2014 YAMAHA VX tow

Table of contents
Post-launch checks ......................... 58
Operation ......................................... 59
Operating your watercraft ............. 59
Getting to know your watercraft ...... 59
Learning to operate your
watercraft ...................................... 59
Riding position ................................. 60
Launching the watercraft ................. 60
Starting the engine on water ............ 60
Stopping the engine ......................... 61
Leaving the watercraft...................... 61
Operating the watercraft .................. 61
Turning the watercraft ...................... 62
Stopping the watercraft ................... 64
Operating the watercraft in reverse
(VX Deluxe / VX Cruiser)................ 64
Boarding the watercraft ................... 65
Starting off........................................ 68
Capsized watercraft ......................... 69
Beaching and docking the
watercraft ...................................... 70
Operating in weeded areas .............. 70
After removing the watercraft from
the water ....................................... 71
Care and storage............................. 72
Post-operation care ...................... 72
Flushing the cooling water
passages....................................... 72
Cleaning the watercraft .................... 73
Battery care ...................................... 73
Long-term storage ........................ 76
Cleaning ........................................... 76
Lubrication ....................................... 76
Rustproofing..................................... 77
Maintenance .................................... 78
Maintenance.................................. 78
Tool kit.............................................. 78
Periodic maintenance chart ............. 79
Engine oil and oil filter ...................... 80
Specifications .................................. 81
Specifications ............................... 81
Trouble recovery ............................. 82
Troubleshooting ............................ 82
Troubleshooting chart ...................... 82
Emergency procedures ................ 85
Cleaning the jet intake and
impeller ......................................... 85
Jumping the battery ......................... 86
Replacing the fuses .......................... 86
Towing the watercraft....................... 88
Submerged watercraft ..................... 88
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Safety information
14
tercraft to avoid accidental starting or un-
authorized use by children or others.
Scan carefully for swimmers and stay away
from swimming areas. Swimmers are hard
to see and you could accidentally hit some-
one in the water.
Avoid being hit by another boat. You
should always take the responsibility to
watch for traffic; other boaters may not be
watching for you. If they do not see you, or
if you maneuver more quickly than other
boaters expect, you risk a collision.
Maintain a safe distance from other boats
and watercraft, and also watch for ski
ropes or fishing lines. Obey the “Safe boat-
ing rules” and be sure to check behind you
before making a turn. (See “Safe boating
rules” on page 18.)
EJU30841
Recommended equipment
The following items should be carried on
board your watercraft:
Sound-signaling device
You should carry a whistle or other sound-
signaling device that can be used to signal
other boats.
Visual distress signals
It is recommended that a pyrotechnic de-
vice, which is approved by the appropriate
authorities, be stored in a waterproof con-
tainer on your watercraft. A mirror can also
be used as an emergency signal. Contact a
Yamaha dealer for more information.
Watch
A watch is helpful so you will know how
long you have been operating the water-
craft.
Towline
A towline can be used to tow a disabled
watercraft in an emergency.
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Safety information
18
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,
apply enough throttle to raise the skier.
Make smooth, wide turns. The watercraft is
capable of very sharp turns, which could
exceed the abilities of the skier. Keep the
skier at least 50 m (164 ft), about twice the
distance of a standard ski rope, from any
potential 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,
operate slowly and cautiously.
EJU30971
Safe boating rules
Your Yamaha watercraft is legally considered
a powerboat. Operation of the watercraft
must be in accordance with the rules and
regulations governing the waterway on which
it is used.
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Equipment operation
40
EJU34873Bow eye
The bow eye is used to attach a rope to the
watercraft when transporting, mooring, or
towing it in an emergency. (See page 88 for
information on towing the watercraft.)
EJU34882Stern eyes
The stern eyes are used to attach a rope to
the watercraft when transporting or mooring
it.
EJU40421Cleat
The cleat is used to attach a ski rope to the
watercraft when pulling a water-skier.
WARNING! Do not use the cleat to lift the
watercraft. The cleat is not designed to
support the watercraft’s weight. If thecleat breaks, the watercraft could fall,
which could result in severe injury.
[EWJ01511]
EJU31684
Storage compartments
This watercraft is equipped with the following
storage compartments.
The storage compartments are not designed
to be waterproof. If you carry objects that
must be kept dry, put them in a waterproof
bag.
Make sure that the storage compartments
are closed securely before operating the wa-
tercraft.
EJU31716Bow storage compartment
The bow storage compartment is located un-
der the hood.
1Bow eye
1Stern eye
1
1
1Cleat
1
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Equipment operation
42
To open the glove compartment:
Slide the glove compartment latch toward
you, and then lift up the lid.To close the glove compartment:Push the lid down to securely lock it in place.
EJU41421Beverage holder (VX Deluxe / VX Cruiser)
The beverage holder is located in the glove
compartment. (See page 41 for information
on the glove compartment.)
The beverage holder is removable.
Do not place any items in the beverage hold-
er while riding. Otherwise, the items may fall
out of the beverage holder.
EJU40992Fire extinguisher holder and cover
The fire extinguisher holder and cover are lo-
cated in the bow storage compartment.
1Glove compartment latch
1Glove compartment
Glove compartment:
Capacity:
7.0 L (1.8 US gal, 1.5 Imp.gal)
Load limit:
1.5 kg (3 lb)
1
1
1Beverage holder
1
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Operation and handling requirements
48
engine, which can result in severe dam-
age.
[ECJ00554]EJU33465Transporting on a trailer
When transporting the watercraft on a trailer,
secure the tie downs to the trailer through the
bow eye and stern eyes. NOTICE: Do not at-
tach ropes or tie downs to any part of the
watercraft other than the bow eye and
stern eyes to secure the watercraft to the
trailer. Otherwise, the watercraft may be
damaged. Wrap the ropes or tie downs
with towels or rags where they touch the
body of the watercraft to avoid scratches
or damage. VX Deluxe / VX Cruiser: Do not
transport the watercraft with the shift le-
ver in the reverse position. Otherwise, the
reverse gate may hit an obstacle, which
could cause damage.
[ECJ00645]
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Operation
70
which can result in severe damage.
[ECJ00542]
(3) Start the engine and operate the water-
craft at planing speed to drain the bilge
water from the engine compartment.
(See page 47 for information on draining
the bilge water. If the engine does not
start, see “Towing the watercraft” on
page 88 or “Submerged watercraft” on
page 88.) NOTICE: Do not run the en-
gine at full throttle for at least 1 minute
after the engine has been restarted.
Bilge water in the engine compart-
ment can splash into the engine,
which can result in severe damage.
[ECJ00554]
EJU35963
Beaching and docking the watercraft
To beach the watercraft:
(1) Make sure that there are no boats, swim-
mers, or obstacles near the beach.(2) Release the throttle lever to reduce
speed about 100 m (330 ft) before you
reach the intended beaching area.
(3) Slowly approach the beach and stop the
engine just before reaching land.
WARNING! You need throttle to steer.
Shutting the engine off can cause you
to hit an obstacle you are attempting
to avoid. A collision could result in se-
vere injury or death.
[EWJ00602] NOTICE:
Never run the engine in water that is
less than 60 cm (2 ft) deep from the
bottom of the watercraft, otherwise
pebbles or sand could be sucked into
the jet intake, causing impeller dam-
age and engine overheating.
[ECJ00473]
( 4 ) G e t o f f t h e w a t e r c r a f t a n d p u l l i t u p o n t h e
beach.
To dock the watercraft:
(1) Make sure that there are no boats, swim-
mers, or obstacles near the dock.
(2) Release the throttle lever to reduce
speed about 100 m (330 ft) away from
the dock.
(3) Slowly approach the dock and stop the
engine just before coming alongside it.
WARNING! You need throttle to steer.
Shutting the engine off can cause you
to hit an obstacle you are attempting
to avoid. A collision could result in se-
vere injury or death.
[EWJ00602]
(4) Come alongside the dock and get off the
watercraft.
EJU37194Operating in weeded areas
Always avoid using your watercraft in areas
where weed growth is thick. If operating in
weeded areas is unavoidable, alternately
squeeze the throttle lever and relax your grip
on the throttle lever to vary the engine speed.
Weeds tend to become clogged more when
operating at a steady speed and at trolling
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Trouble recovery
88
If the fuse immediately blows again, the elec-
trical system may be defective. If this occurs,
have a Yamaha dealer service the watercraft.
EJU34716Towing the watercraft
WARNING
EWJ00812
The operator of the towing boat must
keep speed to a minimum and avoid
traffic or obstacles which could be a
hazard to the operator on the water-
craft.
The towline should be long enough so
that the watercraft will not collide with
the towing boat when slowing down.
If the watercraft becomes inoperative in the
water, it can be towed to shore.
To tow the watercraft:
Use a towline that is three times the com-
bined length of the towing boat and the wa-
tercraft.
(1) Securely attach the towline to the bow
eye of the watercraft being towed.
(2) Sit astride the seat and hold on to the
handlebars in order to balance the water-
craft. NOTICE: The bow must be kept
up out of the water during towing, oth-
erwise water could flood the engine
compartment or water could flowback into the engine, causing severe
engine damage.
[ECJ01331]
Tow the watercraft at 8 km/h (5 mph) or less.
NOTICE: Tow the watercraft at 8 km/h (5
mph) or less, otherwise water could flood
the engine compartment or water could
flow back into the engine, causing severe
engine damage.
[ECJ01322]
EJU36156
Submerged watercraft
If the watercraft is submerged or flooded with
water, drain the bilge water from the engine
compartment. Then, have a Yamaha dealer
service the watercraft as soon as possible.
If the watercraft was submerged:
(1) Remove the watercraft from the water
and drain the water from the storage
compartments. (See page 40 for infor-
mation on draining the storage compart-
ments.)
(2) Drain the bilge water from the engine
compartment. (See page 47 for informa-
tion on draining the bilge water.)
(3) Have the watercraft serviced by a
Yamaha dealer as soon as possible.
NOTICE: Be sure to have a Yamaha
dealer inspect the watercraft. Other-
wise, serious engine damage could
result.
[ECJ00792]
1Bow eye
1
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