2003 YAMAHA FX Owners Manual

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A second person should be on board as a
spotter to watch the skier; in many places
it is required by law. Let the skier direct
the operator’s control of speed and direc-
tion with hand signals.
The spotter should sit securely on the
passenger seat and hold onto the hand-
grip 2 with feet firmly on the floor of the
footwell for proper balance while facing to
the rear to watch the skier’s hand signals
and his or her condition.
Your control while pulling a skier is
affected by the skier’s ability, as well as
water 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 skier and slack in the towrope is
taken up. 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,
apply enough throttle to raise the skier.

Make smooth, wide turns. The watercraft
is capable of very sharp turns, which
could exceed the abilities of the skier.
Keep the skier at least 50 m (150 ft),
about twice the distance of a standard
towrope, from any potential hazard.

Be alert to the hazard of the towrope han-
dle 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
create a hazardous condition. If you must
tow another boat in an emergency situa-
tion, operate slowly and cautiously.
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EJU01005
Safe boating rules
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.
EJU01006
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, waters, and wildlife with
respect and courtesy.
Whenever and wherever you ride, think of
yourself as the guest of those around you.
Remember, for example, that the sound of
your watercraft may be music to you, but it
could be just noise to others. And the excit-
ing splash of your wake can make waves
others won’t enjoy. Avoid riding close to
shoreline homes and waterfowl nesting
areas or other wildlife areas, and keep a
respectful distance from fishermen, other
boats, swimmers, and populated beaches.
When travel in areas like these is unavoid-
able, ride slowly and obey all laws.
Remember that 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 refu-
eling. 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 waterways stay open for the enjoy-
ment of a variety of recreational opportuni-
ties.
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E
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EJU01007
FEATURES AND
FUNCTIONS
Location of main components .............. 2-1
Operation of controls and other
functions ................................................... 2-5
Rear seat ................................................ 2-5
Front seat ............................................... 2-6
Hood ....................................................... 2-7
Fuel tank filler cap .................................. 2-7
Engine stop switch ................................. 2-7
Engine shut-off switch ............................ 2-8
Throttle lever .......................................... 2-8
Start switch ............................................. 2-9
Cooling water pilot outlet ....................... 2-9
Steering system ................................... 2-10
Tilt lever ................................................ 2-11
Shift lever ............................................. 2-12
Quick Shift Trim System (QSTS)
selector ................................................. 2-13
Handgrip ............................................... 2-14
Yamaha Engine Management System
(YEMS) ................................................. 2-15
Multifunction meter ............................... 2-15
Storage compartments ........................ 2-20
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EJU01008
Location of main components
1Handlebars
Use to control direction.
2Rear seat
3Front seat
4Footwell
Use to place feet for balance.
To keep proper balance while facing to the rear
to watch the skier.
5Sponsons
6Gunwale
7Bow eye
Use to attach rope for transporting, mooring or
towing the watercraft in an emergency.
8Hood
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1Fuel tank filler cap
2Stern eye
Use to attach rope for transporting or mooring.
3Intake grate
Prevents debris from getting into the jet pump.
4Reverse gate
Controls direction of jet thrust when in reverse.
5Ride plate
6Jet thrust nozzle
Changes the direction of jet thrust according
to handlebar position.
7Speed sensor8Stern drain plugs
Use to drain water in the bilge when the water-
craft is on dry land.
9Cleat
Use to attach a towrope for pulling water-skier,
or a rope for mooring the watercraft.
0Handgrip
Use for suppor t when boarding the watercraft
or when seated facing rearward and acting as
a spotter for a water-skier.
AElectric bilge pilot outlet
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1Quick Shift Trim System (QSTS) selector
Use to select the trim angle of the watercraft.
2QSTS shift lock lever
3Start switch
Push to start the engine.
4Engine shut-off switch
Remove the clip to stop the engine and dis-
able it from starting.
5Clip
Insert into the engine shut-off switch to enable
starting of the engine.
Remove to stop the engine or prevent acci-
dental star ting of the engine or unauthorized
use of the watercraft.
6Adjustable rearview mirrors7Multifunction meter
Use to check watercraft operation.
8Shift lever
Use to put the watercraft into forward or
reverse.
9Throttle lever
Use to accelerate and decelerate.
0Tilt lever
Use to adjust the tilt of the handlebars.
AGlove compartment
BEngine stop switch
Push to stop the engine normally.
CEngine shut-off cord (lanyard)
Attach to wrist so that the engine stops if the
operator falls off the watercraft.
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1Air filter case
2Water separator
3Fuel tank
4Battery
5Flush hose connector
Use to flush the engine cooling water pas-
sages.
6Electrical box
Protects electrical components from water.
7Oil tank8Muffler
9Spark plugs/Spark plug caps
0Spark plug lead
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EJU01009
Operation of controls and
other functions
EJU01211
Rear seat
To remove the rear seat:
Pull the rear seat latch 1 up, and then
pull the seat off.
To install the rear seat:
Insert the projections on the front of the
seat into the stays on the deck, and then
push the rear of the seat down to lock it in
place securely.
UF1B71.book Page 5 Tuesday, November 12, 2002 4:17 PM