Operation
78
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, and
place 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 downon 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 55 for information on draining
the bilge water. If the engine does not
start, see “Towing the watercraft” on
page 97 or “Submerged watercraft” on
page 97.) 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]
EJU44390
Beaching and docking the watercraft
To beach the watercraft (VX-C):
(1) Make sure that there are no boats, swim-
mers, or obstacles near the beach.
UF4G74E0.book Page 78 Tuesday, July 16, 2019 10:27 AM
Operation
79
(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) Get off the watercraft and pull it up on the
beach.
To beach the watercraft (VX / VX Deluxe /
VX Cruiser / VX Limited):
(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 (VX-C):
(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.
To dock the watercraft (VX / VX Deluxe /
VX Cruiser / VX Limited):
(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 95 for in-
formation on the jet intake.)
UF4G74E0.book Page 79 Tuesday, July 16, 2019 10:27 AM
Operation
80
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.
UF4G74E0.book Page 80 Tuesday, July 16, 2019 10:27 AM
Care and storage
81
EJU37146
Post-operation care
WARNING
EWJ00331
Always place the watercraft upright in a
horizontal position when storing it, other-
wise fuel could leak out into the engine or
engine compartment, which could create
a fire hazard.
After using the watercraft, always take it out
of the water, clean it, and store it. Leaving the
watercraft in the water for extended periods
will accelerate the rate of normal deteriora-
tion of the jet pump and hull. Marine organ-
isms and corrosion are some of the
conditions that can shorten the life of many
watercraft components.
EJU43652Flushing the cooling water passages
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.
Flush the cooling water passages to prevent
them from clogging with salt, sand, or dirt.
(1) Place the watercraft in a horizontal posi-
tion.
(2) Remove the seats and removable water-
tight storage compartment. (See page 43
for seat removal and installation proce-
dures and page 48 for information on the
removable watertight storage compart-
ment.)(3) Connect the garden hose adapter to a
garden hose.
(4) Loosen the flushing hose connector cap
and remove it. Insert the garden hose
adapter into the flushing hose connector
by pushing and twisting it until it is se-
curely connected.
(5) Connect the garden hose to a water tap.
(6) Make sure that the area around the wa-
tercraft is clear, and then start the en-
gine. Immediately after the engine starts,
fully turn the water supply on so that wa-
1Garden hose adapter
2Garden hose
1Garden hose adapter
2Flushing hose connector
3Flushing hose connector cap
12
12
3
UF4G74E0.book Page 81 Tuesday, July 16, 2019 10:27 AM
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 55 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
UF4G74E0.book Page 82 Tuesday, July 16, 2019 10:27 AM
Care and storage
85
EJU33493
Long-term storage
WARNING
EWJ00331
Always place the watercraft upright in a
horizontal position when storing it, other-
wise fuel could leak out into the engine or
engine compartment, which could create
a fire hazard.
Storage for long periods of time, such as win-
ter storage, requires preventive maintenance
to ensure against deterioration. It is advisable
to have the watercraft serviced by a Yamaha
dealer prior to storage.
However, the following procedures can be
performed easily by the owner.
EJU40763Cleaning
(1) Flush the cooling water passages. (See
page 81 for information on flushing the
cooling water passages.)
TIP:
If you will be storing the watercraft for a pro-
longed period, such as winter storage, top off
the fuel tank with fresh gasoline and add fuel
stabilizer and conditioner to the fuel tank ac-
cording to the manufacturer’s instruction be-
fore starting the engine.
(2) Clean the watercraft. (See page 82 for in-
formation on cleaning the watercraft.)
Wax the hull with a non-abrasive wax.
EJU43663Lubrication
To keep moving parts sliding or rotating
smoothly, lubricate them with water-resistant
grease.
Steering cable (jet thrust nozzle end)
VX / VX Deluxe / VX Cruiser / VX Limited:
Shift rod (reverse gate end) and ball joint
TIP:
Disconnect the shift rod from the ball joint be-
fore lubricating.
EJU44140Rustproofing
Rustproofing the hull, deck, and engine
Spray metallic parts of the hull, deck, and en-
gine with a rust inhibitor.
Rustproofing the internal engine compo-
nents
Rustproof the internal engine components
with a rust inhibitor.
To rustproof the internal engine components:
(1) Remove the seats. (See page 43 for seat
removal and installation procedures.)
(2) Release the hooks on the port side of the
air filter case, and then lift up the air filter
case cover. NOTICE: Do not lift up the
air filter case cover forcefully. Other- Recommended water-resistant grease:
YAMALUBE MARINE GREASE /
Ya m a h a G r e a s e A
UF4G74E0.book Page 85 Tuesday, July 16, 2019 10:27 AM
Care and storage
86
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
UF4G74E0.book Page 86 Tuesday, July 16, 2019 10:27 AM
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.
UF4G74E0.book Page 87 Tuesday, July 16, 2019 10:27 AM