Operation
70
that the engine shut-off cord (lanyard)
is attached correctly. If the engine
shut-off cord (lanyard) is not attached
correctly, it may not pull free when the
operator falls off, allowing the water-
craft to continue to run and cause an
accident.
[EWJ00582]
(4) With the throttle lever released, push the
start switch (green button) to start the
engine. (See page 27 for information on
operating the start switch.)
EJU32863Stopping the engine
Release the throttle lever, and then push the
engine stop switch (red button) to stop the
engine. WARNING! You need throttle to
steer. Shutting the engine off can cause
you to hit an obstacle you are attemptingto avoid. A collision could result in severe
injury or death.
[EWJ00602]
EJU32873
Leaving the watercraft
If leaving the watercraft, remove the clip from
the engine shut-off switch to prevent acci-
dental starting or unauthorized operation by
children or others.
EJU43411Operating the watercraft
When the throttle lever is squeezed, the “F”
(forward) shift indicator will be displayed and
the watercraft will move forward. While the
“F” (forward) shift indicator is displayed, the
watercraft will move forward at trolling speed
even if the throttle lever is in the fully closed
1Clip
2Engine shut-off switch
3Engine shut-off cord (lanyard)
12
3
UF4G72E0.book Page 70 Tuesday, August 1, 2017 11:30 AM
Operation
75
(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.
UF4G72E0.book Page 75 Tuesday, August 1, 2017 11:30 AM
Operation
78
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 96 or “Submerged watercraft” on
page 96.) 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 94 for in-
formation on the jet intake.)
UF4G72E0.book Page 78 Tuesday, August 1, 2017 11:30 AM
Operation
79
EJU40242After removing the watercraft from
the water
NOTICE
ECJ01311
Do not run the engine over 4000 r/min on
land. Also, do not run the engine for more
than 15 seconds without supplying water,
otherwise the engine could overheat.
After operating and removing the watercraft
from the water, promptly discharge the re-
maining water from the cooling water pas-
sages.
To discharge water from the cooling water
passages:
(1) Make sure that the area around the wa-
tercraft is clear, and then start the en-
gine.
(2) Discharge the remaining water out of the
cooling water passages by alternately
squeezing and releasing the throttle lever
quickly for 10 to 15 seconds.
(3) Stop the engine.
UF4G72E0.book Page 79 Tuesday, August 1, 2017 11:30 AM
Care and storage
85
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
UF4G72E0.book Page 85 Tuesday, August 1, 2017 11:30 AM
Trouble recovery
95
ler, jet pump housing, and jet thrust noz-
zle.
If debris is difficult to remove, consult a
Yamaha dealer.
EJU43472Raising the reverse gate
If the RiDE system malfunctions and the re-
verse gate remains in the lowered position,
the watercraft will not be able to move for-
ward.
After raising the reverse gate so that the wa-
tercraft can move forward, immediately re-
turn to shore and have a Yamaha dealer
service the watercraft.
To raise the reverse gate:
(1) Stop the engine and remove the clip from
the engine shut-off switch.
(2) Enter the water and move to the rear of
the watercraft.
(3) Slide the shift rod joint toward the bow,
and then disconnect the shift rod joint
from the ball joint.(4) Raise the reverse gate to the forward po-
sition.TIP:
While the shift rod is disconnected, the re-
verse gate will not move to the neutral po-
sition or reverse position even if the RiDE
lever is squeezed.
If the RiDE lever is squeezed while the shift
rod is disconnected, the watercraft will
move forward.
EJU34642Jumping the battery
If the watercraft battery has run down, the en-
gine can be started using a 12-volt booster
battery and jumper cables.
EJU34664Connecting the jumper cables
WARNING
EWJ01251
To avoid battery explosion and serious
damage to the electrical system:
Do not reverse the polarity of the jumper
cables when connecting to the batter-
ies.
Do not connect the negative (–) jumper
cable to the negative (–) terminal of the
watercraft battery.
Do not touch the positive (+) jumper ca-
ble to the negative (–) jumper cable.
1Shift rod joint
2Ball joint
12
1Reverse gate
2Forward position
1
2
UF4G72E0.book Page 95 Tuesday, August 1, 2017 11:30 AM
98
Index
A
After removing the watercraft from the
water ..................................................... 79
B
Battery care.............................................. 81
Battery checks ......................................... 61
Battery, jumping ....................................... 95
Beaching and docking the watercraft ...... 78
Bilge water check..................................... 61
Bilge water, draining ................................ 54
Bilge water, draining on land ................... 54
Bilge water, draining on water ................. 55
Boarding alone ......................................... 74
Boarding and starting off from a dock ..... 77
Boarding the watercraft ........................... 74
Boarding with passenger(s) ..................... 75
Bow eye ................................................... 45
Bow storage compartment ...................... 46
Builder’s plate ............................................ 2
C
Capsized watercraft ................................. 77
Check engine warning ............................. 41
Cleaning ................................................... 84
Cleaning the watercraft ............................ 81
Cleat ......................................................... 45
Cooling water pilot outlet ......................... 29
Cooling water pilot outlet check .............. 66
Craft Identification Number (CIN)............... 1
Cruise assist
(VX Deluxe / VX Cruiser / VX Limited) ... 36
Cruising limitations................................... 11
E
Emergency procedures ............................ 94
Engine break-in ........................................ 57
Engine compartment check ..................... 60
Engine idling speed check ....................... 67
Engine oil ................................................. 53
Engine oil and oil filter .............................. 89
Engine oil level check............................... 61
Engine oil requirements ........................... 53
Engine overheat warning ......................... 40
Engine serial number ................................. 1
Engine shut-off cord (lanyard) check ....... 63
Engine shut-off switch ............................. 27
Engine stop switch................................... 27Engine unit check ..................................... 61
Enjoy your watercraft responsibly ............ 19
Equipment ................................................ 43
F
Fire extinguisher check ............................ 65
Fire extinguisher holder and cover........... 48
Fire extinguisher holder, cover, and
band checks ......................................... 64
Flushing the cooling water passages....... 80
Fuel .......................................................... 50
Fuel level check........................................ 60
Fuel level meter ........................................ 39
Fuel level warning..................................... 40
Fuel requirements .................................... 50
Fuel system checks ................................. 60
G
Getting to know your watercraft .............. 68
Glossary, watercraft ................................. 20
Glove compartment ................................. 47
H
Handgrip .................................................. 44
Hazard information................................... 15
Hood check .............................................. 66
Hour meter ............................................... 41
Hull and deck check ................................ 65
I
Identification numbers ............................... 1
Information display................................... 38
J
Jet intake and impeller, cleaning.............. 94
Jet intake checks ..................................... 65
Jet thrust nozzle and reverse gate
check .................................................... 65
Jumper cables, connecting ...................... 95
L
Labels, important ....................................... 4
Labels, other .............................................. 8
Labels, warning .......................................... 5
Launching the watercraft ......................... 69
Learning to operate your watercraft......... 68
Leaving the watercraft.............................. 70
Limitations on who may operate the
watercraft .............................................. 10
Long-term storage ................................... 84
UF4G72E0.book Page 98 Tuesday, August 1, 2017 11:30 AM
Index
99
Low RPM Mode
(VX Deluxe / VX Cruiser / VX Limited) ... 33
Lubrication ............................................... 84
M
Main components, location of ................. 21
Maintenance ............................................ 86
Manufactured date label ............................ 2
Model information ...................................... 2
Multifunction information center .............. 38
Multifunction information center check ... 66
N
No-wake mode
(VX Deluxe / VX Cruiser / VX Limited) ... 34
O
Oil pressure warning ................................ 40
Operating in weeded areas ...................... 78
Operating the watercraft .......................... 70
Operating the watercraft in reverse or
neutral ................................................... 73
Operating your watercraft ........................ 68
Operation requirements ........................... 12
P
Periodic maintenance chart ..................... 87
Post-launch checks ................................. 66
Post-operation care ................................. 80
Pre-launch checks ................................... 60
Pre-operation check points ..................... 60
Pre-operation checklist ............................ 58
Primary Identification (PRI-ID) number ...... 1
Pull-up cleats (VX Limited) ....................... 46
R
Raising the reverse gate .......................... 95
Reboarding step ...................................... 44
Recommended equipment ...................... 14
Remote control transmitter check
(VX Deluxe / VX Cruiser / VX Limited) ... 63
Remote control transmitter
(VX Deluxe / VX Cruiser / VX Limited) ... 25
Removable watertight storage
compartment ........................................ 48
RiDE lever................................................. 28
RiDE lever checks .................................... 63
Riding position ......................................... 69
Rustproofing ............................................ 84S
Safe boating rules .................................... 18
Safety equipment check .......................... 65
Seats ........................................................ 43
Shift indicator ........................................... 39
Shift system ............................................. 31
Shift system check ................................... 66
Speedometer ........................................... 38
Start switch .............................................. 27
Starting off ............................................... 76
Starting off from a trailer .......................... 77
Starting the engine on water .................... 69
Steering system ....................................... 28
Steering system checks ........................... 62
Stern drain plug checks ........................... 65
Stern eyes ................................................ 45
Stopping the engine ................................. 70
Stopping the watercraft ........................... 72
Storage compartment checks.................. 64
Storage compartments ............................ 46
Submerged watercraft ............................. 96
Switch checks .......................................... 64
T
Tachometer .............................................. 39
Throttle lever ............................................ 28
Throttle lever checks ................................ 63
Tool kit ..................................................... 86
Towing the watercraft .............................. 96
Transporting on a trailer ........................... 56
Troubleshooting ....................................... 91
Troubleshooting chart .............................. 91
Turning the watercraft .............................. 71
V
Voltmeter .................................................. 41
W
Wakeboarding and water-skiing .............. 17
Water separator ....................................... 29
Water separator check ............................. 60
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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