Yamaha VXS, User Manual

Page 1: ...RIDING PRACTICE GUIDE LIT 18552 00 71 U S A Edition WaveRunner VXS VXR ...

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Page 3: ...celeration 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...

Page 4: ...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 ...

Page 5: ...ensively 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 ...

Page 6: ...he 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 p...

Page 7: ...e 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 E_F2M 10 fm Page 4 Thursday July 15 2010 11 15 AM ...

Page 8: ...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 waterc...

Page 9: ...d 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 E_F2M 10 fm Page...

Page 10: ... 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 squ...

Page 11: ...ing 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 ...

Page 12: ...icult 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 kne...

Page 13: ...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 E_F2M 10 fm Page 10 Thursday July 15 2010 11 15 AM ...

Page 14: ...wn 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...

Page 15: ...g 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 cou...

Page 16: ...g 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 2 at 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 E_...

Page 17: ...nd 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 the...

Page 18: ...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 ...

Page 19: ... 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 th...

Page 20: ... 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 s...

Page 21: ...ights 3 Repeat the drill gradually increasing your speed and making tighter turns Do not try to do too much too soon Tips 1 Get to know how the watercraft responds at lower speeds before trying to go faster 2 You can make sharper turns at planing speeds 3 Remember as with any motor vehicle the faster you go the farther it takes to stop E_F2M 10 fm Page 18 Thursday July 15 2010 11 15 AM ...

Page 22: ... 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 watercraft 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 Tips 1 Grip the handlebars firmly...

Page 23: ... and passengers the more difficult it will be to balance the watercraft Maximum load Do not operate the watercraft when the total weight exceeds 240 kg 530 lb including any cargo Drill 1 Boarding accelerating and maneuvering with passengers on board 1 Board the watercraft as noted in Exercise 3 and sit astride the seat Attach the engine shut off cord to your left wrist and then install the clip to...

Page 24: ...l passengers are properly seated with their feet in the footwell and that they are securely holding on to the person in front of them or to the handgrip provided 4 Start the engine look in all directions and then accelerate 5 Practice accelerating turning and stopping to get accustomed to how the watercraft handles with passengers on board E_F2M 10 fm Page 21 Thursday July 15 2010 11 15 AM ...

Page 25: ...owledge that are learned as riders become familiar with the craft Although practicing the exercises contained in this book helps you learn needed skills you should be aware of your limits and stay within them as you continue to develop your abilities E_F2M 10 fm Page 22 Thursday July 15 2010 11 15 AM ...

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Page 28: ...Printed in USA July 2010 0 2 1 CR F2M F819T 10 E YAMAHA MOTOR CORPORATION USA ...