2017 YAMAHA VX engine

Operation
70
tion. (See page 31 for shift system operation
procedures.)
EJU43422Turning the watercraft
WARNING
EWJ01782
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.
Take early action to avoid collisions. The
RiDE system is not a braking device for
avoiding dangerous situations.
Steering control depends on the combination
of handlebar position and the amount of
throttle.
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, so
the 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
1“F” (Forward position)
1
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Operation
71
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.
E. If the RiDE lever is squeezed and the
handlebars are turned when the water-
craft is cruising at planing speed, the wa-tercraft will turn gradually while slowing
down.
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-
craft is decelerating, but you can turn more
sharply if you apply throttle while turning the
handlebars. The OTS system does not func-
tion below planing speeds or when the en-
gine 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.
EJU43251Stopping the watercraft
The watercraft is not equipped with a sepa-
rate braking system. The watercraft slows
down by water resistance or, when operating
in reverse, by the water jet. The watercraft
slows down as soon as the throttle lever is re-
leased, but will coast for a distance before
fully stopping. If you are not sure you can
stop in time before hitting an obstacle, apply
throttle and turn in another direction.
From full speed, the watercraft comes to a
complete stop due to water resistance in ap-
1Reverse gate
E
1
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Operation
72
proximately 100 m (330 ft) after the throttle le-
ver is released or the engine is stopped,
although this distance will vary depending on
many factors, including gross weight, water
surface conditions, and wind direction.
If the RiDE lever is squeezed to slow down,
the stopping distance is approximately 30%
shorter than when the RiDE lever is not used.
However, this distance will vary depending
on many factors, including gross weight, wa-
ter surface conditions, and wind direction.
WARNING
EWJ01791
Allow adequate stopping distance.
Take early action to avoid collisions. Re-
member, watercraft and other boats do
not have brakes.
Operate defensively at safe speeds and
keep a safe distance away from people,
objects, and other watercraft to give you
time to stop.
Do not shut the engine off when slowing
down in case you need engine power to
steer away from a boat or other obstacle
that comes into your path.
To avoid rear-end collisions while oper-
ating the watercraft, check behind you
before using the RiDE lever to slow
down or stop the watercraft.
EJU43442Operating the watercraft in reverse or
neutral
Operating in reverse
When the RiDE lever is squeezed, the “R” (re-
verse) shift indicator will be displayed in the
multifunction display and the watercraft will
move in reverse. (See page 31 for shift sys-
tem operation procedures.)
Make sure that there are no obstacles or peo-
ple behind you before shifting into reverse.
TIP:
This model is equipped with a function which
limits the engine speed in reverse.
Operating in neutral
When the RiDE lever is squeezed lightly and
released, the “N” (neutral) shift indicator will
be displayed in the multifunction display and
the watercraft will stop in its current location.
1“R” (Reverse position)
1
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Operation
73
(See page 31 for shift system operation pro-
cedures.)
EJU36087Boarding the watercraft
WARNING
EWJ01112
Be sure the operator and any passengers
have practiced boarding from the water
while still close to shore before riding. A
person who has made many unsuccessful
attempts to get back on the watercraft
may become fatigued and suffer from ex-
posure, increasing the risk of injury and
drowning.
Board the watercraft in water free from
weeds and debris and at least 60 cm (2 ft)
deep 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 peb-bles or sand could be sucked into the jet
intake, causing impeller damage and en-
gine overheating.
[ECJ00473]
TIP:
This watercraft is equipped with a reboarding
step, which can be lowered and used to as-
sist in reboarding. (See page 44 for informa-
tion on operating the reboarding step.)
EJU36354Boarding alone
(1) From the rear of the watercraft, place
both hands on the boarding platform,
pull yourself up, and then grasp the
handgrip with one hand.
1“N” (Neutral position)
1
60 cm (2 ft)
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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.
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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
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Operation
76
from objects—you need throttle to
steer.
NOTICE
ECJ01341
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, caus-
ing impeller damage and engine overheat-
ing.
EJU43271Starting off from a trailer
(1) Launch the watercraft.
(2) Attach the engine shut-off cord (lanyard)
to your left wrist, and then attach the clip
to the engine shut-off switch.
(3) Look in all directions, and then start the
engine.
(4) Squeeze the RiDE lever and move the
watercraft back slowly. (See page 31 for
RiDE lever operation procedures.)
EJU33114Boarding and starting off from a dock
(1) Board the watercraft from the side.
(2) Attach the engine shut-off cord (lanyard)
to your left wrist, and then attach the clip
to the engine shut-off switch.
(3) Push the watercraft away from the dock,
grip the handlebars with both hands, andplace both feet on the floor of the foot-
well.
(4) Look in all directions, start the engine,
and then start off slowly.
EJU44210Capsized watercraft
WARNING
EWJ00672
Improper uprighting can cause injury.
Be sure to shut the engine off by pulling
on the engine shut-off cord (lanyard) to
remove the clip from the engine shut-off
switch.
Do not put your hands in the intake
grate.
If the watercraft capsizes, turn it over imme-
diately.
To upright the watercraft:
(1) Remove the clip from the engine shut-off
switch.
(2) Swim to the rear of the watercraft. Turn
the watercraft over by pulling on the ride
plate with one hand while pushing down
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Operation
77
on the gunwale with your other hand or
your foot.
(3) Start the engine and operate the water-
craft at planing speed to drain the bilge
water from the engine compartment.
(See page 54 for information on draining
the bilge water. If the engine does not
start, see “Towing the watercraft” on
page 95 or “Submerged watercraft” on
page 95.) 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]
EJU43282
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 using the
throttle lever and RiDE lever to control
the watercraft speed. 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 damage and
engine overheating.
[ECJ00473]
(4) After reaching land, stop the engine, and
then get off the watercraft and pull it up
on the 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 using the
throttle lever and RiDE lever to control
the watercraft speed.
(4) After coming alongside the dock, stop
the engine, and then get off the water-
craft.
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
speed. If weeds may have clogged the intake
area, clean the jet intake. (See page 93 for in-
formation on the jet intake.)
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