Yamaha WaveRunner VXS Owners Manual

							Safety information
16
EJU36850
Hazard information 

Never start the engine or let it run for any
length of time in an enclosed area. Exhaust
fumes contain carbon monoxide, a color-
less, odorless gas that may cause loss of
consciousness and death within a short
time. Always operate the watercraft in an
open area.

Do not touch the hot muffler or engine dur-
ing or immediately after engine operation;
they can cause serious burns.
EJU30920
Watercraft characteristics 

Jet thrust turns the watercraft. Releasing
the throttle lever completely produces only
minimum thrust. If you are traveling at
speeds above trolling, you will have rapidly
decreasing ability to steer without throttle.
This model is equipped with the Yamaha
Engine Management System (YEMS) that
includes an off-throttle steering (OTS) sys-
tem. It will activate at planing speeds should
you attempt to steer the watercraft after re-
leasing the throttle lever. The OTS system
assists in turning by continuing to supply
some thrust while the watercraft is deceler-
ating, but you can turn more sharply if you
apply throttle while turning the handlebars.
The OTS system does not function below
planing speeds or when the engine is off.
Once the engine slows down, the watercraft
will no longer turn in response to handlebar
input until you apply throttle again or you
reach trolling speed.
Practice turning in an open area without ob-
stacles until you have a good feel for this
maneuver.

This watercraft is water-jet propelled. The
jet pump is directly connected to the engine.
This means that jet thrust will produce some
movement whenever the engine is running.
There is no “neutral” position. You are in ei-
ther “forward” or “reverse”, depending upon
the shift lever position.

Do not use the reverse function to slow
down or stop the watercraft as it could
cause you to lose control, be ejected, or im-
pact the handlebars.
This could increase the risk of back/spinal
injury (paralysis), facial injuries, and broken
legs, ankles, and other bones. You could
also damage the shift mechanism.
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Reverse can be used to slow down or stop
during slow-speed maneuvering, such as
when docking. Once the engine is idling,
shift into reverse and gradually increase en-
gine speed. Make sure that there are no ob-
stacles or people behind you before shifting
into reverse.

Keep away from the intake grate while the
engine is on. Items such as long hair, loose
clothing, or PFD straps can become entan-
gled in moving parts, resulting in severe in-
jury or drowning.

Never insert any object into the jet thrust
nozzle while the engine is running. Severe
injury or death could result from coming in
contact with the rotating parts of the jet
pump.

Stop the engine and remove the clip from
the engine shut-off switch before removingany debris or weeds, which may have col-
lected around the jet intake.
1Intake grate
2Jet thrust nozzle
1
2
1Clip
2Engine shut-off switch
STOP
2
1
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EJU30943
Water-skiing 
You can use the watercraft for water-skiing if
it has the seating capacity to carry the opera-
tor, a rearward-facing spotter, and the water-
skier when he or she is not skiing.
The watercraft must also have a cleat de-
signed to pull a ski rope; do not attach the
rope to any other location.
It is the watercraft operator’s responsibility to
be alert to the safety of the water-skier and
others. Know and follow all state and local wa-
ter-skiing regulations in effect for the waters in
which you will be operating.
The operator should be comfortable carrying
passengers before attempting to pull a skier.
The following are some important consider-
ations for minimizing risks while water-skiing.

The skier should wear an approved PFD,
preferably a brightly colored one so boat
operators can see the skier.

The skier should wear protective clothing.
Severe internal injuries can occur if water is
forced into body cavities as a result of falling
into the water. Normal swimwear does not
adequately protect against forceful water
entry into the rectum or vagina. The skier
should wear a wetsuit bottom or clothing
that provides equivalent protection.

A second person should be on board as a
spotter to watch the skier; in most states itis required by law. Let the skier direct the
operator’s control of speed and direction
with hand signals.
The spotter should sit astride the rear of the
seat and hold onto the handgrip with both
feet firmly on the floor of the footwell for
proper balance while facing to the rear to
watch the skier’s hand signals and condi-
tion.

Your control while pulling a water-skier is
affected by the skier’s ability, as well as wa-
ter and weather conditions.

When preparing to pull a skier, operate the
watercraft at the slowest possible speed
until the watercraft is well away from the ski-
er and slack in the ski rope is taken up.
1Cleat
1
1Handgrip
1Handgrip
1
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Make sure that the rope is not looped
around anything.
After checking that the skier is ready and
that there is no traffic or other obstacles, ap-
ply enough throttle to raise the skier.

Make smooth, wide turns. The watercraft is
capable of very sharp turns, which could ex-
ceed the abilities of the skier. Keep the skier
at least 50 m (150 ft), about twice the dis-
tance of a standard ski rope, from any po-
tential hazard.

Be alert to the hazard of the ski rope handle
snapping back at the watercraft when the
skier falls or is unable to get up on the skis.

Towing heavy or bulky objects other than
skiers, such as another boat or watercraft,
can cause loss of steering control and cre-
ate a hazardous condition. If you must tow
another boat in an emergency situation, op-
erate slowly and cautiously.
EJU30961
Rules of the Road 
Your Yamaha watercraft is legally consid-
ered a powerboat. Operation of the water-
craft must be in accordance with the rules
and regulations governing the waterway
on which it is used.
Just as there are rules that apply when you
are driving on streets and highways, there are
waterway rules that apply when you are oper-
ating your watercraft. These rules are used in-
ternationally, and are also enforced by the
United States Coast Guard and local agen-
cies. You should be aware of these rules, and
follow them whenever you encounter another
vessel on the water.
Several sets of rules prevail according to geo-
graphic location, but are all basically the same
as the International Rules of the Road. The
rules presented here in this owner’s/opera-
tor’s manual are condensed, and have been
provided for your convenience only. Consult
your local U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary or De-
partment of Motor Vehicles for a complete set
of rules governing the waters in which you will
be operating your watercraft.
Steering and sailing rules
Whenever two vessels on the water meet one
another, one vessel has the right-of-way; it is
called the “stand-on” vessel. The vessel that
does not have the right-of-way is called the
“give-way” or “burdened” vessel. These rules
determine which vessel has the right-of-way,
and what each vessel should do.
Stand-on vessel
The vessel with the right-of-way has the duty
to continue its course and speed, except to
avoid an immediate collision. When you main-
tain your direction and speed, the other vessel
will be able to determine how best to avoid
you.
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Give-way vessel
The vessel which does not have the right-of-
way has the duty to take positive and timely
action to stay out of the way of the stand-on
vessel. Normally, you should not cross in front
of the vessel with the right-of-way. You should
slow down or change directions briefly and
pass behind the other vessel. You should al-
ways move in such a way that the operator of
the other vessel can see what you are doing.
The General Prudential Rule regarding the
right-of-way is that if a collision appears un-
avoidable, neither boat has the right-of-way.
Both boats must avoid the collision.
In other words, follow the standard rules ex-
cept when a collision will occur unless both
vessels try to avoid each other. If that is the
case, both vessels become give-way vessels.
Rules when encountering vessels
There are three main situations that you may
encounter with other vessels which could lead
to a collision unless the Steering Rules are fol-
lowed:
Meeting: you are approaching another vessel
head-on
Crossing: you are traveling across another
vessel’s path
Overtaking: you are passing or being passed
by another vessel
In the following illustration, your watercraft is
in the center. You should give the right-of-way
to any vessels shown in the white area (you
are the give-way vessel). Any vessels in the
shaded area must yield to you (they are thegive-way vessels). Both you and the meeting
vessel must alter course to avoid each other.
Meeting
If you are meeting another power-driven ves-
sel head on, and are close enough to run the
risk of collision, neither of you has the right-of-
way. Both of you should alter course to avoid
an accident. You should keep the other vessel
on your port (left) side. This rule does not ap-
ply if both of you will clear one another if you
continue on your set course and speed.
Crossing
When two power-driven vessels are crossing
each other’s path close enough to run the risk
of collision, the vessel which has the other on
the starboard (right) side must keep out of the
way of the other. If the other vessel is on your
starboard (right) side, you must keep out of its
way; you are the give-way vessel. If the other
vessel is on your port (left) side, remember
that you should maintain course and direction,
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provided the other vessel gives you the right-
of-way as it should.
Overtaking
If you are passing another vessel, you are the
give-way vessel. This means that the other
vessel is expected to maintain its course and
speed. You must stay out of its way until you
are clear of it. Likewise, if another vessel is
passing you, you should maintain your speed
and direction so that the other vessel can
steer itself around you.
Other special situations
There are three other rules you should be
aware of when riding your watercraft around
other vessels.
Narrow channels and bends
When navigating in narrow channels, you
should keep to the right when it is safe and
practical to do so. If the operator of a power-
driven vessel is preparing to go around a
bend that may obstruct the view of other water
vessels, the operator should sound a pro-
longed blast of four to six seconds on the
whistle. If another vessel is around the bend,
it too should sound the whistle. Even if no re-
ply is heard, however, the vessel should still
proceed around the bend with caution. If you
navigate such waters with your watercraft,
you will need to carry a portable air horn,
available from local marine supply stores.Fishing vessel right-of-way
All vessels fishing with nets, lines, or trawls
are considered to be “fishing vessels” under
the International Rules. Vessels with trolling
lines are not considered fishing vessels. Fish-
ing vessels have the right-of-way regardless
of position. Fishing vessels cannot, however,
impede the passage of other vessels in nar-
row channels.
Sailing vessel right-of-way
Sailing vessels should normally be given the
right-of-way. The exceptions to this are:
(1) When the sailing vessel is overtaking the
power-driven vessel, the power-driven
vessel has the right-of-way.
(2) Sailing vessels should keep clear of any
fishing vessel.
(3) In a narrow channel, a sailing vessel
should not hamper the safe passage of a
power-driven vessel that can navigate
only in such a channel.
Reading buoys and other markers
The waters of the United States are marked
for safe navigation by the lateral system of
buoyage. Simply put, buoys and markers
have an arrangement of shapes, colors, num-
bers, and lights to show which side of the
buoy a boater should pass on when navigat-
ing in a particular direction. The markings on
these buoys are oriented from the perspective
of being entered from seaward (the boater is
going towards the harbor). Red buoys are
passed on your starboard (right) side when
proceeding from open water into the harbor,
and black buoys are to your port (left) side. An
easy way to remember the meaning of the
colors is the phrase “red right returning”.
When navigating out of the harbor, your posi-
tion with respect to the buoys should be re-
versed; red buoys should be to port and black
buoys to starboard.
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Many bodies of water used by boaters are en-
tirely within the boundaries of a particular
state. The Uniform State Waterway Marking
System has been devised for these waters.
This system uses buoys and signs with dis-
tinctive shapes and colors to show regulatoryor advisory information. These markers are
white with black letters and orange borders.
They signify speed zones, restricted areas,
danger areas, and general information.
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Remember, markings may vary by geograph-
ic location. Always consult local boating au-
thorities before riding your watercraft in
unfamiliar waters.EJU30982
To get more boating safety 
information 
Be informed about boating safety. Additional
publications and information can be obtained
from many organizations, including the follow-
ing.
United States Coast Guard
Consumer Affairs Staff (G-BC)
Office of Boating, Public, and Consumer Af-
fairs
U.S. Coast Guard Headquarters
Washington, D.C. 20593-0001
http://www.uscgboating.org/
Other sources
You can find local rules by contacting the Na-
tional Association of State Boating Law Ad-
ministrators, or your local Power Squadron.
Watercraft Education and Training
The Online Boating Safety Course, available
through the watercraft section of the yamaha-
motor.com website, is a free, 50 question
learning course available to the public. Upon
successful completion of 80 percent or better,
the user can request a certificate of comple-
tion by mail or can download one immediate-
ly. The Online Boating Safety Course,
provided by the Boat/US Foundation, is ap-
proved by the National Association of State
Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA) and
recognized by the United States Coast
Guard. This course meets the education re-
quirement for those states that recognize non-
proctored, NASBLA-approved courses.
Yamaha is the watercraft industry’s leading
manufacturer to build awareness and support
for boating education. In 1997, Yamaha
launched its GET W.E.T. (Watercraft Educa-
tion and Training) initiative and has since
reached out to over one million Americans
promoting the benefits of boating education.
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EJU30991
Enjoy your watercraft 
responsibly 
You share the areas you enjoy when riding
your watercraft with others and with nature.
So your enjoyment includes a responsibility to
treat these other people, and the lands, wa-
ters, and wildlife with respect and courtesy.
Whenever and wherever you ride, think of
yourself as the guest of those around you. Re-
member, for example, that the sound of your
watercraft may be music to you, but it could be
just noise to others. And the exciting splash of
your wake can make waves others won’t en-
joy.
Avoid riding close to shoreline homes and wa-
terfowl nesting areas or other wildlife areas,
and keep a respectful distance from fisher-
men, other boats, swimmers, and populated
beaches. When travel in areas like these is
unavoidable, ride slowly and obey all laws.
Proper maintenance is necessary to ensure
that the exhaust emission and sound levels of
your watercraft will continue to be within regu-
lated limits. You have the responsibility to
make sure that the recommended mainte-
nance in this owner’s/operator’s manual is
carried out.
Remember, pollution can be harmful to the
environment. Do not refuel or add oil where a
spill could cause damage to nature. Remove
your watercraft from the water and move it
away from the shoreline before refueling. Dis-
pose of water and any fuel and oil residue in
the engine compartment according to local
regulations. And keep your surroundings
pleasant for the people and wildlife that share
the waterways: don’t litter.
When you ride responsibly, with respect and
courtesy for others, you help ensure that our The Online Boating Safety Course:
http://www.boatus.org/
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waterways stay open for the enjoyment of a
variety of recreational opportunities.
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