Operation
54
EJU32860Stopping the engine
To stop the engine, release the throttle lever,
and then push the engine stop switch (red
button).
WARNING
EWJ00600
You need throttle to steer. Shutting the en-
gine off can cause you to hit an obstacle
you are attempting to avoid. A collision
could result in severe injury or death.
EJU32890Leaving the watercraft
If leaving the watercraft, select the lock mode
of the Yamaha Security System (for VX De-
luxe/VX Cruiser) and remove the engine shut-
off cord to reduce the chance of accidental
starting or unauthorized use by children or
others. (See page 32 for Yamaha Security
System and low-RPM mode selection proce-
dures.)
EJU32900
Operating your watercraft EJU32960Getting to know your watercraft
Operating your watercraft requires skills ac-
quired through practice over a period of time.
Take the time to learn the basic techniques
well before attempting more difficult maneu-
vers.
Operating your new watercraft can be a very
enjoyable activity, providing you with hours of
pleasure. However, it is essential to familiar-
ize yourself with the operation of the water-
craft to achieve the skill level necessary to
enjoy riding safely.
Before operating this watercraft, read this
owner’s/operator’s manual, the Riding Prac-
tice Guide, and all warning and caution labels
on the watercraft. Pay particular attention to
the safety information on page 12. These ma-
terials should give you an understanding of
the watercraft and its operation.
Remember: This watercraft is designed to
carry the operator and up to 2 passengers.
Never exceed the maximum load limit or allow
more than 3 persons (or 2 persons if a water-
skier is being pulled) to ride the watercraft at
any time.
EJU33000Learning to operate your watercraft
Before operating the watercraft, always per-
form the pre-operation checks listed on page
43. The short time spent checking the water-
craft will reward you with added safety and re-
liability.
Check local laws before operating your water-
craft.
Maximum load:
240 kg (530 lb)
Load is the total weight of cargo, oper-
ator, and passengers.
UF1K72E0.book Page 54 Wednesday, August 2, 2006 10:43 AM
Operation
55
Operate defensively at safe speeds and keep
a safe distance away from people, objects,
and other watercraft. Select a wide area to
learn in, where there is good visibility and light
boat traffic.
Use the buddy system—operate with some-
one nearby. Scan constantly for people, ob-
jects, and other watercraft. Be alert for
conditions that limit your visibility or block your
vision of others.
Attach the engine shut-off cord to your left
wrist and keep it free from the handlebars so
that the engine stops if you, the operator, fall
off.
Wear a personal flotation device (PFD). All
riders must wear a PFD that is approved by
the appropriate authorities and is suitable for
personal watercraft use.
Wear protective clothing. Severe internal inju-
ries can occur if water is forced into body cav-
ities as a result of falling into the water or
being near the jet thrust nozzle. Normal swim-
wear does not adequately protect against
forceful water entry into the rectum and vagi-
na. All riders must wear a wetsuit bottom or
clothing that provides equivalent protection.
Such clothing includes thick, tightly woven,
sturdy and snug-fitting apparel such as den-
im, but does not include spandex or similar
fabrics, like those used in bicycle shorts. A full
wetsuit can also protect against hypothermia(subnormal body temperature) and abra-
sions.
Footwear and gloves are recommended.
Eye protection is recommended to keep wind,
water, and glare from the sun out of your eyes
while you operate your watercraft. Restraining
straps for eyewear are made which are de-
signed to float should your eyewear fall in the
water.
You should grip the handlebars firmly and
keep both feet on the floor of the footwell. Do
not attempt to ride with passengers until your
operating skills are fully developed.
EJU33060Riding with passengers
When 2 or 3 persons (including the operator)
are on board, the watercraft handles different-
ly, and is not as easy to maneuver, so operat-
ing it requires a higher degree of skill. Before
attempting to operate the watercraft with pas-
sengers on board, the operator must practice
operating the watercraft alone enough to be
able to acquire the necessary skills.
The passengers must always wear a PFD
that is approved by the appropriate authorities
and a wetsuit bottom or equivalent.
WARNING
EWJ00540
Do not apply throttle when anyone is at the
rear of the watercraft. Turn the engine off
or keep it at idle. Water and/or debris exit-
ing the jet thrust nozzle can cause severe
injury. Passengers should not attempt to
board the watercraft if the operator is ap-
plying throttle.
Do not give a ride to children whose feet can-
not reach the floor of the footwell. The pas-
sengers should hold on firmly, either to the
person in front of them or to the handgrip pro-
vided, and keep their feet on the floor of the
UF1K72E0.book Page 55 Wednesday, August 2, 2006 10:43 AM
Operation
56
footwell. Never allow a passenger to ride in
front of the operator.
WARNING
EWJ00550
When passengers are on board, make
sure that they are holding on firmly and
have their feet on the floor of the footwell
before you start to accelerate.
When pulling a water-skier, the spotter should
face to the rear while holding the handgrip
with both hands. The spotter should always sit
astride the seat with both feet placed firmly on
the floor of the footwell for proper balance.
Follow all local laws regarding water-skiing,
such as those for skier-down flags, rearward-
facing spotter, and other requirements.
EJU33080Starting the watercraft
WARNING
EWJ00710
Scan constantly for people, objects, and
other watercraft. Be alert for conditions
that limit your visibility or block your vi-
sion of others.
Operate defensively at safe speeds and
keep a safe distance away from people,
objects, and other watercraft.
Do not follow directly behind watercraft
or other boats. Do not go near others to
spray or splash them with water. Avoid
sharp turns or other maneuvers that
make it hard for others to avoid you or
understand where you are going. Avoid
areas with submerged objects or shal-
low water.
Take early action to avoid collisions. Re-
member, watercraft and other boats do
not have brakes. Do not release the
throttle lever when trying to steer away
from objects—you need throttle to steer.
Practice reboarding in shallow water be-
fore riding in deep water.
EJU33090Boarding and starting in shallow water
(1) Launch the watercraft in water free from
weeds and debris and at least 60 cm (2 ft)
deep.
WARNING
EWJ00640
Never operate in water that is less than 60
cm (2 ft) deep, otherwise you increase
your chance of hitting a submerged ob-
ject, which could result in injury.
CAUTION:
ECJ00500
Never operate in water that is less than 60
cm (2 ft) deep, otherwise pebbles or sand
could be sucked into the jet intake, caus-
ing impeller damage and engine overheat-
ing.
UF1K72E0.book Page 56 Wednesday, August 2, 2006 10:43 AM
Operation
60
(6) Gradually increase the speed to balance
the watercraft.
EJU33230Capsized watercraft
If the watercraft capsizes, turn it over immedi-
ately.
Be sure to carefully follow the procedures be-
low to prevent injury, or damage to the water-
craft.
WARNING
EWJ00670
IMPROPER UPRIGHTING CAN CAUSE IN-
JURY:
Be sure to shut the engine off by pulling
on the engine shut-off cord to remove
the clip from the engine shut-off switch.
Do not put your hands in the intake
grate.
CAUTION:
ECJ00530
If the watercraft capsizes, release the
throttle lever immediately. Oil could flow
into the air filter case and the engine could
be damaged.
(1) Remove the clip from the engine shut-off
switch.
(2) Swim to the rear of the watercraft. Pull the
watercraft over with your left hand on theride plate while pushing down on the gun-
wale with your right hand or foot.
NOTE:
If the port (left) side of the capsized watercraft
is tilting up, push down on the gunwale so that
the port (left) side is down before turning the
watercraft clockwise.
CAUTION:
ECJ00540
Do not turn the watercraft over counter-
clockwise, otherwise water can enter the
engine, which can result in severe dam-
age.
(3) Start the engine and operate the water-
craft to discharge any water remaining in
the engine compartment. (If the engine
does not start, see “Towing the water-
craft” on page 85 or “Submerged water-
craft” on page 85.)
UF1K72E0.book Page 60 Wednesday, August 2, 2006 10:43 AM
Maintenance and care
75
If the reverse gate does not make contact with
the stopper, have a Yamaha dealer service it.
EJU34360Checking and adjusting the throttle
cable
Check that the throttle cable moves back to
the set position smoothly and that the throttle
lever free play is within specification.
(1) Squeeze and release the throttle lever. If
the throttle lever does not return smooth-
ly, have a Yamaha dealer service it.
(2) Adjust the free play by loosening the lock-
nut and turning the adjuster.
EJU34391Cleaning and adjusting the spark
plugs
The spark plug is an important engine compo-
nent and is easy to inspect. The condition of
the spark plug can indicate something about
the condition of the engine. For example, if
one spark plug has a distinctly different color,
the engine could require servicing. Do not at-
tempt to diagnose any problems yourself.
Have a Yamaha dealer service the watercraft.
Remove and inspect the spark plugs periodi-
cally; heat and deposits will cause the sparkplugs to slowly break down and erode. If elec-
trode erosion becomes excessive, or if carbon
and other deposits are excessive, replace the
spark plug with the specified plug.
To remove a spark plug:
(1) Remove the seat. (See page 26 for seat
removal and installation procedures.)
(2) Remove the spark plug cap.
CAUTION:
ECJ00210
Do not use any tools to remove or install
the spark plug cap, otherwise the ignition
coil coupler could be damaged. The spark
plug cap may be difficult to remove be-
cause the rubber seal on the end of the
cap fits tightly. To remove the spark plug
cap, simply twist it back and forth while
pulling it up; to install it, twist it back and
forth while pushing it down.
(3) Remove the spark plug.
Measure the spark plug gap with a wire
thickness gauge. Replace the spark plug
or adjust the gap to specification if neces-
sary.1Locknut
2Adjuster
3Throttle lever free play
Throttle lever free play:
4.0–7.0 mm (0.16–0.28 in)
Specified spark plug:
CR9EB
1Spark plug gap
Spark plug gap:
0.7–0.8 mm (0.028–0.031 in)
UF1K72E0.book Page 75 Wednesday, August 2, 2006 10:43 AM
Specifications
79
EJU34541
Specifications
Watercraft capacity:
Maximum people on board:
3 person
Maximum load capacity:
240 kg (530 lb)
Dimensions:
Length:
3220 mm (126.8 in)
Width:
1170 mm (46.1 in)
Height:
1150 mm (45.3 in)
Dry weight:
VX 319 kg (703 lb)
VX Deluxe 322 kg (710 lb)
VX Cruiser 323 kg (712 lb)
Performance:
Maximum output (according to ISO 8665/SAE
J1228):
75.0 kW@8000 r/min
Maximum fuel consumption:
28.0 L/h (7.4 US gal/h) (6.2 Imp.gal/h)
Cruising range at full throttle:
2.14 hour
Trolling speed:
1650 ±50 r/min
Engine:
Engine type:
Liquid cooled 4-stroke, DOHC
Number of cylinders:
4
Engine displacement:
1052 cm³
Bore & stroke:
76.0 × 58.0 mm (2.99 × 2.28 in)
Compression ratio:
11.4 :1
Valve clearance-intake (cold):
0.11–0.20 mm (0.0043–0.0079 in)
Valve clearance-exhaust (cold):
0.25–0.34 mm (0.0098–0.0134 in)
Lubrication system:
Dry sump
Cooling system:
Water
Starting system:
ElectricIgnition system:
T.C.I.
Spark plug:
CR9EB
Spark plug gap:
0.7–0.8 mm (0.028–0.031 in)
Battery capacity:
12 V, 19.0 Ah
Charging system:
Flywheel magneto
Drive unit:
Propulsion system:
Jet pump
Jet pump type:
Axial flow, single stage
Impeller rotation:
Counterclockwise
Jet thrust nozzle angle:
24.0+24.0 °
Fuel and oil:
Recommended fuel:
Regular unleaded gasoline
Minimum octane rating (PON):
86
Minimum octane rating (RON):
90
Recommended oil:
SAE 10W-30, 20W-40, 20W-50
Oil grade:
API SE,SF,SG,SH,SJ,SL
Fuel tank total capacity:
60 L (15.9 US gal) (13.2 Imp.gal)
Engine oil quantity with oil filter replacement:
2.2 L (2.33 US qt) (1.94 Imp.qt)
Engine oil quantity without oil filter replacement:
2.0 L (2.11 US qt) (1.76 Imp.qt)
Engine oil total quantity:
4.3 L (4.55 US qt) (3.78 Imp.qt)
UF1K72E0.book Page 79 Wednesday, August 2, 2006 10:43 AM
Trouble recovery
80
EJU34560
Troubleshooting
If you have any trouble with your watercraft, use this section to check for the possible cause.
If you cannot find the cause, or if the procedure for replacement or repair is not described in
this owner’s/operator’s manual, have a Yamaha dealer perform the necessary service.
EJU34591Troubleshooting chart
TROUBLE POSSIBLE CAUSE REMEDY PAGE
Engine does not
start (Starter motor
does not turn over)Yamaha Se-
curity Sys-
tem (VX
Deluxe/VX
Cruiser)Lock mode selected Select unlock mode
32
Engine shut-
off switchClip not in place Install clip
28
Fuse Burned out Replace the fuse and
check wiring84
Battery Run down Recharge 77
Poor terminal con-
nectionsTighten as required
77
Terminal corroded Clean 68
Starter motor Faulty Have serviced by
Yamaha dealer—
Engine does not
start (Starter motor
turns over)Throttle lever Squeezed Release 29
Fuel Empty Refill as soon as pos-
sible42
Stale or contaminat-
edHave serviced by
Yamaha dealer73
Fuel tank Water or dirt present Have serviced by
Yamaha dealer73
Spark plug Fouled or defective Clean or replace 75
Spark plug
capNot connected or
looseConnect properly
75
Connected to wrong
cylinderConnect properly
75
Fuel injec-
tion systemFuel pump faulty Have serviced by
Yamaha dealer—
UF1K72E0.book Page 80 Wednesday, August 2, 2006 10:43 AM
Index
Manufactured date label............................. 4
Model information (for Europe only) ........... 2
Multifunction information center ......... 34, 51
O
Oil pressure warning indicator.................. 35
Operating your watercraft......................... 54
Operation ................................................. 51
Operation of controls and other
functions ............................................... 26
Operation requirements ........................... 14
Owner’s/operator’s manual and tool kit .... 70
P
Periodic maintenance chart...................... 71
Post-operation care .................................. 64
Pre-operation check list............................ 43
Pre-operation check points ...................... 45
Pre-operation checks ............................... 43
Primary Identification (PRI-ID) number ...... 1
R
Recommended equipment ....................... 16
Remote control transmitter
(for VX Deluxe/VX Cruiser) ................... 27
Reverse on waterways
(for VX Deluxe/VX Cruiser) ................... 63
Riding with passengers ............................ 55
Rough water operation ............................. 63
S
Safe boating rules .................................... 20
Seat .......................................................... 26
“SECURITY” indicator light
(for VX Deluxe/VX Cruiser) ................... 37
Selecting the normal mode/low-RPM
mode (for VX Deluxe/VX Cruiser) ......... 33
Shift cable, checking
(for VX Deluxe/VX Cruiser) ................... 74
Shift lever and reverse gate
(for VX Deluxe/VX Cruiser) ................... 49
Shift lever (for VX Deluxe/VX Cruiser) ..... 30
Spark plugs, cleaning and adjusting ........ 75
Speedometer............................................ 34
Start switch............................................... 29
Starting the engine ................................... 52
Starting the watercraft .............................. 56
Steering system ................................. 30, 48
Stern drain plugs ...................................... 47Stern eyes ................................................ 31
Stopping the engine ................................. 54
Stopping the watercraft ............................ 62
Storage..................................................... 66
Storage compartments ............................. 38
Submerged watercraft .............................. 85
Switches ................................................... 50
T
Tachometer .............................................. 34
Throttle cable, checking and adjusting ..... 75
Throttle lever ...................................... 29, 48
Towing the watercraft ............................... 85
Transporting ............................................. 65
Trolling speed, checking .......................... 78
Troubleshooting ....................................... 80
Troubleshooting chart .............................. 80
Turning the watercraft .............................. 61
W
Water separator ....................................... 46
Watercraft characteristics ......................... 17
Water-skiing ............................................. 19
Y
Yamaha Engine Management System
(YEMS) ................................................. 32
Yamaha Security System and
low-RPM mode
(for VX Deluxe/VX Cruiser) ................... 32
Yamaha Security System
(for VX Deluxe/VX Cruiser) ................... 32
Yamaha Security System lock and
unlock modes
(for VX Deluxe/VX Cruiser) ................... 32
UF1K72E0.book Page 2 Wednesday, August 2, 2006 10:43 AM