Yamaha 212X, 212SS User Manual

WARNING

212SS • 212X

OWNER’S / OPERATOR’S MANUAL

Read this manual carefully
before operating this boat.

WARNING

WARNING

The engine exhaust from this product
contains chemicals known to the State of
California to cause cancer, birth defects
or other reproductive harm.

YAMAHA LIT-CALIF-65-01

Read this manual carefully before operating this boat.

This manual should stay with the boat if sold.

TO THE OWNER

WARNING

Thank you for choosing a Yamaha Boat.
This Owner’s Manual contains informa­tion you will need for proper operation,
maintenance, and care. A thorough
understanding of these simple instruc­tions will help you to obtain maximum
enjoyment from your new Yamaha. If
you have any questions about the
operation or maintenance of your boat,
please consult a Yamaha dealer.

Because Yamaha has a policy of con­tinuing product improvement, this prod­uct may not be exactly as described in
this Owner’s Manual. Specifications are
subject to change without notice.

This manual should be considered a
permanent part of this boat and should
remain with it even if the boat is subse­quently sold.

IMPORTANT MANUAL INFORMATION:

In this manual, information of particular
importance is distinguished in the fol­lowing ways:

This is the safety alert symbol. It
is used to alert you of potential
personal injury hazards. Obey all
safety messages that follow this
sybole to avoid possible injury or
death.

Failure to follow WARNING instruc­tions could result in severe injury
or death.

A NOTICE indicates special precau­tions that must be taken to avoid
damage to the boat or other property.

TIP: A TIP provides key information to

make procedures easier or clearer.

212SS (FAT1100C-H, FAT1100CL-H)

212X (FAT1100A-H / B-H, FAT1100AL-H / BL-H)

OWNER’S/OPERATOR’S MANUAL

© 2008 by Yamaha Motor Corporation, U.S.A.

1st Edition, July 2008

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.

LIT-18626-08-23

08-443

1-color pms 287 (2-D)

1-color black (2-D)

4-color Blue (3-D)

212SS/212X

sa F e t y in F o r m a t i o n

Fe a t u r e s & Fu n c t i o n s

op e r a t i o n

ma i n t e n a n c e & ca r e

tr o u b l e re c o v e r y

1

2

3

4

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co n s u m e r in F o r m a t i o n

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Chapter 1

SAFETY INFORMATION

IDENTIFICATION NUMBER RECORDS .............................1-1

Primary I.D. Number ........................................1-1

Hull Identification Number (H.I.N.) .............................1-1

Engine Serial Number ......................................1-1

Star Labels .............................................. 1-2

Emission Control Information ................................ 1-3

IMPORTANT LABELS ...........................................1-4

Location .................................................1-4

Labels ...................................................1-5

SAFETY INFORMATION .........................................1-8

Limitations On Who May Operate the Boat ......................1-8

Required Equipment ........................................1-9

Additional Equipment Recommendations........................1-9

Cruising Limitations ...................................... 1-10

Operational Requirements ..................................1-11

Hazard Information ....................................... 1-12

Boat Characteristics .......................................1-12

Night Operation...........................................1-13

Water-skiing .............................................1-14

RULES OF THE ROAD .........................................1-15

Steering and Sailing Rules ..................................1- 15

Rules When Encountering Vessels ............................1-16

Other Special Situations ....................................1-17

Reading Buoys and Other Markers .......................... 1-18

TO GET MORE BOATING SAFETY INFORMATION ..................1-20

Boating Education and Training ..............................1-20

ENJOY YOUR BOAT RESPONSIBLY ..............................1-20

F

1C

F1U

①

SAFETY INFORMATION 1

IDENTIFICATION

NUMBER RECORDS

Record your Primary I.D., H.I.N., and
engine numbers in the spaces provided
to assist you in ordering spare parts
from your Yamaha Boat dealer. Also
record and keep these I.D. numbers in
a separate place in case your boat is
stolen.

PRIMARY I.D. NUMBER

③

②

• • • •

The Primary I.D. number is stamped on
a label ① under the rear seat.

• • • • • • •

HULL IDENTIFICATION NUMBER
(H.I.N.)

• • • • • • • • • • • • •

The H.I.N. ② is stamped into the hull
on the right rear corner.

ENGINE SERIAL NUMBER

PORT

• • • • • • • • • • •

STARBOARD

• • • • • • • • • • •

The Engine Serial Numbers are stamped
on a label ③ attached to the top of each
engine’s oil tank.

1-1

1 SAFETY INFORMATION

STAR LABELS

This watercraft is labeled in California
with a California Air Resources Board
(CARB) star label ① See below for a
description of your particular label.

①

ONE STAR - LOW EMISSION

The one-star label identifies engines
that meet the Air Resources Board’s
2001 exhaust emission standards.
Engines meeting these standards have
75% lower emissions than conven­tional carbureted two-stroke engines.
These engines are equivalent to the
U.S. EPA’s 2006 standards for marine
engines.

FOUR STARS ­SUPER ULTRA LOW EMISSION

The four-star label identifies engines
that meet the Air Resources Board’s
Sterndrive and Inboard marine engine
2009 exhaust emission standards.
Personal Watercraft and Outboard
marine engines may also comply with
these standards. Engines meeting
these standards have 90% lower emis­sions than One Star - Low Emission
engines.

TWO STARS - VERY LOW EMISSION

The two-star label identifies engines
that meet the Air Resources Board’s
2004 exhaust emission standards.
Engines meeting these standards have
20% lower emissions that One Star­Low-Emission engines.

THREE STARS - ULTRA LOW EMISSION

The three-star label identifies engines
that meet the Air Resources Board’s
2008 exhaust emission standards.
Engines meeting these standards have
65% lower emissions than One Star­Low-Emission engines.

1-2

SAFETY INFORMATION 1

EMISSION CONTROL

INFORMATION

This engine family conforms to U.S.
EPA regulations for marine SI engines.

APPROVAL LABEL OF EMISSION
CONTROL CERTIFICATE

This label is attached to the electrical
box.

①

Emission control information

label

MANUFACTURED DATE LABEL

②

Manufactured date label

1-3

1 SAFETY INFORMATION

11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20

21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

IMPORTANT LABELS

1-4

SAFETY INFORMATION 1

If any of these labels is damaged or
missing, contact a Yamaha dealer for a
replacement.















1-5

1 SAFETY INFORMATION

Carbon monoxide (CO) can cause brain damage
or death.

Engine and generator exhaust contains odorless
and colorless carbon monoxide gas.

Carbon monoxide will be around the back of the
boat when engines or generators are running.

Move to fresh air if you feel nausea, headache,
dizziness, or drowsiness.

1-6

AR210 MODEL ONLY

WARNING

Improper use of the ballast system can overload the
boat, causing poor handling and increased risk of swamping.

Ballast system adds 750 lb (340 kg) when full.
Include this weight when making sure your load does not
exceed the weight shown on the Maximum Capacities label.

WARNING

Drain ballast completely before trailering the boat to reduce
the risk of a towing accident.

The increased weight of ballast can cause unsafe towing
conditions du e to negative tongue w eight, incl uding decreased
tow vehicle stability and greater chance of a runaway trailer
that has come off the hitch.

F2G-U416C-00

OTHER LABELS

SAFETY INFORMATION 1

1-7

1 SAFETY INFORMATION

SAFETY

INFORMATION

The safe use and operation of this
boat is dependent upon the use of
proper operating techniques, as well
as upon the common sense, good
judgment, and expertise of the oper­ator. Every operator should know
the following requirements before
operating the boat.

• Before operating the boat, read

the Owner’s/Operator’s Manual,
the Operation Instruction Card,
and all warning and caution labels
on the boat. Also, watch the Basic
Orientation Video provided with your
boat. These materials should give
you an understanding of the boat
and its operation.

• Neverallow anyone to operatethis

boat until they too have read the
Owner’s/Operator’s Manual, the
Operation Instruction Card, and
all warning and caution labels,
and if possible watched the Basic
Orientation Video. Showing them
the video may help reinforce the
information contained in these mate­rials.

LIMITATIONS ON WHO MAY OPERATE THE BOAT

• Yamaha recommends a minimum

operator age of 16 years old.

• Knowthe operatorageandtraining

requirements for your state. A boat­ing safety course is recommended
and may be required in your state.
You can find local rules by contact­ing the United States Coast Guard
(USCG), the National Association of
State Boating Law Administrators, or
your local Power Squadron.

• The boat is designed to carry the

operator, up to 8 passengers, and
cargo. Never exceed the maximum
load limit or allow more than 9 per­sons (or 8 persons if a water skier
is being pulled) to ride in the boat at
one time.

On the 212X model, a full ballast

weights 750 lb (340 kg), which must
be included in the maximum load.

Weight distribution affects perfor-

mance.Keepweightintheboatlow

and evenly distributed from side-to­side and front to back. Remove any
unnecessary cargo and store it on
shore.

Maximum Load: 1675 lb (759 kg) is
the maximum total weight of per­sons on board when the ballast (if
equipped) is empty.

1840 lb. (834 kg) is the maximum
total weight of persons and cargo.
Include the weight of the ballast (if
equipped), which is 750 lb. (340 kg)
when full, when calculating weight.

• Adults must supervise use by

minors.

1-8

SAFETY INFORMATION 1

REQUIRED EQUIPMENT

The U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) has
regulations which describe minimum
standards of safety. You must comply
with these regulations, which apply to
boats like your boat which are less than
26 feet long.

• PersonalFlotationDevices(PFDs):

USCG-approved PFDs worn by all
people aboard, plus at least one
Type IV (throwable type).

• FireExtinguisher:

At least one B-1 type hand-held

portable fire extinguisher.

• VisualDistressSignals:

It is recommended that a USCG-

approved pyrotechnic device be
stored on your boat. A mirror can
also be used as an emergency sig­nal. Contact your Yamaha dealer or
the Coast Guard for more informa­tion.

• SoundSignallingDevice:

Your boat is equipped with a horn

that can be used to signal other
boats. See “Rules of the Road” for
more information.

ADDITIONAL EQUIPMENT RECOMMENDATIONS

The following equipment can help
make your boating experience safer
and more enjoyable:

• Mooringfendersandlines.

• Anchor with suitable line (a

“Danforth” type anchor and line that
is at least 6-times the depth of the
water where you will drop anchor
are recommended).

• Manual-typebilgepump.

• FirstAidkit.

• Waterproofflashlightwithextrabat-

teries.

• Tool kit with assorted screwdrivers,

pliers, wrenches (including metric
sizes), and electrical tape.

• Oar or paddle (look for one with a

boat hook on the other end).

• Spareparts,suchasanextrasetof

spark plugs and fuses.

• Navigation charts for the waters

where you will be boating.

• Towrope.

• NavigationLights:

Your boat is equipped with naviga-

tion lights for use between sunset
and sunrise, and during periods of
reduced visibility, such as fog. Be
sure these lights are working and
are turned on when necessary (see
page 2-14 and 3-9 for more informa­tion).

1-9

1 SAFETY INFORMATION

CRUISING LIMITATIONS

• Scan constantly for people, objects,
and other watercraft. Be alert for
conditions that limit your visibility or
block your vision of others.

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

• Do not follow directly behind other
boats.

• Do not go near others to spray or
splash them with water.

risk of back/spinal injury (paraly­sis), facial injuries, and broken legs,
ankles, and other bones. Do not
jump waves or wakes.

• Do not operate the boat 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 bad weather. Take
note of weather forecasts and the
prevailing weather conditions before
setting out in your boat.

• Never operate in water that is less
than 3 ft. (90 cm) deep, otherwise
you increase your chance of hitting
a submerged object, which could
result in injury.

3 FT (90 CM)

• Avoid sharp turns or other maneu­vers that make it hard for others to
avoid you or understand where you
are going.

• Avoid areas with submerged objects
or shallow water.

• Operate within your limits and avoid
aggressive maneuvers to reduce
the risk of loss of control, ejection,
and collision.

• This is a high-performance boat –
not a toy. Sharp turns or jumping
waves or wakes can increase the

• Leave a “float plan” with a respon­sible person on shore. Tell where
you plan to go and when you plan
to arrive, and provide a description
of your boat. Advise this person if
your plans change and also when
you arrive to prevent false alarms.
A sample float plan is included on
page 6-6.

1-10

SAFETY INFORMATION 1

OPERATIONAL REQUIREMENTS

• All riders must wear a Coast Guard
approved personal flotation device
(PFD).

PFD

• Eye protection is recommended to
keep wind, water, and glare from the
sun out of your eyes while you oper­ate your boat. Restraining straps
for eyewear are made which are
designed to float should your eye­wear fall into the water.

• Footwear and gloves are recom­mended.

• NEVER operate the boat after con­suming alcohol or taking drugs.

• For reasons of safety and proper
care of the boat, always perform the
pre-operation checks listed on page
3-4 before operating.

• Passengers must always sit in a
designated seating area, place feet
on the deck, and hold on to the hand
grips when the boat is in motion.

• Always consult your doctor on
whether it is safe for you to ride in
this boat if you are pregnant or in
poor health.

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

1-11

1 SAFETY INFORMATION

• Attach the engine shut-off cord (lan­yard) to the PFD and keep it free
from the steering wheel or other
controls so that the engine stops if
the operator accidentally leaves the
helm. Failure to attach the engine
shut-off cord could result in a run­away boat if the operator is ejected.

After operation, remove the engine

shut-off cord and the keys to avoid
accidental starting or unauthorized
use by children or others.

③

①

②

① Engine Shut-Off Switch

② Engine Shut-Off Cord with Clip

③ Cord connected to PFD

• Scan constantly for swimmers and
stay away from swimming areas.
Swimmers are hard to see and you
could accidentally hit someone in
the water.

• Avoid being hit by another boat! You
should always take responsibility to
watch for other traffic; other boaters
may not be watching for you. If they
do not see you, or you maneuver
more quickly than they 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 “Rules of the Road” (see
page 1-15), and be sure to check
behind you before making a turn.

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 colorless, odorless gas
that may cause death within a short
time. Always operate the boat in an
open area.

It is also important to have the

engines off when anyone is using
the extended swim step on models
equipped with one because of the
carbon monoxide in the exhaust
gases coming from underneath the
step.

BOAT CHARACTERISTICS

• Jet thrust turns the boat. Moving the
throttle levers completely back to
idle or the Neutral position 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 moving the throttle levers
back to idle, but once the engines
slow down, the boat will no longer
respond to steering wheel input until
you apply throttle again or you reach
a trolling speed. Practice turning in

1-12

an open area without obstructions
until you have a good feel for the
maneuver.

• This Yamaha Boat is water-jet pro­pelled. The pumps are directly con­nected to the engines. This means
that the jet thrust will produce some
movement whenever the engines
are running. The boat has a “neu­tral” position, but since the boat is
always producing thrust while the
engines are running, some forward
or reverse movement may occur.

• Do not use the reverse function
to slow down or stop the boat as
it could cause you to lose control,
be ejected, or impact the steering
wheel or other parts of the boat.
This could increase the risk of seri­ous injury. It could also damage the
shift mechanism.

SAFETY INFORMATION 1

INTAKE GRATE

• Stop the engines and remove the
clip from the engine shut-off switch
before removing any debris or
weeds, which may have collected
around the jet intakes.

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

NIGHT OPERATION

• Reverse can be used to slow down
or stop during slow speed maneu­vering, such as when docking. Once
the engine is idling, shift to reverse
and gradually increase engine
speed. Make sure that there are
no obstacles or people behind you
before shifting into reverse.

• Keep away from the intake grates

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.

• When using your boat before dawn
or after dusk, you must have both
bow and stern lights operating.
When at anchor in the dark, the
stern light must be lit. See page
2-14 for instructions.

1-13

1 SAFETY INFORMATION

WATER-SKIING

You can use the boat to tow a water
skier, using the tow cleat provided.

It is the boat operator’s responsibility to
be alert to the safety of the water-skier

and others. Know and follow all state

and local water-skiing regulations in
effect for the waters in which you will
be operating.

The following are some important con­siderations for minimizing risks while
water-skiing.

• 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 or while reboarding. 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 protection.
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 second person should be on board
as a spotter to watch the skier; in
most states, it is required by law. Let
the skier direct the operator’s control
of speed and direction with hand
signals.

• When preparing to pull a skier, oper­ate the boat at the slowest possible
speed until the boat 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 boat
is capable of very sharp turns, which
could exceed the abilities of the

skier. Keep the skier at least 50m

(164 ft), about twice the distance of
a standard towrope, away from any
potential hazard.

• Be alert to the hazard of the towrope
handle snapping back at the boat
when the skier falls or is unable to
get up on the skis.

For the 212X, also see page 2-22 for
Wakeboard Tower use.

1-14

SAFETY INFORMATION 1

RULES OF THE ROAD

Your Yamaha Boat is legally considered
a powerboat. Operation of the boat
must be in accordance with the rules
and regulations governing the water­way on which it is used.

Just as there are rules that apply when
you are driving on streets and high­ways, there are waterway rules that
apply when you are operating your
boat. 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 this Owner’s/Operator’s Manual
are condensed, and have been provid­ed for your convenience only. Consult
your local U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary
or Department of Motor Vehicles for
a complete set of rules governing the
waters in which you will be operating
your boat.

STEERING AND SAILING RULES

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 regard­ing the right-of-way is that if a collision
appears unavoidable, neither boat has
the right-of-way. Both boats must avoid
the collision.

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.

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 that does not have
the right-of-way is called the “give-way”
or “burdened” vessel. These rules deter­mine which vessel has the right-of-way,
and what each vessel should do.

1-15

1 SAFETY INFORMATION

RULES WHEN ENCOUNTERING VESSELS

There are three main situations that
you may encounter with other vessels
which could lead to a collision unless
the Steering Rules are followed:

Meeting: you are approaching another
vessel head-on.

Crossing: you are traveling across
another vessel’s path.

Overtaking: you are passing or being
passed by another vessel.

In the following illustration, your boat
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 does
not 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 vessel is
on your starboard (right) side, you must
keep out of its way; you are the give­way 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.

1-16

Overtaking

GIVE-WAY
VESSEL

If you are passing another vessel, you
are the give-way vessel. This means
that the other vessel is expected to
maintain its course and speed. You
must stay out of its way until you are
clear of it. Likewise, if another vessel is
passing you, you should maintain your
speed and direction so that the other
vessel can steer itself around you.

GIVE-WAY
VESSEL

OTHER SPECIAL SITUATIONS

There are three other rules you should
be aware of when operating your boat
around other vessels.

SAFETY INFORMATION 1

Narrow Channels and Bends

When navigating in narrow channels,
you should keep to the right when it
is safe and practical to do so. If the
operator of a power-driven vessel is
preparing to go around a bend that
may obstruct the view of other water
vessels, the operator should sound a
prolonged blast of four to six seconds
on the horn. If another vessel is around
the bend, it too should sound the horn.
Even if no reply is heard, however, the
vessel should still proceed around the
bend with caution.

Fishing Vessel Right-of-Way

All vessels fishing with nets, lines or
trawls are considered to be “fishing
vessels” under the International Rules.
Vessels with trolling lines are not con­sidered fishing vessels. Fishing ves­sels have the right-of-way regardless
of position. Fishing vessels cannot,
however, impede the passage of other
vessels in narrow channels.

Sailing Vessel Right-of-Way

Sailing vessels should normally be
given the right-of-way. The exceptions
to this are:

1. When the sailing vessel is overtak­ing the power-driven vessel, the
power-driven vessel has the right­of-way.

2. Sailing vessels should keep clear of
any fishing vessel.

3. In a narrow channel, a sailing vessel
should not hamper the safe pas­sage of a power-driven vessel that
can navigate only in such a chan­nel.

1-17

1 SAFETY INFORMATION

MAIN CHANNEL

“7”

SECONDARY CHANNEL BUOYS

STARTS NEW NUMBERING SYSTEM

C “1”

Odd number. Leave to port.

“6”

“5”

“3”

“1”

Proceeding toward head of

navigation from seaward

CAN BUOY

RB “L”

or

RG “L”

OR

“A”

C “1”

SECONDARY CHANNEL

“4”

“2”

N “2”

“1” “3” “5” “7”
LIGHTED BUOY (Port Hand)
Odd number, increasing toward head
of navigation. Leave to port (left) pro­ceeding
White Light Green Light

OR

Old New

“2” “4” “6”
LIGHTED BUOY (Starboard Hand)
Even number, increasing toward head
of navigation. Leave to starboard
(right) proceeding up-stream

White Light Green Light

OR

Old New

“A”
LIGHTED SAFE WATER BUOY
No number. Marks midchannel, pass
on either side. Letter has no lateral
significance, used for identification
and location purposes.
Top Mark
White Light Green Light

OR

Old New

Old New

N “2”

NUN BUOY

Even number. Leave to starboard.

No change

1-18

RB “L” RB “L”
LIGHTED PREFERRED
CHANNEL TO PORT BUOY

No number. Topmost band red ­preferred channel is to left of buoy.
Letter has no lateral significance,
used for identification and location
purposes.

Red or Red
White Light Light

OR

Old New

Reading Buoys and Other Markers

The waters of the United States are
marked for safe navigation by the lat­eral system of buoyage. Simply put,
buoys and markers have an arrange­ment of shapes, colors, numbers, and
lights to show which side of the buoy a
boater should pass on when navigating
in a particular direction. The markings
on these buoys are oriented from the
perspective of being entered from sea­ward (the boater is going towards the
harbor). Red buoys are passed on your
starboard (right) side when proceeding
from open water into port, and black
buoys are to your port (left) side. An
easy way to remember the meaning
of the colors is the phrase “red right
returning.” When navigating out of the
harbor, your position with respect to the
buoys should be reversed; red buoys
should be to port and black buoys to
starboard.

SAFETY INFORMATION 1

Many bodies of water used by boaters
are entirely within the boundaries of
a particular state. The Uniform State
Waterway Marking System has been
devised for these waters.

This system uses buoys and signs with
distinctive shapes and colors to show
regulatory or advisory information.
These markers are white with black
letters and orange borders. They signify
speed zones, restricted areas, danger
areas, and general information.

Remember, markings may vary by geo­graphic location. Always consult local
boating authorities before riding your
boat in unfamiliar waters.

1-19

1 SAFETY INFORMATION

TO GET MORE BOATING

SAFETY INFORMATION

Be informed about boating safety.
Additional publications and information
can be obtained from many organiza­tions, including the following.

United States Coast Guard

Consumer Affairs Staff (G-BC)

Office of Boating, Public, and

Consumer Affairs

US Coast Guard Headquarters

Washington, D.C. 20593-0001

Boating Safety Hotline:

1-800-368-5647

Other Sources:

You can find local rules by contact­ing the National Association of State
Boating Law Administrators, or your
local Power Squadron.

BOAT EDUCATION AND TRAINING

The Online Boating Safety Course,
available through the watercraft sec­tion of the yamaha-motor.com website,
is a free, 50-question learning course
available to the public. Upon success­ful completion of 80 percent or better,
the user can request a certificate of
completion by mail or can download
one immediately. The Online Boating
Safety Course, provided by the Boat/
US Foundation, is approved by the
National Association of State Boating
Law Administrators (NASBLA) and rec­ognized by the United States Coast
Guard. This course meets the educa­tion requirement for those states that
recognize non-proctored, NASBLA­approved courses.

The Online Boating Safety Course:

http://www.boatus.com/onlinecourse/

ENJOY YOUR BOAT

RESPONSIBLY

You share the areas you enjoy when
operating your boat 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 courtesy.

Whenever and wherever you are boat­ing, think of yourself as the guest
of those around you. Remember, for
example, that the sound of your boat
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 areas, and keep
a respectful distance from fishermen,
other boats, swimmers, and populated
beaches. When travel in areas like
these is unavoidable, operate slowly
and obey all laws.

Remember that pollution can be harm­ful to the environment. Do not refuel or
add oil where a spill could cause dam­age to nature. And keep your surround­ings pleasant for the people and wildlife
that share the waterways: don't litter!

When you go boating responsibly, with
respect and courtesy for others, you
help ensure that our waterways stay
open for the enjoyment of a variety of
recreational opportunities.

1-20

Chapter 2

FEATURES & FUNCTIONS

LOCATION OF MAIN COMPONENTS ............................. 2-1

OPERATION OF CONTROLS AND OTHER FUNCTIONS.............. 2-5

Steering ................................................ 2-5

Tilt Lever ................................................ 2-5

Engine Shut-Off Switch..................................... 2-6

Main Switches............................................ 2-6

Throttle/Shift Levers ....................................... 2-7

Fuel Tank Filler Cap ....................................... 2-9

Gauges ................................................. 2-9

Overheat Warning System ................................. 2-13

Switches . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-14

Ballast System .......................................... 2-16

Swivel Seat Operation .................................... 2-17

Stereo System........................................... 2-18

Engine Hood ............................................ 2-18

Storage Compartments.................................... 2-18

Front Walk-Through ...................................... 2-20

Rear Walk-Through....................................... 2-21

Swim Platform........................................... 2-21

Wakeboard Tower ........................................ 2-22

Collapsing the Wakeboard Tower . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-22

FEATURES & FUNCTIONS 2

11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

LOCATION OF MAIN COMPONENTS

Main Features:

Fuel Tank
Battery
Blower Motor

Port/Starboard Features:

Flush Attachments
Electrical Boxes
Oil Tanks
Oil Tank Cap/ Dipstick
Mufflers
Muffler Boxes
Spark Plugs/ Spark Plug Caps

Air Filter Cases
Hood Supports
Engine Compartment Vent Outlets
Engine Compartment Vent Inlets
Fuel Tank Compartment Air Ventilation
Fuel Tank Compartment Drain Plug
Jet Pumps
Jet Thrust Nozzles
Reverse Gate

2-1

2 FEATURES & FUNCTIONS

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20

21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Ⓑ

Ⓑ

Ⓒ

Ⓑ

Ⓑ

Ⓐ

2-2

FEATURES & FUNCTIONS 2

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20

21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

LOCATION OF MAIN COMPONENTS:

Bow Lights

Bow Eye

Storage Compartments

Bow Anchor Locker

Grab Handles

Cleats

Courtesy Lights

Fuel Tank Inspection Access Hatch

Throttle/Shift Levers

Cooler

Stern Ladder

Stern Light Socket

Ski Tow Hook

Jet Pump Clean-out Access Panel

Pump Clean-out Interlock Switches

Rear Boarding Step

Accessory Pedestal Table Mounts

Tilt Adjustable Steering Wheel

Glove Box

Center Walk-Through

Walk-Through Transom

Fire Extinguisher Holder

Bow Ladder

Wakeboard Tower (212X only, not shown)

LOCATION OF STEREO COMPONENTS:

Ⓐ RemoteControlKeypad
Ⓑ Speakers
Ⓒ CD Player/Receiver

2-3

2 FEATURES & FUNCTIONS

0

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

20

30

35

40

45

50

55

60

MPH

RPM

0

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

RPM

Fuel

f

e

YAMAHA

YAMAHA

YAMAHA

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

LOCATION OF MAIN COMPONENTS

PORT

STARBOARD

Control Features:

①

Speedometer

②

Tachometer

③

Depth Finder

④

Fuel Gauge

Control Features:

①

Hull Drain

②

Speedometer Pick-up

③

Steering Nozzle

④

Reverse Gates

⑤

IgnitionSwitchKeys

⑥

Steering Wheel

⑦

Tilt Adjustment Lever

⑧

Switches and Breakers

⑨

Ballast System Switch (212X only)

⑤

Ladder

⑥

Trailer Strap Eyes

⑦

Deck Drain

⑧

Depth Finder Transponder

⑨

Ballast System Fill/Drain (212X only)

2-4

FEATURES & FUNCTIONS 2

0

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

20

30

35

40

45

50

55

60

MPH

RPM

0

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

RPM

Fuel

f

e

YAMAHA

YAMAHA

YAMAHA

WARNING

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

OPERATION OF

CONTROLS AND

OTHER FUNCTIONS

STEERING

①

Steering wheel

Your boat can be steered by turning
the steering wheel the same direction
you wish to travel, to the right or left.
When the wheel is turned, the angle of
the jet (output) nozzles at the rear of
the craft is changed, and the change
in direction of the nozzles changes the
direction of the boat accordingly. Since
the strength of the jet thrust determines
the speed and direction of a turn, the
throttle must always be opened above
idle when attempting a turn, except at
trolling speed.

Because boats steer from the stern
(rear), the stern of the boat swings out
in the opposite direction of your turn.
If you turn to the starboard (right), for
example, the stern of the boat will swing
totheleft.Keepthisinmindwhennavi­gating near a person in the water, such
as a down skier, or an obstacle, such
as a dock.

TILT LEVER

• Never touch the tilt lever during
operation, otherwise the steer­ing wheel could suddenly change
position, which may lead to an
accident.

• Be sure the steering wheel is
locked in position after adjust­ment. If the steering wheel is
not locked in position, it may
suddenly change position during
operation, which may lead to an
accident.

The tilt lever ① is located under the
steering wheel and is used to adjust
the tilt of the steering wheel. There are
three positions.

To adjust the tilt, pull the lever up, and
then move the steering wheel up or
down to the desired position. The lever
will lock into place when the wheel is
moved into one of the three available
positions.

2-5

2 FEATURES & FUNCTIONS

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

WARNING

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

ENGINE SHUT-OFF SWITCH

• Always attach the engine shut­off cord to your personal flota­tion device (PFD) or arm or leg,
BEFORE starting the engines.
Failure to attach the cord could
result in a runaway boat if the
operator is ejected.

• Do not attach the cord to cloth­ing that could tear loose. Do not
route the cord in such a way that
it could become entangled, pre­venting it from functioning.

• Avoid accidentally pulling the
cord during normal operation.
Once the engines have stopped
you have no steering control of
the boat which could result in
an accident. Also, without engine
power, the boat could slow rapid­ly from planing speed. This could
cause people and objects in the
boat to be thrown forward, which
could cause injury.

①

Engine shut-off switch

②

Engine shut-off cord with clip

③

Engine shut-off cord (lanyard)

MAIN SWITCHES

There is a main switch for each engine.
The main switches control the ignition
and electrical circuits as follows:

The clip on the end of the engine shut­off cord must be attached to the engine
shut-off switch for the engines to run.
The cord must be attached to a secure
place on the operator’s personal flota­tion device (PFD) or arm or leg. Should
the operator fall overboard or leave
the helm, the cord will pull out the clip,
stopping ignition to both engines. This
will prevent the boat from running away
under power.

2-6

Port (left) engine

Starboard (right) engine

WARNING

OFF:

Ignition circuits are switched off. The
engine cannot be started but other
switches will operate. (The key can be
removed.)

ON:

Ignition circuits are switched on (The
key cannot be removed).

START:

The starter motor will turn to start the
engine. (When the key is released, it
returns automatically to “ON.”)

TIP:
The engine will not start when the
engine shut-off cord clip is removed
from the engine stop switch. The starter
motor will turn over without the cord
attached.

THROTTLE/SHIFT LEVERS

• Before shifting, make sure there

are no swimmers or obstacles in
the water near you.

• When operating in Reverse, go

slowly. Do not open the throttle
more than half. Otherwise, the
boat may become unstable, which
could result in loss of control and
an accident.

• Do not shift into Reverse while

traveling at planing speeds. Loss
of control, boat swamping, or
damage to the boat could occur.

FEATURES & FUNCTIONS 2

Throttle/ Shift Lever, port (left) side
engine
Throttle/ Shift Lever, starboard (right)
side engine
Neutral
Forward
Reverse
Free Accelerator Button

A separate lever for each engine con­trols both throttle and shifting. In normal
operation, the levers are moved together.
Moving the levers forward from Neutral
shifts into the Forward position and then,
as the lever is moved farther, acceler­ates the engines for more thrust. Moving
the levers back from Neutral shifts into
the Reverse position and then, as the
lever is moved farther, accelerates the
engines for more thrust. The lever must
be moved about 35° from Neutral before
Forward or Reverse engages and the
engine starts to accelerate.

2-7

2 FEATURES & FUNCTIONS

This boat is equipped with “start-in­gear” protection. The engines will not
start unless the levers are in the Neutral
position.

The shift lever controls the direction of
travel.

The drive line on the boat is direct
drive, so jet thrust is always being pro­duced while the engines are running.
The direction of the boat is controlled
by jet pump gates which direct the flow
of the jet thrust as follows:

Forward

The jet pump gates are lifted all the way
up. All jet thrust is to the rear, which
moves the boat forward.

Reverse

The jet pump gates are dropped all the
way down over the jet nozzles. Jet thrust
is redirected toward the bow of the boat,
which moves the boat backward.

Neutral

The jet pump gates are dropped down
part way over the jet nozzles. Some
jet thrust is to the rear and some jet
thrust is redirected forward. This bal­ance of thrust acts like “neutral” to
keep the boat from moving. WARNING!

Leave the throttles in the idle posi­tion when Neutral is selected. The
boat will start moving as if it was in
Forward or Reverse if engine speed
is increased above idle in Neutral.

Free Accelerator

This control is equipped with a “Free
Accelerator” button which will allow
engines to be accelerated with the
jet pump gates in the Neutral posi­tion. WARNING! The boat will start

moving as if it were in Forward or
Reverse if engine speed is increased
above idle in Neutral. Use the Free
Accelerator only if necessary and be
prepared for the possibility of boat
movement.

2-8

FEATURES & FUNCTIONS 2

0

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

20

30

35

40

45

50

55

60

MPH

RPM

0

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

RPM

Fuel

f

e

YAMAHA

YAMAHA

YAMAHA

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

0

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

20

30

35

40

45

50

55

60

MPH

RPM

0

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

RPM

Fuel

f

e

YAMAHA

YAMAHA

YAMAHA

FUEL TANK FILLER CAP

Be sure to tighten the cap securely
before operating.

GAUGES

1. Speedometer

The speedometer ① shows the boat

speed in miles per hour (mph).

2. Tachometers

The boat has two tachometers

which display engine rpm. The one
on the left is for the port engine.
The one on the right is for the star­board engine. For cruising, adjust
the throttle levers so both engines
are running at the same rpm.

②

NOTE: Because of the mechanical
throttle linkage, the throttle levers may
not be exactly even with one another
when the engines are running at the
same rpm.

2-9

2 FEATURES & FUNCTIONS

0

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

20

30

35

40

45

50

55

60

MPH

RPM

0

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

RPM

Fuel

f

e

YAMAHA

YAMAHA

YAMAHA

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

WARNING

3. Fuel Level Gauge

The fuel level gauge ① shows the

amount of fuel in the fuel tank. The
ignition switch must be in the “ON”
position to activate the gauge.

Always consider the distance you
are traveling and the amount of fuel
you have available. Be sure you have
enough fuel to reach your next fuel
stop. A good tip to remember is to use
a third of your fuel to get out, a third to
get back, and keep a third in reserve.

4. Depth Finder

• The depth finder should not be

used as a navigational aid to
prevent grounding, boat damage,
or personal injury. Always oper­ate the boat at slow speeds in
unfamiliar water, or if you sus­pect shallow water or submerged
objects, as water depth may
change too quickly to allow time
for you to react.

• Extremely dirty water, very soft

bottom, high speeds, deep water,
or a combination of the above
may result in incomplete or inac­curate readings.

2-10

Warning LED
Shallow Alarm Indicator
Deep Alarm Indicator
Units of Measure

 UpKey
 DownKey

Display
Depth Readout
Alarm Indicator

The Depth Finder continually monitors
and displays a reading of water depths
from 2.5 to 200 feet (0.8 to 61 meters).
The instrument calculates the depth by
emitting sound signals and measuring
how long it takes for the sound to “echo”
off the bottom. In addition, the gauge
can be set for each use to give an
alarm when a specified shallow-water
or deep-water depth is reached.

Setting the Measurement Unit

The depth readout and alarm functions
can be set to Feet (FT) or Meters (M).
The default unit is Feet. If Meter depth
readings are preferred, this must be set
for each use.

1) Press the “UP” and “DOWN” keys at
the same time.

FEATURES & FUNCTIONS 2

Setting the Shallow Alarm

Set the Shallow Alarm function each
time you wish to use it. The gauge does
not retain the setting after the main
switch is turned off.

The Shallow Alarm function can be set
for depths ranging from 3 to 199 feet (1
to 60.3 meters). When the depth is less
than the chosen setting, the alarm is
triggered. The alarm sounds an audible
“alarm” for 10 seconds while flashing
the Warning LED, as well as the Alarm
indicator and Shallow Alarm indicator
on the display.

After 10 seconds the audible alarm
mutes, but the Warning LED and the
indicators continue to blink until the
depth increases, or the alarm is reset.

2) To set the units to feet press the
“UP” key. “FT” will flash on the dis­play.

3) To set the units to meters press the
“DOWN” key. “M” will flash on the
display.

4) The display automatically returns to
the normal mode after 5 seconds.

TIP: Extremely dirty water, very soft
bottom, high speeds, deep water, or a
combination of the above may result
in incomplete or inaccurate readings.
Under these conditions variable read­ings or “- - -” will be displayed.

1) Press the “UP” key located on the
front of the display. The current
alarm setting will be displayed on
the display. “000” is the default set­ting (no alarm function).

2) Press the “UP” key again within 5
seconds to increase the selected value
(more water depth before alarm).
Press the “DOWN” key to

2-11

2 FEATURES & FUNCTIONS 2

reduce the value. Press and release

either key to change the value in
1-foot increments. Press and hold
the key to change the value in 9-foot
increments per second.

3) After your selection is made, the dis­play will return to normal operation
after 5 seconds.

4) The Alarm indicator and Shallow
Alarm indicator will now be present.

Setting the Deep Alarm

Set the Deep Alarm function each time
you wish to use it. The gauge does not
retain the setting after the main switch
is turned off.

The Deep Alarm function can be set for
depths ranging from 3 to 199 feet (1 to

60.3 meters). When the depth is more

than the chosen setting, the alarm is
triggered. The alarm sounds an audible
“alarm” for 10 seconds while flashing
the Warning LED, as well as the Alarm
indicator and the Deep Alarm Indicator
on the display.

After 10 seconds the audible alarm
mutes and the Warning LED and the
indicators continue to blink until the
depth decreases, or the alarm is reset.

1) Press the “DOWN” key located on
the front of the display. The current
alarm setting will be displayed on
the display. “000” is the default set­ting (no alarm function).

2) Press the “UP” key within 5 seconds
to increase the selected value (more
water depth). Press the “DOWN”
key to reduce the value. Press and
release either key to change the
value in 1-foot increments. Press and
hold the key to change the value in
9-foot increments per second.

3) After your selection is made, the unit
will return to normal operation after
5 seconds.

4) The Alarm indicator and Deep Alarm
indicator will now be present.

5. Warning Indicators

There are three warning indicators

in each tachometer to alert you
about certain conditions on your
boat. These warnings correspond to
the engine monitored by the tachom­eter.

Check Engine – If a sensor malfunc-

tion or a short circuit is detected,
the warning indicator will come on.
If this occurs, reduce engine speed
and return to shore. Have a Yamaha
dealer check the engine and cir­cuits.

Engine Overheat – This model is

equipped with an engine overheat
warning system. See the following
section for an explanation.

Oil Pressure – If oil pressure does

not rise to specification, the oil pres­sure warning indicator comes on.
At the same time, engine speed
reduction control is activated, limiting
maximum speed to 3000 rpm. If this
occurs, reduce engine speed and
return to shore. Have a Yamaha deal­er check the engine oil pressure.

2-12

FEATURES & FUNCTIONS 2

0

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

20

30

35

40

45

50

55

60

MPH

RPM

0

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

RPM

Fuel

f

e

TIP: All three warning indicators blink
when the No-Wake Mode system is
engaged (see page 2-14).

OVERHEAT WARNING SYSTEM

The engine has an overheat warning
device. If either engine starts to over­heat, the engine speed of the affected
engine will be limited to 3000 rpm.

Each engine is equipped with cooling­water pilot outlets  on the starboard
side of the hull. Check that water comes
out of the outlet while the engine is run­ning, particularly while applying throttle.
If you do not see any water at the out­let, cooling water may not be circulating
in the engine.

TIP: If water cooling passages on the
engines are dry, it will take about 20
seconds for water to reach the pilot
outlets after starting.

If water is not circulating, something
may be clogging the jet intake grate.
Refer to the Jet Pump Clean-Out pro­cedures on page 5-5 for further infor­mation.

If the cause of overheating cannot
be found and corrected, take special
precautions to avoid major engine
damage while you return to shore.

SINGLE ENGINE OVERHEATING —
Shut off the overheating engine and
use the properly running engine to
return to shore. Operate at “no-wake”
speed to prevent water from flooding
the non-operating engine through
the cooling water intake. See page
2-14 for “No Wake Mode” system
operation.

BOTH ENGINES OVERHEATING —
If getting a tow from another ves­sel is not possible, operate both
engines just slightly above idle while
you return to shore. If you can be
towed, refer to “Towing the boat” on
page 5-3.

2-13

2 FEATURES & FUNCTIONS

0

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

20

30

35

40

45

50

55

60

MPH

RPM

x 1000

0

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

RPM

x 1000

Fuel

f

e

YAMAHA

YAMAHA

YAMAHA

YAMAHA

DEPTH

SWITCHES



Blower



Bilge Pump



Courtesy Lights



Lights



Horn



No-Wake Mode (Port)



No-Wake Mode (Starboard)

Blower

Press this switch to turn on the blower
to ventilate the engine compartment.
See page 3-9 for more information.

Bilge Pump

Press this switch to activate the bilge
pump. See page 3-8.

Courtesy Lights

This switch turns on the lights 
located in the recess on each side of
the gunwale.

Lights

This toggle switch controls the required
on-board lighting. Press the top of the
switch to turn on both the bow light
and stern light for night running. Press
the bottom of the switch to operate the
stern light alone when anchored at
night. Put the switch in the middle posi­tion to turn off all lights (see page 3-9).

Horn

Pressing this switch activates the horn.
The horn can be used to signal other
boats as required by the “Rules of the
Road” (see page 1-15).

No Wake Mode

The No-Wake Mode System is use­ful for operating the boat at a steady
speed with a minimal wake. This is
especially convenient when traveling
in harbors, channels, or other areas
posted with low speed limits as “no­wake zones.”

No-Wake Mode can be engaged
when the throttles are at idle speed in
Forward, Neutral, or Reverse. Engine
speed will be set at 2400 rpm for con­venient, no-wake maneuvering.

2-14

FEATURES & FUNCTIONS 2

0

1

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MPH

RPM

x 1000

0

2

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7

8

9

RPM

x 1000

Fuel

f

e

YAMAHA

YAMAHA

YAMAHA

YAMAHA

DEPTH

0

1

2

3

4

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7

8

9

10

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MPH

RPM

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RPM

Fuel

f

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YAMAHA

YAMAHA

YAMAHA

To set No-Wake Mode:

Press both gray No-Wake Mode buttons
simultaneously until the three symbols
in each tachometer start blinking.

TIP: Although each engine is controlled
separately, always put both engines in
No-Wake Mode for proper operation.

• Shutofftheengineswiththekeyorby

using the engine stop switch lanyard.

WARNING! Once the engines have
stopped, you have NO STEERING
CONTROL over the boat. You could
collide with another boat, a dock, or
other obstacle.

Accessory Outlet

There is a 12VDC outlet with resettable
circuit breaker located on the main
switch panel. NOTICE: Do not use an

automotive cigarette lighter or other
accessories with a plug that gets hot
because the outlet can be damaged.

12 VDC

To cancel the No-Wake Mode, do any
of the following:

• Press both No-Wake Mode buttons

again.

• Move the accelerator levers to a

faster engine speed.

BREAKER

Switch Circuit Breakers

The electrical circuit for each switch
is protected by a circuit breaker. If the
button below a switch pops out, push
it back in with your finger. If it pops
out again, ask your Yamaha dealer to
inspect the electrical system.

2-15

2 FEATURES & FUNCTIONS

0

1

2

3

4

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6

7

8

9

10

20

30

35

40

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50

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MPH

RPM

x 1000

0

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

RPM

x 1000

Fuel

f

e

YAMAHA

YAMAHA

YAMAHA

YAMAHA

DEPTH

WARNING

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

TIP: There is also an accessory fuse at
the battery (see page

BALLAST SYSTEM
(212X Only)

• Improper use of the ballast sys­tem can overload the boat, caus­ing poor handling and increased
risk of swamping.

• Ballast system adds 750 lb (340

kg) when full. Include this weight
when making sure your load does
not exceed the weight shown on
the Maximum Capacities label.

• Drainballastcompletelybefore
trailering the boat to reduce the
risk of a towing accident. The in­creased weight of ballast can
cause unsafe towing conditions
due to negative tongue weight,
including decreased tow vehicle
stability and greater chance of a
runaway trailer that has come off
the hitch.

4-16).

①

Fill Ballast

②

Drain Ballast

Filling

The ballast fills and discharges water
from a screened fitting located below
the waterline in the starboard jet pump
tunnel. The pump can be operated
when the boat is moored or running
slowly at a no-wake speed.

Be sure there is no cargo in the rear
storage compartments that can be
damaged by the water bladders as
they fill.

Your boat is equipped with an adjust­able ballast system to increase the
amount of wake the boat leaves behind
it. The more water that is pumped into
the ballast sacks, the bigger the boat’s
wake.

2-16

③

Ballast Bladder in Rear Storage

Compartment

FEATURES & FUNCTIONS 2

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

1) Press the top of the switch (“FILL”) to
begin automatic filling. The pump will
run for about 8-1/2 minutes to take on
about 630 lb of water.

2) To manually stop the pump, briefly
press the bottom of the switch
(“DRAIN”). If more water is desired,
press the top of the switch again. The
pump will run for the remainder of the
8-1/2 minutes unless stopped again.

3) If more weight is desired after auto­matic filling, press the top of the
switch again. The pump will run for 10
seconds to add about 12-1/2 pounds.
Press the switch nine times after the
auto filling for maximum ballast.

Do not overfill. The boat can be serious­ly damaged. If filling ballast completely,
remove the rear seat cushions. Watch
the bladders to be sure they do not put
pressure on the deck above them.

4) To reduce ballast weight, press
the bottom of the switch. When the
desired weight is achieved, briefly
press the top of the switch.

If the ballast does not fill properly, check
the screened intake for clogging. See
page 2-4 for location.

Draining

1) Press the bottom of the switch
(“DRAIN”) to drain the ballast. The
pump will run for about 10-1/2 min­utes to drain full ballast bladders. The
draining can be done at any boat
speed; ballast drains more efficiently
when the boat is underway. Drain fully
before loading the boat on the trailer.

2) When the boat is on the trailer still
at a stern-down angle on the load­ing ramp, operate the pump again

to drain any remaining water. It may
be necessary to press or lift the
bladders to help drain them com­pletely.

SWIVEL SEAT OPERATION

The driver’s and mid-ship passenger’s
seats are two-way adjustable.

To move the seat forward or back, pull
up on the lever ① located under the
front of the seat. Move the seat to the
desired position, then release the lever.

To rotate the seat, first move the seat to
its fully forward position. Then, pull up
on the lever ② located under the side
of the seat. Release the lever once you
begin to pivot. The seat will pivot freely
up to 180°, and will automatically lock
into the fully front-facing or side-facing
position. There is also a friction lever ③
to adjust how easily the seat rotates.

The driver must always be locked into
the full front-facing position before get­ting underway.

2-17

2 FEATURES & FUNCTIONS

40

45

50

55

60

MPH

0

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

RPM

x 1000

Fuel

f

e

YAMAHA

YAMAHA

S

O

U

R

C

E

M

O

D

E

M

U

T

I

N

G

O

F

F

-

G

P

/

+

A

L

B

M

STEREO SYSTEM

A stereo CD player/receiver with four
speakers is standard. There is also a
remote control key pad at the swim
platform and MP3 player input in a
compartment at the helm. Refer to the
stereo system owner's manual included
with your boat.

ENGINE HOOD

There is one hood latch located under
the front of the rear seat. To open the
engine hood, lift the latch hook upward
and lift the hood.

Hood Latch

STORAGE COMPARTMENTS

Your boat has convenient on-board
storage areas.

Bow Anchor Storage

2-18

FEATURES & FUNCTIONS 2

WARNING

Under Front Seats

Pull up the seat cushions to access
the storage compartments.

Front Locker

Glove Box

Port-Side Console

Under Rear Side Seats

Self-Draining Cooler

Do not carry any flammable sub­stances in the battery compartment
or any heavy or metal items that can
damage the battery or cause a short
circuit. Sparks or fire could result.

On the 212X model, the rear stor­age compartments also house the
Ballast System sacks. Be careful not
to store items in this area that could
be crushed or damaged by the water
sacks as they fill. See page 2-16 for
more information.

2-19

2 FEATURES & FUNCTIONS

Pull up the seat cushions to access
the storage compartments.

FRONT WALK-THROUGH

If desired, the Walk-Through to the bow
of the boat can be closed.

Doorway

Unlatch the door from the port-side
console storage compartment, and
lock it into place on the driver's side
console.

To open the doorway, unlatch the door
from the driver's side console and lock
it into place on the port-side storage
compartment.

2-20

FEATURES & FUNCTIONS 2

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

WARNING

Windshield

Unsnap the retaining strap ① from
the windshield and pivot it into place.
Rotate the two latches ② to keep the
windshield secured. When the wind­shield is open, be sure to secure it
with the retaining strap to keep it from
moving while underway or trailering.

WARNING! To avoid injury, window
must be secured when vessel is in
motion.

REAR WALK-THROUGH

For easy access from the cabin area to
the stern patio area and swim platform,
lift out and stow the center rear seat
cushion.

Press the center seat cushion firmly
into place for seating when underway.

SWIM PLATFORM

Stay away from the swim platform
area while the engines are running.
Exhaust gases coming from under­neath it contain carbon monoxide, a
colorless, odorless gas which may
cause brain damage or death when
inhaled. Symptoms include nausea,
dizziness, and drowsiness.

The swim platform area provides a
place to stand or sit while putting on
skis or a wakeboard, and includes a
ladder to make boarding from the water
easier. To use the ladder, pull it out from
underneath the swim platform until it
can drop down. Before operating the
boat, return the ladder to its storage
position.

2-21

2 FEATURES & FUNCTIONS

WARNING

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

WAKEBOARD TOWER

(212X MODEL)

Severe injury or death can result if
you ignore any of the following:

• Maximum towing capacity:
1 Person, 350 lb. (158 kg) max.

• Make sure tow rope is securely
fastened to the tow pylon on the
tower.

• Stay clear of the tow rope while
pulling a wakeboard rider or
skier.

• Do not climb, hang, or sit on the
wakeboard tower.

The Wakeboard Tower is provided as
an elevated tow point suitable for wake­boards and similar towable recreational
equipment. The center pylon can be
used to attach a standard ski rope or
other tow rope.

COLLAPSING THE
WAKEBOARD TOWER

The wakeboard tower can be collapsed
for towing and for boat storage in a
building or under a canopy or carport.

Dropping the upper tower section
while collapsing or raising it can
damage the tower, the boat, or both.
An assistant is highly recommended
to help hold the upper tower section
in place during the procedure.

Collapsing

1. Remove wakeboards and any other
accessories from the wakeboard
racks. Fold and secure the Bimini
top (if up).

2. Remove the left and right screw
knobs ① at the forward pivot
points.

Choose only accessories designed
for your boat's wakeboard tower. Your
Yamaha dealer has a variety of genuine
Yamaha accessories. Other accesso­ries may also be available on the mar­ket. However, it is not possible to test
all non-Yamaha accessories, nor have
any control over the quality or suitability
of them. Choose a genuine Yamaha
accessory or one that is equivalent in
design and quality.

2-22

3. While supporting the upper section

of the wakeboard tower, remove
the remaining screw knobs ② and
both of the tower supports ③.

FEATURES & FUNCTIONS 2

4. Still supporting the upper section of
the wakeboard tower, install the two
short supports ④ using two screw
knobs on each side. Install the teth­ered rings ⑤ into the ends of the
upper tower support screw knobs
to prevent them from loosening or
coming out during operation.

5. Carefully store the remaining screw
knobs and the tower supports in a
storage compartment in the boat.

Raising

1. Support the tower and attach the
tower supports on both sides, leav­ing the screw knobs slightly loose.

2. While the assistant is pushing the
upper tower section upward slightly,
carefully thread the screw knobs
into the forward pivot points into the
tower base.

3. Once all of the knobs are threaded
in, make sure each one is tight­ened securely. Install the tethered
rings into the ends of the upper
tower support screw knobs to pre­vent them from loosening or com­ing out during operation. NOTICE:

Be sure to use the tethered rings
to secure the upper tower sup­port knobs. Otherwise the knobs
could loosen and be lost if they
fall out.

2-23

Chapter 3

OPERATION

FUEL AND OIL ............................................... 3-1

Gasoline ................................................ 3-1

Engine Oil ............................................... 3-2

PRE-OPERATION CHECKS ..................................... 3-4

Check List ............................................... 3-4

Check Points............................................. 3-5

OPERATION................................................. 3-15

Starting the Engines ...................................... 3-15

Stopping the Engines . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-17

Break-In Procedure....................................... 3-18

DRIVING YOUR BOAT......................................... 3-19

 GettingtoKnowYourBoat ................................. 3-19

Learning to Operate Your Boat .............................. 3-19

Turning the Boat ..........................................3-20

Boating with Passengers .................................. 3-21

Boarding from the Water................................... 3-21

Boarding from a Dock or Landing Jetty ....................... 3-22

Boarding from the Bow .................................... 3-22

Stopping ............................................... 3-23

Docking................................................ 3-23

Leaving a Dock .......................................... 3-24

Beaching............................................... 3-24

Anchoring .............................................. 3-25

Crossing Wakes and Swells . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-26

POST-OPERATION CHECKS ................................... 3-27

TRAILERING ................................................ 3-29

Hitch .................................................. 3-29

Trailering Checklist ....................................... 3-29

Backing Your Trailer....................................... 3-30

Launching .............................................. 3-31

Loading ................................................ 3-31

Lifting ................................................. 3-32

OPERATION 3

WARNING

FUEL AND OIL

3) Remove the fuel tank filler cap,

GASOLINE

• Gasolineandgasolinevaporsare

extremely flammable. To avoid
fires and explosions and to reduce
the risk of injury when refueling,
follow these instructions.

• Gasoline is poisonous and can

cause injury or death. Handle
gasoline with care. Never siphon
gasoline by mouth. If you should
swallow some gasoline, inhale a
lot of gasoline vapor, or get some
gasoline in your eyes, see your
doctor immediately. If gasoline
spills on your skin, wash with
soap and water. If gasoline spills
on your clothing, change your
clothes.

• Do not use leaded gasoline.

Leaded gasoline can seriously
damage the engine.

• Avoid getting water and con­taminants in the fuel tank.
Contaminated fuel can cause poor
performance and engine damage.
Use only fresh gasoline that has
been stored in clean containers.

1) Before refueling, turn off the engines.
Never refuel while smoking, or while
in the vicinity of sparks, open flames,
or other sources of ignition.

2) Refuel the boat in a well-ventilated
area. If the boat is in the water, be
sure it is securely moored to the
fueling dock. All passengers must be
out of the boat during refueling.

4) Wipe up any spilled fuel immedi-

6) Install the fuel tank filler cap. Make

Gasohol

There are two types of gasohol: gasohol
containing ethanol and that containing
methanol. Gasohol containing ethanol
can be used if ethanol content does
not exceed 10% and the fuel meets
minimum octane ratings. Gasohol con­taining methanol is not recommended
by Yamaha because it can cause fuel
system damage or engine performance
problems.

Ring Free Fuel Additive

As fuel mixture burns in your engine's
combustion chambers, carbon depos­its are left behind. Over time, these
deposits can reduce performance and
even cause engine damage. Marine
engines tend to run at lower operat­ing temperatures than other engines,
making them more likely to accumulate
these harmful deposits. Ring Free Fuel

3-1

and then slowly add fuel to the fuel
tank. Stop filling when the fuel just
becomes visible in the bottom of the
filler tube. Do not “top off” the tank,
because gasoline could spill out.

ately.

sure that the fuel tank filler cap is
securely closed.

Recommended fuel:

Regular unleaded gasoline with a
minimum octane rating of 86
(Pump octane number) = (R + M)/2
90 (Research octane number)
Fuel tank capacity: 50 US gal (189 L)

3 OPERATION

Operation

EJU31890

Engine oil

Use a combination of the recommended SAE
and API engine oil classifications shown in the
chart below.

ly 50 mm (2 in) from the top of the fuel
tank as indicated in the illustration.

Additive, available from your Yamaha
dealer, is formulated to remove existing
deposits and, when used continuously,
prevent new ones from forming, while
also helping to keep fuel injectors and
other fuel system components clean for
proper performance and longer engine
life.

ENGINE OIL

Recommended oil:

Yamalube 4W

If Yamalube 4W is not available, use
another 4-cycle oil that meets the
following specifications.

TIP:

• Eachenginehasanoil-tanksystem.

It is normal for the oil level to vary
depending upon whether the engine
is cold or at operating temperature.

• Adding1 US qt.(0.95 lit) of oilwill

raise the oil level on the dipstick by
approximately 2.2 in. (56 mm).

To check oil, be sure the boat is level,
either in the water or on the trailer.
Open the engine compartment by pull­ing up on the two latches located under
the front of the rear seat.

①

①

ENGINE OIL LEVEL

Check the oil level in both engines
before each use. Check the oil on each
engine when cold to be sure there is
enough oil to run the engine

Be sure the engine has enough oil
but do not overfill. If there is too
little oil, the engine can be dam­aged. If there is too much oil, the
air filter can become saturated with
oil, permanently damaging the filter
and reducing engine performance.
Follow the checking procedure care­fully.



Cold Engine Check

1) Remove the oil tank filler cap ,
wipe the dipstick with a clean rag,
and then screw the cap on securely.
Remove the cap again and check
the oil level.

3-2

OPERATION 3

2) If the level is at least at the minimum
level “L” mark  on the dipstick,
but less than the “F” mark , the
engine can be operated. NOTICE:

If the level is above the “F” mark,
the engine is overfilled. Consult a
Yamaha dealer to have oil extracted
from the engine to avoid damage.

3) If oil must be added, add just enough
oil to raise the level to the “L” mark.
Adding more oil could result in an
overfilled engine once it warms up.

4) Repeat for the other engine.

Warm Engine Check

1) Be sure the engine is warmed to
operating temperature.

TIP: The engines are at the proper
operating temperature after they have
been run for 5 minutes or more at 7000
rpm or above and then at a trolling
speed for 2 to 3 minutes. If the boat is
on the trailer, run the engine with the
flush attachment at an idle speed for
6 to 8 minutes, or at least 13 minutes
if air temperature is 59° F (15°C) or
colder.

“F” mark, the engine is overfilled.
Consult a Yamaha dealer to have
oil extracted from the engine to
avoid damage.

4) Repeat for the other engine.

2) Remove the oil tank filler cap ,
wipe the dipstick with a clean rag,
and then screw the cap on securely.
Remove the cap again and check
the oil level.

3) The oil level should be between
the minimum and maximum level
marks. If the level is below the “L”
mark , then add only enough oil
to raise the level above the “L” mark
but never above the “F” mark .

NOTICE: If the level is above the

3-3

3 OPERATION

WARNING

PRE-OPERATION

CHECKS

CHECK LIST

Before operating this boat, perform the
checks in the following check list. Always
follow the inspection and maintenance
procedures and schedules described in
this owner’s/operator’s manual.

Failure to inspect or maintain the
boat properly increases the pos­sibility of an accident or damage to
the watercraft. Do not operate the
watercraft if you find any problem.
If a problem cannot be corrected
by the procedures provided in this
manual, have the boat inspected by
a Yamaha dealer.

ITEM CHECK PAGE REF.

BEFORE LAUNCH OR OPERATION:

STEERING Check for proper steering operation. 3-5

THROTTLE Check for proper throttle operation. 3-5

SHIFTING Check for proper shift operation. 3-5

LIGHTS AND HORN

FIRE EXTINGUISHER Check readiness of the extinguisher. 3-6

HULL Check the hull for damage or cracks before launching.

ACCESS PORT CAPS Check for proper installation. 3-6

JET(WATERINTAKES Check that no debris is in the intakes before launching. 3-7

FUEL SYSTEM Check fuel system for leaks. 3-7, 4-10

FUEL AND ENGINE
OIL LEVELS

BATTERY Check battery condition, mounting, and connection. 3-7

DRAINAGE SYSTEM

ENGINE
COMPARTMENT

ENGINE HOOD Check that hood latch is secure. 2-18

BIMINI TOP Check that the top is secure. 3-11, 3-13

AFTER LAUNCH

SWITCHES

COOLING WATER
PILOT OUTLETS

NOTE: Steering and Shifting Pre-Operation Checks will require two persons, one person to operate
controls and one person to observe proper operation at the stern.

Check lights to be sure they operate.
Press horn button to be sure it operates.

Check fuel and oil level; add as necessary. 3-7

Check, and remove all water and fuel residue before
launching. Be sure drain plugs are tightened.

Operate the blower for at least 4 minutes. Open engine
hood and check to be sure no gasoline vapors are present.

Check operation of the ignition start switches and engine
stop switch lanyard.

Check that water comes out while the engines are running. 3-10

3-4

3-9
3-10

3-8

3-9

3-10

OPERATION 3

0

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

20

30

35

40

45

50

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60

MPH

RPM

0

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

RPM

Fuel

f

e

YAMAHA

YAMAHA

YAMAHA

TIP: Pre-operation checks should be
made each time the boat is used.
These checks can be completed in a
short time. It is worth the time spent to
ensure safety and reliability.

CHECK POINTS

Steering

Make sure the wheel is not loose.

There should not be any free play,
either in-and-out or in rotation. Turn
the steering wheel full-right and full­left to make sure operation is smooth
and unrestricted throughout the whole
range.

Throttle/Shifters

Move the control levers several times
through their full range of motion.
Operation should be smooth over the
complete range of motion and the
levers should return to Neutral without
hesitation.

Make sure both jet nozzles change
directions as the steering wheel is
turned. The jet nozzles should point
to starboard (right) when the wheel is
turned right. The jet nozzles should
point to port (left) when the wheel is
turned left. There should not be free
play between the steering wheel and
the jet nozzles.

Before launching, make sure both jet
pump gates drop down over the jet
nozzles to their stopper positions when
the control levers are moved to the
Reverse position. Also be sure both jet
pump gates return to the full-up stopper
position when the levers are moved to
the Forward position.

3-5

3 OPERATION

Fire Extinguisher

This boat is an inboard boat less than
26’ long. A boat 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
controlled by the U.S. Coast Guard. In
addition, most state and local boating
laws also require that the craft carry
a USCG-approved fire extinguisher
when ever the boat is operated.

A fire extinguisher is not standard
equipment with this boat. If you do not
have one, contact your local Yamaha
Boat dealer or a fire extinguisher deal­er to obtain one meeting the proper
specifications.

Access Port Caps

Lift the hatch on the rear platform.
Pull up forcefully on the T-handle of
each cap. If the cap will move, it is not
installed properly. Refer to “Jet Pump
Clean-Out Procedure” on page 5-5 for
proper installation instructions.

Make sure the fire extinguisher is
aboard and full. See the instructions
supplied by the fire extinguisher manu­facturer to determine proper indication
of condition.

The fire extinguisher canister is located
inside the driver-side console storage
compartment. Open the windshield
cover, and then unscrew the canister
to reach the fire extinguisher.

3-6

OPERATION 3

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Jet Intakes

Jet Thrust Intakes

Intake Grates

Before launching the boat, carefully
check the jet intakes under the boat
for weeds, debris, or anything else
that might restrict the intake of water.
If the intakes are clogged, cavitation
could occur, reducing jet thrust, and
possibly damaging jet pump parts. In
some cases, the engine may overheat
because of a lack of cooling water, and
damage could result. Engine cooling
water is fed to the engine by the jet
pumps (see page 3-10).

Refer to Jet Pump Clean-Out proce­dures on page 5-5 before attempting
to remove weeds or debris from the jet
intake or impeller areas. WARNING!

Rotating parts could cause severe
injury or death. Before attempting to
remove weeds or debris from the jet
intake or impeller areas; shut off the
engines, remove ignition key, then
remove the engine shut-off switch
cord from the shut-off switch.

Fuel System

Refer to page 4-10, “FUEL SYSTEM
INSPECTION,” for correct procedure.

Fuel and Engine Oil Levels

1) Turn the right switch key to ON. Wait
for the fuel gauge needle to stop
moving, then note the fuel level. Add
fuel if necessary.

TIP: The fuel level is most accurate
when the boat is sitting level on the
trailer or in the water.

2) Open the engine hatch, then check
oil level in the engines. Add as nec­essary (see page 3-2).

Battery

Check the battery condition and the
battery electrolyte level. Make sure con­nections are tight and that battery is
properly secured. WARNING! The bat-

tery must always be fully charged
and in good condition. Loss of bat­tery power may leave you stranded.
Never operate the boat if the battery
does not have sufficient power to
start the engine or if it shows any
other signs of decreased power.

Drainage System

Self-Bailing Deck—

Most water which enters the deck area
bails automatically out the stern through
the large drain hole in the deck.

3-7

3 OPERATION

A one-way check valve in the drain pre­vents water from traveling back to the
deck during mooring or while moving
in reverse.

Bilge Pump –

Your boat is equipped with a drainage
system that channels water that enters
the boat from the storage compart­ments to the bilge under the engine
compartment. When the bilge pump is
turned on (see page 2-14), the pump
will sense when there is excessive
water in the bilge and will automati­cally drain most of it through the out­let . For normal operation, turn the
bilge pump switch on during boat use
and turn it off when leaving the boat.

NOTICE: If the boat is to be left in the
water after use, leave the bilge pump
switch in the ON position. The pump
will activate if needed to drain any
water accumulating in the bilge.

Drain Plug –

A drain plug  is located at the center
of the stern to allow more complete
draining when the boat is removed from
the water.

Engine Compartment and
Fuel Compartment Drain Plug –

Water will not normally enter the engine
compartment or fuel compartment
areas during operation. If it does, open
the drain plugs  and allow water to
drain. Also open the engine compart­ment plug when flushing the engine
area with fresh water after salt water
operation.

• Excessive water in the engine

compartment bilge can splash
into the air cleaner and engine.
This could cause engine dam­age.

• Be sure all drain plugs are tight-

ened before operating your boat.

If a fuel or fuel/water mixture drains
from the fuel tank compartment drain
or is found in the engine compartment,
wipe it up immediately with dry rags.

WARNING! This indicates a fuel leak.
Do not operate the boat until the
source of the fuel leak is found and
corrected. Gasoline and its vapors
are highly flammable and explosive.

3-8

OPERATION 3

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DEPTH

WARNING

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DEPTH

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Engine Compartment

Gasoline vapors can explode. Before
starting the engines, operate the
blower for at least 4 minutes and
check the engine compartment bilge
for gasoline vapors. Do not start the
engines if you can smell fuel vapors
in the engine compartment or if there
are any loose electrical connections.
Contact your dealer if there is a prob­lem you cannot locate or correct.

Operate the bilge blower switch  for
at least 4 minutes before starting the
engines. Open engine hood and check
to be sure no gasoline vapors are pres­ent. Check for fuel leaks or loose elec­trical connections.

Lights

Check for proper operation of the bow,
stern, and instrument lights by pressing
the switch  on the control panel.

Blower motor

If the stern light is not installed, remove
it from the storage area, lift the socket
cover, and install it into the socket to
check operation.

3-9

3 OPERATION

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YAMAHA

YAMAHA

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Horn

Press the horn switch  to be sure the
horn operates.

Engine Shut-Off Switch

Cooling-Water Pilot Outlets

Check that water comes out from the
pilot outlets while engine is running in
the water. Refer to page 2-13 for correct
operation of the device.

TIP: It may take up to 20 seconds for
water to reach the pilot outlets when
first launching the boat. The amount
and force of the exiting water will vary
with engine rpm.



Engine shut-off switch



Clip with cord

First, place the boat in the water to pro­vide adequate engine cooling. Start the
engine, and then remove the engine
shut-off switch clip, and verify that the
engine stops.

Refer to pages 3-15 to 3-17, “STARTING
THE ENGINES,” for information on
proper operation of the starter switch.

A continuous flow of water from
the pilot hole shows that water is
flowing through the engine cooling
passages. If water is not flowing out
of the pilot hole during operation,
do not continue to run the engines.
Overheating and serious damage
could occur. See Overheat Warning
System, page 2-13, for more informa­tion.

3-10

OPERATION 3

BIMINI™ TOP (212SS)

Raising from the fully collapsed storage
position.

1) With an assistant, raise the top and
secure the rear support poles to the
rear support pole mounts with the
lock pins.

2) Unzip and remove the storage
cover.

3) Unfold the top by pulling to the bow
of the boat.

4) Attach the snap hooks to the strap
eyes.

5) The top should be snug and wrinkle
free. If the top is too loose or too
tight, adjust the front straps by slid­ing the buckle up or down the strap
as needed.

Do not exceed 45 mph (72 km/h) with
the Bimini top in the up position.

3-11

3 Operation

Storing
In The Upright Position

1) Raise the rear support poles.

2) Unhook the front straps and pull the
top to the back.

3) Roll the fabric around the frames
and zip the storage cover in place.

Do not trailer the boat with the
Bimini top in the fully extended or
upright storage positions. Put the
cover in the fully collapsed position
to avoid damage.

Storing
In the Fully Collapsed Position

1) Follow the steps for storing in the
upright position.

2) Remove the snap pins holding the
rear support poles to the mounting
brackets.

3) Lower the top onto the rear deck/
hatch.

Trailering with the Bimini Top

The Bimini top must be secured to
the boat when it is being trailered.
When trailered with a Genuine Yamaha
Cover, simply store the Bimini top in the
fully collapsed position and install the
cover. If a cover is not used, wrap an
elastic cord around the top and secure
the ends to the ski tow hook to restrict
movement.

Removing the Bimini Top

1) Follow the steps for storing in the
fully collapsed position.

2) Remove the lock pins holding the
Bimini top to the mounting brackets.

3) The top can now be removed from
your boat.

When reinstalling the Bimini top, simply
reverse the removal steps making sure
the lock pins are fully engaged.

See page 4-4 for Bimini top care infor­mation.

3-12

BIMINI™ TOP (212X MODEL)

The Bimini top is normally covered and
secured to the top rail of the Wakeboard
Tower. To deploy the top, follow the
steps below:

1) Unclip the two fasteners that hold
the Bimini storage cover and top to
the Wakeboard Tower rail. Remove
the storage cover.

2) Unwrap the top canvas and attach
the three zippered flaps around the
rear top rail of the Tower.

Operation 3

①

②

Do not exceed 45 mph (72 km/h) with
the Bimini top in the up position.

Storing the Bimini Top

1) Remove the pins holding the front
vertical support poles and the front
bow to the Wakeboard Tower. Pull
the top back against the Wakeboard
Tower.

2) Roll the fabric around the frames and
zip the storage cover into place.

3) Push the canvas and top frame
forward. Attach the front bow of the
frame to the Wakeboard Tower with
the lock pins ①. Unclip the two front
vertical support poles. Pull them down
and attach them to the Wakeboard
Tower with the lock pins ②.

Removing the Bimini Top

1) Follow the steps for Storing the
Bimini Top

2) Remove the lock pins holding the
Bimini top to the Wakeboard Tower.

3) The top can now be removed from
the boat.

When reinstalling the Bimini top, simply
reverse the removal steps making sure
the lock pins are fully engaged.

See page 4-4 for Bimini care informa­tion.

3-13

3 Operation

BIMINI TOP EXTENSION

After erecting the Bimini top the top
extension may be put up. Attach the
support pole ① to the rear mounts ②
on the Wake Board Tower bases.

①

②

Raise the top extension and zip the
three sections of the fabric to the main
top.

Secure the tension straps to the stern
cleats and adjust as needed to remove
wrinkles.

3-14

OPERATION

WARNING

STARTING THE ENGINES

SEVERE INJURY OR DEATH MAY
RESULT IF YOU IGNORE ANY OF
THE FOLLOWING:

• Before operating your boat,
become familiar with all controls.
Consult your Yamaha dealer
about any control or function you
do not fully understand. Failure
to understand how the controls
work could cause an accident
or prevent you from avoiding an
accident.

• Attach the engine shut-off switch
cord to your personal flotation
device or your arm or leg, before
operating. Failure to attach cord
could result in a runaway boat if
operator is ejected.

Operation 3

3 FT (90 CM)

1) Always make sure the boat is
launched and used in waters that
are free from weeds and debris,
and at least 3 ft. (90 cm) deep.

WARNING! Never operate in water
that is less than 3 ft. (90 cm)
deep. You increase your chance
of hitting an underwater obstacle.
You could be injured. Pebbles or
sand can also be sucked into the
jet (water) intake, damaging the
impeller.

There is a hull drain plug at the
bottom of the stern in the center. Be
sure it is securely tightened before
launching the boat.

3-15

3 Operation

2) Attach the engine shut-off cord to
your PFD. Install the cord clip onto
the engine shut-off switch by push­ing the clip groove over the nut
beneath the knob. Be sure the cord
is not wrapped around the steering
wheel or tangled in the controls.

3) Put the control levers in the Neutral
position. The starter motor will not
operate unless the shift lever is
in Neutral. Turn the ignition key to
“Start.” When the engine starts,
release the key. If the engine does
not start after 5 seconds of crank­ing, release the key. Wait at least 15
seconds before trying to start the
engine again.

Engine shut-off switch
Clip with cord

TIP: It is not possible to start the engine
with the clip removed from the engine
shut-off switch. However, the starter
motor will turn the engine over.

3-16

• Never turn the ignition key to

WARNING

“Start” while the engine is run­ning. The starter mechanism
could be damaged.

• If the starter motor is engaged

continuously for more than 5 sec­onds, the battery will become
quickly discharged and it will be
impossible to start the engine.
The starter motor may also be
damaged if it is engaged continu­ously for more than 5 seconds.

On this boat, the engines are connected
directly to the drive unit. Starting either
engine generates some thrust imme­diately. Only enough throttle should be
applied to keep the engine at a fast
enough idle to stay running.

Do not operate the boat with just
one engine running. Severe engine
damage could result because water
can flood the non-operating engine
through the cooling water intake. If
single-engine operation is unavoid­able, operate the boat at a “no wake”
speed only.

Operation 3

STOPPING THE ENGINES

To stop the engine, return the throttle
levers to the idle position, then turn the
main switches to “Off.” The engines can
also be stopped by pulling the engine
stop switch lanyard.

Once the engines have stopped,
you have NO STEERING CONTROL
over the boat. You could collide
with another boat, a dock, or other
obstacle.

Remove the ignition keys and the
engine stop switch lanyard if the boat
will be left unattended.

Stopping the engines immediately after
operating at high rpm is not recom­mended. Let the engines cool off at idle
or low speed for a few minutes first.

3-17

3 OPERATION

BREAK-IN PROCEDURE

The engine break-in period is essential
to allow the various components of the
engine to wear and polish themselves
to the correct operating clearances.
This ensures proper performance and
promotes longer component life.

1) Launch the boat and start the
engines (see page 3-15).

2) For the first 5 minutes, run the
engines at trolling speed. For the 30
minutes of operation after that, keep
the engine speed below 5,000 rpm.
For the hour of operation after that,
keep the engine speed below 8,000
rpm.

3) Proceed with normal operation.

3-18

OPERATION 3

DRIVING YOUR BOAT

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR BOAT

Operating your boat requires skills
acquired through practice over a period
of time. Take the time to learn the basic
techniques well before attempting more
difficult maneuvers.

Boating with your new boat can be
a very enjoyable activity, providing
you with hours of pleasure. But it is
essential to familiarize yourself with
the operation of the boat to achieve
the skill necessary to enjoy boating
safely. Before operating this boat, read
this Owner’s Manual, the Operation
Instruction Card, and all Warning and
Caution labels on the boat. Pay par­ticular attention to the safety informa­tion in Chapter 1. Read all warning and
caution labels on your boat.

The boat is designed to carry one oper­ator along with up to eight passengers,
and cargo, as long as the total weight
of people and cargo does not exceed
1840 lb (834 kg). Never have more than
nine people in the boat (or eight per­sons if a water skier is being pulled).
On the 212X model, a full ballast
weighs 750 lb. (340 kg), which must be
included in the maximum load.

LEARNING TO OPERATE YOUR BOAT

Before boating, always perform the
Pre-Operation Checks listed on page
3-4. The short time spent checking the
machine’s condition will reward you
with added safety and a more reliable
boat.

Know and follow U.S. Coast Guard,

state, and local laws when operating
your boat.

Select a wide area to learn in, where
visibility is good and other boat traffic

islight.Keeptheproperdistance from

other boats and vehicles. Do not oper­ate where people are swimming.

Always attach the engine stop switch
lanyard to your personal flotation device
before operating.

You and all other passengers must
always wear a U.S. Coast Guard­approved personal flotation device
when riding in the boat. You should
consider wearing water shoes, eye
protection, gloves, and other protective
apparel. Water sports increase your
risk of injury from contact with your
boat, other vessels, docks, rocks, or
coral.

A water-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
or while reboarding. 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 protection. 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.

Grip the wheel firmly and keep both feet
on the deck when driving the boat.

3-19

3 OPERATION

WARNING

TURNING THE BOAT

• Do not pull the throttle levers

back to idle when trying to steer
away from objects – you need
throttle to steer.

• Be sure passengers are hold­ing on before making turns. An
unprepared passenger could lose
balance and fall.

Steering control depends on the com­bination of steering wheel 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 boat. The higher
the engine speed, the more thrust is
produced.

input until you apply throttle again or
you reach a trolling speed.

At trolling speed, the boat can be

turned gradually by steering wheel
position alone using just the amount
of thrust available at engine idle.

D. If the engines are stopped, there is

no thrust. The boat will go straight
even though the steering wheel is
turned.

YOU NEED THROTTLE TO STEER.

The amount of jet thrust, in addition
to the position of the steering wheel,
determines how sharply you turn.

A. More throttle produces high thrust,

so the boat will turn more sharply.

B. Less throttle produces low thrust, so

the boat will turn more gradually.

C. Pulling the levers back to idle or

Neutral 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 pull­ing the throttles back to idle, but one
the engine slows down, the boat will
no longer respond to steering wheel

3-20

TURNING LEFT

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YAMAHA

WARNING

WARNING

TURNING RIGHT

OPERATION 3

BOATING WITH PASSENGERS

When passengers are on board,
make sure they are seated and hold­ing on before you start to acceler­ate. An unprepared passenger could
lose balance and fall.

Your boat is designed for one operator
and up to eight passengers only. Never
have more than nine people in the boat.
Passengers must sit in one of the seats
and hold onto the grips. Passengers
should sit so the weight in the boat is
balanced from side-to-side and bow-to­stern as much as possible. If the pas­senger seat in front of the helm is used,
be sure the operator’s view ahead is
not obstructed.

BOARDING FROM THE WATER

Severe internal injuries can occur if
water is forced into body cavities as
a result of being near the jet thrust
nozzles.

• Do not board from the rear, use

• Stay away from the back of the

Stay away from the swim step while the
engines are running. Exhaust gases
coming from underneath it contain
carbon monoxide, a colorless, odor­less gas which may cause brain dam­age or death when inhaled. Symptoms
include nausea, dizziness, and drowsi­ness.

3-21

swim platform, or swim behind
boat if engines are running.

boat when engines are running.

3 OPERATION

1) Be sure engines are off, then move
to the stern of the boat. Pull out the
ladder and climb up onto the step.
Return the ladder to the stowed
position before climbing into the
boat.

2) Climb up onto the swim platform,
then sit in one of the seats provided.

BOARDING FROM A DOCK OR
LANDING JETTY

1) Board the boat from the side. One
person should board at a time by
stepping into the boat. Never jump
in. Avoid stepping on slick gelcoat
surfaces on the boat’s gunwales,
especially if wet.

2) Sit in one of the seats provided and
put both feet on the deck.

BOARDING FROM THE BOW

A ladder is available when boarding
from the bow of the boat is desired,
such as when the boat is beached.

1) Open the Bow Anchor Storage com­partment (see page 2-18).

2) Extend the front ladder, then close
the storage compartment’s cover to
use as a step

3) When finished boarding, retract and
stow the ladder under the compart­ment cover.

3-22

OPERATION 3

345 ft (105 m)

WARNING

STOPPING

400 ft (122 m)

• You will lose steering control if

you completely pull the throttles
back to idle. You need throttle to
steer.

• Donotusethereversefunctionto

slow down or stop the boat from
planing speed as it could cause
you to lose control, be ejected,
or impact the steering wheel or
other parts of the boat. This could
increase the risk of serious injury.

The boat is not equipped with a sepa­rate braking system. It is stopped by
water resistance after the throttle levers
are moved back to idle. From full speed,
the boat stops in approximately 400 ft.
(122m) after the throttle is moved back
to idle. The stopping distance varies
depending on gross weight, water sur­face conditions, and wind direction. The
stated straight-line stopping distance
should be used for a reference. The
boat slows down as soon as the throttle
levers are returned to idle but will coast
for a distance before fully stopping. If
you are not sure you can stop in time
before hitting an obstacle, apply throttle
and turn in another direction.

DOCKING

1) Make sure no obstructions, boats

2) Notice how wind and water currents

3) Approach the dock at idle speed.

Wind or current pushing boat away
from dock:

Slowly approach the dock at about a
45° angle. Secure the bow to the dock,
then use engine thrust or a boat hook
to gently move the stern to the dock.

3-23

or swimmers are close to the boat.
Come to a stop before you reach the
dock.

are affecting boat movement as you
attach your mooring lines and fend­ers.

Use reverse as necessary during
slow speed maneuvering to help
control speed and direction. Position
the boat according to wind and
water conditions. WARNING! Do

not use your hand, arm, or other
part of your body to try to keep
the boat from hitting the dock.
You could be injured if the boat
pushes against the dock.

3 OPERATION

Wind or current pushing boat toward
dock:

Slowly maneuver to a shallow angle
and allow the boat to move toward the
dock.

No wind or current:

Approach the dock at a shallow angle.
Secure the bow to the dock, then use
engine thrust or a boat hook to gently
move the stern to the dock.

LEAVING A DOCK

Because boats steer from the stern, the
stern first moves in the direction oppo­site your desired turn. It is especially
important to understand this character­istic when leaving a dock. If you simply
turn the wheel to steer the bow away
from the dock, as you would when driv­ing a car out of a parking space, you
will drive the stern of the boat into the
dock. Following is a basic maneuvering
technique which can be used in most
circumstances.

1) With engines idling and the bow still
moored to the dock, turn the steer­ing wheel toward the dock. This will
start to move the stern of the boat
away from the dock.

2) When the stern is out a few feet,
release the bow mooring then steer
in the direction you want the bow to
move. Open the throttle slightly and
begin to move away from the dock.

BEACHING

1) Make sure no obstructions, boats or
swimmers are near the beach.

2) Approach the beach slowly and stop
the engines when the water is about
3 ft. (90 cm) deep. Remember: turn­ing is impossible with the engine
stopped.

3) Get out of the boat and pull the bow
up on the beach.

4) When leaving the beach, push the
boat out into water that is at least 3
ft. (90 cm) deep before starting the
engines.

• Small pebbles, sand, seaweed,
and other debris can be ingested
into the jet intake and impair or
damage the impeller. Always stop
the engines before beaching the
boat. Be sure the boat is in water
3 ft. (90 cm) deep before starting
the engines again.

• Do not beach the boat on rocky
beaches. The hull gelcoat and
exposed pump housings can be
damaged.

• Pay attention to shifts in tides.
Beaching at high tide may make it
impossible to re-launch the boat
if the tide recedes.

3-24

OPERATION 3

WARNING

ANCHORING

Always anchor from the bow.
Anchoring from the stern will make
the boat unsteady. A strong cur­rent can pull a stern-anchored boat
underwater.

Select an anchor appropriate for your
boat and water conditions. A “danforth”
(or fluke) type anchor is suitable for
most applications; your dealer can help
you choose an anchor.

1) Make sure the anchor line is secure­ly tied to the anchor and to the bow
eye.

2) Move the boat to the spot where you
want to lower the anchor, heading
the boat into the wind or current.
Stop the boat, then lower the anchor
until it hits bottom.

3) While keeping tension on the line,
slowly back up the boat until you
have let out line that is 4 to 6 times
the depth of the water. For example,
if you are anchoring in 10 feet of
water, let out 40 to 60 feet of line.
Secure the line.

4) Pull on the line to be sure the
anchor is holding. Also, periodically
check your boat’s position against
the shoreline to make sure it is not
drifting and dragging the anchor.
Reset if necessary.

5) To pull in (“weigh”) the anchor, start
the engines and move forward,
keeping tension on the line as you
pull it in. When the anchor line is
straight up and down, pull hard to
lift the anchor from the bottom mate­rial.

6) If the anchor is stuck on the bottom,
try this: Let out a few feet of anchor
line and secure the line to the boat,
again. Slowly maneuver the boat
around the anchor until the anchor

pullsloose.Keepthelinetautduring

this procedure.

3-25

3 OPERATION

CROSSING WAKES AND SWELLS

You will not always have flat, smooth
water. There will be swells and wakes
from other boats, etc.

The best way to cross wakes and swells
is with the least jolt to you and the boat.
Small swells are not as difficult to cross
as larger swells or wakes. Crossing a
sharp wake gives more of a jolt than a
broad swell.

SHARP WAKES

BROAD SWELL

To cross a wake or swell, change your
speed and choose the angle at which
you cross the wake or swell. Usually,
a slower speed and “quartering” the
wake (crossing at an angle) will reduce
the jolt.

Two other things you may notice. The
first is that crossing a group of wakes
or swells is not as easy or smooth as
crossing just one wake. The second is
that when you quarter the wake or swell
the boat will try to steer away from the
wake or swell. When crossing at a 45°
angle, you may not notice this, but at a
smaller angle, say 10°, it can be very
strong. Be prepared to steer and bal­ance as necessary.

WAKE

90°

45°

10°

3-26

OPERATION 3

POST-OPERATION

CHECKS

POST-OPERATION CHECKS

These post-operation procedures are
developed to help preserve the long­term appearance and reliability of your
boat. Perform these procedures as
soon as possible after the boat is
loaded back on the trailer after the
day’s use.

Some owners prefer to moor their boat
seasonally, rather than keeping it on
the trailer between uses. Extended
mooring is not recommended. Proper
flushing of the cooling system on each
engine is not possible with the boat in
the water. In addition, conditions such
as stray electrical voltage in the water,
marine organisms, and saltwater corro­sion can adversely affect the life of many
boat components. NOTICE: Leaving

the boat in the water for extended
periods will accelerate the rate of
normal deterioration of the jet pump
components, sacrificial anodes, hull
finish and other components.

1) After putting the boat on the trailer,
flush cooling system on each engine
to prevent the cooling system from
clogging up with salt, sand, or dirt.
Refer to page 4-1 for the cooling
system flushing procedure.

2) Drain residual water from the exhaust
system by starting the engine, then
alternately pushing the control lever
up to half throttle and back to idle for
10 to 15 seconds.

Never run the engine at full throttle
or for more than 15 seconds while
the boat is out of the water. The
engine may overheat and/or seize.

3) Wash down the hull, helm, and both
jet drive units with fresh water.

4) Open the rear platform hatch, and
check for any water pooled on top
of the clean-out port caps. If water
is found, remove the caps, let water
drain, then reinstall the caps. See
Page 5-5 for more information.

If you do decide to moor your boat, be
sure to remove it from the water peri­odically to clean the hull and jet pump
area. The frequency of maintenance
required will depend upon whether the
water is salt or fresh and other local
water conditions.

3-27

3 OPERATION

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

5) Remove hull drain plug  and the
engine compartment drain plugs



. Rinse the engine compartment
with a small amount of fresh water.
Be careful not to get water on the
carburetor or electrical components.
Allow any water in the bilge to drain
out. After the water has drained,
wipe the engine compartment and
bilge with dry rags. Reinstall all
drain plugs.

Tighten the hull drain plug  secure­ly before launching the boat. Clean
any foreign material, such as dirt
or sand, from the threads before
installing the drain plug.

6) Spray a rust inhibitor, such as
Yamaha Silicone Protectant and
Lubricant, on metallic parts to mini­mize corrosion.

3-28

OPERATION 3

WARNING

TRAILERING

Avoid accident and injury from
improper trailering:

• The trailer must be matched for

the boat’s weight and hull.

• The towing vehicle must have

the capacity of pulling the load.
Pulling a load that exceeds the
towing capacity may cause loss
of control.

• Be sure the boat is secured to

the trailer and the trailer is prop­erly hitched to the towing vehicle
before towing.

• Read the manuals supplied with

the trailer by the manufacturer.

A trailer is provided as standard equip­ment with your boat. If you need to
obtain another trailer, choose one that
is manufactured to carry a boat of the
size and weight of your boat. Check
the certification label on the left for­ward side of the trailer. This label is
required to show the Gross Vehicle
Weight Rating (GVWR), which is the
load carrying capacity of the trailer plus
the trailer’s weight. Be sure that the
total weight of your boat, any cargo,
and the trailer weight itself does not
exceed the GVWR.

HITCH

The trailer hitch ball must match the
size of the socket on the trailer hitch
coupler. Hitches are divided into class­es that specify the gross trailer weight
(GTW) and the maximum tongue
weight. Always use a hitch rated for the
same or higher class. Use a bolted-on
or welded-on hitch; clamp-on bum­per hitches are not recommended. Be
sure the trailer hitch’s release handle
is latched with the lock pin installed
before towing.

Use safety chains between the tow­ing vehicle and the trailer so the trailer
will not detach completely from the
towing vehicle if it accidentally comes
loose from the hitch ball. Crisscross
the chains under the trailer tongue so
the tongue will not hit the road surface
if it falls loose. Rig the chains as tightly
as possible while allowing just enough
slack to permit tight turns.

Be sure the tongue weight (vertical
weight on the hitch point) is correct.
Generally, 5% to 10% of the combined
weight of the boat and trailer should
be on the tongue. Too much or too little
weight can cause difficult steering or
trailer swaying.

TRAILERING CHECKLIST

• Check your state laws to be sure
your trailer meets all regulations,
such as proper licensing, brake,
axle load, and safety chain require­ments.

• Check trailer for any loose fasteners
or damaged parts.

• Check tires for proper inflation.

3-29

3 OPERATION

• Check wheel bearings and wheel

lug nuts before each trip.

• Check tail, brake, and turn signal
lights for proper operation.

• Secure the bow of the boat to the
trailer with the winch line and also
with the chain. Secure the stern
cleats to the trailer with tie-downs.

it is a good idea to carry a set of
spare wheel bearings, seals, and
races.

• When making a turn, do not cut cor­ners. The trailer has a smaller turn­ing circle so it turns more sharply
around the corner than the towing
vehicle.

• Before backing your trailer into the
water, disconnect the light plug from
the towing vehicle. This will reduce
the likelihood of the lights blowing
out when submerged.

BACKING YOUR TRAILER

It takes practice to back a trailer suc­cessfully. If you are not familiar back­ing up with a trailer, practice first in an
open area away from obstacles.

• Take down and store the bimini top,
if used. The top is not designed to
stay unsecured on the boat at high­way speeds. See page 3-13.

• Carry a spare tire for the trailer,
along with sufficient tools to change
the tire.

• While traveling, check the wheel
hubs on the trailer whenever you
park. If the hub feels abnormally hot,
have the bearing inspected before
continuing your trip. On longer trips,

Keepthefollowingpointsinmind:

• Back slowly. Make steering adjust­ments in small steps.

• Turn the towing vehicle’s wheels
opposite the direction you want the
trailer to go.

• After the trailer begins moving, turn
the towing vehicle to follow it.

• Have a second person stand by to
help direct you with hand signals.

3-30

OPERATION 3

LAUNCHING

As a courtesy to other boaters, prepare
your boat for launching before using
the ramp.

Each launch may have particular differ­ences, such as ramp angle, prevailing
wind, waves, and water currents. If
possible, watch a couple of boaters
launch their boats first to notice any
problems. While every boater develops
a preferred launch procedure, here is a
recommended general procedure:

1) Perform the Pre-Operation Checks
shown on page 3-4 that can be per­formed on land, including operating
the blower for at least 4 minutes.

2) Remove all trailering tie-down lines
from the boat and attach your dock­ing lines and fenders, if used.

3) Back the trailer down the ramp as
close to 90° to the shoreline as
you can. If possible, have a second
person stand aside as an observer.
Stop when the wheels are at least
halfway submerged. Set the parking
brake.

5) Back the trailer farther into the water
until just the tops of the fenders
show, then reset the parking brake.
Board the boat and start it. If pos­sible, remain on the trailer until the
engines are warm and are respond­ing to throttle.

6) Back the boat out into the water,
watching carefully for people, other
boats, or obstacles.

LOADING

1) Back the trailer down the ramp as
close to 90° to the shoreline as you
can. If possible, have a second per­son act as an observer while stand­ing to the side of the boat. Stop
when the tops of the trailer’s fenders
are about 3 inches above the water­line.

2) With the boat moving at the slow­est idle speed, guide the boat onto
the support rails. Use throttle only
if necessary for steering ability.

WARNING! Using too much throt­tle can cause the boat to jump
over the front of the trailer which
can result in injury to the boat
operator and bystanders. Use
only enough throttle to maneuver
the boat into the correct position.

4) Remove the bow line from the bow
eye.

3-31

3 OPERATION

3) Make sure the boat is centered on
the support rails and is headed
straight for the bow stop (bumper
board). Ease the boat forward until
the bow rests against the bow stop.

NOTICE: The winch line is not
designed to pull the boat onto the
trailer.

4) Attach and tighten the winch line.

NOTICE: The winch line should
not be the only line securing the
bow during trailering. Use the
chain along with the winch to
secure the boat to the trailer.

5) Pull the trailer up the ramp out of the
way of other boaters. Attach the bow
and stern tie-downs. Reconnect the
trailer lights.

6) Follow the Post-Operation Checks
on page 3-27.

LIFTING

Do not attach lifting cables to the
bow eye, cleats, water-ski tow eye,
or grab handles. Serious damage
to the boat can occur. Use only a
sling designed specifically for lifting
boats.

If you need to remove the boat from
the water without a trailer, use these
guidelines:

• Use a sling-type lifting mechanism
designed for lifting boats. The sling
should be covered with a protective
material to prevent damage to the
hull gelcoat.

• Use spreader bars to avoid side
stress to the hull that may cause
cracks in the gelcoat and fiber­glass.

• Attach guidelines to the bow eye
and stern tie-down cleats to control
movement of the boat during lifting.

• Remove all people and all cargo
from the boat. Drain any excess
water from the bilge using the bilge
pump.

• Be sure all people are standing
clear, then lift boat slowly and just
far enough to verify that the boat
is securely held and properly bal­anced. If necessary, lower the boat
again and adjust the slings.

• When ready, lift the boat slowly and
carefully.

3-32

Chapter 4

MAINTENANCE AND CARE

STORAGE ................................................... 4-1

Fuel System ............................................. 4-1

Cooling System Flushing ................................... 4-1

Lubrication .............................................. 4-2

Battery.................................................. 4-3

Cleaning ................................................ 4-4

ADJUSTMENT AND MAINTENANCE.............................. 4-5

 Owner’s/Operator’sManualandToolKit ....................... 4-5

Periodic Inspection Chart ................................... 4-6

Spark Plug Cleaning and Adjustment.......................... 4-7

Grease Points ............................................ 4-8

Fuel System Inspection.................................... 4-10

Fuel Tank............................................... 4-11

Engine Oil/Filter ......................................... 4-11

Air Filter ............................................... 4-12

Steering Cable Inspection.................................. 4-13

Controls (Throttle/Shift).................................... 4-14

Reverse Gate Mechanism Inspection ......................... 4-14

Sacrificial Anodes ........................................ 4-15

Fuse Replacement ....................................... 4-16

Battery................................................. 4-16

SPECIFICATIONS ............................................ 4-19

212SS ................................................. 4-19

212X .................................................. 4-20

MAINTENANCE & CARE 4

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

STORAGE

Storing your boat for prolonged peri­ods of time, such as winter storage,
requires preventative maintenance to
ensure against deterioration. It is advis­able to have the boat serviced by an
authorized Yamaha Boat dealer before
storage. However, the following proce­dures can be performed by the owner
with a minimum of tools.

FUEL SYSTEM

Fill the fuel tank with fresh fuel, adding
one ounce of Yamaha Fuel Conditioner
and Stabilizer or an equivalent to each
gallon of fuel. Do not “top off” the tank,
because fuel could spill. A full fuel
tank is less likely to allow condensa­tion to collect in the tank, reducing the
chance of contaminated fuel. Running
the engines with treated fuel during
cooling system flushing will also help
protect the fuel system.

COOLING SYSTEM FLUSHING

①

Flush Hose Connector

②

Garden Hose Adapter

Cooling system flushing is essential to
prevent the cooling system from clog­ging up with salt, sand, or dirt.

1) Open the cap for the engine you
are going to flush. Press the flush kit
garden hose adapter into the flush
hose connector and turn until they
are securely connected.

2) Start the engine, then immediately
turn on the water supply fully.

TIP: Use of Yamaha Fuel Conditioner
and Stabilizer eliminates the need to
drain the fuel system. Consult your
Yamaha dealer or other qualified
mechanic if the fuel system is to be
drained instead.

• Never turn on the water before
starting the engine. The water
could flow back through the muf­fler into the crankcase causing
severe engine damage.

• Be sure to turn on the water imme­diately after starting the engine to
prevent engine overheating.

3) Run the engine at a fast idle for 10
to 15 minutes.

4-1

4 MAINTENANCE & CARE

4) Turn off the water supply, then drain
residual water from the exhaust
system by alternately pushing the
throttle lever up to half throttle and
back for 10 to 15 seconds. Shut off
engine.

Never have the water on when the
engine is not running. The water
could flow back through the muffler
into the crankcase causing severe
engine damage. Do not run the engine
for more than 15 seconds after the
water supply has been turned off to
avoid engine overheating.

5) After stopping the engine, remove
the garden hose adapter.

6) Replace the cap securely.

7) Repeat the flushing procedure for
the other engine.

3) Remove the air filter element ③.

4) Spray a rust inhibitor such as
Yamaha Stor-Rite Fogging Oil into
the intake opening ④ for 3 seconds.

WARNING! Do not spray flam­mable rust inhibitor on engine
surfaces while the engines are
hot. The sprayed substance or
propellants could catch fire.

LUBRICATION

1) Open the hood (see page 2-18).

2) Lift the locking tab ① on the air filter
case. Turn the air filter case cap
counterclockwise and then remove
the case cap.

②

5) Reinstall the air filter. Reinstall the
air filter case cap by lifting the tab
and turning the cap clockwise until it
stops.

6) Start the engine in a well-ventilated
area and let it run at a fast idle for 15
seconds.

Do not run the engine for more than
15 seconds. The engine could over­heat.

4-2

MAINTENANCE & CARE 4

7) Grease the areas of the boat speci­fied in “Grease Points” in the adjust­ment and maintenance section.

BATTERY

With the battery switch in the Off
position, the bilge pump will not
work, even if the bilge pump switch
is in the On position. The bilge could
fill with water.

1) When the boat is not to be used
for a month or more, remove the
battery and store it in a cool, dark
place. Clean the battery’s casing
and terminals using a mixture of
baking soda and water (one tbsp.
of baking soda to one cup of water).
apply dielectric grease or petroleum
jelly to the battery terminals and to
all exposed connectors.

For maintenance free (MF) type batter­ies with sealed cells, check the termi­nal voltage monthly. When the terminal
voltage drops to 12.5 VDC or lower,
recharge the battery with an appropri­ate charger as recommended by the
battery manufacturer.

Full charge terminal voltage:

12.7-13.0 VDC per battery manufac­turer’s specification

2) If the battery will be stored for a
longer period, check the specific
gravity of the fluid at least once a
month and recharge the battery if it
gets too low.

Specific gravity: 1.28 at 20°C (68°F)

4-3

4 MAINTENANCE & CARE

WARNING

WARNING

CLEANING

②

1) Remove the fuel tank compartment
drain ① and allow any water to
drain into the engine compartment.
Re install the drain plug.

3) Rinse the engine and bilge areas
with fresh water. Drain off all water
and wipe up remaining moisture
with clean, dry rags. Reinstall the
drain plugs.

4) Spray the exterior of the engines
with Yamaha Silicone Protectant and
Lubricant or an equivalent.

5) Wax the hull with a non-abrasive
wax designed for marine gelcoat.

WARNING! Slippery surfaces can
cause falls and injury. Be careful
not to apply too much wax on
deck and gunwale stepping sur­faces. This will make them slip­pery.

6) Wipe all vinyl and rubber compo­nents, such as the seats and engine
compartment seals, with a vinyl pro­tectant such as Yamaha Protectant.

7) Vacuum and or hose-off the carpet­ing (if equipped) as necessary. If
needed, use a quality brand-name
carpet cleaner product to clean
soiled areas. Roll up the carpet face
out for storage.

Gasoline and its vapors are highly
flammable and explosive. If fuel or
a fuel/water mix drains from the fuel
tank compartment drain, wipe it up
immediately with dry rags. Do not
operate the boat until the source of
the fuel leak is found and corrected.

2) Remove the drain plugs in the stern
② and engine compartment ③.
Wash down the hull, boat interior,
and drive units with fresh water, mild
natural soap, then rinse.

Always dry the carpet face up. Never
roll up the carpet while wet. Never
fold the carpet.

8) Wash the fabric of the Bimini top
(if equipped) with a mild natural
soap in lukewarm water, then rinse.
Do not use detergents. Allow to air
dry thoroughly before storage. See
the label on the Bimini top and the
manufacturer’s care instructions for
more detailed information.

4-4

MAINTENANCE & CARE 4

WARNING

MAINTENANCE AND

ADJUSTMENT

Be sure to turn off the engines when
you perform maintenance unless
otherwise specified. If you are not
familiar with machine servicing, this
work should be done by a Yamaha
dealer or other qualified mechanic.

Maintenance, replacement, or repair of
the emission control devices and sys­tem may be performed by any marine
SI engine repair establishment or indi­vidual. Warranty repair, however, must
be performed at an authorized Yamaha
Boat dealership. A service manual
is available for purchase through a
Yamaha dealer for owners who have
the mechanical skills, tools, and other
equipment necessary to perform main­tenance not covered by this owner’s/
operator’s manual.

sufficient for this purpose, except that
a torque wrench is also necessary for
tightening nuts and bolts properly.

OWNER’S/OPERATOR’S
MANUAL AND TOOL KIT

It is advisable to always carry the
Owner’s/Operator’s Manual and tool
kit with you whenever you use the
watercraft.

To protect these materials it would be
a good idea to put them in a water­proof bag. If your Owner’s Manual is
damaged, order a replacement from a
Yamaha dealer.

The service information included in this
manual is intended to provide you, the
owner, with the necessary information
for completing your own preventive
maintenance and minor repairs. The
tools provided in the owner’s tool kit are

4-5

4 MAINTENANCE & CARE

PERIODIC INSPECTION CHART

Frequency of maintenance operations may be adjusted according to the operating conditions, but the
following table gives general guidelines.

 Indicates the checkups which you may do yourself.



Indicates work to be done by your Yamaha dealer.

Maintenance Interval

Spark plug

Inspection/Cleaning/

Adjustment
Grease points Greasing
Bearing housing Greasing
Fuel system Inspection
Fuel filter Checking/Replacement
Fuel pump screen Cleaning
Air filter Inspection/Replacement
Engine oil Replace
Engine oil filter Replace
Valve clearance Inspection/Adjustment

Cooling-water
passages

Cleaning/Flushing

Bilge strainer Cleaning
Impeller Inspection
Steering cable Inspection
Throttle cable Inspection/Adjustment
Reverse gate

mechanism

Sacrificial anode

Inspection

Checking/

Replace as needed

Drain plugs Inspection/Replacement

Battery Inspection

Rubber coupling
Bolts and nuts Retightening

*1 Grease capacity: 33.0 ~ 35.0 cc (1.11 ~ 1.18 oz.)
*2 Grease capacity: 6.0 ~ 8.0 cc (0.20 ~ 0.27 oz.)

hours

10

Initial

50

hours

6

months

months

   

*1



  

 (after

every

use)

  

  

 (after

every

use)



(Inspect

fluid level

before

every

launch)

  

Thereafter

100

hours

12

100

hours

12

months

 

 *2 

 

 

 





 

Every

months

*2

200

hours

24









Page

4-7

4-8
4-9

4-10

4-1

4-13

4-15

4-16

4-6

MAINTENANCE & CARE 4

SPARK PLUG CLEANING AND ADJUSTMENT

Be careful not to damage the insu­lator when removing or installing a
spark plug. A damaged insulator
could allow sparks to escape, which
could result in a fire or explosion.

The spark plug is an important engine
component and is easy to inspect. The
condition of the spark plug can indi­cate something about the condition of
the engine. For example, if one spark
plug has a distinctly different color,
the engine could require servicing. Do
not attempt to diagnose any problems
yourself.

Have a Yamaha dealer service the
boat. Remove and inspect the spark
plugs periodically; heat and deposits
will cause the spark plugs to slowly
break down and erode. If electrode
erosion becomes excessive, or if car­bon and other deposits are excessive,
replace the spark plug with the speci­fied plug.

coupler could be damaged. The
spark plug cap may be difficult
to remove because the rubber
seal on the end of the cap fits
tightly. To remove the spark plug
cap, simply twist it back and forth
while pulling it up; to install it,
twist it back and forth while push­ing it down.

3) Remove the spark plug. Measure
the spark plug gap with a wire thick­ness gauge. Replace the spark plug
or adjust the gap to specification if
necessary.

Spark plug gap:

0.7~0.8mm (0.028~0.031 in)

To install a spark plug:

Standard spark plug:
CR9EB
1 Spark plug gap

To remove a spark plug:

1) Remove the air filter case cover and
air filter element. (See page 4-11 for
air filter element removal and instal­lation procedures.)

2) Remove the spark plug cap.

NOTICE: Do not use any tools to
remove or install the spark plug
cap, otherwise the ignition coil

1) Clean the gasket surface.

2) Wipe any dirt from the threads of the
spark plug.

3) Install the spark plug, and then
tighten it to the specified torque.

Spark plug tightening torque

12.5 Nm (9.2 ft-lb) (1.27 kgf-m)

4) Wipe off any water on the spark plug
or inside the spark plug cap, and
then install the cap. Push the spark
plug cap down until it is securely
installed.

4-7

4 MAINTENANCE & CARE

GREASE POINTS

To keep moving parts sliding or rotating
smoothly, coat them with water resis­tant grease such as Yamaha Marine
Grease, Yamaha Grease A, or an equiv­alent.

Throttle Cable

Grease the throttle-cable inner wires at
the carburetors.

Steering Cable Ball Joints and Inner
Wire

Grease the steering cable and shift
cables ball joints at the steering noz­zles. Extend the steering cable and
shift cable inner wires and apply a thin
coat of grease to them.

Pivot Points

Grease all pivot points of the steering
and shift mechanism at the pump end.

4-8

MAINTENANCE & CARE 4

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Bearing Housing

①

Bearing housing grease nipp

Grease the bearing housing through
the grease nipple.

Recommended water-resistant
grease:
Yamaha Marine Grease, or
Yamaha Grease A

The first service should be done after
10 hours or 1 month by your Yamaha
dealer.

Fill the bearing housing with water­resistant grease through the grease
nipple.

Grease capacity: 33.0~35.0 cc
(1.11~1.18 oz)

After first service: Every 100 hours or 6
months (you may do this yourself).

Grease capacity: 6.0~8.0 cc
(0.20~0.27 oz)

Fill the grease slowly and carefully,
because it can damage the hose and
the joints.

4-9

4 MAINTENANCE & CARE

WARNING

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

FUEL SYSTEM INSPECTION

Gasoline is highly flammable and
explosive. Failure to check for and
repair any fuel leakage could result
in fire or explosion. A fire or explo­sion can cause severe injury or
death.

When inspecting the fuel system,
shut off the engine, do not smoke,
and avoid spilling gasoline.

Fuel in hose is pressurized. Fuel can
spray out and cause injury or a fire
hazard if fuel line is disconnected.

Do not attempt to run engine with
fuel line disconnected.

Check the fuel system for leaks, cracks,
or malfunctions. If any problem is found,
consult a Yamaha dealer.

Checking points:

1. Fuel tank leakage

2. Fuel hose joint leakage

3. Fuel hose cracks or other damage

4. Fuel filler clamps and hoses

5. Fuel tank cap (seal) for damage

The United States Coast Guard re quires
that all inboard boats like your boat
have visual access to fuel filler clamps
and hoses. The boat has two access
points for this purpose.

One access point is the floor ①.
Remove the floor section to see the
fuel tank. The other access point is
inside the port-side storage compart­ment ②. Remove the seat cushion,
then look up inside the compartment to
see the fuel filler hose and clamp.

4-10