Safety information
19
er’s or water-skier’s ability, as well as water
and weather conditions.
When preparing to pull a wakeboarder or
water-skier, operate the watercraft at the
slowest possible speed until the watercraft
is well away from the person being pulled
and slack in the ski rope is taken up. Make
sure that the rope is not looped around
anything.
After checking that the wakeboarder or wa-
ter-skier is ready and that there is no traffic
or other obstacles, apply enough throttle to
raise the person.
Make smooth, wide turns. The watercraft is
capable of very sharp turns, which could
exceed the abilities of the wakeboarder or
water-skier. Keep the person being towed
at least 50 m (164 ft), about twice the dis-
tance of a standard ski rope, away from
any potential hazard.
The operators of boats and other water-
craft may not be aware that you are pulling
a wakeboarder or water-skier. Together
with the spotter, pay attention to others
around you and cruise at safe speeds.
Be alert to the hazard of the ski rope handle
snapping back at the watercraft when the
wakeboarder or water-skier falls or is un-
able to get up.
Towing heavy or bulky objects other than
wakeboarders or water-skiers, such as an-
other boat or watercraft, can cause loss of
steering control and create a hazardous
condition. If you must tow another boat in
an emergency situation, operate slowly
and cautiously.
EJU30962
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
internationally, 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
geographic location, but are all basically the
same as the International Rules of the Road.
The rules presented here in this owner’s/op-
erator’s manual are condensed, and have
been provided for your convenience only.
Consult your local U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary
or Department of Motor Vehicles for a com-
plete 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
maintain your direction and speed, the other
vessel will be able to determine how best to
avoid you.
UF3P12E0.book Page 19 Monday, July 23, 2018 9:51 AM
