Yamaha VXS User manual

RIDING PRACTICE GUIDE
LIT-18552-00-71
U.S.A. Edition
WaveRunner
VXS
VXR

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Contents
Introduction ..................................................................................... 1
Important information..................................................................... 2
How to use this guide to practice..................................................3
Exercise 1: Controls ....................................................................... 5
Exercise 2: Starting and stopping engine ....................................6
Exercise 3: Boarding and balancing ............................................. 9
Exercise 4: Trolling speed maneuvering .................................... 12
Exercise 5: Sub-planing speed maneuvering ............................ 13
Exercise 6: Full acceleration and stopping ................................16
Exercise 7: Planing speed operation ..........................................17
Exercise 8: Crossing wakes and swells .....................................19
Exercise 9: Operating with passengers......................................20
Postscript ......................................................................................22
WaveRunner
VXS/VXR
RIDING PRACTICE GUIDE
©2010 by Yamaha Motor Corporation, USA
1st Edition, June 2010
All rights reserved.
Any reprinting or unauthorized use
without the written permission of
Yamaha Motor Corporation, USA
is expressly prohibited.
Printed in USA
P/N LIT-18552-00-71
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Introduction
Yamaha watercraft are exciting ways to enjoy water recreation.
A watercraft can offer hours of fun, and it is tempting just to put yours in the water and go.
But it is important to remember that, as with any new sport or any unfamiliar vehicle, there
are techniques that must be learned and skills that must be developed, both for maximum
enjoyment and for safety.
This Riding Practice Guide booklet has been developed to help the new watercraft opera-
tor learn techniques and develop skills.
Everyone who intends to operate or ride as a passenger on a watercraft could benefit
from reading and using this handbook.
Keep in mind, though, that this practice guide is just that: a guide.
It does not take the place of common sense or good judgment.
Safe and responsible watercraft operation requires skills and knowledge that are learned
as riders become familiar with the craft.
Yamaha recommends that you practice each exercise in order according to the directions.
Do not push yourself. Take a break when you get tired.
Be sure you fully understand how to perform each of the exercises well before you go on
to learn the next one, because skills learned in one lesson may be required in the next.
Remember, you must be the final judge of when you feel comfortable and competent with
the particular skills learned.
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Important information
This practice guide does not replace the Owner’s/Operator’s Manual, Riding
Instruction Card, or Basic Orientation Video supplied with the watercraft, or the
labels on it.
Be sure to study these instructional materials thoroughly before you begin to oper-
ate this watercraft.
WARNING
Collisions result in more injuries and deaths than any other type of accident for per-
sonal watercraft (PWC).
To avoid collisions:
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 PWCs or other boats.
●Do not go near others to spray or splash them with water.
●Avoid sharp turns or other maneuvers that make it hard for others to avoid you or
understand where you are going.
●Avoid areas with submerged objects or shallow water.
Take early action to avoid collisions. Remember, PWCs and other boats do not have
brakes.
Do not release throttle when trying to steer away from objects—you need throttle to
steer. Always check throttle and steering controls for proper operation before starting
PWC.
Follow navigation rules and state and local laws that apply to PWCs. See Owner’s
Manual for more information.
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How to use this guide to practice
The Yamaha watercraft you are going to learn to operate may have different specifica-
tions and different performance characteristics from other personal watercraft or boats you
may have operated.
The riding practice steps in this booklet will help you to become familiar with the basic
techniques you will need to learn to master operating your watercraft.
Remember, you will be learning the skills and developing the good judgment that safe
operation of your watercraft requires.
The purpose of this guide is to help you get started by practicing certain important skills.
You should practice each exercise until you can do it well—until it feels comfortable to you.
Only then should you go on to the next exercise.
Each exercise builds on the skills you have already learned; so do not try to jump ahead.
In these exercises, we want you to get the feel of the watercraft, and to learn how it oper-
ates in its many modes of use. Always keep in mind that these exercises are only a begin-
ning and a guide. You must use your common sense and good judgment, along with the skill
and knowledge you gain as you continue to operate your watercraft.
This practice guide is divided into 9 exercises. Practice operating the watercraft in steps,
starting with Exercise 1. Exercises 1 through 7 cover the basic riding techniques you need to
master.
Exercise 9 will help you learn the skills you need for operating with passengers. Again, do
not attempt this exercise until you have developed your skills in the earlier exercises.
Before starting the exercises read this guide completely. Then read the exercise again
before you start to practice it. In this guide we refer to different speeds.
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How to use this guide to practice
Here is an explanation of what we mean by each:
“Trolling”is the lowest maneuvering speed. You are applying little or no throttle. The
watercraft is down in the water, and there is no wake.
“Sub-planing”is a medium speed. The bow of the watercraft is slightly up from the water
surface, but you are still traveling through the water. There is a wake.
“Planing”is a faster speed. The watercraft is more level and is skimming on top of the
water. There is a wake.
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Exercise 1: Controls
Objective:
This exercise trains you to locate and operate the watercraft’s controls without looking or
hesitating. You must master this skill so you can scan constantly for people, objects, and
other watercraft as you maneuver, rather than taking away concentration to find a control.
Skills:
Knowing where every control is and how to use it without having to stop and think about it.
Directions:
Drill 1: Identifying the components and controls
Read your Owner’s/Operator’s Manual to identify the watercraft’s main components and
controls.
Do not just assume you know how a control works, read the instructions to be sure!
Drill 2: Pre-operation checks
Practice performing the pre-operation checks listed in your Owner’s/Operator’s Manual.
You learned where everything is in Drill 1.
Now make sure everything is working properly. Pay particular attention to the steering
controls and the throttle lever.
Drill 3: Operating positions
With the watercraft on land and the engine off, board and become familiar with the correct
operating positions described in your Owner’s/Operator’s Manual. Then, with your eyes fac-
ing straight ahead, locate each control and verify that you know how to use it. Continue this
drill until you feel comfortable with the controls.
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Exercise 2: Starting and stopping engine
Objective:
This exercise teaches you about how the engine starts and stops and how the watercraft
behaves after starting and while idling.
Skills:
Identifying and performing engine starting and stopping controls and procedures.
Directions:
Launch the watercraft and practice this exercise while standing next to it in water free
from weeds or debris and at least 60 cm (2 ft) deep from the bottom of the watercraft.
Never operate in water that is less than 60 cm (2 ft) deep, otherwise pebbles or sand
could be sucked into the jet intake, causing impeller damage or engine overheating.
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Exercise 2: Starting and stopping engine
Drill 1: Starting the engine
1. Press the unlock button 1on the remote control transmitter to deactivate the security
system. (See the “Yamaha Security System”section in the owner’s/operator’s manual for
more information.)
2. Attach the engine shut-off cord 3to your wrist. Insert the clip 2, under the engine shut-
off switch 4. Make sure to keep the engine shut-off cord free from the handlebars so the
engine stops if the operator falls off. The clip may not pull free if the cord is wrapped
around the handlebars.
3. Push the start switch 5(green button).
The engine is connected directly to the drive unit, so be prepared for forward thrust when
the engine starts. Apply only enough throttle to keep the engine running.
(Do not squeeze the throttle lever. The engine will not start.)
4. Release the start switch as soon as the engine starts to run.
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Exercise 2: Starting and stopping engine
Drill 2: Stopping the engine
1. Release the throttle lever and let the engine slow to idle.
2. Push the engine stop switch 1(red button). The ignition circuit opens and stops the
engine immediately.
3. Practice pulling the engine shut-off cord to remove the clip from the engine shut-off switch.
Tips:
1. Attach the engine shut-off cord to your left wrist before starting the engine. To prevent
accidental starting, always remove the clip from the engine shut-off switch when the
engine is not running.
2. Do not operate the start switch for more than 5 seconds at a time. Never push the start
switch while the engine is running.
3. If the engine does not start in 5 seconds, release the start switch and try again after
15 seconds. Continuous cranking for more than 5 seconds will discharge the battery and
the engine will not start.
4. When the engine starts, thrust from the jet unit will move the watercraft. Squeezing the
throttle lever produces more thrust. Apply only enough throttle to keep the engine run-
ning.
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Exercise 3: Boarding and balancing
Objective:
This exercise trains you to board the watercraft in deep water after falling off, and to upright
a capsized watercraft. Repeat these exercises until you can perform them without difficulty.
Skills:
Boarding in deep water and balancing at a standstill.
Directions:
Practice this exercise near shore before going out into open water.
The heavier the weight of an operator, the more difficult it will be to balance the watercraft.
These exercises should be done without starting the engine.
Attach the engine shut-off cord to your wrist and keep the watercraft afloat in water that is
at least chest deep.
Drill 1: Boarding the watercraft
1. Swim to the rear of the watercraft and place both hands on the boarding platform, and
then grasp the handgrip with one hand.
2. Pull yourself up to a kneeling position on the platform, and then move to the seat and sit astride.
3. With the engine shut-off cord attached to your wrist, install the clip to the engine shut-off switch.
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Exercise 3: Boarding and balancing
4. Grip the handlebars firmly with both hands and place both feet in the footwell.
5. Practice boarding and balancing several times until you can maintain good balance of
the watercraft during the entire process.
Tips:
VXR: This watercraft is equipped with a reboarding step 1, which you can lower to make
reboarding easier. The step returns automatically to the up position after you have boarded.
1
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Exercise 3: Boarding and balancing
Drill 2: Uprighting a capsized watercraft
Do not leave the watercraft capsized longer than necessary to upright it again. More
water may enter the engine compartment the longer the watercraft is capsized.
1. To practice uprighting, first purposely capsize the watercraft.
2. Remove the clip from the engine shut-off switch.
3. Swim to the rear of the watercraft. Pull the watercraft over with left hand on the ride plate
while pushing down on the gunwale with your right hand/foot.
4. If the port side of the capsized watercraft is tilting upward, first tilt the watercraft so the
port side is down by using your weight to press down on the rub rail. Then turn the
watercraft over as described. Do not turn the watercraft counterclockwise, otherwise
water may leak into the engine and cause damage.
5. Start the engine and operate the watercraft above planing speed as straight as possible
for at least 2 minutes to discharge any water remaining in the engine compartment. (See
the “Capsized watercraft”section in the owner’s/operator’s manual for more information.)
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Exercise 4: Trolling speed maneuvering
Objective:
This exercise familiarizes you with the watercraft’s handling characteristics at trolling
speed. It teaches techniques you will use when beaching, docking, or approaching objects.
Skills:
Starting and turning at trolling speed.
Directions:
Drill 1: Moving straight and turning at trolling speed
1. Board the watercraft, and check for people, objects and other watercraft.
2. Start the engine and go straight ahead.
3. Begin to turn, making a large figure eight about 15–21 m (50–70 ft) long. Do not apply
throttle.
Drill 2: Making full-lock turns at trolling speed
1. Turn the handlebars as far as possible in either direction. Allow the watercraft to turn
360°.
2. Practice turning both clockwise and counterclockwise to get a feel for how the watercraft
responds to handlebar movement.
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Exercise 5: Sub-planing speed maneuvering
Objective:
This exercise shows you how to move ahead, turn in small circles, and combine the two
maneuvers to make a figure eight.
Skills:
Throttle control and slow to medium speed turning.
Directions:
Steering
Your watercraft is steered by a combination of applying throttle and turning the handlebars 1.
When the handlebars are turned, the angle of the jet thrust nozzle 2at the stern is changed,
which changes the direction of the watercraft.
Since the strength of the jet thrust determines the speed and direction of a turn, the throt-
tle must always be open when attempting a turn, except at trolling speed.
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Exercise 5: Sub-planing speed maneuvering
Stopping
The watercraft is not equipped with a separate braking system. It is stopped by water
resistance when the throttle lever is released.
From full speed, the watercraft comes to a complete stop approximately 120 m (390 ft)
after the throttle is released and the engine is stopped. This distance will vary depending on
many factors, including gross weight, water surface conditions, and wind direction. It is
important to remember that you need throttle to steer.
Do not use the reverse function to slow down or stop the watercraft, as it could cause you
to lose control, be ejected, or impact the handlebars. Reverse can be used to slow down or
stop during slow speed maneuvering.
Drill 1: Moving forward and turning in large ovals
1. Gradually accelerate forward to sub-planing speed, and then make a gradual right turn
while maintaining your speed.
2. Repeat the drill, making a gradual left turn.
3. Repeat the drill, traveling forward and turning to make a complete oval.
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Exercise 5: Sub-planing speed maneuvering
Drill 2: Turning in circles
1. Make large circles, turning to the right. Gradually decrease the size of the circles while
keeping your speed constant.
2. Repeat the drill, turning to the left.
Drill 3: Making a figure eight
1. Combine the above drills to make a large figure eight.
2. Repeat the drill, making the figure eight smaller each time.
Drill 4: Understanding how throttle affects turns
1. Gradually accelerate to sub-planing speed while traveling in a straight line. Release the
throttle lever and then turn the handlebars as far as possible to the right or left.
2. Notice that you have rapidly decreasing ability to turn the watercraft and that the water-
craft does not respond to handlebar input once the engine slows down after the throttle
lever is released.
3. Gradually re-apply throttle to see how the watercraft responds with throttle again.
Tips:
To make tight turns at these speeds you must apply more throttle while you are turning
the handlebars.
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Exercise 6: Full acceleration and stopping
Objective:
This exercise teaches you how the watercraft stops.
Skills:
Stopping, operating at planing speed, and stopping from planing speed.
Directions:
Releasing the throttle completely produces only minimum thrust. Once the engine slows
down, the watercraft will no longer respond to handlebar input until you apply throttle again
or you reach a trolling speed - you need throttle to steer.
Drill 1: Stopping
1. Accelerate to planing speed, and then release the throttle lever until you come to a stop.
2. Make a turn at trolling speed as shown in the illustration.
3. Repeat the drill, increasing your maximum speed as you progress.
Drill 2: Approaching objects
1. Pick a spot in the water at a certain distance away and visualize an imaginary object
there.
2. Accelerate toward the chosen spot, then release the throttle lever and slow to see if you
can stop before you reach the imaginary object.
3. If the watercraft will not stop before it reaches the imaginary object, look in all directions,
then apply throttle and turn away from the spot, as if you were avoiding the object.
Repeat the drill at different distances from your chosen spot and at different speeds so
you become familiar with both stopping and turning as ways to avoid objects in your path.
Tips:
1. If a smaller practice area is used, reduce the maximum speed you reach.
2. The faster you go, the farther it will take you to stop.
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Exercise 7: Planing speed operation
Objective:
This exercise teaches you how the watercraft feels and operates at higher speeds. It also
illustrates what happens when the watercraft slides or partially spins due to abrupt high
speed turning.
Skills:
Throttle control, turning, shifting weight, and sliding.
Directions:
Because of the high speeds involved, do this exercise in a very large area, in open, calm
water free of traffic or other obstacles.
Remember, you need throttle to steer.
Drill 1: Turning at planing speed
1. Accelerate to planing speed, and then make a turn.
2. Practice making ovals using right and left turns.
3. Repeat the drill, starting with gradual turns and slower speeds, and then working up as
your skill and confidence build.
You will notice how the watercraft no longer “carves”its turns as it did at sub-planing
speed.
The watercraft can only make so sharp a turn at any given planing speed.
When the handlebars are turned more than is necessary, the watercraft may start sliding
and may not turn any more sharply. This is because when the watercraft is sliding there is
less water going into the jet intake, and steering thrust is reduced because less water is dis-
charged from the jet thrust nozzle.
As a result, the watercraft starts to slow down and turns more gradually. Returning the
handlebars to a less extreme position allows the watercraft to resume normal turning.
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