GENERAL IDEAS AND TIPS

Drowning doesn't sound or look anything like what we are shown in the movies or on TV.

DROWNING IS SILENT.

Please check out the links below so you understand how to spot this, and so you get a healthy dose of fear/reality that you, as the captain of your boat, are responsible for those on board. Do not take this lightly. No of us want to have this happen.....

How to Spot if Someone is Drowning
Drowning is SILENT

This thread has a list of things that new boaters MUST know, and SHOULD know about their boats.

This thread links to a story on the Today show specifically calling out a death on a Yamaha boat. We've had many discussions on the forum about if this is an issue for our boats.....and clearly it is!


If you have a person sitting on the stern breathing in CO, that CO binds to their blood and effectively suffocates them. Then they pass out and often fall into the water. The cause of death ends up being either CO poisoning or drowning.

• CO inhalation results in CO "poisoning" - you suffocate because your blood can't move oxygen around anymore.
• Drowning occurs when the person has enough CO in their system to make them pass out. If they are sitting on the stern, they often fall into the water, and then drown.

So the rules/guidance here are:

• NEVER allow people to sit on the rear Swim deck area on the stern of the boat.
• Be aware of people sitting in the rear seats for too long. Move people around.
• Look and ask people about being sleepy, nauseated or dizzy-especially people sitting in the back seats
• If you spend a lot of time running at idle - be more careful with the above

On a similar topic, you should also never let people sit on the bow gunnels (sides of the boat) while running. Admitedly its much safer than a prop boat, but there is still a risk that if the person falls off and you run them over that something they have on could get sucked into the intake or caught on the intake and hold them under the boat - drowning them.

Getting stuff stuck in the pump happens with jet boats. Here is a trick that is handy for clearing loose clogs like weeds or loose debris.

1) Put it in reverse, and get the boat moving backward (faster the better)
2) Kill the engines (pulling the lanyard off is the fastest way)
3) Put the throtles into forward (this allows water to be pushed directly into the exposed jet nozzles and force stuff in the tubes back through the grate, or off the grate).
What I do is grab the lanyard with my left hand, put it in reverse with my right hand, get up some speed, yank the lanyard with my left and instantly put it onto forward with my right.....works 95% of the time. The only time it didn't work for me that I recall was when I sucked up a flexible frisbee...and it was lodged hard in the intake grill.
This works great for weeds, sticks etc.

Click here for the whole thread for more tips

Also, note that these steps are now different for those of you with E-Series Yamaha boats or boats with servo driven buckets that don't move when the engines are off (not sure if this is only an E-Series issue).....Steps for these boats is:
1) Put it in reverse, and get the boat moving backward (faster the better)
2) Put the throtles into forward (this allows water to be pushed directly into the exposed jet nozzles and force stuff in the tubes back through the grate, or off the grate).
3) Quickly Kill the engines (pulling the lanyard off is the fastest way)

Just like flying planes, having a check list of things to do before getting to the ramp, while at the ramp, and when pulling out is a good idea. Here is a link to a great checklist thread:

1. Checklist for launching and retrieving

Just bought a boat and wondering what you should go over with the dealer or used boat seller? Check out this thread:

1. Checklist when picking up a new boat (or used)

This thread has phone numbers and ideas on how to deal with mother Yamaha....

1. How to contact Yamaha and YES departments

This thread has at least one source for good boater education....and likely more to come as more replies are added.

http://jetboaters.net/threads/boater-education-sources-got-any.5949/

This is a pamphlet from USGC for rules of the water, it's has some very good info
http://www.uscgboating.org/images/420.PDF

Link to the existing FAQ:

http://jetboaters.net/threads/faq-reference-thread-for-forum-content-check-here-for-your-answer-first.81/

Are you shopping for a Yamaha jet boat and can't figure out all the differences between the models? Perhaps you are curious to know the original MSRP of the boat, or length, horse power etc.

Check out this thread for both images and an Excel spreadsheet listing many (not all) the differences:

1. Differences between the 4 Cycle Models

There are a couple of overhead photo comparisons of the Yamaha line up. See this thread for details:

https://jetboaters.net/threads/looking-for-a-pic.8362/

Check out this youtube video to see just how the water flows through your Yamaha Jet Boat's engine:

1. How engine cooling system works (video)

Here is a thread that explains how to install the stock Yamaha mooring cover:

1. How to put on/install mooring cover

Ever wonder how to adjust the setting of the stock depth gauge, here's a link to the manual:

1. Depth Gauge Manual

Many folks have challenges getting their anchors to hold or set. Here's a site that discusses this:

1. How to Set an Anchor

Another cool anchoring option is using an anchor buddy, here is a thread on this:

http://jetboaters.net/threads/using-an-anchor-buddy-to-dock.2013/#post-31459

Here is a link to a great boattest.com docking video:

1. Boattest.com docking instructional video

You sure can! Here is a thread that gets into the details of how to make it work!

1. Trailer 5 pin to vehicle 4 pin wiring solutions

Older Yamahas have large hollow table legs....and if they roll off the swim deck....they sink! Here's a thread on what to do..... (fill it with an old noodle!)

1. How Not to have your table leg sink to the bottom!

Want to review a list of nautical terms....here's a good one!

1. List of Nautical Terms

Trying to back up your trailer and the brakes lock up? This shouldn't happen if you have a 5 pin connection, but perhaps there is a wiring issue, or you don't have the 5 pin connection. Your obvious option is to simply use the trailer lockout key that comes with the boat. Here is a thread on what to do if you don't have that handy:

1. Trailer lockout key replacement options

Here is a good list of things that you might want to keep on your boat:

1. List of things (like tools) to keep on board

Here is a great thread on batteries and charging:

1. Battery/Charging -All about batteries and charging!

The prices are listed on the NADA site, but it is buried under the PWC - jetski section:

1. NADA Pricing for Yamaha Boats (for some reason listed under PWC)

Also, NADA offers a more comprehensive pricing package that you have to pay for.

Yes there is a site that list dealer invoices...

http://seedealercost.com/boats

For Yamaha:
http://seedealercost.com/products/manufacturer-models/index/id/75/productCategorySlug/boats

Ever wonder about the amount of noise your boat makes and its gas mileage? Here is a great thread that covers this:

1. Great analysis of Engine Noise and Gas Mileage comparison to other boats

Are you new to boating, getting a new boat, and looking for pickup and launching checklists? Check out these threads for some great ideas:

New Boat Checklists:
http://jetboaters.net/threads/new-boat-check-list.919/
http://jetboaters.net/threads/new-boat-delivery-checklist.1539/

Pre Launch Checklist:
http://jetboaters.net/threads/txav8rs-prelaunch-through-recovery-checklist.92/

If you are in a bind and need help right away from forum members, but the words @help in your post (NOT IN THE TITLE---MUST be in the body of the post) and members that are subscribed to the help service will reply ASAP.

For more details, see this thread for directions and guidance:

https://jetboaters.net/threads/on-the-water-help-user-group-join-to-help-or-post-help-when-you-are-in-urgent-need.2935/