WaveRunner FX SHO FX Cruiser SHO FX HO FX Cruiser HO RIDING PRACTICE GUIDE U.S.A.
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E_F1W-12TOC.fm Page 1 Friday, June 11, 2010 3:34 PM Contents Introduction .....................................................................................1 Important information.....................................................................2 How to use this guide to practice..................................................3 Exercise 1: Controls .......................................................................5 Exercise 2: Starting and stopping engine ....................................
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E_F1W-12.fm Page 1 Friday, June 11, 2010 3:40 PM 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.
E_F1W-12.fm Page 2 Friday, June 11, 2010 3:40 PM 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).
E_F1W-12.fm Page 3 Friday, June 11, 2010 3:40 PM 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.
E_F1W-12.fm Page 4 Friday, June 11, 2010 3:40 PM 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.
E_F1W-12.fm Page 5 Friday, June 11, 2010 3:40 PM 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.
E_F1W-12.fm Page 6 Friday, June 11, 2010 3:40 PM 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.
E_F1W-12.fm Page 7 Friday, June 11, 2010 3:40 PM Exercise 2: Starting and stopping engine Drill 1: Starting the engine 1. Press the unlock button 1 on 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 3 to your wrist. Insert the clip 2, under the engine shutoff switch 4.
E_F1W-12.fm Page 8 Friday, June 11, 2010 3:40 PM 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.
E_F1W-12.fm Page 9 Friday, June 11, 2010 3:40 PM 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.
E_F1W-12.fm Page 10 Friday, June 11, 2010 3:40 PM 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: 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.
E_F1W-12.fm Page 11 Friday, June 11, 2010 3:40 PM 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.
E_F1W-12.fm Page 12 Friday, June 11, 2010 3:40 PM 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.
E_F1W-12.fm Page 13 Friday, June 11, 2010 3:40 PM 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.
E_F1W-12.fm Page 14 Friday, June 11, 2010 3:40 PM 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 100 m (330 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.
E_F1W-12.fm Page 15 Friday, June 11, 2010 3:40 PM 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.
E_F1W-12.fm Page 16 Friday, June 11, 2010 3:40 PM 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.
E_F1W-12.fm Page 17 Friday, June 11, 2010 3:40 PM 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.
E_F1W-12.fm Page 18 Friday, June 11, 2010 3:40 PM Exercise 7: Planing speed operation Drill 2: Planing speed operation while turning 1. Accelerate to planing speed. 2. Combine right and left turns to make a series of circles and figure eights. 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.
E_F1W-12.fm Page 19 Friday, June 11, 2010 3:40 PM Exercise 8: Crossing wakes and swells You will not always have flat, smooth water to ride on. There will be swells, wakes from other boats, etc. We cannot give you a drill to practice as in the earlier lessons, but we can give you some information to help you when you encounter swells and wakes. The best way to cross wakes and swells is with the least jolt to you and the watercraft. Small swells are not as difficult to cross as larger swells or wakes.
E_F1W-12.fm Page 20 Friday, June 11, 2010 3:40 PM Exercise 9: Operating with passengers Objective: This exercise lets you practice operating the watercraft with passengers on board. Skills: Boarding with passengers, and maneuvering the watercraft with passengers on board. Directions: The heavier the total weight of the operator and passengers, the more difficult it will be to balance the watercraft.
E_F1W-12.fm Page 21 Friday, June 11, 2010 3:40 PM Exercise 9: Operating with passengers 2. Have the passenger get on board and sit astride the seat. If additional passengers are getting on, have them follow the same procedure. 3. Make sure all 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.
E_F1W-12.fm Page 22 Friday, June 11, 2010 3:40 PM Postscript Watercraft operation requires common sense and good judgment, as well as skills and knowledge 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.
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YAMAHA MOTOR CORPORATION, USA Printed in USA June 2010—0.
