2009 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 .......................................... 27Reboarding step (for VX Cruiser) .... 28
Bow eye ........................................... 28
Stern eyes ....................................... 28
Yamaha Engine Management
System (YEMS) ........................... 28
Yamaha Security System
(for VX Deluxe/VX Cruiser) .......... 29
Multifunction information center ...... 31
Storage compartments .................... 35
Operation ......................................... 38
Fuel and oil .................................. 38
Fuel ................................................. 38
Engine oil ......................................... 39
Pre-operation checks ................... 40
Pre-operation check list ................... 40
Pre-operation check points .............. 42
Operation ..................................... 48
Engine break-in ............................... 48
Launching the watercraft ................. 48
Starting the engine .......................... 48
Stopping the engine ........................ 49
Shifting
(for VX Deluxe/VX Cruiser) .......... 50
Leaving the watercraft ..................... 50
Operating your watercraft ............ 51
Getting to know your watercraft ....... 51
Learning to operate your
watercraft ..................................... 51
Riding with passengers ................... 52
Starting the watercraft ..................... 52
Boarding and starting in deep
water ............................................ 53
Capsized watercraft ......................... 56
Turning the watercraft ..................... 57
Stopping the watercraft ................... 58
Beaching the watercraft ................... 59
Docking the watercraft ..................... 59
Reverse on waterways
(for VX Deluxe/VX Cruiser) .......... 59
Operating in weeded areas ............. 60
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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
EJU31021
Operation of controls and other
functions
EJU31032Seat
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 the
rear of the seat down to lock it in place. Makesure that the seat is securely installed before
operating the watercraft.
EJU31072Hood
To open the hood, pull the hood latch up, and
then lift up the hood.
To close the hood, push down on the rear of
the hood until it latches securely. Make sure
1Seat latch
1Seat latch
1Hood latch
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Features and functions
24
that the hood is securely closed before oper-
ating the watercraft.
EJU31091Fuel tank filler cap
To remove the fuel tank filler cap, turn it coun-
terclockwise.
To install the fuel tank filler cap, turn it clock-
wise until it stops. Make sure that the fuel tank
filler cap is securely closed before operating
the watercraft.
EJU36621Remote 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 SecuritySystem” on page 29 for information on using
the remote control transmitter.)
The Yamaha Security System and low-RPM
mode settings can only be selected using the
remote control transmitter.
Store the remote control transmitter carefully
so it will not be lost. When operating the wa-
tercraft, store the transmitter in the transmitter
holder provided in the glove compartment.
NOTICE
ECJ00751

The remote control transmitter is not
completely waterproof. Do not sub-
merge the transmitter or operate it un-
derwater. If the transmitter is
submerged, dry it with a soft, dry cloth,
and then check that it is operating prop-
erly. If the transmitter is not operating
properly, contact a Yamaha dealer.
1Fuel tank filler cap
1Transmitter holder
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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.
EJU31301Shift 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.
EJU31361Handgrip
The handgrip provides a handhold for board-
ing the watercraft and for a spotter when fac-
ing rearward. WARNING! Do not use the
handgrip to lift the watercraft. The hand-
grip is not designed to support the water-
craft’s weight. If the handgrip breaks, the
1Handlebar
2Jet thrust nozzle1Shift lever
2Forward position
3Reverse position
1
3
2
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Features and functions
29
EJU36761Yamaha 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.
The lock and unlock modes of the security
system are selected using the remote control
transmitter that is included with this water-
craft.
TIP:
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 if it does not op-
erate properly, contact a Yamaha dealer.
(See page 24 for information on using the re-
mote control transmitter.)
EJU36104Yamaha Security System settings (for VX
Deluxe/VX Cruiser)
The Yamaha Security System settings are se-
lected by pressing the lock or unlock button
on the remote control transmitter briefly.Depending on the selected Yamaha Security
System setting, the “SECURITY” indicator
light will come on or go off.
TIP:
The lock and unlock modes of this system can
only be selected while the engine is stopped.
LOCK
When the lock button on the remote control
transmitter is pressed briefly, the beeper
sounds once and the “SECURITY” indicator
light goes off. This indicates the lock mode is
selected and the engine cannot be started.
UNLOCK
When the unlock button on the remote control
transmitter is pressed briefly, the beeper
sounds two or three times and the “SECURI-
TY” indicator light comes on. This indicates
1Remote control transmitter
1Lock button
2Unlock button
1“SECURITY” indicator light
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