2020 YAMAHA VX ESP

Watercraft operation
37
and the engine will respond normally to the
throttle operation.
TIP:
Once the cruise assist is activated, the set
engine speed can be increased by pushing
the cruise assist up switch or decreased by
pushing the cruise assist down switch. Each
time a switch is pushed, the beeper willsound one time quickly and the set engine
speed will change. However, the adjustment
is limited to a maximum of five increments
above or below the initial cruise assist set-
ting.
To deactivate the cruise assist:
Relax your grip on the throttle lever. The
beeper sounds two times quickly and the di-
gital speedometer display stops blinking
when the cruise assist is deactivated.
1Cruise assist up switch
2Cruise assist down switch
3“SET” switch
1
2
3
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Operation
72
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 aretraveling at speeds above trolling, you
will have rapidly decreasing ability to
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. VX / VX Deluxe / VX Cruiser / VX Limited:
If the RiDE lever is squeezed and the
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Operation
73
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.
EJU45001Stopping 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
EWJ01793
Allow adequate stopping distance. Stay
far enough away from others so you can
always safely coast to a stop.
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.
1Reverse gate
E
1
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99
Index
A
After removing the watercraft from the
water ..................................................... 80
B
Battery care.............................................. 82
Battery checks ......................................... 61
Battery, jumping ....................................... 96
Beaching and docking the watercraft ...... 78
Bilge water check..................................... 61
Bilge water, draining ................................ 55
Bilge water, draining on land ................... 55
Bilge water, draining on water ................. 55
Boarding alone ......................................... 75
Boarding and starting off from a dock ..... 78
Boarding the watercraft ........................... 74
Boarding with passenger(s) ..................... 75
Bow eye ................................................... 45
Bow storage compartment ...................... 46
Builder’s plate ............................................ 3
C
Capsized watercraft ................................. 78
Check engine warning ............................. 41
Cleaning ................................................... 85
Cleaning the watercraft ............................ 82
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 ............................ 95
Engine break-in ........................................ 57
Engine compartment check ..................... 60
Engine idling speed check ....................... 67
Engine oil ................................................. 53
Engine oil and oil filter .............................. 90
Engine oil level check............................... 61
Engine oil requirements ........................... 53
Engine overheat warning ......................... 40
Engine serial number ................................. 2
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....... 81
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.............. 95
Jet intake checks ..................................... 65
Jet thrust nozzle and reverse gate check
(VX / VX Deluxe / VX Cruiser /
VX Limited) ............................................ 65
Jumper cables, connecting ...................... 96
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 ................................... 85
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