2021 YAMAHA VX Owners Manual

Operation
80
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) VX-C: With the throttle lever released,push the start switch (green button) to
start the engine. (See page 27 for infor-
mation on operating the start switch.)
VX / VX DELUXE / VX CRUISER / VX
LIMITED: With the throttle lever released, push the engine start/stop switch (red
button) to start the engine. (See page 26 for information on operating the engine
start/stop switch.)
EJU46260Stopping the engine
Release the throttle lever, and then push the
engine stop switch (red button) (VX-C) or the
engine start/stop switch (red button) (VX /
VX DELUXE / VX CRUISER / VX LIMITED) to
stop the engine.
WARNING! You need
throttle to steer. Shutting the engine off
can cause you to hit an obstacle you are
1 Clip
2 Engine shut-off switch
3 Engine shut-off cord (lanyard)
12
3
START
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Operation
81
attempting to avoid. A collision could re-
sult in severe injury or death.
[EWJ00602]
VX-C
VX / VX DELUXE / VX CRUISER / VX
LIMITED
EJU32873Leaving 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.
EJU44991Operating the watercraft
VX-C:
When the engine is running, the watercraft
will move forward at trolling speed even if the
throttle lever is in the fully closed (idle) posi-
tion.
VX / VX DELUXE / VX CRUISER / VX
LIMITED: 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
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Operation
82
(idle) position. (See page 30 for shift system
operation procedures.)
VX
VX DELUXE / VX CRUISER / VX LIMITED
EJU43423Turning the watercraftEWJ01783
Do not release the throttle lever when
trying to steer away from objects—aswith other powerboats, you need throt-
tle to steer. A collision could result in se-
vere injury or death.
When operating at higher speeds, make
gradual turns or slow down before turn-
ing. Sharp high-speed turns may cause
the watercraft to slide sideways or spin,
throwing the operator and passenger(s)
overboard, which could cause an injury.
VX / VX DELUXE / VX CRUISER / VX
LIMITED: Take early action to avoid col- lisions. The RiDE system is not a braking
device for avoiding dangerous situa-
tions.
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.
1“F” (Forward position)
1 “F” (Forward position)
1
14.3V
km/h
RPM
1
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Operation
83
B. Less throttle produces lower thrust, sothe watercraft will turn more gradually.
C. Releasing the throttle lever completely produces only minimum thrust. If you are
traveling 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 squeezedand the handlebars are turned when the
watercraft is cruising at planing speed,
the watercraft 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
1 Reverse gate
E
1
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Operation
84
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 70 m (230 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 approxi-
mately 30% shorter than when the RiDE lever
is not used. However, this distance will vary
depending on many factors, including gross
weight, water surface conditions, and wind
direction.
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.
VX / VX DELUXE / VX CRUISER / VX
LIMITED: To avoid rear-end collisions
while operating the watercraft, check
behind you before using the RiDE lever
to slow down or stop the watercraft.
EJU43446Operating the watercraft in reverse or
neutral (VX / VX DELUXE /
VX CRUISER / VX LIMITED)
Operating in reverse
When the RiDE lever is squeezed, the “R” (re-
verse) shift indicator will be displayed and the
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Operation
85
watercraft will move in reverse. (See page 30
for shift system operation procedures.)
VX
VX DELUXE / VX CRUISER / VX LIMITED
Make sure that there are no obstacles or peo-
ple behind you before shifting into reverse.
TIP:
This model is equipped with a function which
limits the engine speed in reverse.Operating in neutral
When the RiDE lever is squeezed lightly and
released, the “N” (neutral) shift indicator will
be displayed and the watercraft will stop in its
current location. (See page 30 for shift sys-
tem operation procedures.)
VX
VX DELUXE / VX CRUISER / VX LIMITED
1
“R” (Reverse position)
1 “R” (Reverse position)
1
14.3V
km/h
RPM
1
1 “N” (Neutral position)
1 “N” (Neutral position)
1
14.3V
km/h
RPM
1
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Operation
86
EJU36087Boarding the watercraftEWJ01112
Be sure the operator and any passengers
have practiced boarding from the water
while still close to shore before riding. A
person who has made many unsuccessful
attempts to get back on the watercraft
may become fatigued and suffer from ex-
posure, increasing the risk of injury and
drowning.
Board the watercraft in water free from
weeds and debris and at least 60 cm (2 ft)
deep from the bottom of the watercraft.
NOTICE: Never run the engine in water
that is less than 60 cm (2 ft) deep from the
bottom of the watercraft, otherwise peb-
bles or sand could be sucked into the jet
intake, causing impeller damage and en-
gine overheating.
[ECJ00473]
TIP:
VX / VX DELUXE / VX CRUISER / VX
LIMITED: This watercraft is equipped with a reboarding step, which can be lowered and
used to assist in reboarding. (See page 55 for
information on operating the reboarding
step.)
EJU36354Boarding alone
(1) From the rear of the watercraft, place both hands on the boarding platform, pull yourself up, and then grasp the
handgrip with one hand.
(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.
60 cm (2 ft)
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Operation
87
(5) Look in all directions, start the engine,and then start off slowly.
EJU43260Boarding with passenger(s)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 securely
holding 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.
(4) Have the first passenger board using the same procedure as the operator, place
their feet on the floor of the footwell, and
securely hold on to the operator.
(5) Have the second passenger follow the same procedure. When the second pas-
senger is boarding, try to balance the
watercraft together with the first passen-
ger.
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