Page 68 of 98

Operation
62
throttle lever is in the fully closed (idle) posi-
tion.
VX Deluxe / VX Cruiser:
When the shift lever is in the forward position
and the engine is running, the watercraft will
move forward. The watercraft will move for-
ward at trolling speed even if the throttle lever
is in the fully closed (idle) position. (See page30 for information on operating the shift le-
ver.)
EJU33255Turning the watercraft
WARNING
EWJ00772
Do not release the throttle lever when
trying to steer away from objects—you
need 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 passenger(s)
overboard, which could cause an injury.
Steering control depends on the combination
of handlebar position and the amount of
throttle.
1
Shift lever
2 Forward position
1
2
UF2P71E0.book Page 62 Wednesday, July 10, 2013 5:37 PM
Page 69 of 98

Operation
63
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, sothe watercraft will turn more sharply.
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 re-
leasing the throttle lever, but once the engine slows down, the watercraft will no
longer respond to handlebar input until
you apply 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 con-
tinuing to supply some thrust while the water-
UF2P71E0.book Page 63 Wednesday, July 10, 2013 5:37 PM
Page 82 of 98

Care and storage
76
EJU33493
Long-term storage
WARNING
EWJ00331
Always place the watercraft upright in a
horizontal position when storing it, other-
wise fuel could leak out into the engine or
engine compartment, which could create
a fire hazard.
Storage for long periods of time, such as win-
ter storage, requires preventive maintenance
to ensure against deterioration. It is advisable
to have the watercraft serviced by a Yamaha
dealer prior to storage.
However, the following procedures can be
performed easily by the owner.
EJU40763Cleaning
(1) Flush the cooling water passages. (Seepage 72 for information on flushing the
cooling water passages.)
TIP:
If you will be storing the watercraft for a pro-
longed period, such as winter storage, top off
the fuel tank with fresh gasoline and add fuel
stabilizer and conditioner to the fuel tank ac-
cording to the manufacturer’s instruction be-
fore starting the engine.
(2) Clean the watercraft. (See page 73 for in-formation on cleaning the watercraft.)
Wax the hull with a non-abrasive wax.
EJU40634Lubrication
Use a suitable marine grease applicator and
spray a rust inhibitor between the inner and
outer cables to lubricate the cables and
purge out any dirt and moisture.
To keep moving parts sliding or rotating
smoothly, lubricate them with water-resistant
grease.
Throttle cable (throttle lever end)
Steering cable (jet thrust nozzle end)
VX Deluxe / VX Cruiser:
Shift cable (shift lever end)Recommended water-resistant grease:
Yamaha Marine Grease/Yamaha
Grease A
UF2P71E0.book Page 76 Wednesday, July 10, 2013 5:37 PM
Page 96 of 98

Index
M
Main components, location of ................. 21
Maintenance ............................................ 78
Manufactured date label ............................ 2
Model information ...................................... 2
Multifunction information center .............. 33
Multifunction information center check ... 58
O
Oil pressure warning ................................ 36
Operating in weeded areas ...................... 70
Operating the watercraft .......................... 61
Operating the watercraft in reverse (VX Deluxe / VX Cruiser) ....................... 64
Operating your watercraft ........................ 59
Operation requirements ........................... 12
P
Periodic maintenance chart ..................... 79
Post-launch checks ................................. 58
Post-operation care ................................. 72
Pre-launch checks ................................... 52
Pre-operation check points ..................... 52
Pre-operation checklist ............................ 50
Primary Identification (PRI-ID) number ...... 1
R
Reboarding step (VX Deluxe / VX Cruiser) ............................................ 39
Recommended equipment ...................... 14
Remote control transmitter check (VX Deluxe / VX Cruiser) ....................... 55
Remote control transmitter (VX Deluxe / VX Cruiser) ............................................ 25
Reverse system checks (VX Deluxe /
VX Cruiser) ............................................ 54
Reverse system (VX Deluxe / VX Cruiser) ............................................ 30
Riding position ......................................... 60
Rustproofing ............................................ 77
S
Safe boating rules .................................... 18
Safety equipment check .......................... 57
Seat .......................................................... 38
Speedometer ........................................... 33
Start switch .............................................. 27
Starting off ............................................... 68
Starting off from a trailer .......................... 68 Starting the engine on water .................... 60
Steering system ....................................... 28
Steering system checks ........................... 53
Stern drain plug checks ........................... 57
Stern eyes ................................................ 40
Stopping the engine ................................. 61
Stopping the watercraft ........................... 64
Storage compartment checks.................. 56
Storage compartments ............................ 40
Submerged watercraft ............................. 88
Switch checks .......................................... 56
T
Tachometer .............................................. 34
Throttle lever ............................................ 28
Throttle lever checks ................................ 55
Tool kit ..................................................... 78
Towing the watercraft .............................. 88
Transporting on a trailer ........................... 48
Troubleshooting ....................................... 82
Troubleshooting chart .............................. 82
Turning the watercraft .............................. 62
W
Water separator ....................................... 29
Water separator check ............................. 52
Watercraft characteristics ........................ 15
Watercraft control functions..................... 25
Watercraft operation functions ................ 30
Watercraft operation modes .................... 31
Water-skiing ............................................. 17
Y
Yamaha Security System settings ........... 26
Yamaha Security System (VX Deluxe /
VX Cruiser) ............................................ 26
UF2P71E0.book Page 2 Wednesday, July 10, 2013 5:37 PM