2008 YAMAHA VX cruise control

Table of contents
General and important labels ........... 1
Identification numbers .................... 1
Primary Identification (PRI-ID)
number ........................................... 1
Craft Identification Number (CIN) ...... 1
Engine serial number ........................ 1
Model information ........................... 2
Builder’s plate .................................... 2
Important labels .............................. 3
Warning labels ................................... 4
Other labels ....................................... 7
Safety information ............................. 9
Limitations on who may operate
the watercraft .............................. 9
Cruising limitations ....................... 10
Operation requirements ............... 11
Recommended equipment ........... 13
Hazard information ....................... 14
Watercraft characteristics ............. 14
Water-skiing ................................. 16
Safe boating rules ........................ 17
Enjoy your watercraft
responsibly ................................ 18
Features and functions ................... 19
Location of main components ...... 19
Operation of controls and other
functions .................................... 23
Seat ................................................. 23
Hood ................................................ 23
Fuel tank filler cap ........................... 24
Remote control transmitter
(for VX Deluxe/VX Cruiser) .......... 24
Engine stop switch .......................... 25
Engine shut-off switch ..................... 25
Start switch ...................................... 26
Throttle lever ................................... 26
Cooling water pilot outlet ................. 26
Steering system ............................... 27
Shift lever (for VX Deluxe/
VX Cruiser) .................................. 27
Handgrip .......................................... 28Bow eye ........................................... 28
Stern eyes ....................................... 28
Yamaha Engine Management
System (YEMS) ........................... 28
Yamaha Security System and
low-RPM mode (for VX Deluxe/
VX Cruiser) .................................. 29
Multifunction information center ...... 30
Storage compartments .................... 35
Operation ......................................... 38
Fuel and oil .................................. 38
Gasoline .......................................... 38
Engine oil ......................................... 39
Filling the fuel tank .......................... 39
Pre-operation checks ................... 40
Pre-operation check list ................... 40
Pre-operation check points .............. 42
Operation ..................................... 49
Engine break-in ............................... 49
Launching the watercraft ................. 49
Starting the engine .......................... 49
Stopping the engine ........................ 51
Leaving the watercraft ..................... 51
Operating your watercraft ............ 52
Getting to know your watercraft ....... 52
Learning to operate your
watercraft ..................................... 52
Riding with passengers ................... 53
Starting the watercraft ..................... 53
Boarding and starting in deep
water ............................................ 54
Capsized watercraft ......................... 57
Turning the watercraft ..................... 58
Stopping the watercraft ................... 60
Beaching the watercraft ................... 60
Docking the watercraft ..................... 60
Reverse on waterways
(for VX Deluxe/VX Cruiser) .......... 60
Rough water operation .................... 61
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General and important labels
8
The following label indicates the correct direction to upright a capsized watercraft.
For VX Deluxe/VX Cruiser only
The following CE marking is located on the back of the remote control transmitter.
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Safety information
14
EJU30870
Hazard information

Never start the engine or let it run for any
length of time in an enclosed area. Exhaust
fumes contain carbon monoxide, a color-
less, odorless gas that may cause loss of
consciousness and death within a short
time. Always operate the watercraft in an
open area.

Do not touch the hot oil tank, muffler, or en-
gine during or immediately after engine op-
eration; they can cause serious burns.
EJU30930
Watercraft characteristics

Jet thrust turns the watercraft. 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.
This model is equipped with the Yamaha
Engine Management System (YEMS) that
includes an off-throttle steering (OTS) sys-
tem. It will activate at planing speeds should
you attempt to steer the watercraft after re-
leasing the throttle lever. The OTS system
assists in turning by continuing to supply
some thrust while the watercraft is deceler-
ating, 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
input until you apply throttle again or you
reach trolling speed.
Practice turning in an open area without ob-
stacles until you have a good feel for this
maneuver.

This watercraft is water-jet propelled. The
jet pump is directly connected to the engine.
This means that jet thrust will produce some
movement whenever the engine is running.
There is no “neutral” position. You are in ei-
ther “forward” or “reverse”, depending upon
the shift lever position (for VX Deluxe/VX
Cruiser).

For VX Deluxe/VX Cruiser:
Do not use the reverse function to slow
down or stop the watercraft as it could
cause you to lose control, be ejected, or im-
pact the handlebars.
This could increase the risk of back/spinal
injury (paralysis), facial injuries, and broken
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Features and functions
21
Control system
1Start switch
2Engine shut-off switch
3Clip
4Multifunction information center
5Rearview mirrors
(for VX Deluxe/VX Cruiser)
6Shift lever (for VX Deluxe/VX Cruiser)
7Throttle lever
8Glove compartment
9Remote control transmitter
(for VX Deluxe/VX Cruiser)
10Engine stop switch
11Engine shut-off cord (lanyard)
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Features and functions
23
EJU31020
Operation of controls and other
functions
EJU31031Seat
There is a seat latch at the rear of the seat to
remove the seat.
To remove the seat:
Pull the seat latch up, and then pull the seat
off.
VX/VX Deluxe
VX Cruiser
To install the seat:
Insert the projection on the front of the seat
into the stay on the deck, and then push therear of the seat down to lock it in place secure-
ly.
NOTE:
Make sure that the seat is securely installed
before operating the watercraft.
EJU31071Hood
To open the hood, pull the hood latch up, and
then lift up the hood.
1Seat latch
1Seat latch
1Hood latch
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Features and functions
24
To close the hood, push the hood down to
lock it in place.
NOTE:
Make sure that the hood is securely closed
before operating the watercraft.
EJU31090Fuel tank filler cap
To remove the fuel tank filler cap, turn it coun-
terclockwise.
NOTE:
Make sure that the fuel tank filler cap is se-
curely closed before operating the watercraft.
EJU36620Remote control transmitter (for VX
Deluxe/VX Cruiser)
The Yamaha Security System and low-RPM
mode settings are selected using the remote
control transmitter. (See “Yamaha Security
System and low-RPM mode” on page 29 forinformation on using the remote control trans-
mitter.)
CAUTION:
ECJ00020
The Yamaha Security System and low-
RPM mode settings can only be selected
using the remote control transmitter. Ob-
serve the following precautions to protect
your remote control transmitter:

Store the remote control transmitter
carefully so it will not be lost. When op-
erating the watercraft, use the transmit-
ter holder in the glove compartment. If
you accidentally lose your remote con-
trol transmitter, contact a Yamaha deal-
er.

While the remote control transmitter has
been designed for use in wet environ-
ments, it should not be operated under-
water or submerged for an extended
length of time. If it gets wet, dry it with a
soft, dry cloth.

Keep the remote control transmitter
away from high temperatures and do not
place it in direct sunlight.

Do not drop the remote control transmit-
ter, subject it to strong shocks, or place
any heavy items on it.

Use a soft, dry cloth to clean the trans-
mitter. Do not use detergent, alcohol, or
other chemicals.
1Fuel tank filler cap
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Features and functions
27
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 youcan 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.
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.
1Handlebar
2Jet thrust nozzle
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Features and functions
29
EJU31380Yamaha Security System and low-
RPM mode (for VX Deluxe/VX Cruiser)
This watercraft is equipped with a remote con-
trol transmitter that is used to select the secu-
rity system and low-RPM mode settings.
Since the watercraft is programmed to recog-
nize the internal code from this transmitter
only, the security system setting can only be
changed with this transmitter. If you lose the
remote control transmitter or it does not oper-
ate properly, contact a Yamaha dealer.
EJU31390Yamaha Security System
(for VX Deluxe/VX Cruiser)
The Yamaha Security System functions to
help prevent unauthorized use or theft of the
watercraft. The engine cannot be started if the
security system is in the lock mode. The en-
gine can only be started in the unlock mode.
EJU36102Yamaha Security System lock and unlock
modes (for VX Deluxe/VX Cruiser)
The lock and unlock modes of this system can
only be selected while the engine is stopped.
When the lock button on the remote control
transmitter is pressed, the beeper sounds
once. This indicates the lock mode is selected
and the engine cannot be started.
The “SECURITY” indicator light comes on
when the security system is in the unlockmode and goes off when the security system
is in the lock mode.
When the unlock button on the remote control
transmitter is pressed for a short time, the
beeper sounds two times for the normal mode
or three times for the low-RPM mode. The
“SECURITY” indicator light will come on and
the engine can be started. (See the items in
“Selecting the normal mode/low-RPM mode”
for operation mode information.)
1Lock button
1“SECURITY” indicator light
1Unlock button
Number
of beepsYamaha Security Sys-
tem modeEngine
can be
started
1 beep Lock NO
2 beepsUnlock
(normal mode)YES
3 beepsUnlock
(low-RPM mode)YES
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