2022 YAMAHA VX CRUISER steering

Table of contents
General and important labels ........... 1Identification numbers .................... 1
Primary Identification (PRI-ID)
number............................................ 1
Craft Identification Number (CIN) ....... 1
Engine serial number.......................... 1
Manufactured date label .................... 2
Model information ........................... 3
Builder’s plate .................................... 3
Important labels .............................. 4
Warning labels.................................... 5
Other labels ........................................ 8
Safety information ........................... 10 Limitations on who may operate the watercraft ............................. 10
Cruising limitations ........................ 11
Operation requirements ................ 12
Recommended equipment ........... 14
Hazard information........................ 15
Watercraft characteristics ............. 15
Wakeboarding and water-skiing ... 17
Safe boating rules ......................... 18
Enjoy your watercraft responsibly ................................. 19
Description....................................... 20 Watercraft glossary ....................... 20
Location of main components ...... 21
Control function operation ............. 25 Watercraft control functions ......... 25
Yamaha Security System
(VX DELUXE / VX CRUISER / VX
LIMITED) ....................................... 25
Engine stop switch (VX-C)................ 26
Engine start/stop switch (VX / VX DELUXE / VX CRUISER / VX
LIMITED) ....................................... 26
Engine shut-off switch .................... 26
Start switch (VX-C) ........................... 27
Throttle lever .................................... 27 RiDE lever (VX / VX DELUXE /
VX CRUISER / VX LIMITED) .......... 28
Steering system................................ 28
Cooling water pilot outlet ................. 28
Water separator................................ 29
Watercraft operation ...................... 30 Watercraft operation functions ..... 30
Shift system (VX / VX DELUXE /
VX CRUISER / VX LIMITED) .......... 30
Watercraft operation modes (VX DELUXE / VX CRUISER / VX
LIMITED) .................................... 33
Reverse assist .................................. 33
T.D.E. (thrust directional
enhancer) ...................................... 34
No-wake mode ................................. 35
Drive control mode ........................... 36
Cruise assist ..................................... 37
Instrument operation ...................... 39 Multifunction information center (VX-C / VX) ................................. 39
Information display ........................... 39
Multifunction information center (VX DELUXE / VX CRUISER / VX
LIMITED) .................................... 44
Operation buttons ............................ 45
Display.............................................. 45
Home screen ................................... 46
Information screen .......................... 47
Drive control mode screen .............. 47
Setting menu screen ....................... 47
Engine lock screen .......................... 49
Warning function .............................. 49
Audio system (equipped models) ...................................... 52
Audio control .................................... 52
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Safety information
11
EJU44481
Cruising limitations
Scan constantly for people, objects, and
other watercraft. Be alert for conditions
that limit your visibility or block your vision
of others.
Operate defensively at safe speeds and
keep a safe distance away from people,
objects, and other watercraft.
Do not follow directly behind watercraft or
other boats.
Do not go near others to spray or splash
them with water, go too close to other
boats, or go too fast for the traffic condi-
tions.
VX-C: Take early action to avoid collisions.
Remember, watercraft and other boats do
not have brakes.
VX-C: Avoid sharp turns or other maneu-
vers that make it hard for others to avoid
you or understand where you are going.
VX / VX DELUXE / VX CRUISER / VX
LIMITED: Take early action to avoid colli- sions. Remember, watercraft and other
boats do not have brakes. In addition, the
Reverse with Intuitive Deceleration Elec-
tronics (RiDE) system is not a braking de-
vice for avoiding dangerous situations. The
RiDE system is an electronic system for
controlling the engine speed and reverse
gate, which is located near the jet thrust
nozzle. The RiDE lever located at the left handlebar grip can be used to change the
direction of the jet thrust so that the water-
craft moves in reverse or is in neutral. The
RiDE system assists the operator when
slowing down and during slow-speed ma-
neuvering, such as launching, beaching,
and docking.
VX / VX DELUXE / VX CRUISER / VX
LIMITED: Avoid sharp turns, slowing down rapidly by squeezing the RiDE lever force-
fully, and other maneuvers that make it
hard for others to avoid you or understand
where you are going.
Avoid areas with submerged objects or
shallow water.
Do not release the throttle lever when trying
to steer away from objects—as with other
powerboats, you need throttle to steer. Al-
ways check throttle and steering controls
before starting the watercraft.
Ride within your limits and avoid aggres-
sive maneuvers to reduce the risk of loss of
control, ejection, and collision.
This is a high performance boat—not a toy.
Avoid aggressive operation, sharp turns,
and unexpected acceleration that can cau-
se you to be thrown off. Do not jump waves
or wakes—jumping can cause injuries such
as back or spinal injuries (paralysis), facial
injuries, and broken legs, ankles, and other
bones. Improper operation can result in se-
vere injury or death.
Do not operate the watercraft in rough wa-
ter, bad weather, or when visibility is poor;
this may lead to an accident causing injury
or death. Be alert to the possibility of ad-
verse weather. Take note of weather fore-
casts and the prevailing weather
conditions before setting out on your wa-
tercraft.
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Safety information
15
EJU44610
Hazard information
Never start the engine or let it run for any
length of time in an enclosed area. Exhaust
fumes contain carbon monoxide, a color-
less, odorless gas that may cause loss of
consciousness and death within a short
time. Always operate the watercraft in an
open area.
Do not touch the hot oil tank, muffler, or en-
gine during or immediately after engine op-
eration; they can cause serious burns.
Do not place magnets or objects with a
strong magnetic force near the throttle le-
ver or RiDE lever (VX / VX DELUXE /
VX CRUISER / VX LIMITED). The electronic
throttle mechanism of the levers can be ad-
versely affected, which could cause loss of
control. In addition, do not place objects
susceptible to magnetic forces (i.e., credit
cards, watches, etc.) close to the throttle
lever or RiDE lever.
EJU44971
Watercraft characteristics
Jet thrust turns the watercraft. 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.
This model is equipped with the Yamaha
Engine Management System (YEMS) that
includes an off-throttle steering (OTS) sys-
tem. It will activate at planing speeds
should you attempt to steer the watercraft
after releasing the throttle lever. The OTS
system assists in turning by continuing to
supply some thrust while the watercraft is
decelerating, but you can turn more sharp-
ly if you apply throttle while turning the han-
dlebars.
The OTS system does not function below
planing speeds or when the engine is off.
Once the engine slows down, the water-
craft will no longer turn in response to han-
dlebar input until you apply throttle again or
you reach trolling speed.
Practice turning in an open area without
obstacles until you have a good feel for this
maneuver.
VX-C: This watercraft is water-jet pro-
pelled. The jet pump is directly connected
to the engine. This means that jet thrust will
produce some movement whenever the
engine is running. There is no “neutral” po-
sition.
VX / VX DELUXE / VX CRUISER / VX
LIMITED: This watercra ft is water-jet pro-
pelled. The jet pump is directly connected
to the engine. This means that jet thrust will
produce some movement whenever the
engine is running and the “F” (forward) or
“R” (reverse) shift indicator is displayed.
When the “N” (neutral) shift indicator is dis-
played, the forward and reverse thrust are
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Safety information
18
er’s or water-skier’s ability, as well as water
and weather conditions.
When preparing to pull a wakeboarder or
water-skier, operate the watercraft at the
slowest possible speed until the watercraft
is well away from the person being pulled
and slack in the ski rope is taken up. Make
sure that the rope is not looped around
anything.
After checking that the wakeboarder or wa-
ter-skier is ready and that there is no traffic
or other obstacles, apply enough throttle to
raise the person.
Make smooth, wide turns. The watercraft is
capable of very sharp turns, which could
exceed the abilities of the wakeboarder or
water-skier. Keep the person being towed
at least 50 m (164 ft), about twice the dis-
tance of a standard ski rope, away from
any potential hazard.
The operators of boats and other water-
craft may not be aware that you are pulling
a wakeboarder or water-skier. Together
with the spotter, pay attention to others
around you and cruise at safe speeds.
Be alert to the hazard of the ski rope handle
snapping back at the watercraft when the
wakeboarder or water-skier falls or is un-
able to get up.
Towing heavy or bulky objects other than
wakeboarders or water-skiers, such as an-
other boat or watercraft, can cause loss of
steering control and create a hazardous
condition. If you must tow another boat in
an emergency situation, operate slowly
and cautiously.
EJU30971
Safe boating rules
Your Yamaha watercraft is legally considered
a powerboat. Operation of the watercraft
must be in accordance with the rules and
regulations governing the waterway on which
it is used.
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Description
20
EJU43331
Watercraft glossary
Trolling speed
“Trolling” is the lowest maneuvering speed. You are applying little or no throttle. The water-
craft is down in the water, and there is no wake.
Sub-planing speed
“Sub-planing” is a medium speed. The bow of the watercraft is slightly up from the water sur-
face, but you are still traveling through the water. There is a wake.
Planing speed
“Planing” is a faster speed. The watercraft is more level and is skimming on top of the water.
There is a wake.
Bow
The front end of the watercraft.
Stern
The rear end of the watercraft.
Starboard
The right side of the watercraft when facing forward.
Port
The left side of the watercraft when facing forward.
Bilge water
Water that has collected in the engine compartment.
Yamaha Engine Management System (YEMS) YEMS is an integrated, computerized management system that controls and adjusts ignition
timing, fuel injection, engine diagnostics, and the off-throttle steering (OTS) system.
Reverse with Intuitive Deceleration Electronics (RiDE)
RiDE is an electronic system that controls the reverse, neutral, and deceleration operations of
the watercraft.
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Control function operation
28
EJU43342RiDE lever (VX / VX DELUXE /
VX CRUISER / VX LIMITED)
When the RiDE lever is squeezed, the reverse
gate lowers and the watercraft starts moving
in reverse. If the watercraft is moving forward,
the watercraft gradually slows down until it
stops, and then the watercraft starts moving
in reverse.
When the RiDE lever is released, it automati-
cally returns to its fully closed (idle) position
and the reverse gate moves to the neutral po-
sition.
EJU31262Steering system
By turning the handlebars in the direction you
wish to travel, the angle of the jet thrust noz-
zle is changed, and the direction of the water-
craft is changed accordingly.Since the strength of the jet thrust determines
the speed and degree of a turn, throttle must
always be applied when attempting a turn,
except at trolling speed.
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. The OTS system assists in
turning by continuing to supply some thrust
while the watercraft is decelerating, but you
can turn more sharply if you apply throttle
while turning the handlebars. The OTS sys-
tem does not function below planing speeds
or when the engine 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.
EJU35975Cooling water pilot outlet
When the engine is running, some of the
cooling water that is circulated in the engine
is discharged from the cooling water pilot
outlet.
There is a cooling water pilot outlet on the
port (left) side of the watercraft. To check for
proper operation of the cooling system, make
sure that water is being discharged from the
cooling water pilot outlet. If water is not being
discharged from the outlet, stop the engine
1
RiDE lever
1 Handlebar
2 Jet thrust nozzle
1
1
2
1 Cooling water pilot outlet
1
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Pre-operation checks
68
EJU31984
EWJ00413
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.
EJU41237Pre-operation checklist
Before using this watercraft, be sure to perform the checks in the following checklist.
PRE-LAUNCH CHECKS
ITEM ROUTINEPAGE
Engine compartment Ventilate the engine compartment.
Check inside the engine compartment for damage.
70
Fuel system Check the fuel system for leakage.
Check the fuel level in the fuel tank.
70
Water separator Check the water separator for water. 70
Engine unit Check the exterior of the engine unit for damage. 71
Engine oil level Check the engine oil level. 71
Bilge water Check the engine compartment for bilge water. 71
Battery Check the battery connections. 71
Steering system Check the steering system for proper operation. 71
RiDE lever (VX /
VX DELUXE /
VX CRUISER / VX LIMITED) Check the RiDE lever for proper operation.
72
Throttle lever Check the throttle lever for proper operation. 72
Yamaha Security System
(VX DELUXE /
VX CRUISER / VX LIMITED) Check the Yamaha Security System for proper op-
eration.
72
Engine shut-off cord (lan-
yard) Check the engine shut-off cord (lanyard) for dam-
age.
72
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.
73
Storage compartments Check the storage compartments for damage and
water.
74
Fire extinguisher holder,
cover, and band Check the fire extinguisher holder, cover, and band
for damage.
74
Fire extinguisher Check the condition of the fire extinguisher. 74
Safety equipment Check that safety equipment meeting the applica-
ble regulations is on board.
74
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Pre-operation checks
71
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 63 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 65 for information on draining the
bilge water.)
EJU32488Battery 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.
[EWJ01242]
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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