate place in case your water vehicle is sto-
len.
EJU00276a
PRIMARY IDENTIFICATION (PRI-ID)
NUMBER
The PRI-ID number is stamped on a label 1
attached to the inside of the engine com-
partment.
EJU00286a
HULL IDENTIFICATION
NUMBER (H.I.N)
The H.I.N. is stamped on a plate 2attached
to the aft deck.
EJU00288a
ENGINE SERIAL NUMBER
The engine serial number is stamped on a
label 3attached to the cylinder head.

1-2
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EJU00631a
EMISSION CONTROL
INFORMATION
This engine conforms to 2000 U.S. Environ-
mental Protection Agency (EPA) regulation
for marine SI engines.
●Approved label of Emission control
certificate
This label is attached to the electrical box.
1Emission control information label
●Manufactured date label
This label is attached to the electrical box.
2Manufactured date label

1-3
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EJU00293
IMPORTANT LABELS
LOCATION

1-4
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LABELS
Warning labels
1
2
45
6
3

1-5
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78
9
@
A
B

1-6
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Caution labels
CD
E
FG
I
H

1-7
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Other labels
J
KL

1-8
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EJU00640a
SAFETY
INFORMATION
When you operate your water vehicle, you
must know and practice the following for
your safety:
●Before operating the vehicle, read this
entire manual, the Riding Practice Tips,
the Riding Instruction card and all warn-
ing labels on the vehicle. Reading these
materials should give you an understand-
ing of the vehicle and its operation.
Never allow anyone to operate this water
vehicle until they too have read this
owner’s/operator’s manual, the Riding
Practice Tips, the Riding Instruction card
and all warning labels.
●This product emits exhaust gases which
contain carbon monoxide, a colorless,
odorless gas which may cause brain
damage or death when inhaled. Symp-
toms include nausea, dizziness, and
drowsiness. Operate the vehicle in an
open area.
EJU00304a
LIMITATIONS ON WHO MAY
OPERATE THE VEHICLE
●This water vehicle is recommended only
for operators 16 and older with a valid
motor vehicle license.
Even though a motor vehicle operator’s
license is not required for water vehicle
operation in most states, it is one indica-
tor that the operator has previously dem-
onstrated a reasonable degree of
maturity, responsibility, and good judg-
ment.
A responsible adult must supervise oper-
ation of this vehicle by minors.
Many states have minimum age and edu-
cation requirements. Always check states
and all applicable local boating laws that
apply to you before you operate the vehi-
cle.
●Your water vehicle is designed to carry
the operator and one or two passengers,
as long as the total weight does not
exceed the maximum load capacity.
●Never exceed the weight capacity nor
allow more than three persons (or two
persons with a skier) to ride this vehicle at
one time.
ATTENTION:
Maximum vehicle load capacity: 240 kg
(530 lb)
Includes weight of operator, passengers,
and any cargo.
●Do not try to ride with passengers until
you have considerable practice riding
alone. Operating with passengers
requires more skill. Take the time to
become accustomed to the handling
characteristics of the vehicle with passen-
gers before trying any difficult maneuvers.

1-9
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EJU00613a
CRUISING LIMITATIONS
●Do not jump boat wakes or follow another
boat or watercraft too closely. You
increase your risk of colliding with another
boat, which could result in severe injury or
death. Do not jump waves, wakes, or any
objects. You risk severe impact injuries.
Jumping can also cause damage to the
vehicle.
●Do not operate the vehicle in rough water,
bad weather or when visibility is poor; this
may lead to an accident causing injury or
death. Be alert to the possibility of
adverse weather. Take note of weather
forecasts and the prevailing weather con-
ditions before setting out on your water
vehicle.
●As with any water sport, you should not
ride your water vehicle without someone
else near by. If you ride further than swim-
ming distance from shore, you should be
accompanied by another boat or water-
craft. It’s good, common sense!
●Never ride in water that is less than 60 cm
(2 feet) deep. You increase your chance
of hitting an underwater obstacle. You
could be injured.
●Do not operate the vehicle after sunset or
before dawn. It is not equipped with light-
ing required for night operation. You risk
collision with another boat which could
cause injury or death.
●The maximum performance potential of
this watercraft is not suitable for all condi-
tions. Consider water conditions, weather,
boat traffic and other potential obstacles,
speed limits and other local laws, and
your abilities before attempting to travel at
higher speeds. Operate the watercraft no
faster than justified by these conditions.
EJU00618
OPERATIONAL REQUIREMENTS
●Operating your water vehicle requires
skills acquired only through practice over
a period of time. Take the time to learn the
basic operating techniques well, before
attempting more difficult maneuvers.

1-10
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●Both operator and passengers must
always wear a U.S. Coast Guard
approved personal flotation device (vest-
type) because of the drowning hazards
associated with water sports.
1U.S. Coast Guard-approved personal flotation
device
2Wet suit
3Water shoes
4Gloves
5Eye protection
●Strong streams of water from the jet noz-
zle, or impact with the water surface can
be dangerous. Both operator and passen-
gers must wear wet suits. Normal swim-
ming attire may not adequately protect
you. A wet suit will help protect against
internal injuries to orifices (rectum and
vagina) from strong jet streams, and from
impact with the water surface. Wet suits
also help protect against hypothermia
(low body temperature) and abrasions.
●Both operator and passengers should
wear water shoes to help protect feet from
objects hidden under water. Wearing
gloves can also help protect hands from
abrasions.
●Wind, water, and glare from the sun may
get in your eyes while you operate your
water vehicle, reducing your ability to see.
You may want to consider wearing eye
protection such as sunglasses or goggles
while riding. Some may find, however,
that eye protection obstructs or distorts
their vision, and distracts from operation.
Only you know the circumstances in
which you operate your water vehicle, so
only you can decide if the benefits of eye
protection outweigh the potential hazards.
●If you wear prescription lenses, consider
measures to secure them against loss
while riding. For example, some goggles
are designed to be worn over glasses or
contact lenses. Restraining straps for
glasses are also made which are
designed to float if your glasses should
fall in the water.
●Helmets meeting Snell or DOT standards
are required for IJSBA-sanctioned races.
You must decide whether to wear a hel-
met while you ride recreationally. A hel-
met could help protect you in certain
kinds of accidents. You should also know
that a helmet could injure you in some
other riding conditions.
A helmet is designed to provide some
head protection. Although helmets cannot
protect against all foreseeable impacts, a
helmet might reduce your injuries in a col-
lision with a boat or other obstacles.
A helmet may have potential safety haz-
ards, as well. A helmet could catch the
water during a fall into the water. This is
commonly called “bucketing.” The result-
ing strain on your neck could cause chok-
ing, 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.

1-11
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How should you decide if a helmet’s
potential safety benefits outweigh its
potential risks for you? Consider your par-
ticular riding conditions. Consider factors
such as your riding environment and your
riding style and ability. Also consider the
likelihood of traffic congestion, and the
water surface conditions. If you decide to
wear a helmet based upon your riding cir-
cumstances, choose one carefully. Look
for a helmet designed for personal water-
craft use, if possible. Consider a helmet
meeting Snell or DOT standards. If you
will be engaging in closed-course compe-
tition, follow the helmet requirements of
the sanctioning organization.
●NEVER ride the vehicle after consuming
alcohol or taking drugs.
●For reasons of safety and proper care,
always perform the pre-operation checks
on page 3-3 before riding.
●The operator and passengers should
always keep both feet on the footrest floor
when the vehicle is in motion. If you lift
your feet, you increase your chances of
losing your balance, and your feet could
hit objects outside the water vehicle. Do
not give a ride to a child whose feet can-
not reach the footrest floor.
Passengers should firmly hold on-either
to the person in front of them or to the
handgrips provided.
●If you are pregnant or in poor health, ask
your doctor’s advice on whether it is safe
for you to ride this water vehicle.
●Do not attempt to modify this water vehi-
cle!
Modifications to your machine may
reduce safety and reliability, and may
make the vehicle unsafe or illegal for use.
●The operator should always attach the
engine stop switch lanyard (cable) to his
left wrist so that the engine will stop if the
operator falls off.
Be sure the lanyard is not wrapped
around the handlebar or tangled in the
controls which would prevent the lanyard
from pulling away.
●To prevent accidental starting of the
engine, always remove the lock-plate
from the engine stop lanyard switch when
the engine is not running.
1Engine stop lanyard switch
2Engine stop switch lanyard
3Lock-plate

1-12
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●Always watch carefully for swimmers.
Stay away from swimming areas. Swim-
mers are hard to see and you could acci-
dentally 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 don’t 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 boat’s ski
ropes or fishing lines. Obey the “Rules of
the Road” (see page 1-15~1-18), and be
sure to check behind you before making a
turn.
●This water vehicle is included in the Class
A inboard boat classification of the U.S.
Coast Guard. A water craft of this type
MUST carry a fire extinguisher of a B-1
classification, with a capacity of two
pounds or more when navigating in
waters under Coast Guard jurisdiction. In
addition, most state and local boating
laws also require that the carry a USCG-
approved extinguisher wherever it is oper-
ated.
EJU00313a
HAZARD INFORMATION
●When transporting or storing your water
vehicle, always place the fuel cock in the
“OFF” position. Otherwise, it is possible
for gasoline to overflow from the carbure-
tor.
●Do not start the engine on land until
everyone is away from the stern. Hot
water and steam spurting from exhaust
outlet into the air can cause serious
burns.
●Hot muffler surfaces can cause serious
burns. Do not touch any muffler surface
during or after operation. The catalytic
converter gets hotter after the engine
stops.

1-13
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EJU00315a
WATER VEHICLE CHARACTERISTICS
●Jet thrust turns the vehicle. If you are
going faster than trolling speeds (the low-
est maneuvering speed), you must use
throttle to turn. If you release the throttle
completely, you cannot turn-even if you
turn the handlebars. Practice turning in an
open area without obstructions until you
have a good feel for this maneuver.
●Yamaha water vehicles are water-jet pro-
pelled. The jet pump is directly connected
to the engine. This means that jet thrust
will produce some vehicle movement
whenever the engine is running. There is
no “neutral” position. You are either in
“forward” or “reverse,” depending upon
shift lever position.
●Boats, including your water vehicle, do
not have brakes.
Release the throttle or stop the engine to
slow down. Remember, however, that you
have no steering control without throttle.
Do not expect the “reverse” position to
work as a brake. Shifting to reverse will
not slow down or stop the vehicle from
higher speeds.
●Keep the following in mind when using
reverse:
Reverse is for launching and low speed
maneuvering only. Shift only when the
engine is idling or off. Do not shift while
applying throttle.
Make sure there are no obstacles or peo-
ple behind you before shifting into
reverse.
●Keep hands, feet, hair, and all other parts
of your body and clothing away from jet
intake on the bottom of the hull while
engine is running because they could be
caught in the intake.
Stop the engine and remove the lock
plate from the engine stop lanyard switch
before removing any debris or weeds
which may have collected around the jet
intake.
Never insert any object in the jet pump
outlet. Service injury or death could result
from coming in contact with the rotating
parts of the jet pump.

1-14
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EJU00655a
WATER SKIING
You can use this water vehicle to pull a
water skier. Keep the following in mind when
using the vehicle for skiing.
●Because this water vehicle does not have
the size or thrust of a traditional ski boat,
pulling a skier can affect steering and
handling.
●Your control while pulling a skier is
affected by the skier’s ability, as well as
water and weather conditions.
●The operator should be comfortable car-
rying passengers before attempting to
pull a skier.
●Make gradual turns; sharp turns require a
high level of skill for both the operator and
skier.
●Watch for obstacles or other boating traf-
fic which could be hazardous to the skier
as well as you and the vehicle.
●When pulling a skier, the observer should
face to the rear while holding the handgrip
with both hands. The observer should
always sit astride the seat with his or her
feet placed firmly on the foot step(s) on
the deck for proper balance.
1Handgrip
2Foot step
●Towing certain object (such as other
boats or watercraft, or heavy or bulky
items) can cause loss of steering control
and create a hazardous condition. If a
suitable object must be towed, ride slowly
and cautiously.

1-15
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EJU00319a
RULES OF THE ROAD
Your Yamaha water vehicle is legally con-
sidered a power boat. Operation of this
water vehicle must be in accordance with
the rules and regulations governing the
waterway on which it is used.
Just as there are rules which apply when
you are driving on streets and highways,
there are waterway rules which apply when
you are riding your water vehicle. These
rules are used internationally, and are also
enforced by the United States Coast Guard
and local agencies. You should be aware of
these rules, and follow them whenever you
encounter another vessel on the water.
Several sets of rules prevail according to
geographic location, but are all basically the
same as the International Rules of the
Road. The rules presented here in your
owner’s/operator’s manual are condensed,
and have been provided for your conve-
nience only. Consult your local U.S. Coast
Guard Auxiliary or Department of Motor
Vehicles for a complete set of rules govern-
ing the waters in which you will be riding
your water vehicle.
WARNING
Do not operate the vehicle after sunset or
before dawn. It is not equipped with light-
ing required for night operation. You risk
collision with another boat which could
cause injury or death.
STEERING AND SAILING RULES
AND SOUND SIGNALS
Whenever two vessels on the water meet
one another, one vessel has the right-of-
way; it is called the “stand-on” vessel. The
vessel which does not have the right-of-way
is called the “give-way” or “burdened” ves-
sel. These rules determine which vessel has
the right-of-way, and what each vessel
should do.
Stand-On Vessel
The vessel with the right-of-way has the duty
to continue its course and speed, except to
avoid an immediate collision. When you
maintain your direction and speed, the other
vessel will be able to determine how best to
avoid you.
Give-Way Vessel
The vessel which does not have the right-of-
way has the duty to take positive and timely
action to stay out of the way of the Stand-On
vessel. Normally, you should not cross in
front of the vessel with the right-of-way. You
should slow down or change directions
briefly and pass behind the other vessel.
You should always move in such a way that
the operator of the other vessel can see
what you are doing.
“The General Prudential Rule”
This rule is called Rule 2 in the International
Rules and says,
‘In obeying and construing these rules due
regard shall be had to all dangers of naviga-
tion and collision, and to any special circum-
stances, which may render a departure from
the above rules necessary in order to avoid
immediate danger.’

1-16
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In other words, follow the standard rules
except when a collision will occur unless
both vessels try to avoid each other. If that is
the case, both vessels become “Give-Way”
vessels.
RULES WHEN ENCOUNTERING
VESSELS
There are three main situations which you
may encounter with other vessels which
could lead to a collision unless the Steering
Rules are followed:
Meeting (you are approaching another ves-
sel head-on)
Crossing (you are traveling across the other
vessel’s path)
Overtaking (you are passing or being
passed by another vessel)
In the following illustration, your water vehi-
cle is in the center. You should give the right-
of-way to any vessels shown in the white
area (you are the Give-Way vessel). Any
vessels in the shaded area must yield to you
(they are the Give-Way vessels). Both you
and the meeting vessel must alter course to
avoid each other.
Meeting
If you are meeting another power vessel
head on, and are close enough to run the
risk of collision, neither of you has the right-
of-way! Both of you should alter course to
avoid an accident. You should keep the
other vessel on your port (left) side. This
rule doesn’t apply if both of you will clear
one another if you continue on your set
course and speed.
Crossing
When two power driven vessels are crossing
each other’s path close enough to run the
risk of collision, the vessel which has the
other on the starboard (right) side must keep
out of the way of the other. If the other ves-
sel is on your right, you must keep out of its
way; you are the Give-Way vessel. If the
other vessel is on your port (left) side,
remember that you should maintain course
and direction, provided the other vessel
gives you the right-of-way as it should.