YAMAHA VX 2008 User Guide

General and important labels
4
EJU35910Warning labels
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General and important labels
5
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General and important labels
6
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General and important labels
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For VX Deluxe/VX Cruiser only
EJU36123Other labels
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General and important labels
8
The following label indicates the correct direction to upright a capsized watercraft.
For VX Deluxe/VX Cruiser only
The following CE marking is located on the back of the remote control transmitter.
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Safety information
9
EJU30680
The safe use and operation of this water-
craft is dependent upon the use of proper
riding techniques, as well as upon the
common sense, good judgment, and ex-
pertise of the operator. Before using this
watercraft, make sure that its use is per-
mitted under local laws, bylaws, and regu-
lations, and always operate the watercraft
in full conformity with any requirements
and limitations imposed. Every operator
should know the following requirements
before riding the watercraft.

Before operating the watercraft, read this
owner’s/operator’s manual, the Riding
Practice Guide, and all warning and caution
labels on the watercraft. These materials
should give you an understanding of the
watercraft and its operation.

Never allow anyone to operate this water-
craft until they too have read this own-
er’s/operator’s manual, the Riding Practice
Guide, and all warning and caution labels.
EJU30740
Limitations on who may
operate the watercraft

Yamaha recommends a minimum operator
age of 16 years old.
Adults must supervise use by minors.
Know your local operator age and training
requirements.

This watercraft is designed to carry the op-
erator and up to 2 passengers. Never ex-
ceed the maximum load limit or allow more
than 3 persons (or 2 persons if a water-skier
is being pulled) to ride the watercraft at any
time.

Do not operate the watercraft with any pas-
sengers on board until you have consider-
able practice and experience riding alone.
Operating the watercraft with passengers
requires more skill. Take the time to be-
come accustomed to the handling charac-
teristics of the watercraft before trying any
difficult maneuvers.Maximum load:
240 kg (530 lb)
Load is the total weight of cargo, oper-
ator, and passengers.
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Safety information
10
EJU30760
Cruising limitations

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, ob-
jects, and other watercraft.

Do not follow directly behind watercraft 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 un-
derstand where you are going.

Avoid areas with submerged objects or
shallow water.

Take early action to avoid collisions. Re-
member, watercraft and other boats do not
have brakes.

Do not release the throttle lever when trying
to steer away from objects—you need throt-
tle to steer. Always check throttle and steer-
ing controls before starting the watercraft.

Ride within your limits and avoid aggressive
maneuvers to reduce the risk of loss of con-
trol, ejection, and collision.

This is a high performance boat—not a toy.
Sharp turns or jumping wakes or waves can
increase the risk of back/spinal injury (pa-
ralysis), facial injuries, and broken legs, an-kles, and other bones. Do not jump wakes
or waves.

Do not operate the watercraft in rough wa-
ter, bad weather, or when visibility is poor;
this may lead to an accident causing injury
or death. Be alert to the possibility of ad-
verse weather. Take note of weather fore-
casts and the prevailing weather conditions
before setting out on your watercraft.

As with any water sport, you should not op-
erate your watercraft without someone else
nearby. If you operate further than swim-
ming distance from shore, you should be
accompanied by another boat or watercraft,
but make sure you stay a safe distance
away. It’s good, common sense!

Never operate in water that is less than 60
cm (2 ft) deep, otherwise you increase your
chance of hitting a submerged object,
which could result in injury.

This watercraft is not equipped with lighting
required for night operation. Do not operate
the watercraft after sunset or before dawn,
otherwise you increase the risk of colliding
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Safety information
11
with another boat, which could result in se-
vere injury or death.

Follow navigation rules, and state/provin-
cial and local laws that apply to watercraft.
EJU30820
Operation requirements

All riders must wear a personal flotation de-
vice (PFD) that is approved by the appropri-
ate authorities and is suitable for personal
watercraft use.

Wear protective clothing. Severe internal
injuries can occur if water is forced into
body cavities as a result of falling into the
water or being near the jet thrust nozzle.
Normal swimwear does not adequately pro-
tect against forceful water entry into the rec-
tum or vagina. All riders must wear a
wetsuit bottom or clothing that provides
equivalent protection. Such clothing in-
cludes thick, tightly woven, sturdy and
snug-fitting apparel such as denim, but
does not include spandex or similar fabrics,
like those used in bicycle shorts.

Eye protection is recommended to keep
wind, water, and glare from the sun out of
your eyes while you operate your water-
craft. Restraining straps for eyewear are
made which are designed to float should
your eyewear fall in the water.
Footwear and gloves are recommended.

You must decide whether to wear a helmet
while you ride for recreation. You should
know that a helmet could help protect you in
1Authority-approved PFD
2Wetsuit bottom
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Safety information
12
certain kinds of accidents and that it could
injure you in others.
A helmet is designed to provide some head
protection. Although helmets cannot protect
against all foreseeable impacts, a helmet
might reduce your injuries in a collision with
a boat or other obstacle.
A helmet may have potential safety haz-
ards, as well. Falling into the water could
risk the chance of the helmet catching wa-
ter, commonly known as “bucketing”, and
the resulting strain on your neck could
cause choking, severe and permanent neck
injuries, or death. A helmet could also in-
crease the risk of an accident if it reduces
your vision or hearing, or if it distracts you or
increases your fatigue.
How should you decide if a helmet’s poten-
tial safety benefits outweigh its potential
risks for you? Consider your particular
riding conditions. Consider factors such as
your riding environment and your riding
style and ability. Also consider the likeli-
hood of traffic congestion, and the water
surface conditions.
If you decide to wear a helmet based upon
your riding circumstances, choose one
carefully. Look for a helmet designed for
personal watercraft use, if possible. If you
will be engaging in closed-course competi-
tion, follow the helmet requirements of the
sanctioning organization.
NEVER operate the watercraft after con-
suming alcohol or taking other drugs.

For reasons of safety and proper care of the
watercraft, always perform the pre-opera-
tion checks listed on page 40 before operat-
ing the watercraft.

The operator and passengers should al-
ways keep their feet on the floor of the foot-
well when the watercraft is in motion. Lifting
your feet increases the chances of losing
your balance, or hitting objects outside the
watercraft with your feet. Do not give a ride
to children if their feet cannot reach the floor
of the footwell.

The passengers should hold on firmly, ei-
ther to the person in front of them or to the
handgrip provided.

Never allow a passenger to ride in front of
the operator.
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Safety information
13

Always consult your doctor on whether it is
safe for you to ride this watercraft if you are
pregnant or in poor health.

Do not attempt to modify this watercraft!
Modifications to your watercraft may reduce
safety and reliability, and render the water-
craft unsafe or illegal for use.

Attach the engine shut-off cord to your left
wrist and keep it free from the handlebars
so that the engine stops if you, the operator,
fall off. After riding, remove the engine shut-
off cord from the watercraft to avoid acci-
dental starting or unauthorized use by chil-
dren or others.

Scan carefully for swimmers and stay away
from swimming areas. Swimmers are hard
to see and you could accidentally hit some-
one in the water.

Avoid being hit by another boat! You should
always take the responsibility to watch for
traffic; other boaters may not be watching
for you. If they do not see you, or if you ma-
neuver more quickly than other boaters ex-
pect, you risk a collision.

Maintain a safe distance from other boats
and watercraft, and also watch for ski ropes
or fishing lines. Obey the “Safe boating
rules” and be sure to check behind you be-
fore making a turn. (See “Safe boating
rules” on page 17.)
EJU30840
Recommended equipment
The following items should be carried on
board your watercraft:

Sound-signaling device
You should carry a whistle or other sound-
signaling device that can be used to signal
other boats.

Visual distress signals
It is recommended that a pyrotechnic de-
vice, which is approved by the appropriate
authorities, be stored in a waterproof con-
tainer on your watercraft. A mirror can also
be used as an emergency signal. Contact a
Yamaha dealer for more information.

Watch
A watch is helpful so you will know how long
you have been operating the watercraft.

Towline
A towline can be used to tow a disabled wa-
tercraft in an emergency.
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