Important manual information
EJU30191
To the owner/operator
Thank you for choosing a Yamaha watercraft.
This owner’s/operator’s manual contains in-
formation you will need for proper operation,
maintenance, and care. If you have any ques-
tions about the operation or maintenance of
your watercraft, please consult a Yamaha
dealer.
This manual is not a course on boating safety
or seamanship. If this is your first watercraft,
or if you are changing to a type of watercraft
you are not familiar with, for your own comfort
and safety, please ensure that you obtain
proper training or practice before operating
the watercraft by yourself. In addition, a
Yamaha dealer or boating organization will be
pleased to recommend local sea schools, or
competent instructors.
Because Yamaha has a policy of continuing
product improvement, this product may not be
exactly as described in this owner’s/opera-
tor’s manual. Specifications are subject to
change without notice.
This manual should be considered a perma-
nent part of this watercraft and should remain
with it even if the watercraft is subsequently
sold.
In this manual, information of particular impor-
tance is distinguished in the following ways:
The Safety Alert Symbol means ATTEN-
TION! BECOME ALERT! YOUR SAFETY IS
INVOLVED!
WARNING
EWJ00071
A WARNING indicates a hazardous situa-
tion which, if not avoided, could result in
death or serious injury.
NOTICE
ECJ00091
A NOTICE indicates special precautions
that must be taken to avoid damage to the
watercraft or other property.
TIP:
A TIP provides key information to make pro-
cedures easier or clearer.
EJU30231
WaveRunner VX/VX Deluxe/VX Cruiser
OWNER’S/OPERATOR’S MANUAL
©2008 by Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd.
1st Edition, May 2008
All rights reserved.
Any reprinting or unauthorized use
without the written permission of
Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd.
is expressly prohibited.
Printed in U.S.A.
UF2L70E0.book Page 3 Thursday, June 19, 2008 8:38 AM
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
4
EJU35911Warning labels
If any of these labels are damaged or missing, contact a Yamaha dealer for replacements.
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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
28
watercraft could fall, which could result in
severe injury.
[EWJ00021]
EJU34862
Reboarding step (for VX Cruiser)
The reboarding step provides a handhold and
footstep for boarding the watercraft.
WARNING! Do not use the reboarding step
to lift the watercraft. The reboarding step
is not designed to support the watercraft’s
weight. If the reboarding step breaks, the
watercraft could fall, which could result in
severe injury.
[EWJ01211]
NOTICE
ECJ00742
Use the reboarding step only to board the
watercraft in the water. Do not use the re-
boarding step for any other purpose. The
watercraft can be damaged.
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.
EJU31370Yamaha Engine Management System
(YEMS)
This model is equipped with an integrated,
computerized management system that con-
trols and adjusts ignition timing, fuel injection,
engine diagnostics, and the off-throttle steer-
ing (OTS) system.
1Handgrip
1Reboarding step
1Bow eye
1Stern eye
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Features and functions
31
EJU31453Multifunction information center
This meter contains the following functions for
help and convenience in operating the water-
craft.
When the engine is started, all displays light
up for 2 seconds, and then the meter starts to
operate normally.
The current display will continue to operate for
25 seconds after the engine stops.
EJU31461Tachometer
The engine speed (r/min) is displayed by seg-
ments. Each segment indicates a 250 r/min
increment.
EJU31500Speedometer
The meter shows the watercraft speed
against water.
TIP:
To switch the speedometer display between
kilometers and miles, push the select button
for at least 1 second, within 10 seconds after
the meter is displayed.
EJU31512Fuel level meter
The fuel level meter is provided for convenient
fuel level checking while riding.
The fuel level meter has eight segments
which show the amount of fuel remaining in
1Tachometer
2Speedometer
3Hour meter/voltmeter
4Fuel level meter
5“L-MODE” indicator light (for VX Deluxe/VX
Cruiser)
6“WARNING” light
7Fuel level warning indicator
8Oil pressure warning indicator
9Engine overheat warning indicator
10Check engine warning indicator
11Select button
12“SECURITY” indicator light
(for VX Deluxe/VX Cruiser)1Tachometer
1Select button
2Speedometer
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Features and functions
32
the fuel tank. The display segments of the fuel
level meter disappear two at a time as the fuel
level decreases.
TIP:
The fuel level is most accurate when the wa-
tercraft is sitting level on a trailer or in the wa-
ter.
EJU31552Hour meter/voltmeter
To switch the display between the hour meter
and the voltmeter, push the select button for
at least 1 second after the meter is displayed
for more than 10 seconds.
Hour meter
The hour meter is provided to make it easy to
follow the maintenance schedule.
The meter shows the hours of engine opera-
tion that have elapsed since the watercraft
was new.Voltmeter
The voltmeter is provided to display the volt-
age of the battery.
When the battery voltage is normal, the volt-
meter displays approximately 12 volts.
If the battery voltage is less than 8.0 volts,
“LO” is displayed on the voltmeter and if the
voltage is above 18.1 volts, “HI” is displayed
on the voltmeter. If “HI” or “LO” is displayed,
return to shore and, if necessary, have a
Yamaha dealer check the charging system
and the battery.
EJU31562Fuel level warning indicator
If the fuel remaining in the fuel tank drops to
about 13 L (3.4 US gal, 2.9 Imp. gal), the low-
est two fuel level segments, the fuel level
warning indicator, and the “WARNING” light
begin to blink. The buzzer also starts sound-
ing intermittently.
If this occurs, refill the fuel tank as soon as
possible.
The warning signals will be cleared when the
engine is restarted after the fuel tank is re-
filled.1Fuel level meter
1Select button
2Hour meter/voltmeter
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Features and functions
33
TIP:
Press the select button on the multifunction
information center to stop the buzzer.
EJU31622Oil pressure warning indicator
If the oil pressure does not rise to specifica-
tion, the “WARNING” light and the oil pres-
sure warning indicator begin to blink, and the
buzzer sounds intermittently. At the same
time, the engine speed is limited to help pre-
vent damage.
If this occurs, reduce the engine speed, return
to shore, and then check the engine oil level.
(See page 42 for engine oil level checking
procedures.) If the oil level is low, add enough
engine oil to raise it to the proper level. If the
oil level is sufficient, have a Yamaha dealer
check the watercraft.
TIP:
Press the select button on the multifunction
information center to stop the buzzer.
EJU31605Engine overheat warning indicator
This model is equipped with an engine over-
heat warning system.
If the engine starts to overheat, the “WARN-
ING” light and the engine overheat warning in-
dicator blink, and then come on. The buzzer
also begins to sound intermittently, and then it
sounds continuously. After the light and indi-
cator start to blink and the buzzer sounds, the
engine speed is limited to help prevent dam-
age.
If this occurs, immediately reduce the engine
speed, return to shore, and then check for wa-
ter discharge at the port (left) cooling water pi-
lot outlet while the engine is running. If there
is no discharge of water, shut the engine off,
1Select button1Select button
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