2007 YAMAHA VX tow bar

Safety information
16

Always consult your doctor on whether it is
safe for you to ride this watercraft if you are
pregnant or in poor health.

Do not attempt to modify this watercraft!
Modifications to your watercraft may reduce
safety and reliability, and render the water-
craft unsafe or illegal for use.

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. After riding, remove the engine shut-
off cord from the watercraft to avoid acci-
dental starting or unauthorized use by chil-
dren or others.

Scan carefully for swimmers and stay away
from swimming areas. Swimmers are hard
to see and you could accidentally hit some-
one in the water.

Avoid being hit by another boat! You should
always take the responsibility to watch for
traffic; other boaters may not be watching
for you. If they do not see you, or if you ma-
neuver more quickly than other boaters ex-
pect, you risk a collision.

Maintain a safe distance from other boats
and watercraft, and also watch for ski ropes
or fishing lines. Obey the “Safe boating
rules” and be sure to check behind you be-
fore making a turn. (See “Safe boating
rules” on page 20.)
EJU30840
Recommended equipment
The following items should be carried on
board your watercraft:

Sound-signaling device
You should carry a whistle or other sound-
signaling device that can be used to signal
other boats.

Visual distress signals
It is recommended that a pyrotechnic de-
vice, which is approved by the appropriate
authorities, be stored in a waterproof con-
tainer on your watercraft. A mirror can also
be used as an emergency signal. Contact a
Yamaha dealer for more information.

Watch
A watch is helpful so you will know how long
you have been operating the watercraft.

Towline
A towline can be used to tow a disabled wa-
tercraft in an emergency.
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Features and functions
30
NOTE:

If the cooling water passages are dry, it will
take about 60 seconds for the water to
reach the outlet after the engine is started.

Water discharge may not be constant at
idle, therefore, open the throttle a little to
check that water discharges properly.
EJU31260Steering system
Your watercraft can be steered by turning the
handlebars in the direction you wish to travel.
When the handlebars are turned, the angle of
the jet thrust nozzle is changed, and the direc-
tion of the watercraft is changed accordingly.
Since the strength of the jet thrust determines
the speed and degree of a turn, throttle must
always be applied when attempting a turn, ex-
cept at trolling speed.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. The OTS system assists in
turning by continuing to supply some thrust
while the watercraft is decelerating, but you
can turn more sharply if you apply throttle
while turning the handlebars.
The OTS system does not function below
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.
EJU31300Shift lever (for VX Deluxe/VX Cruiser)
The shift lever is located on the starboard
(right) side of the watercraft and is used to
control the reverse gate, which allows the wa-
tercraft to move in reverse or forward.
When the shift lever is in the reverse position,
the watercraft can be launched from a trailer,
or backed up out of tight spots where you can-
not turn around easily.
To shift into reverse:
(1) Release the throttle lever and let the en-
gine speed return to idle.
(2) Pull the shift lever toward you.
1Handlebar
2Jet thrust nozzle
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Features and functions
31
WARNING
EWJ00030

Make sure that the throttle lever is com-
pletely released and that the engine is at
idle before shifting into reverse.

Do not use the reverse function to slow
down or stop the watercraft as it could
cause you to lose control, be ejected, or
impact the handlebars.

Use reverse for slow-speed maneuver-
ing only.

Make sure that there are no obstacles or
people behind you before shifting into
reverse.

Do not touch the reverse gate while the
shift lever is being operated, otherwise
you could be pinched.
To shift into forward:
(1) Release the throttle lever and let the en-
gine speed return to idle.
(2) Push the shift lever away from you.
EJU31360Handgrip
The handgrip provides a handhold for board-
ing the watercraft and for a spotter when fac-
ing rearward.
WARNING
EWJ00020
Do not use the handgrip to lift the water-
craft. The watercraft could fall, which
could result in severe injury.
EJU34870Bow eye
The bow eye is located at the bow of the wa-
tercraft.
The bow eye is used to attach a rope to the
watercraft when transporting, mooring, or
towing it in an emergency.
EJU34880Stern eyes
The stern eyes are located at the stern of the
watercraft.
The stern eyes are used to attach a rope to
the watercraft when transporting or mooring it.
1Handgrip
1Bow eye
1Stern eye
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Trouble recovery
85
WARNING
EWJ00800
Do not use fuses of higher amperage than
recommended. Substitution with a fuse
that has an improper rating can cause ex-
tensive electrical system damage and pos-
sible fire.
EJU34710Towing the watercraft
If the watercraft becomes inoperative in the
water, it can be towed to shore.
If the watercraft must be towed in an emer-
gency using a towline, the operator should
ride the watercraft, holding onto the handle-
bars.
CAUTION:
ECJ00720

Tow the watercraft at 5 mph (8 km/h) or
less, otherwise water could enter the en-
gine through the exhaust passages or
through the air intake and flood the en-
gine compartment if it is towed too fast.

Tow the watercraft using the bow eye
only.

The bow must be kept up out of the wa-
ter during towing to prevent water from
entering the engine compartment.
WARNING
EWJ00810

The watercraft should only be towed in
an emergency.

The towline should be long enough so
that the watercraft will not collide with
the towing boat when slowing down. A
good rule of thumb is a towline that is
three times the combined length of the
towing boat and the watercraft.

The operator of the towing boat must
keep speed to a minimum and avoid traf-
fic or obstacles which could be a hazard
to the rider on the watercraft.
EJU36150Submerged watercraft
If the watercraft is submerged or flooded with
water, follow the procedure below and consult
a Yamaha dealer as soon as possible. Failure
to do so could result in serious engine dam-
age!
In an emergency:
(1) Beach the watercraft and remove the
stern drain plugs to drain the water from
the engine compartment. (See page 46
for more information.) Remove the stor-
age compartment drain plugs to drain the
water from the storage compartments.
(2) Install the stern drain plugs and storage
compartment drain plugs.
(3) Disconnect the spark plug caps, and then
remove the spark plugs.
CAUTION:
ECJ00760
Do not connect the spark plugs to the
spark plug caps.
(4) Disconnect the fuel injector couplers.
CAUTION:
ECJ00770
Cover the disconnected fuel injector cou-
plers so that they do not get wet. If the cou-
1Bow eye
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