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E
3
EJU10400
OPERATION
Fuel and oil ............................................... 3-1
Gasoline ................................................. 3-1
Engine oil ................................................ 3-3
Filling the fuel tank ................................. 3-4
Pre-operation checks .............................. 3-5
Pre-operation check list ......................... 3-5
Pre-operation check points .................... 3-6
Operation ................................................ 3-15
Engine break-in .................................... 3-15
Launching the watercraft ..................... 3-16
Starting the engine ............................... 3-17
Stopping the engine ............................. 3-19
Leaving the watercraft ......................... 3-19
Operating your watercraft .................... 3-20
Getting to know your watercraft ........... 3-20
Learning to operate your watercraft .... 3-20
Riding watercraft with passengers ...... 3-21
Starting the watercraft .......................... 3-22
Boarding and starting in deep water ... 3-24
Capsized watercraft ............................. 3-27
Turning the watercraft .......................... 3-29
Stopping the watercraft ........................ 3-31
Beaching the watercraft ....................... 3-32
Docking the watercraft ......................... 3-32
Reverse on waterways
(for VX110 Deluxe) .............................. 3-33
Rough water operation ........................ 3-33
Post-operation checks ......................... 3-34
Transporting .......................................... 3-36
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EJU13460
Pre-operation checks
EJU13470
Pre-operation check list
Before operating this watercraft, perform the checks in the following check list. See the
accompanying text in this chapter for details on how to perform the checks.
WARNING@ If any item in the pre-operation check list is not working properly, have it inspected
and repaired before operating the watercraft, otherwise an accident could occur.
@
NOTE:@ Pre-operation checks should be made thoroughly each time the watercraft is used. This pro-
cedure can be completed in a short time. It is worth the time spent to assure safety and reli-
ability.
@
ITEM ROUTINE PAGE
Engine compartment Remove the seat to ventilate the engine compartment.
Check for fuel vapors and loose electrical connections.3-6
Bilge Check for water and fuel and remove if necessary. 3-9
Stern drain plugs Check for proper installation. 3-9
Throttle lever Check that the throttle lever springs back smoothly. 3-11
Steering system Check for proper operation. 3-12
Shift lever and reverse gate
(VX110 Deluxe)Check for proper operation.
3-12
Fuel and oil Check fuel and oil levels and add if necessary.
Check the hoses and tanks for leakage.3-6, 3-7
Water separator Check for water and drain if necessary. 3-8
Battery Check electrolyte level, battery terminal connections,
breather hose connection, and battery condition.3-10
Hood Check that the hood is properly secured. 2-6
Seat Check that the seat is properly secured. 2-5
Hull and deck Check the hull and deck for cracks or other damage. 3-6
Jet unit Check for debris and remove if necessary. 3-13
Fire extinguisher Check condition and replace if necessary. 3-11
Engine shut-off cord Check condition and replace if frayed or broken. 3-13
Switches Check the start switch, engine stop switch, and engine
shut-off switch for proper operation.3-14
Cooling water pilot outlet Check that water is discharged while the engine is run-
ning and the watercraft is in the water.3-14
Multifunction meter Check for warning indications and proper operation. 3-14
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EJU10480
Pre-operation check points
EJU21210
Engine compartment
Ventilate the engine compar tment before
each use.
To ventilate the engine compartment,
remove the seat. (See page 2-5 for seat
removal and installation procedures.) Leave
the engine compartment open for a few min-
utes to allow any fuel vapors to escape.
While the engine compartment is open,
check for loose electrical connections.
WARNING@ Failure to ventilate the engine compart-
ment could result in fire or explosion. Do
not start the engine if there is a fuel leak
or a loose electrical connection.
@
EJU20570
Hull and deck
Check the hull and deck for cracks or
other damage. If any damage is found, have
a Yamaha dealer repair the watercraft.
EJU21220
Fuel level
Check the fuel system for leakage,
cracks, or malfunctions before each use.
(See page 4-10 for check points and correct
procedures.)
1. Remove the fuel tank filler cap to release
any pressure that might have built up in
the fuel tank.
2. Remove the seat. (See page 2-5 for seat
removal and installation procedures.)
3. Check the fuel level in the tank and
replenish if necessary. (See page 3-4 for
filling instructions.)
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3-7
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EJU21230
Engine oil level
Check the engine oil level before each
use.
CAUTION:@ When checking the engine oil level on
water, be careful of other watercraft,
boats, swimmers, and obstacles. The
water current and wind can cause the
watercraft to move and lead to a colli-
sion.
When checking the engine oil level on
land, supply water to the cooling water
passages. (See page 4-1 for proce-
dures on supplying water.)
Make sure that the engine has enough
oil but do not overfill it. If there is too
little oil, the engine can be damaged. If
there is too much oil, the air filter can
become saturated with oil, perma-
nently damaging the filter and reduc-
ing engine performance. Follow the
checking procedure carefully.
Make sure that debris and water do not
enter the oil tank filler hole. Debris and
water in the engine oil can cause seri-
ous engine damage.
@
To check the engine oil level:
1. Place the watercraft in a horizontal posi-
tion or launch the watercraft, and then
start the engine.
2. Run the engine at trolling speed for
6 minutes or more, and then stop the
engine.
NOTE:@ If the ambient temperature is 20 °C (68°F)
or less, warm up the engine for an additional
5 minutes.
@
3. Remove the seat. (See page 2-5 for seat
removal and installation procedures.)
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3-8
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4. Remove the oil tank filler cap 1, wipe
the dipstick clean, and then screw the
filler cap into the filler hole completely.
Remove the filler cap again and check
that the oil level is between the minimum
level mark 3 and maximum level
mark2 on the dipstick.
5. If the oil level is below the minimum level
mark, add enough oil so that the oil level
is between the minimum and maximum
level marks on the dipstick, and then
install the filler cap. If the engine oil level
is significantly above the maximum level
mark, the oil tank is overfilled. Have a
Yamaha dealer remove the excessive
amount of engine oil.
EJU19610
Water separator
Check the water separator 1 for water.
Normally the water separator is empty. The
water separator retains any water entering
through the fuel tank breather hose if the
watercraft is capsized.
If water remains in the water separator,
drain it by removing the drain screw 2.
Place a drain pan under the water separator
to catch the draining water or use a dry cloth
to soak up any water that could spill into the
watercraft. If any water spills into the water-
craft, be sure to wipe it up with a dry cloth.
Be sure to install the drain screw after drain-
ing the water separator.
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3-9
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EJU21490
Bilge
Check for moisture and fuel residue in the
bilge.
Excessive water in the bilge can splash
into the engine which could cause engine
damage.
To remove water from the bilge:
1. Remove the stern drain plugs.
2. Raise the bow of the watercraft until the
water drains.
3. After the water has drained, wipe the
bilge with dry rags to make sure that the
bilge is thoroughly dry.
4. Install the drain plugs.
EJU20581
Stern drain plug
Check the stern drain plugs for proper
installation.
CAUTION:@ Make sure that the stern drain plugs
are tightened securely before launch-
ing the watercraft. Otherwise, water
may flood the engine compartment
and cause the watercraft to submerge.
Clean any foreign materials, such as
dirt or sand, from the drain plug
threads before installing the drain
plugs. Otherwise, the drain plugs may
be damaged and water may enter the
engine compartment.
@
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3-10
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EJU19690
Battery
Check the battery condition and the elec-
trolyte level.
Check that the battery leads are tightened
securely and there is no corrosion on the
battery terminals.
WARNING@ The battery must always be fully
charged and in good condition. Loss
of battery power may leave you
stranded. Never operate the watercraft
if the battery does not have sufficient
power to start the engine or if it shows
any other signs of decreased power.
Be sure to connect the breather hose
to the battery. Fire or explosion could
result if the breather hose is damaged,
obstructed, or not connected properly.
@
Make sure that the battery is securely
held in place.
1
Positive (+): Red lead
2
Negative (–): Black lead
3
Breather hose
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3-11
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EJU21240
Fire extinguisher
Check that there is a full fire extinguisher
on board. The fire extinguisher holder and
cover 1 are located in the front storage
compartment.
To store the fire extinguisher, unhook the
band 2 and remove the cover. Place the fire
extinguisher in the holder, and then place
the cover over the fire extinguisher. Fasten
the cover and the fire extinguisher with the
band securely.
NOTE:@ See the instructions supplied by the fire
extinguisher manufacturer for checking
the fire extinguisher. Always keep the
extinguisher secured in the holder with its
cover in place.
Always carry a fire extinguisher on board.
A fire extinguisher is not standard equip-
ment with this watercraft. If you do not
have one, contact a Yamaha dealer or a
fire extinguisher dealer to obtain one
meeting the proper specifications.
@
EJU18340
Throttle
Squeeze and release the throttle lever
several times to make sure that there is no
hesitation in its travel. It should be smooth
over the complete range, and spring back to
the idle position when released.
WARNING@ Before starting the engine, always check
the operation of the throttle lever.
@
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