YAMAHA FX HO 2018 Owners Manual

WaveRunner
FX HO
FX Cruiser HO
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F2S-F819T-72
RIDING PRACTICE GUIDE
GUIDE DE PILOTAGE
HANDBUCH ZUR ANLEITUNG
FÜR FAHRÜBUNGEN
GUÍA PRÁCTICA DE NAVEGACIÓN
REGRAS PRÁTICAS DE CONDUÇÃO
GUIDA PRATICA PER IL CONDUCENTE

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INDEX
ENGLISHE
FRANÇAISF
DEUTSCHD
ESPAÑOLES
PORTUGUÊSP
ΕΛΛΗΝΙΚΑGR
ITALIANOI
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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
FX HO / FX Cruiser HO
RIDING PRACTICE GUIDE
©2017 by Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd.
1st Edition, June 2017
All rights reserved.
Any reprinting or unauthorized use
without the written permission of
Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd.
is expressly prohibited.
Printed in U.S.A.
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–1–
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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Important information
This practice guide does not replace the Owner’s/Operator’s Manual or the labels
on the watercraft.
Be sure to study these instructional materials thoroughly before you begin to oper-
ate this watercraft.
WWARNING
Collisions result in more injuries and deaths than any other type of accident for per-
sonal 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 away 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, slowing down rapidly by squeezing the Reverse with Intuitive
Deceleration Electronics (RiDE) lever forcefully, and other maneuvers that make it
hard for others to avoid you or understand where you are going.
The RiDE system is an electronic system for controlling the engine speed and
reverse gate, which is located near the jet thrust nozzle. The RiDE lever located at
the left handlebar grip can be used to change the direction of the jet thrust so that
the watercraft moves in reverse or is in neutral. The RiDE system assists the oper-
ator when slowing down and during slow-speed maneuvering, such as launching,
beaching, and docking.
●Avoid areas with submerged objects or shallow water.
Take early action to avoid collisions. Remember, PWCs and other boats do not have
brakes. In addition, the RiDE system is not a braking device for avoiding dangerous
situations.
Do not release the throttle lever 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 local laws that apply to PWCs. See Owner’s Manual for
more information.
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–3–
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 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.
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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.
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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 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 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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