Operation
68
EJU40212Riding position
Operator riding position
The operator should grip the handlebars firm-
ly with both hands and sit astride the seat
with both feet on the floor of the footwell.
Passenger riding position
The passenger(s) should hold on firmly, either
to the person in front of them or to the hand-
grip provided, and sit astride the seat with
their feet on the floor of the footwell. Never al-
low a passenger to ride in front of the opera-
tor. (See page 17 for information on the riding
position when pulling a wakeboarder or wa-
ter-skier.)
EJU32803Launching the watercraft
When launching the watercraft, make sure
that there are no obstacles around you.
If the watercraft is launched from a trailer,
someone should make sure that waves do
not push the watercraft into the trailer.
EJU36346Starting the engine on water
WARNING
EWJ01531
Do not apply throttle when anyone is at the
rear of the watercraft. Turn the engine off
or keep it at idle. Water and debris exiting
the jet thrust nozzle can cause severe in-
jury.
To start the engine:
(1) VX Deluxe / VX Cruiser / VX Limited: If
the lock mode is selected for the
Yamaha Security System setting, select
the unlock mode. (See page 26 for
Yamaha Security System setting proce-
dures.)
(2) Move the watercraft to an area that is
free from weeds and debris, and has a
water depth of at least 60 cm (2 ft) from
the bottom of the watercraft. 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]
(3) Attach the engine shut-off cord (lanyard)
to your left wrist, and then attach the clip
to the engine shut-off switch. (See page
27 for information on operating the en-
gine shut-off switch.) WARNING! Check
UF4G71E0.book Page 68 Wednesday, July 27, 2016 9:32 AM
Operation
74
(2) Pull yourself up to a kneeling position on
the boarding platform, and then move to
the seat and sit astride.
(3) Attach the engine shut-off cord (lanyard)
to your left wrist, and then attach the clip
to the engine shut-off switch.
(4) Grip the handlebars with both hands and
place both feet on the floor of the foot-
well.
(5) Look in all directions, start the engine,
and then start off slowly.
EJU43260Boarding with passenger(s)
WARNING
EWJ01800
Severe internal injuries can occur if wa-
ter is forced into body cavities as a re-
sult of being near the jet thrust nozzle.
Do not start the engine until the passen-
gers are seated with their feet on the
floor of the footwell and are securelyholding on to the person in front of them
or to the handgrip provided.
Before boarding the watercraft, make
sure that the engine is stopped. If the
engine is running, the reverse gate may
move down and a person boarding
could be pinched.
The heavier the total weight of the operator
and passenger(s), the more difficult it will be
to balance the watercraft. Do not operate the
watercraft when the total weight exceeds 240
kg (530 lb) including any cargo.
To board with passenger(s):
(1) Board as noted in the previous section
“Boarding alone”.
(2) Grip the handlebars with both hands and
place both feet on the floor of the foot-
well.
(3) Have the first passenger move to the rear
of the watercraft.
UF4G71E0.book Page 74 Wednesday, July 27, 2016 9:32 AM
Operation
75
(4) Have the first passenger board using the
same procedure as the operator, place
their feet on the floor of the footwell, and
securely hold on to the operator.
(5) Have the second passenger follow the
same procedure. When the second pas-
senger is boarding, try to balance the
watercraft together with the first passen-
ger.
(6) Make sure that the passenger(s) have
their feet on the floor of the footwell andare securely holding on to the person in
front of them or to the handgrip provided.
(7) Attach the engine shut-off cord (lanyard)
to your left wrist, and then attach the clip
to the engine shut-off switch.
(8) Look in all directions, start the engine,
and then start off slowly.
EJU33083Starting off
WARNING
EWJ00712
To avoid collisions:
Scan constantly for people, objects, and
other watercraft. Be alert for conditions
that limit your visibility or block your vi-
sion of others.
Operate defensively at safe speeds and
keep a safe distance away from people,
objects, and other watercraft.
Do not follow directly behind watercraft
or other boats. Do not go near others to
spray or splash them with water. Avoid
sharp turns or other maneuvers that
make it hard for others to avoid you or
understand where you are going. Avoid
areas with submerged objects or shal-
low water.
Take early action to avoid collisions. Re-
member, watercraft and other boats do
not have brakes. Do not release the
throttle lever when trying to steer away
UF4G71E0.book Page 75 Wednesday, July 27, 2016 9:32 AM
Care and storage
80
ter flows out continually from the jet
thrust nozzle.
(7) Run the engine at idling speed for about
3 minutes watching the engine condition.
If the engine stops while flushing, turn
the water supply off immediately and
perform the procedure again from step 6.
NOTICE: Do not supply water to the
cooling water passages when the en-
gine is not running. The water could
flow back through the muffler into the
engine, causing severe engine dam-
age.
[ECJ00123]
(8) Turn the water supply off.
(9) Discharge the remaining water out of the
cooling water passages by alternately
squeezing and releasing the throttle lever
quickly for 10 to 15 seconds.
(10) Stop the engine.
(11) Remove the garden hose adapter, and
then securely install the flushing hose
connector cap by tightening it until it
stops.
(12) Securely install the removable watertight
storage compartment and seats in their
original positions.
EJU43840Cleaning the watercraft
(1) Remove the seats. (See page 43 for seat
removal and installation procedures.)
(2) If the watercraft will be stored for a week
or more, rustproof the internal enginecomponents to help prevent corrosion.
(See page 83 for information on rust-
proofing the internal engine compo-
nents.)
(3) Rinse the engine and engine compart-
ment with a small amount of water.
NOTICE: Do not use high-pressure
water when rinsing the engine or en-
gine compartment as severe engine
damage could result.
[ECJ00572]
(4) Drain the water from the engine com-
partment. (See page 54 for information
on draining the bilge water.)
(5) Wipe the engine and engine compart-
ment with a dry cloth.
(6) Wash down the hull, deck, and jet pump
with fresh water.
(7) Wipe the hull, deck, and jet pump with a
dry cloth.
(8) Wipe all vinyl and rubber components,
such as the seats and engine compart-
ment seals, with a vinyl protectant.
(9) To minimize corrosion, spray metallic
parts of the hull, deck, and engine with a
rust inhibitor.
(10) Allow the engine compartment to air dry
completely before installing the seats.
(11) Securely install the seats in their original
positions.
EJU33688Battery care
If the watercraft will not be used for more than
a month, remove the battery from the water-
craft, check it, and then store it in a cool, dry
place.
WARNING
EWJ00792
Battery electrolyte is poisonous and dan-
gerous, causing severe burns, etc. Elec-
trolyte contains sulfuric acid. Avoid
contact with skin, eyes, or clothing.
Antidotes
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Care and storage
82
Checking the battery bands
Make sure that the battery bands are not
damaged.
To store the battery:
(1) Clean the battery case using fresh water.
(2) If the battery terminals are dirty or cor-
roded, clean them using a wire brush.
(3) Apply water-resistant grease to the bat-
tery terminals.
(4) Store the battery in a cool, dry place.
NOTICE: Storing the battery in an un-
charged condition can cause perma-
nent battery damage. Check the
battery periodically.
[ECJ00103]
To install the battery:
(1) Place the battery in the battery compart-
ment and hook the battery bands onto
the holders.
(2) Connect the positive (+) battery lead (red)
to the positive (+) battery terminal.
NOTICE: Reversal of the battery leads
will damage the electrical parts.
[ECJ00262]
(3) Connect the negative (–) battery lead
(black) to the negative (–) battery termi-
nal.
(4) Connect the breather hose to the bat-
tery. WARNING! Fire or explosion
could result if the breather hose is
damaged, obstructed, or not connect-
ed properly.
[EWJ00452]
(5) Make sure that the battery is securely
held in place.
1Battery band
1Battery terminal
Recommended water-resistant grease:
YAMALUBE MARINE
GREASE/Yamaha Grease A
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Care and storage
84
wise, the fuel hose that is secured to
the air filter case cover could be dam-
aged.
[ECJ02620]
(3) Spray a rust inhibitor into the intake
opening for 3 seconds. WARNING! Do
not spray flammable rust inhibitor
products on engine surfaces while the
engine is hot. The sprayed substance
or propellants could catch fire.
[EWJ00262]
(4) Place the air filter case cover in its origi-
nal position, and then fit the hooks onto
the cover.
TIP:
Make sure that the air filter case cover is se-
curely installed.
(5) Make sure that the area around the wa-
tercraft is clear, and then start the engine
in a well-ventilated area and let it run atidle for 15 seconds. (See page 27 for in-
formation on starting the engine.)
(6) Stop the engine.
(7) Securely install the seats in their original
positions.
1Hook
2Air filter case cover
1Intake opening
2
1
1
UF4G71E0.book Page 84 Wednesday, July 27, 2016 9:32 AM
Trouble recovery
95
(1) Connect the positive (+) jumper cable to
the positive (+) battery terminals of both
batteries.
(2) Connect one end of the negative (–)
jumper cable to the negative (–) battery
terminal of the booster battery.
(3) Connect the other end of the negative (–)
jumper cable to an engine hanger.
(4) Start the engine, and then disconnect the
jumper cables by reversing the steps
above. (See page 27 for information on
starting the engine.)
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 flow
back 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 46 for infor-
1Positive (+) jumper cable
2Booster battery
3Negative (–) jumper cable
4Engine hanger
1
23
41Bow eye
1
UF4G71E0.book Page 95 Wednesday, July 27, 2016 9:32 AM
Index
98
Low RPM Mode
(VX Deluxe / VX Cruiser / VX Limited) ... 33
Lubrication ............................................... 83
M
Main components, location of ................. 21
Maintenance ............................................ 85
Manufactured date label ............................ 2
Model information ...................................... 2
Multifunction information center .............. 38
Multifunction information center check ... 65
N
No-wake mode
(VX Deluxe / VX Cruiser / VX Limited) ... 34
O
Oil pressure warning ................................ 41
Operating in weeded areas ...................... 77
Operating the watercraft .......................... 69
Operating the watercraft in reverse or
neutral ................................................... 72
Operating your watercraft ........................ 67
Operation requirements ........................... 12
P
Periodic maintenance chart ..................... 86
Post-launch checks ................................. 65
Post-operation care ................................. 79
Pre-launch checks ................................... 59
Pre-operation check points ..................... 59
Pre-operation checklist ............................ 57
Primary Identification (PRI-ID) number ...... 1
Pull-up cleats (VX Limited) ....................... 46
R
Raising the reverse gate .......................... 94
Reboarding step ...................................... 44
Recommended equipment ...................... 14
Remote control transmitter check
(VX Deluxe / VX Cruiser / VX Limited) ... 62
Remote control transmitter
(VX Deluxe / VX Cruiser / VX Limited) ... 25
Removable watertight storage
compartment ........................................ 48
RiDE lever................................................. 28
RiDE lever checks .................................... 62
Riding position ......................................... 68
Rustproofing ............................................ 83S
Safe boating rules .................................... 18
Safety equipment check .......................... 64
Seats ........................................................ 43
Shift indicator ........................................... 40
Shift system ............................................. 31
Shift system check ................................... 65
Speedometer ........................................... 38
Start switch .............................................. 27
Starting off ............................................... 75
Starting off from a trailer .......................... 76
Starting the engine on water .................... 68
Steering system ....................................... 28
Steering system checks ........................... 61
Stern drain plug checks ........................... 64
Stern eyes ................................................ 45
Stopping the engine ................................. 69
Stopping the watercraft ........................... 71
Storage compartment checks.................. 63
Storage compartments ............................ 46
Submerged watercraft ............................. 95
Switch checks .......................................... 63
T
Tachometer .............................................. 39
Throttle lever ............................................ 28
Throttle lever checks ................................ 62
Tool kit ..................................................... 85
Towing the watercraft .............................. 95
Transporting on a trailer ........................... 55
Troubleshooting ....................................... 90
Troubleshooting chart .............................. 90
Turning the watercraft .............................. 70
V
Voltmeter .................................................. 42
W
Wakeboarding and water-skiing .............. 17
Water separator ....................................... 29
Water separator check ............................. 59
Watercraft characteristics ........................ 15
Watercraft control functions..................... 25
Watercraft operation functions ................ 31
Watercraft operation modes .................... 33
Y
Yamaha Security System settings ........... 26
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