2021 YAMAHA VX-C Owners Manual

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How to use this guide to practice
The Yamaha watercraft you are going to learn to operate may have different specifica-
tions and different performance characteristics from other personal watercraft or boats you
may have operated. The riding practice steps in this booklet will help you to become familiar with the basic
techniques you will need to learn to master operating your watercraft. Remember, you will be learning the skills and developing the good judgment that safe
operation of your watercraft requires. The purpose of this guide is to help you get started by practicing certain important skills.
You should practice each exercise until you can do it well—until it feels comfortable to you.
Only then should you go on to the next exercise. Each exercise builds on the skills you have already learned; so do not try to jump ahead.
In these exercises, we want you to get the feel of the watercraft, and to learn how it
operates in its many modes of use. Always keep in mind that these exercises are only a
beginning and a guide. You must use your common sense and good judgment, along with
the skill and knowledge you gain as you continue to operate your watercraft. This practice guide is divided into 9 exercises. Practice operating the watercraft in steps,
starting with Exercise 1. Exercises 1 through 7 cover the basic riding techniques you need
to master. Exercise 9 will help you learn the skills you need for operating with passengers. Again,
do not attempt this exercise until you have de veloped your skills in the earlier exercises.
Before starting the exercises read this guide completely. Then read the exercise again
before you start to practice it. In this guide we refer to different speeds.
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How to use this guide to practice
Here is an explanation of what we mean by each:
“Trolling” is the lowest maneuvering speed. You are applying little or no throttle. The
watercraft is down in the water, and there is no wake.
“Sub-planing” is a medium speed. The bow of the watercraft is slightly up from the water
surface, but you are still traveling through the water. There is a wake.
“Planing” is a faster speed. The watercraft is more level and is skimming on top of the
water. There is a wake.
Trolling speed
Sub-planing speed
Planing speed
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Exercise 1: Controls
Objective:
This exercise trains you to locate and operate the watercraft’s controls without looking or
hesitating. You must master this skill so you can scan constantly for people, objects, and
other watercraft as you maneuver, rather than taking away concentration to find a control.
Skills:
Knowing where every control is and how to use it without having to stop and think about
it.
Directions:
Drill 1: Identifying the components and controls
Read your Owner’s/Operator’s Manual to identify the watercraft’s main components and
controls. Do not just assume you know how a control works, read the instructions to be sure!
Drill 2: Pre-operation checks
Practice performing the pre-operation checks listed in your Owner’s/Operator’s Manual.
You learned where everything is in Drill 1. Now make sure everything is working proper ly. Pay particular attention to the steering
controls and the throttle lever.
Drill 3: Operating positions
With the watercraft on land and the engine off, board and become familiar with the cor-
rect operating positions described in your Owner’s/Operator’s Manual. Then, with your
eyes facing straight ahead, locate each control and verify that you know how to use it.
Continue this drill until you feel comfortable with the controls.
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Exercise 2: Starting and stopping engine
Objective:
This exercise teaches you about how the engine starts and stops and how the watercraft
behaves after starting and while idling.
Skills:
Identifying and performing engine starting and stopping controls and procedures.
Directions:
Launch the watercraft and practice this exercise while standing next to it in water free
from weeds or debris and at least 60 cm (2 ft) deep from the bottom of the watercraft. Never operate in water that is less than 60 cm (2 ft) deep, otherwise pebbles or sand
could be sucked into the jet intake, causing impeller damage or engine overheating.
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Exercise 2: Starting and stopping engine
Drill 1: Starting the engine
1. VX-C / VX: Skip to step 2. (Your watercraft is not equipped with Yamaha Security System.)
VX DELUXE / VX CRUISER / VX LIMITED:
Check that the unlock mode indicator “1” is displayed on the multifunction information
center to confirm that the unlock mode of the Yamaha Security System is selected.
(See the “Yamaha Security System” section in the owner’s/operator’s manual for more
information.)
2. Attach the engine shut-off cord “3” to your wrist. Insert the clip “1”, under the engine shut-off switch “2”. Make sure to keep the engine shut-off cord free from the handle-
bars so the engine stops if the operator falls off. The clip may not pull free if the cord is
wrapped around the handlebars.
1
12
3
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Exercise 2: Starting and stopping engine
3. VX-C:Push the start switch “1” (green button).
Do not squeeze the throttle lever. Otherwise, the engine will not start.
The engine is connected directly to the drive unit, so be prepared for forward thrust
when the engine starts. Apply only enough throttle to keep the engine running.
VX / VX DELUXE / VX CRUISER / VX LIMITED:
Push the engine start/stop switch “1” (red button).
(Do not squeeze either the throttle lever or RiDE lever. Otherwise, the engine will not
start.)
4. Release the start switch as soon as the engine starts to run.
1
1
VX-C VX / VX DELUXE / VX CRUISER / VX LIMITED
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Exercise 2: Starting and stopping engine
Drill 2: Stopping the engine
1. Release the throttle lever and let the engine slow to idle.
2. VX-C: Push the engine stop switch “1” (red button).
VX / VX DELUXE / VX CRUISER / VX LIMITED:
Push the engine start/stop switch “1” (red button).
The ignition circuit opens and stops the engine immediately.
3. Practice pulling the engine shut-off cord to remo ve the clip from the engine shut-off switch.
1
STOP
1
VX-CVX / VX DELUXE / VX CRUISER / VX LIMITED
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Exercise 2: Starting and stopping engine
Tips:
1. Attach the engine shut-off cord to your left wrist before starting the engine. To preventaccidental starting, always remove the clip from the engine shut-off switch when the
engine is not running.
2. Do not operate the start switch for more th an 5 seconds at a time. Never push the start
switch while the engine is running.
3. If the engine does not start in 5 seconds, release the start switch and try again after 15 seconds. Continuous cranking for more than 5 seconds will discharge the battery
and the engine will not start.
4. When the engine starts, thrust from the jet unit will move the watercraft. Squeezing the throttle lever produces more thrust. Apply only enough throttle to keep the engine running.
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