Yamaha VXS, VXR, FX SHO, FX Cruiser SHO, FX Cruiser HO User Manual

WaveRunner

VXS

VXR

RIDING PRACTICE GUIDE

U.S.A. Edition

LIT-18552-00-71

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

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 opera­tor 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.

–1–

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 oper­ate this watercraft.

WARNING

Collisions result in more injuries and deaths than any other type of accident for per­sonal 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.

–2–

How to use this guide to practice

The Yamaha watercraft you are going to learn to operate may have different specifica­tions 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 oper­ates in its many modes of use. Always keep in mind that these exercises are only a begin­ning 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.

–3–

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.

–4–

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.

–5–

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.

–6–