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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.
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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 5: Sub-planing speed maneuvering
Stopping
The watercraft is not equipped with a separate braking system. The watercraft slows
down by water resistance or, when operating in reverse, by the water jet. The watercraft
slows down as soon as the throttle lever is released, 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. From full speed, the watercraft comes to a complete stop due to water resistance in
approximately 100 m (330 ft) after the throttle lever is released or the engine is stopped,
although this distance will vary depending on many factors, including gross weight, water
surface conditions, and wind direction.
If the RiDE lever is squeezed to slow down, the stopping distance is approximately 30%
shorter than when the RiDE lever is not used. However, this distance will vary depending on
many factors, including gross weight, water surface conditions, and wind direction.
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 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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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.
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.
2. Grip the handlebars with both hands and place both feet on the floor of the footwell.
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