steering YAMAHA V1 2016 Owners Manual

–2–
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.
WARNING
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 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. Remember, PWCs and other boats do not have
brakes.
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.
E_F4F-70-forPrint.book Page 2 Wednesday, November 4, 2015 4:58 PM

–5–
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 correct
operating positions described in your Owner’s/Operator’s Manual. Then, with your eyes fac-
ing straight ahead, locate each control and verify that you know how to use it. Continue this
drill until you feel comfortable with the controls.
E_F4F-70-forPrint.book Page 5 Wednesday, November 4, 2015 4:58 PM

–13–
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 handle-
bars 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_F4F-70-forPrint.book Page 13 Wednesday, November 4, 2015 4:58 PM

–17–
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.
E_F4F-70-forPrint.book Page 17 Wednesday, November 4, 2015 4:58 PM