2007 YAMAHA VX ESP

Operation
61
CAUTION:
ECJ00550
Do not operate the engine at full throttle
for at least 1 minute after the engine has
been restarted. Excessive water in the
bilge can splash into the engine, which
can result in severe damage.
NOTE:
To efficiently discharge water from the engine
compartment, operate the watercraft as
straight as possible and above planing speed
for at least 2 minutes.
EJU33250Turning the watercraft
Steering control depends on the combination
of handlebar position and the amount of throt-
tle.
Water sucked in through the intake grate is
pressurized by the impeller in the jet pump. As
the pressurized water is expelled from the
pump through the jet thrust nozzle, it creates
thrust to move and steer the watercraft. The
higher the engine speed, the more thrust pro-
duced.
The amount of jet thrust, in addition to the po-
sition of the handlebars, determines how
sharply you turn.
A. More throttle produces higher thrust, so
the watercraft will turn more sharply.B. Less throttle produces lower thrust, so
the watercraft will turn more gradually.
C. Releasing the throttle lever completely
produces only minimum thrust. If you are
traveling at speeds above trolling, you will
have rapidly decreasing ability to steer
without throttle. You may still have some
turning ability immediately after releasing
the throttle lever, but once the engine
slows down, the watercraft will no longer
respond to handlebar input until you ap-
ply throttle again or you reach trolling
speed.
At trolling speed, the watercraft can be
turned gradually by handlebar position
alone using just the amount of thrust
available at idle.
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Operation
62
D. If the engine is stopped while riding, there
is no thrust. The watercraft will go straight
even though the handlebars are turned.
You need throttle to steer.
WARNING
EWJ00770

Do not release the throttle lever when
trying to steer away from objects—you
need throttle to steer. A collision could
result in severe injury or death.

When operating at higher speeds, make
gradual turns or slow down before turn-
ing. Sharp high-speed turns may cause
the watercraft to slide sideways or spin,
throwing the operator and passengers
overboard, which could cause an injury.
This model is equipped with the Yamaha En-
gine Management System (YEMS) that in-
cludes an off-throttle steering (OTS) system.
It will activate at planing speeds should you
attempt to steer the watercraft after releasing
the throttle lever (see condition C above).
The OTS system assists in turning by continu-
ing to supply some thrust while the watercraft
is decelerating, but you can turn more sharply
if you apply throttle while turning the handle-
bars. The OTS system does not function be-
low planing speeds or when the engine is off.
Once the engine slows down, the watercraft
will no longer turn in response to handlebar in-put until you apply throttle again or you reach
trolling speed.
EJU33280Stopping the watercraft
The watercraft is not equipped with a sepa-
rate braking system. It is stopped by water re-
sistance when the throttle lever is released.
From full speed, the watercraft comes to a
complete stop in approximately 100 m (330 ft)
after the throttle lever is released or the en-
gine is stopped, although this distance will
vary depending on many factors, including
gross weight, water surface conditions, and
wind direction.
The watercraft slows down as soon as the
throttle lever is released, but will coast for a
distance before fully stopping. If you are not
sure you can stop in time before hitting an ob-
stacle, apply throttle and turn in another direc-
tion.
WARNING
EWJ00730

Allow adequate stopping distance.

Take early action to avoid collisions. Re-
member, watercraft and other boats do
not have brakes.

Operate defensively at safe speeds and
keep a safe distance away from people,
objects, and other watercraft to give you
time to stop.

Do not shut the engine off when slowing
down in case you need engine power to
UF1K72E0.book Page 62 Wednesday, August 2, 2006 10:43 AM

Index
A
Air filter element ....................................... 74
Approval label of emission control
certificate ................................................ 3
B
Battery ................................................ 47, 68
Battery, checking...................................... 77
Battery, jumping ....................................... 83
Beaching the watercraft ........................... 63
Bilge ......................................................... 46
Boarding alone ......................................... 57
Boarding and starting from a dock ........... 57
Boarding and starting in deep water ........ 57
Boarding and starting in shallow water .... 56
Boarding with passengers ........................ 58
Bow eye ................................................... 31
Builder’s plate............................................. 2
C
Capsized watercraft ................................. 60
Check engine warning indicator ............... 37
Cleaning the watercraft ............................ 68
Cooling water pilot outlet .................... 29, 50
Cruising limitations ................................... 13
D
Docking the watercraft ............................. 63
E
Emergency procedures ............................ 82
Emission control information
(for Canada only) .................................... 3
Engine break-in ........................................ 51
Engine compartment ................................ 45
Engine oil ................................................. 42
Engine oil and oil filter .............................. 73
Engine oil level ......................................... 45
Engine overheat warning indicator ........... 36
Engine serial number ................................. 1
Engine shut-off cord ................................. 50
Engine shut-off switch .............................. 28
Engine stop switch ................................... 28
Enjoy your watercraft responsibly ............ 21
F
Filling the fuel tank ................................... 42
Fire extinguisher....................................... 48
Flushing the cooling system ..................... 66
Front storage compartment ...................... 38Fuel and oil............................................... 41
Fuel injection system ................................ 78
Fuel level .................................................. 45
Fuel level meter ........................................ 34
Fuel level warning indicator ...................... 35
Fuel system .............................................. 67
Fuel system, checking .............................. 73
Fuel tank .................................................. 73
Fuel tank filler cap .................................... 27
Fuses, replacing ....................................... 84
G
Gasohol .................................................... 41
Gasoline ................................................... 41
Getting to know your watercraft ............... 54
Glove compartment .................................. 39
H
Handgrip ................................................... 31
Hazard information ................................... 17
Hood ......................................................... 26
Hour meter/voltmeter ............................... 35
Hull and deck ........................................... 45
Hull Identification Number (HIN)................. 1
I
Identification numbers ................................ 1
Important labels .......................................... 5
J
Jet intake .................................................. 49
Jet intake and impeller, cleaning .............. 82
Jet thrust nozzle angle, checking ............. 74
Jumper cables, connecting ...................... 83
L
Labels, other .............................................. 9
Labels, warning .......................................... 6
Launching the watercraft .......................... 52
Learning to operate your watercraft ......... 54
Leaving the watercraft .............................. 54
Limitations on who may operate the
watercraft .............................................. 12
“L-MODE” indicator light
(for VX Deluxe/VX Cruiser) ................... 38
Lubrication................................................ 67
Lubrication points ..................................... 76
M
Main components, location of .................. 22
Maintenance and adjustments ................. 69
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