2021 YAMAHA VX LIMITED HO ECO

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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 max-
imum enjoyment and for safety. This Riding Practice Guide booklet has been developed to help the new watercraft oper-
ator 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 direc-
tions. 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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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
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 de veloped 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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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 proper ly. 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 cor-
rect operating positions described in your Owner’s/Operator’s Manual. Then, with your
eyes facing 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
Drill 2: Stopping the engine
1. Release the throttle lever and let the engine slow to idle.
2. Push the engine start/stop switch “1” (red button). The ignition circuit opens and stopsthe 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 th an 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.
1
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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 di stance 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 reach es 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 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. Crossing a sharp wake gives more of a jolt than a broad swell.
To cross a wake or swell, change your speed and choose the angle at which you cross
the wake or swell. Usually, a slower speed and “quartering” the wake (crossing at an angle)
will reduce the jolt. Two other things you may notice as you ride.
The 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 and keep both feet on the floor of the footwell at all times.
2. Reduce speed before crossing the wake or swell.
3. “Quarter” the wake or swell.
4. When going over wakes, raise your body off the seat slightly and absorb the shock with your knees.
5. Do not operate the watercraft with your chin or chest right above the handlebars. It is possible for the operator to hit his or her ch est or jaw on the watercraft body or handle-
bars and be injured.
6. Do not operate in rough water.
7. Do not operate in bad weather.
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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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Introduction
Un scooter nautique Yamaha est une manière passionnante de profiter de loisirs nau-
tiques. Un scooter nautique peut offrir des heures de plaisir et vous êtes sûrement tenté de
mettre le vôtre immédiatement à l’eau et de partir.
Mais il est important de se rappeler que, comme pour tout sport ou avec tout véhicule
non familier, il y a des techniques à apprendre et des compétences à développer, tant pour
en tirer un maximum de plaisir que pour garantir la sécurité.
Ce Guide de pilotage a été conçu pour aider les nouveaux pilotes de scooter nautique à
apprendre les techniques et à développer les compétences requises. Il est conseillé à toute personne qui envisage de piloter ce scooter nautique ou de navi-
guer comme passager de lire et d’utiliser ce guide. N’oubliez pas toutefois que ce guide n’est que cela: un guide.
Il ne remplace pas le bon sens ni un jugement sain.
L’utilisation sûre et responsable d’un scooter nautique requiert des compétences et une
connaissance qui ne s’acquièrent qu’au fur et à mesure de la familiarisation des utilisateurs
avec leur véhicule.
Yamaha vous recommande de pratiquer chaque exercice dans l’ordre, en suivant les
instructions fournies. Ne forcez pas. Faites une pause lorsque vous êtes fatigué. Soyez sûr de pouvoir pratiquer parfaitement chaque exercice avant de passer au sui-
vant, parce que les compétences acquises dans une leçon peuvent être nécessaires dans
la suivante. Souvenez-vous: vous devez être le juge final du moment auquel vous vous sentez à
l’aise et parfaitement maître des compétences acquises.
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