Yamaha 115 C Service Manual

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EMB40010
BASIC BOATING RULES
(Rules of the road)
Just as there are rules which apply when
you are driving on streets and high ways,
there are waterway rules which apply when
you are driving your boat. These rules are
used internationally, and are also enforced
by the United States Coast Guard and local
agencies. 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 your
Owner’s Manual are condensed, and have
been provided for your convenience only.
Consult your local U.S. Coast Guard Auxil-
iary or Department of Motor Vehicles for a
complete set of rules governing the waters
in which you will be using your boat.
STEERING AND SAILING RULES
AND SOUND SIGNALS
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 which does not have the right-of-way
is called the “give-way” or “burdened” ves-
sel. 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.
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 always move in such a
way that the operator of the other vessel
can see what you are doing.
“The general prudential rule”
This rule is called Rule 2 in the Inter-
national Rules and says,
‘In obeying and construing these rules
due regard shall be had to all dangers of
navigation and collision, and to any spe-
cial circumstances, which may render a
departure from the above rules neces-
sary in order to avoid immediate dan-
ger.’
In other words, follow the standard rules
except when a collision will occur unless
both vessels try to avoid each other. If that
is the case, both vessels become “Give-
Way” vessels.
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RULES WHEN ENCOUNTERING
VESSELS
There are three main situations which you
may encounter with other vessels which
could lead to a collision unless the Steering
Rules are followed:
Meeting
(you are approaching another vessel
head-on)
Crossing
(you are travelling across the other ves-
sel’s path)
Overtaking
(you are passing or being passed by
another vessel)
In the following illustration, your boat is in
the center. You should give the right-of-way
to any vessels shown in white area (you are
the Give-Way vessel). Any vessels in the
shaded area must yield to you (they are the
Give-Way vessels). Both you and the meet-
ing vessel must alter course to avoid each
other.
Meeting
If you are meeting another power vessel
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 theother vessel on your port (left) side. This
rule doesn’t apply if both of you will clear
one another if you continue on your set
course and speed.
Crossing
When two power driven vessels are cross-
ing 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 right, 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, 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
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102046
102044
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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 driving your boat 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 prolonged blast on the whistle (4 to
6 seconds). If another vessel is around the
bend, it too should sound the whistle. Even
if no reply is heard, however, the vessel
should still proceed around the bend with
caution. If you navigate such waters with
your boat, you will need to carry a portable
air horn, available from local marine supply
stores.
Fishing Vessel Right-of-way
All vessels which are fishing with nets, lines
or trawls are considered to be“fishing ves-
sels” under the International Rules. Vessels
with trolling lines are not considered fishing
vessels. Fishing vessels have the right-of-
way regardless of position. Fishing vessels
cannot, however, impede the passage of
other vessels in narrow 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-dri-
ven 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 which can navi-
gate 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,
numbers and lights to show which side of
the buoy a boater should pass on when
navigating in a particular direction. The
markings on these buoys are oriented from
the perspective of being entered from sea-
ward (the boater is going towards the port).
This means that red buoys are passed on
the starboard (right) side when proceeding
from open water into port, and black buoys
are to port (left) side. When navigating out
of port, your position with respect to the
buoys should be reversed; red buoys
should be to port and black buoys to star-
board.
Many bodies of water used by boaters are
entirely 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 regulato-
ry or advisory information. These markers
are white with black letters and orange
boarders. They signify speed zones,
restricted areas, danger areas, and general
information.
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Remember, markings may vary by geo-
graphic location. Always consult local boat-
ing authorities before driving your boat in
unfamiliar waters.
11
A
11
Proceeding toward head
of navigation from seaward
CAN  BUOY
Odd number.  Leave to port.
OR SECONDARY CHANNEL BUOYS
STARTS NEW NUMBERING SYSTEM
old new
C   1
NUN BUOY
Even number.  Leave to starboard N     2
BUOY
COLOR CODE
BLACK
RED
GREEN
 A

  2

 1 
  3
 4 
 5 
  7N   2   6C  1
RB    L
RG    Lor
SECONDARY CHANNEL
MAIN CHANNEL
oldnew
222
A
L
L
Odd number. increasing toward head of naviga-
MAIN CHANNEL BUOYS 1    3    5    7
tion.Leave to port (left) proceeding upstream.LIGHTED BUOY (Port Hand)`
White Light
Green Light
oldnew
oldnew
oldnew
LIGHTED BUOY (Starboard Hand)`
  2    4    6 
Even number,increasing toward head of naviga-
tion. Leave to  starboard  (right) proceeding up-
stream.
White Light Red Light
 A
LIGHTED SAFE WATER BUOY
No  number.  Marks  midchannel, pass on  either
side. Letter has no lateral significance, used for
No  number.  Topmost band red 
- preferredTop Mark
White Light White Light
OR
OR
LIGHTED PREFERRED CHANNEL TO RB   LRG   L
PORT BUOY identification and location purposes.
channel is to left of buoy. Letter has no lateral
significance, used for identification and location
purposes.
Red Light Red or
OR
102052
No change
White Light
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EMU00016
FUELING INSTRUCTIONS
w
GASOLINE AND ITS VAPORS ARE HIGH-
LY FLAMMABLE AND EXPLOSIVE!
8Do not smoke when refueling, and
keep away from sparks, flames, or
other sources of ignition.
8Stop engine before refueling.
8Refuel in a well-ventilated area. Refuel
portable fuel tanks off the boat.
8Take care not to spill gasoline. If gaso-
line spills, wipe it up immediately with
dry rags.
8Do not overfill the fuel tank.
8Tighten the filler cap securely after
refueling.
8If you should swallow some gasoline
inhale a lot of gasoline vapor, or get
gasoline in your eyes, get immediate
medical attention.
8If any gasoline spills onto your skin,
immediately wash with soap and
water. Change clothing if gasoline spills
on it.
8Touch the fuel nozzle to the filler open-
ing or funnel to help prevent electrosta-
tic sparks.
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Use only new clean gasoline which has
been stored in clean containers and is not
contaminated with water or foreign mat-
ter.
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EMU01804
GASOLINE
If knocking or pinging occurs, use a differ-
ent brand of gasoline or premium unlead-
ed fuel.
EMU00027
Gasohol
There are two types of gasohol: gasohol
containing ethanol and that containing
methanol. Gasohol containing ethanol
can be used if ethanol content does not
exceed 10% and the fuel meets minimum
octane ratings. Gasohol containing
methanol is not recommended by Yama-
ha because it can cause fuel system dam-
age or engine performance problems.
EMU19570
ENGINE OIL
Use Yamalube 2-M outboard oil. If
Yamalube 2-M is not available, use only
another outboard motor manufacturer’s
factory-brand oil with TC-W3 rating.
cC
Serious engine damage can result from
the use of lower quality oil, including
some commonly available oil brands with
“ TC-W3” on their label. To avoid the risk,
use only Yamalube 2-M or, if necessary,
another outboard motor manufacturer’s
factory-brand TC-W3 oil.
E
Recommended engine oil:
YAMALUBE 2 STROKE OUTBOARD
OIL
Recommended gasoline:
Regular unleaded gasoline with a 
minimum octane rating of 86 (Pump 
Octane Number) = (R+M)/2
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EMU01775
BATTERY REQUIREMENT
cC
Do not use a battery that does not meet
the specified capacity. If a battery which
does not meet specifications is used, the
electric system could perform poorly or
be overloaded, causing electric system
damage.
For electric start models, choose a battery
which meets the following specifications.
EMU01860
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Minimum cold cranking amps
(CCA/SAE): 380 amps at -18°C (-0.4°F)
Minimum marine cranking amps
(MCA/ABYC): 502 amps at 0°C (32°F)
Minimum reserve capacity (RC/SAE):
124 minutes
EMU01395
PROPELLER SELECTION
The performance of your outboard motor
will be critically affected by your choice of
propeller, as an incorrect choice could
adversely affect performance and could
also seriously damage the motor. Engine
speed depends on the propeller size and
boat load. If engine speed is too high or
too low for good engine performance,
this will have an adverse effect on the
engine.
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Yamaha outboard motors are fitted with
propellers chosen to perform well over a
range of applications, but there may be
uses where a propeller with a different
pitch would be more appropriate. For a
greater operating load, a smaller-pitch
propeller is more suitable as it enables
the correct engine speed to be main-
tained. Conversely, a larger-pitch pro-
peller is more suitable for a smaller oper-
ating load.
Yamaha dealers stock a range of pro-
pellers, and can advise you and install a
propeller on your outboard that is best
suited to your application.
NOTE:
At full throttle and under a maximum
boat load, the engine’s rpm should be
within the upper half of the full throttle
operating range, as listed in “SPECIFICA-
TIONS” on page 4-1. Select a propeller
which fulfills this requirement.
If operating under conditions which allow
the engine’s rpm to rise above the maxi-
mum recommended range (such as light
boat loads), reduce the throttle setting to
maintain the rpm in the proper operating
range.
1Propeller diameter (in inches)
2Propeller pitch (in inches)
3Type of propeller (propeller mark)
Refer to the section “CHECKING PRO-
PELLER” for instructions on propeller
removal and installation.
E
602022
14-1/2x17-M
123
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EMU01209
START-IN-GEAR PROTECTION
Yamaha outboard motors or Yamaha
approved remote control units are
equipped with start-in-gear protection
device(s). This feature permits the engine
to be started only when it is Neutral.
Always select Neutral before starting the
engine.
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