Pre-operation checks
69
EJU31982
EWJ00412
Failure to inspect or maintain the watercraft properly increases the possibility of an ac-
cident or damage to the watercraft. Do not operate the watercraft if you find any prob-
lem. If a problem cannot be corrected by the procedures provided in this manual, have
the watercraft inspected by a Yamaha dealer.
EJU41235Pre-operation checklist
Before using this watercraft, be sure to perform the checks in the following checklist.
ITEMROUTINEPAGE
PRE-LAUNCH CHECKS
Engine compartment Ventilate the engine compartment.
Check inside the engine compartment for damage.
71
Fuel system Check the fuel system for leakage.
Check the fuel level in the fuel tank.
71
Water separator Check the water separator for water. 71
Engine unit Check the exterior of the engine unit for damage. 72
Engine oil level Check the engine oil level. 72
Bilge water Check the engine compartment for bilge water. 72
Battery Check the battery connections. 72
Steering system Check the steering system for proper operation. 72
RiDE lever (VX /
VX DELUXE /
VX CRUISER / VX LIMITED) Check the RiDE lever for proper operation.
73
Throttle lever Check the throttle lever for proper operation. 73
Yamaha Security System
(VX DELUXE /
VX CRUISER / VX LIMITED) Check the Yamaha Security System for proper op-
eration.
73
Engine shut-off cord (lan-
yard) Check the engine shut-off cord (lanyard) for dam-
age.
73
Switches VX-C:
Check the start switch, engine stop switch, and en-
gine shut-off switch for proper operation.
VX / VX DELUXE / VX CRUISER / VX LIMITED:
Check the engine start/stop switch and engine
shut-off switch for proper operation.
74
Storage compartments Check the storage compartments for damage and
water.
75
Fire extinguisher holder,
cover, and band Check the fire extinguisher holder, cover, and band
for damage.
75
Fire extinguisher Check the condition of the fire extinguisher. 75
Safety equipment Check that safety equipment meeting the applica-
ble regulations is on board.
75
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Pre-operation checks
70
TIP:
To ensure safety and reliability, pre-operation checks should be made each time the water-
craft is used.
Hull and deck Check the hull and deck for damage. 75
Jet intake Check the jet intake for damage and clogging. 75
Jet thrust nozzle and re-
verse gate (VX /
VX DELUXE /
VX CRUISER / VX LIMITED) Check the jet thrust nozzle and reverse gate for
damage.
76
Stern drain plugs Check the stern drain plugs for damage and foreign
material and check that they are securely installed.
76
Hood Check that the hood is securely closed. 76
Front and rear seats Check that the seats are securely installed. 54
POST-LAUNCH CHECKS
Cooling water pilot outlet Check that water is discharged from the cooling
water pilot outlet while the engine is running.
77
Multifunction information
center Check the multifunction information center for prop-
er operation.
77
Shift system (VX /
VX DELUXE /
VX CRUISER / VX LIMITED) Check the shift system for proper operation.
77
Engine idling speed Check the engine idling speed. 77
ITEM
ROUTINEPAGE
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Pre-operation checks
71
EJU32282
Pre-operation check pointsEJU40099Pre-launch checks
Perform the pre-launch checks in the pre-op-
eration checklist while the watercraft is on
land.
To perform the pre-launch checks:
(1) Remove the seats and seat storagecompartment. (See page 54 for seat re-
moval and installation procedures and
page 59 for information on the seat stor-
age compartment.)
(2) Perform the checks and make sure that there are no malfunctioning items or oth-
er problems.
(3) After completing these checks, securely install the seat storage compartment and
seats in their original positions.
EJU32334Engine compartment checkEWJ00462
Failure to ventilate the engine compart-
ment could result in a fire or explosion. Do
not start the engine if there is a fuel leak.
Ventilate the engine compartment. Leave the
engine compartment open for a few minutes
to allow any fuel vapors to escape.
Make sure that there is no damage inside the
engine compartment.
EJU34215Fuel system checksEWJ00382
Leaking fuel can result in fire or explosion.
Check for fuel leakage regularly.
If any fuel leakage is found, the fuel sys-
tem must be repaired by a qualified me-
chanic. Improper repairs can make the
watercraft unsafe to operate.
Make sure that there is no damage, leakage,
or other problem in the fuel system.
Check:
Fuel filler cap and seal for damage
Fuel tank for damage and leakage
Fuel hoses and joints for damage and leak-
age
Fuel tank breather hose for damage and
leakage
EJU36875Fuel level check
Check the fuel level in the fuel tank.
Add fuel if necessary. (See page 62 for infor-
mation on filling the fuel tank.)
EJU32424Water separator check
Make sure that no water has collected in the
water separator. If water has collected in the
water separator, drain it. (See page 29 for in-
formation on draining the water separator.)
1Water separator
1
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Pre-operation checks
72
EJU40182Engine unit check
Check the exterior of the engine unit for dam-
age or other problem.
EJU41561Engine oil level check
Make sure that the engine oil level is between
the minimum and maximum level marks on
the dipstick attached to the oil tank filler cap.
(See page 64 for information on checking the
engine oil level.)
EJU32456Bilge water check
Make sure that no bilge water has collected in
the engine compartment. If bilge water has
collected in the engine compartment, drain it.
(See page 66 for information on draining the
bilge water.)
EJU32486Battery checks
Make sure that the battery terminals are not
damaged and that the battery leads are con-
nected properly. WARNING! Never operate
the watercraft if the battery does not have
sufficient power to start the engine or if it
shows any other signs of decreased pow-
er. Loss of battery power may leave you
stranded.
[EWJ01241]
Make sure that the battery is securely held in
place.
EJU32614Steering system checks
Turn the handlebars to the right and left sev-
eral times to make sure that operation is
smooth and unrestricted throughout the
whole range, and that the free play is not ex-
cessive.
1 Oil tank filler cap/Dipstick
1 Dipstick
2 Maximum level mark
3 Minimum level mark
1
213
1Negative (–) battery terminal: Black lead
2 Positive (+) battery terminal: Red lead
2
1
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Pre-operation checks
73
Turn the handlebars as far as possible to the
right and left to make sure that the jet thrust
nozzle moves as the handlebars are turned,
and that there is no difference between the
right and left fully turned positions of the jet
thrust nozzle.
EJU43213RiDE lever checks (VX / VX DELUXE /
VX CRUISER / VX LIMITED)
Operate the RiDE lever several times to make
sure that operation is smooth throughout the
whole range. Also, make sure that the RiDElever returns automatically to its fully closed
position when released.
EJU42181Throttle lever checks
Operate the throttle lever several times to
make sure that operation is smooth through-
out the whole range. Also, make sure that the
throttle lever returns automatically to its fully
closed (idle) position when released.
EJU45351Yamaha Security System check
(VX DELUXE / VX CRUISER / VX LIMITED)
Make sure that the Yamaha Security System
operates properly. (See page 25 for Yamaha
Security System setting procedures.)
EJU32664Engine shut-off cord (lanyard) check
Make sure that the engine shut-off cord (lan-
yard) is not damaged. If the cord is damaged,
replace it. WARNING! Never try to repair
the engine shut-off cord (lanyard) or tie it
together. The engine shut-off cord (lan-
yard) may not pull free when the operator
Difference between fully turned posi-
tions of jet thrust nozzle (distances A
and B):
Maximum 5 mm (0.20 in)
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Pre-operation checks
75
To check the operation of the switches (VX /
VX DELUXE / VX CRUISER / VX LIMITED):
(1) VX DELUXE / VX CRUISER / VXLIMITED: If the lock mode is selected forthe Yamaha Security System setting, se-
lect the unlock mode. (See page 25 for
Yamaha Security System setting proce- dures.)
(2) Push the engine start/stop switch to make sure that the engine starts.
(3) As soon as the engine starts running, push the engine start/stop switch to
make sure that the engine stops immedi-
ately.
(4) Restart the engine, and then pull the en- gine shut-off cord (lanyard) to remove
the clip from the engine shut-off switch
to make sure that the engine stops im-
mediately.
EJU40102Storage compartment checks
Make sure that the storage compartments
are not damaged and that water has not col-
lected in the compartments. (See page 57 for
information on the storage compartments.)
EJU43800Fire extinguisher holder, cover, and band
checks
Make sure that the fire extinguisher holder,
cover, and band are not damaged and that
the fire extinguisher is securely held in place
using the band. (See page 60 for information
on the fire extinguisher holder, cover, and
band.)
EJU32544Fire extinguisher check
Check that there is a full fire extinguisher on
board.
To check the fire extinguisher, see the in-
structions supplied by the fire extinguisher
manufacturer. Always keep the fire extin-
guisher secured in the holder with its cover in
place.
Always carry a fire extinguisher on board. A
fire extinguisher is not standard equipment
with this watercraft. If you do not have one,
contact a Yamaha dealer or a fire extinguish-
er dealer to obtain one meeting the proper
specifications.
EJU40122Safety equipment check
Check that safety equipment meeting the ap-
plicable regulations is on board.
EJU32353Hull and deck check
Check the hull and deck for damage or other
problem.
EJU32657Jet intake checks
Make sure that the jet intake is not damaged
or clogged with weeds or debris. If the jet in-
take is clogged, clean it. (See page 107 for in-
formation on the jet intake.)
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Pre-operation checks
76
EJU43221Jet thrust nozzle and reverse gate check
(VX / VX DELUXE / VX CRUISER / VX
LIMITED) Check the jet thrust nozzle and reverse gate
for damage or other problem.
EJU44250Stern drain plug checks
Loosen the stern drain plugs and remove
them, and then make sure that the plugs and
O-rings on the plugs are not damaged and
that there is no foreign material on the
threads or O-rings on the plugs. NOTICE:
Before installing the stern drain plugs,
clean the drain plug threads and the O-
rings on the plugs to remove any foreign
materials, such as dirt or sand. Otherwise,
the stern drain plugs could be damaged,
allowing water to enter the engine com-
partment. Check the O-rings on the stern
drain plugs and make sure that the plugs
are tightened securely before launching
the watercraft. Otherwise, water may
flood the engine compartment and cause
the watercraft to submerge.
[ECJ00363]
Securely install the stern drain plugs by tight-
ening them until they stop.
EJU41441Hood check
Push down on the rear of the hood and make
sure that it is securely closed.
EJU40146Post-launch checks
Perform the post-launch checks in the pre-
operation checklist while the watercraft is in
the water and the engine is running.
To perform the post-launch checks:
(1) Launch the watercraft. (See page 79 for information on launching the watercraft.)
(2) Perform the checks and make sure that there are no malfunctioning items or oth-
er problems.
1Stern drain plug
2 O-ring
2
1
1Stern drain plug
1
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Operation
79
EJU40212Riding position
Operator riding position
The operator should grip the handlebars firm-
ly with both hands and sit astride the seat
with both feet on the floor of the footwell.
Passenger riding position
The passenger(s) should hold on firmly, either
to the person in front of them or to the hand-
grip provided, and sit astride the seat with
their feet on the floor of the footwell. Never al-
low a passenger to ride in front of the opera-
tor. (See page 17 for information on the riding
position when pulling a wakeboarder or wa-
ter-skier.)
EJU32803Launching the watercraft
When launching the watercraft, make sure
that there are no obstacles around you.
If the watercraft is launched from a trailer,
someone should make sure that waves do
not push the watercraft into the trailer.
EJU46250Starting the engine on waterEWJ01531
Do not apply throttle when anyone is at the
rear of the watercraft. Turn the engine off
or keep it at idle. Water and debris exiting
the jet thrust nozzle can cause severe in-
jury.
To start the engine:
(1) VX DELUXE / VX CRUISER / VXLIMITED: If the lock mode is selected forthe Yamaha Security System setting, se-
lect the unlock mode. (See page 25 for
Yamaha Security System setting proce- dures.)
(2) Move the watercraft to an area that is free from weeds and debris, and has a
water depth of at least 60 cm (2 ft) 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
pebbles or sand could be sucked into
the jet intake, causing impeller dam-
age and engine overheating.
[ECJ00473]
(3) Attach the engine shut-off cord (lanyard) to your left wrist, and then attach the clip
to the engine shut-off switch. (See page
26 for information on operating the en-
gine shut-off switch.) WARNING! Check
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