Operation
73
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.
EJU45000Stopping 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-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.
VX / VX Deluxe / VX Cruiser / VX Limited: 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
EWJ01792
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.
VX / VX Deluxe / VX Cruiser / VX Limited:
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.
1Reverse gate
E
1
UF4G73E0.book Page 73 Friday, May 25, 2018 2:21 PM
Care and storage
82
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 85 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
UF4G73E0.book Page 82 Friday, May 25, 2018 2:21 PM
Maintenance
87
EJU33769
Maintenance
Periodic checks and lubrication will keep
your watercraft in the safest and most effi-
cient condition possible. Therefore, make
sure to carry out the periodic maintenance.
Safety is an obligation of the watercraft own-
er. Proper maintenance must be carried out
to keep the exhaust emission and sound lev-
els within the regulated limits. The most im-
portant points of watercraft inspection and
lubrication are explained on the following pa-
ges.
See a Yamaha dealer for genuine Yamaha re-
placement parts and optional accessories
designed for your watercraft.
Remember, failures that are the result of the
installation of parts or accessories which are
not qualitatively equivalent to genuine
Yamaha parts are not covered by the limited
warranty.
Maintenance, replacement, or repair of
the emission control devices and system
may be performed by any marine SI engine
repair establishment or individual. War-
ranty repair, however, must be performed
at an authorized Yamaha marine dealer-
ship.
WARNING
EWJ00312
Be sure to turn off the engine when you
perform maintenance unless otherwise
specified. If you are not familiar with ma-
chine servicing, this work should be done
by a Yamaha dealer or other qualified me-
chanic.
EJU33803Tool kit
A tool kit is included with this watercraft. Pla-
ce the tool kit in a waterproof bag and alwayscarry it with you whenever you use the water-
craft.
1Tool bag
2Screwdriver
3Garden hose adapter
410/12 mm box wrench
5Pliers
610/12 mm open-end wrench
UF4G73E0.book Page 87 Friday, May 25, 2018 2:21 PM
Maintenance
88
EJU43101Periodic maintenance chart
The periodic maintenance chart gives general guidelines for periodic maintenance. Have a
Yamaha dealer perform the checks in the following chart. However, maintenance may need
to be performed more frequently depending on your operating conditions. If you have any
questions, consult a Yamaha dealer.
This “√” mark indicates items to be checked and serviced by a Yamaha dealer.
Item OperationInitial Thereafter every
Page
10 hours50 hours
or 12
months
*1100
hours or
12
months
*1200
hours or
24
months
*1
Fuel lineCheck fuel hoses and
clamps√—
Fuel filler cap/Wa-
ter separatorCheck O-rings for cracks
and deformation√—
Fuel tankCheck installation and
straps√—
Water inlet strainerCheck for clogs and dam-
age√—
Cooling water hos-
esCheck for damage and
leakage, and check
clamps√—
Engine oilReplace√√90
Oil filterReplace√90
Intermediate hous-
ingLubricate√—
Spark plugsCheck√√—
BatteryCheck state of charge,
terminals, bands, and
breather hose√—
Battery leadsCheck terminals√—
Steering masterCheck operation and for
looseness√√—
Steering cableCheck exterior and con-
nections, and lubricate√—
Shift rod and re-
verse gate (VX /
VX Deluxe /
VX Cruiser / VX
Limited)Check exterior and con-
nections, and lubricate√—
Air filter elementCheck for damage and
dirt√—
Air intake hosesCheck for damage, and
check clamps√—
UF4G73E0.book Page 88 Friday, May 25, 2018 2:21 PM
Maintenance
89
*1: Whichever comes first.
*2: Check every 200 hours.
Perform the pre-operation checks and post-operation checks before performing periodic
maintenance.
Throttle bodyLubricate throttle valve√—
Exhaust systemCheck for exhaust leak-
age, and check hoses and
clamps√—
Breather hoseCheck breather hose and
clamps√—
ImpellerCheck for bends, dam-
age, and foreign material√—
Jet thrust nozzleCheck movement, and lu-
bricate√—
Jet vacuum bilgeCheck hoses for clogs
and damage, check
clamps, and clean bilge
strainer√—
Stern drain plugsCheck O-rings√—
AnodeCheck for corrosion, and
clean√ *2 —
Valve clearanceCheck and adjust√ *2 —
Rubber couplingCheck for cracks, inden-
tations, looseness, and
noise√—
Engine mountCheck for damage and
peeling√— Item OperationInitial Thereafter every
Page
10 hours50 hours
or 12
months
*1100
hours or
12
months
*1200
hours or
24
months
*1
UF4G73E0.book Page 89 Friday, May 25, 2018 2:21 PM
Trouble recovery
92
EJU34562
Troubleshooting
If you have any trouble with your watercraft, use the troubleshooting chart to check for the
possible cause.
If you cannot find the cause, consult a Yamaha dealer.
EJU44121Troubleshooting chart
Confirm the possible cause and remedy, and then refer to the applicable page.
TROUBLE POSSIBLE CAUSE REMEDY PAGE
Engine does not
start (Starter motor
does not turn over)Ya m a h a S e -
curity System
(VX Deluxe /
VX Cruiser /
VX Limited)Lock mode selected Select unlock mode
26
Engine shut-
off switchClip not in place Install clip
27
Fuse Burned out Have serviced by
Yamaha dealer—
Battery Run down Recharge 82
Poor terminal con-
nectionsTighten as required
82
Terminal corroded Clean or replace 82
Starter motor Faulty Have serviced by
Yamaha dealer—
Engine does not
start (Starter motor
turns over)Throttle lever Squeezed Release 27
Faulty Have serviced by
Yamaha dealer—
RiDE lever
(VX /
VX Deluxe /
VX Cruiser /
VX Limited)Squeezed Release 27
Faulty Have serviced by
Yamaha dealer
—
Fuel Fuel tank empty Refill as soon as pos-
sible50
Stale or contaminat-
edHave serviced by
Yamaha dealer—
Fuel tank Water or dirt present Have serviced by
Yamaha dealer—
Spark plug Fouled or defective Have serviced by
Yamaha dealer—
Fuel injec-
tion systemFuel pump faulty Have serviced by
Yamaha dealer—
UF4G73E0.book Page 92 Friday, May 25, 2018 2:21 PM
Trouble recovery
93
Engine runs irregu-
larly or stallsFuel Fuel tank empty Refill as soon as pos-
sible50
Stale or contaminat-
edHave serviced by
Yamaha dealer—
Fuel tank Water or dirt present Have serviced by
Yamaha dealer—
Spark plug Fouled or defective Have serviced by
Yamaha dealer—
Incorrect heat range Have serviced by
Yamaha dealer—
Gap incorrect Have serviced by
Yamaha dealer—
Electrical wir-
ingLoose connection Have serviced by
Yamaha dealer—
Fuel injec-
tion systemFaulty or clogged in-
jectorsHave serviced by
Yamaha dealer—
Warning light or in-
dicator blinks or
comes onFuel level
warningFuel tank empty Refill as soon as pos-
sible50
Oil pressure
warningOil pressure dropped Have serviced by
Yamaha dealer40
Engine over-
heat warningJet intake clogged Clean
95
Check en-
gine warningFaulty sensors Have serviced by
Yamaha dealer41 TROUBLE POSSIBLE CAUSE REMEDY PAGE
UF4G73E0.book Page 93 Friday, May 25, 2018 2:21 PM
Trouble recovery
95
EJU34625
Emergency proceduresEJU44590Cleaning the jet intake and impeller
WARNING
EWJ00783
Before attempting to remove weeds or de-
bris from the jet intake or impeller area,
shut the engine off and remove the clip
from the engine shut-off switch. Severe in-
jury or death could result from coming in
contact with the rotating parts of the jet
pump.
If weeds or debris gets caught in the jet intake
or impeller, cavitation can occur, causing jet
thrust to decrease even though engine speed
rises. If this condition is allowed to continue,
the engine will overheat and may seize.
NOTICE: If weeds or debris gets caught in
the jet intake, do not operate the water-
craft above trolling speed until they have
been removed.
[ECJ00654]
If there is any sign that the jet intake or impel-
ler is clogged with weeds or debris, return to
shore and check the intake and impeller. Al-ways stop the engine before beaching the
watercraft.
(1) Place a suitable clean cloth or carpeting
underneath the watercraft to protect it
from abrasions and scratches. Turn the
watercraft on its side as shown.
NOTICE: When turning the watercraft
on its side, support the bow so that
the handlebars are not bent or dam-
aged.
[ECJ02690]
(2) Remove any weeds or debris from
around the jet intake, drive shaft, impel-
UF4G73E0.book Page 95 Friday, May 25, 2018 2:21 PM