2009 YAMAHA FX SHO steering

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 ....................................... 8
Safety information ........................... 10
Limitations on who may operate
the watercraft ............................ 10
Cruising limitations ....................... 11
Operation requirements ............... 12
Recommended equipment ........... 14
Hazard information ....................... 15
Watercraft characteristics ............. 15
Water-skiing ................................. 17
Safe boating rules ........................ 19
Enjoy your watercraft
responsibly ................................ 19
Features and functions ................... 21
Location of main components ...... 21
Operation of controls and other
functions .................................... 25
Seats ............................................... 25
Hood ................................................ 26
Fuel tank filler cap ........................... 26
Remote control transmitter .............. 26
Engine stop switch .......................... 27
Engine shut-off switch ..................... 27
Start switch ...................................... 28
Right handlebar switches ................ 28
Throttle lever ................................... 29
Cooling water pilot outlets ............... 29
Steering system ............................... 30
Tilt lever ........................................... 30
Shift lever ........................................ 31Quick Shift Trim System (QSTS)
selector ........................................ 31
Handgrip .......................................... 33
Reboarding step .............................. 33
Bow eye ........................................... 33
Stern eyes ....................................... 34
Pull-up cleats
(for FX Cruiser SHO) ................... 34
Yamaha Engine Management
System (YEMS) ........................... 34
Yamaha Security System ................ 34
No-wake mode ................................ 36
Cruise assist .................................... 37
Multifunction information center ...... 39
Storage compartments .................... 49
Operation ......................................... 52
Fuel and oil .................................. 52
Fuel ................................................. 52
Engine oil ......................................... 53
Pre-operation checks ................... 54
Pre-operation check list ................... 54
Pre-operation check points .............. 56
Operation ..................................... 64
Engine break-in ............................... 64
Launching the watercraft ................. 64
Starting the engine .......................... 64
Stopping the engine ........................ 65
Shifting ............................................ 66
Leaving the watercraft ..................... 66
Operating your watercraft ............ 67
Getting to know your watercraft ....... 67
Learning to operate your
watercraft ..................................... 67
Riding with passengers ................... 68
Starting the watercraft ..................... 68
Boarding and starting in deep
water ............................................ 69
Capsized watercraft ......................... 72
Turning the watercraft ..................... 73
Stopping the watercraft ................... 74
Beaching the watercraft ................... 75
Docking the watercraft ..................... 75
Reverse on waterways .................... 75
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Safety information
15
EJU36850
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 muffler or engine dur-
ing or immediately after engine operation;
they can cause serious burns.
EJU30920
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.

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
legs, ankles, and other bones. You could
also damage the shift mechanism.
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Safety information
18
watch the skier’s hand signals and condi-
tion.
FX SHO
FX Cruiser SHO

Your control while pulling a water-skier is
affected by the skier’s ability, as well as wa-
ter and weather conditions.

When preparing to pull a skier, operate the
watercraft at the slowest possible speeduntil the watercraft is well away from the ski-
er and slack in the ski rope is taken up.
Make sure that the rope is not looped
around anything.
After checking that the skier is ready and
that there is no traffic or other obstacles, ap-
ply enough throttle to raise the skier.

Make smooth, wide turns. The watercraft is
capable of very sharp turns, which could ex-
ceed the abilities of the skier. Keep the skier
at least 50 m (150 ft), about twice the dis-
tance of a standard ski rope, from any po-
tential hazard.

Be alert to the hazard of the ski rope handle
snapping back at the watercraft when the
skier falls or is unable to get up on the skis.

Towing heavy or bulky objects other than
skiers, such as another boat or watercraft,
can cause loss of steering control and cre-
ate a hazardous condition. If you must tow
another boat in an emergency situation, op-
erate slowly and cautiously.
1Handgrip
1Handgrip
1Handgrip
1
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Features and functions
30
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.
EJU31291Tilt lever
The tilt lever is located in front of the glove
compartment and is used to adjust the tilt of
the handlebars. WARNING! Never pull the
tilt lever during operation, otherwise the
handlebars may suddenly change posi-
tion, which may lead to an accident.
[EWJ00041]
To adjust the tilt, pull the tilt lever up, and then
move the handlebars up or down to the de-
sired position.
Make sure that the tilt lever returns to its orig-
inal position and that the handlebars are
locked in place after adjusting them.
1Handlebar
2Jet thrust nozzle
1Tilt lever
1
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Operation
54
EJU31980
Pre-operation checks EJU31991Pre-operation check list
Before operating this watercraft, perform the checks in the following check list.
WARNING
EWJ00411
Failure to inspect or maintain the watercraft properly increases the possibility of an ac-
cident or damage to the watercraft. Do not operate the watercraft if you find any prob-
lem. If a problem cannot be corrected by the procedures provided in this manual, have
the watercraft inspected by a Yamaha dealer.
ITEM ROUTINE PAGE
BEFORE LAUNCH OR OPERATION
Engine compartmentRemove the seats to ventilate the engine compart-
ment. Check for fuel vapors and loose electrical con-
nections.56
BilgeCheck for water and fuel and drain if necessary. 58
Stern drain plugsCheck for proper installation. 58
Throttle leverCheck that the throttle lever springs back smoothly. 59
Steering systemCheck for proper operation.
Check that the handlebars are locked in place.60
Shift lever and reverse gateCheck for proper operation. 60
QSTSCheck for proper operation. 61
Fuel and oilCheck the fuel and oil levels and replenish if neces-
sary.
Check the hoses and tanks for leakage.56, 56
Water separatorCheck for water and drain if necessary. 57
BatteryCheck the electrolyte level and battery condition. 58
HoodCheck that the hood is securely closed. 26
Front and rear seatsCheck that the seats are securely installed. 25
Hull and deckCheck the hull and deck for cracks and other dam-
age.56
Jet intakeCheck for debris and remove if necessary. 62
Fire extinguisherCheck the condition and replace if necessary. 59
Engine shut-off cord (lan-
yard)Check the condition and replace if frayed or broken. 62
SwitchesCheck the start switch, engine stop switch, and en-
gine shut-off switch for proper operation.62
AFTER LAUNCH
Cooling water pilot outletCheck that water is discharged while the engine is
running and the watercraft is in the water.63
Multifunction information
centerCheck for warning indications and proper operation. 63
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Operation
60
plete range and spring back to the idle posi-
tion when released.
EJU32611Steering system
Check the handlebars for looseness.
Turn the handlebars as far as possible to the
right and left to make sure that operation is
smooth and unrestricted throughout the
whole range. Also, make sure that the jet
thrust nozzle moves as the handlebars are
turned, and that there is no free play between
the handlebars and the jet thrust nozzle.
Push the handlebars back and forth to check
that the tilt lever and handlebars are locked inplace. (See “Tilt lever” on page 30 for more in-
formation.)EJU36581Shift lever and reverse gate
WARNING
EWJ00031
Do not touch the reverse gate while the
shift lever is being operated, otherwise
you could be pinched.
Check the shift lever and reverse gate for
proper operation.
Make sure that the reverse gate goes down
completely when the shift lever is pulled up.
1Tilt lever
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Operation
73
which can result in severe damage.
[ECJ00541]
(3) Start the engine and operate the water-
craft as straight as possible and above
planing speed for at least 2 minutes to
discharge any water remaining in the en-
gine compartment. (If the engine does
not start, see “Towing the watercraft” on
page 98 or “Submerged watercraft” on
page 98.) NOTICE: Do not operate the
engine at full throttle for at least 1
minute after the engine has been re-
started. Excessive water in the engine
compartment can splash into the en-
gine, which can result in severe dam-
age.
[ECJ00551]
EJU33251
Turning the watercraft
WARNING
EWJ00770

Do not release the throttle lever when
trying to steer away from objects—youneed 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.
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.
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Operation
74
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.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.
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.
EJU33290Stopping 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
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