steering YAMAHA FX HO 2006 Owners Manual

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EJU10011
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.

Avoid sharp turns or 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.

Take early action to avoid collisions.
Remember, watercraft and other boats do
not have brakes.

Do not release the throttle when trying to
steer away from objects—you need throt-
tle to steer. Always 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. Sharp turns or jumping wakes or
waves can increase the risk of back/spinal
injury (paralysis), facial injuries, and bro-
ken legs, ankles and other bones. Do not
jump wakes or waves.

Do not operate the watercraft in rough
water, bad weather or when visibility is
poor; this may lead to an accident caus-
ing injury or death. Be alert to the possi-
bility of adverse weather. Take note of
weather forecasts and the prevailing
weather conditions before setting out on
your watercraft.

As with any water sport, you should not
operate your watercraft without someone
else nearby. If you operate further than
swimming distance from shore, you
should be accompanied by another boat
or watercraft, but make sure you stay a
safe distance away. It’s good, common
sense!

Never operate in water that is less than
60 cm (2 ft) deep, otherwise you increase
your chance of hitting a submerged
object, which could result in injury.
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EJU17810
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 colorless, odorless gas that may cause
loss of consciousness and death within a
short time. Always operate the watercraft
in an open area.

Hot oil tank, muffler, and engine surfaces
can cause serious burns. Do not touch
the oil tank, muffler, or engine immedi-
ately after turning the engine off.
EJU19970
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 has the Yamaha
Engine Management System (YEMS)
that includes 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
system 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. Practice turning in
an open area without obstructions until
you have a good feel for this maneuver.

This watercraft is water-jet propelled. The
jet pump is directly connected to the
engine. This means that jet thrust will pro-
duce some movement whenever the
engine is running. There is no “neutral”
position. You are in either “forward” or
“reverse,” depending upon the shift lever
position.

Do not use the reverse function to slow
down or stop the watercraft as it could
cause you to lose control, be ejected, or
impact the handlebars. You could also
damage the shift mechanism.
This could increase the risk of back/spinal
injury (paralysis), facial injuries, and bro-
ken legs, ankles, and other bones.
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1-20
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A second person should be on board as a
spotter to watch the skier; in many places
it is required by law. Let the skier direct
the operator’s control of speed and direc-
tion with hand signals.
The spotter should sit securely on the
passenger seat and hold onto the hand-
grip 2 with feet firmly on the floor of the
footwell for proper balance while facing to
the rear to watch the skier’s hand signals
and his or her condition.
Your control while pulling a skier is
affected by the skier’s ability, as well as
water and weather conditions.

When preparing to pull a skier, operate
the watercraft at the slowest possible
speed until the watercraft is well away
from the skier and slack in the towrope is
taken up. Make sure that the rope is not
looped around anything.
After checking that the skier is ready and
that there is no traffic or other obstacles,
apply enough throttle to raise the skier.

Make smooth, wide turns. The watercraft
is capable of very sharp turns, which
could exceed the abilities of the skier.
Keep the skier at least 50 m (150 ft),
about twice the distance of a standard
towrope, from any potential hazard.

Be alert to the hazard of the towrope han-
dle snapping back at the watercraft when
the skier falls or is unable to get up on the
skis.

Towing heavy or bulky objects other than
skiers, such as another boat or watercraft,
can cause loss of steering control and
create a hazardous condition. If you must
tow another boat in an emergency situa-
tion, operate slowly and cautiously.
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2
EJU10070
FEATURES AND
FUNCTIONS
Location of main components .............. 2-1
Operation of controls and other
functions ................................................... 2-5
Rear seat ................................................ 2-5
Front seat ............................................... 2-6
Hood ....................................................... 2-7
Fuel tank filler cap .................................. 2-7
Remote control transmitter .................... 2-8
Engine stop switch ............................... 2-10
Engine shut-off switch .......................... 2-10
Start switch ........................................... 2-11
Throttle lever ........................................ 2-11
Cooling water pilot outlet ..................... 2-12
Steering system ................................... 2-13
Tilt lever ................................................ 2-14
Shift lever .............................................. 2-15
Quick Shift Trim System (QSTS)
selector ................................................. 2-16
Handgrip ............................................... 2-18
Reboarding step
(for FX Cruiser High Output) ............... 2-18
Pull-up cleats
(for FX Cruiser High Output) ............... 2-19
Yamaha Engine Management System
(YEMS) ................................................. 2-20
Yamaha Security System/Low-RPM
mode .................................................... 2-20
Multifunction meter ............................... 2-23
Analog speedometer/tachometer and
indicator lights ...................................... 2-24
Left multifunction display and
operation buttons ................................. 2-27
Right multifunction display and
operation buttons
(for FX Cruiser High Output) ............... 2-31
Storage compartments ........................ 2-36
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EJU19950
Steering system
Your watercraft can be steered by turning
the handlebars 1 in the direction you wish
to travel.
When the handlebars are turned, the
angle of the jet thrust nozzle 2 is changed
and the direction of the watercraft 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 has the Yamaha Engine Man-
agement System (YEMS) that includes an
Off-Throttle Steering (OTS) system. It will
activate at planing speeds should you
attempt to steer the watercraft after releas-
ing the throttle lever. The OTS system
assists in turning by continuing to supply
some thrust while the watercraft is deceler-
ating, but you can turn more sharply if you
apply throttle while turning the handlebars.
The OTS system 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.
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EJU19940
Yamaha Engine Management
System (YEMS)
This model is equipped with an inte-
grated, computerized management system
that controls and adjusts ignition timing, fuel
injection, engine diagnostics, and the Off-
Throttle Steering (OTS) system.
EJU20723
Yamaha Security System/
Low-RPM mode
This watercraft is equipped with a remote
control transmitter 1 that is used to select
the security system and low-RPM mode set-
tings. Since the watercraft is programmed to
recognize the internal code from this trans-
mitter only, the security system setting can
only be changed with this transmitter. If you
lose the remote control transmitter or it does
not operate properly, contact a Yamaha
dealer.
EJU21561
Yamaha Security System
The Yamaha Security System functions to
help prevent unauthorized use or theft of the
watercraft. The engine cannot be started if
the security system is in the lock mode. The
engine can only be started in the unlock
mode.
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3-5
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EJU13460
Pre-operation checks
EJU13470
Pre-operation check list
Before operating this watercraft, perform the checks in the following check list. See the
accompanying text in this chapter for details on how to perform the checks.
WARNING@ If any item in the pre-operation check list is not working properly, have it inspected
and repaired before operating the watercraft, otherwise an accident could occur.
@
NOTE:@ Pre-operation checks should be made thoroughly each time the watercraft is used. This pro-
cedure can be completed in a short time. It is worth the time spent to assure safety and reli-
ability.
@
ITEM ROUTINE PAGE
Engine compartment Remove all seats to ventilate the engine compartment.
Check for fuel vapors and loose electrical connections.3-6
Bilge Check for water and fuel and remove if necessary. 3-9
Stern drain plugs Check for proper installation. 3-10
Throttle lever Check that the throttle lever springs back smoothly. 3-12
Steering system Check for proper operation.
Check that the handlebars are securely locked.3-12
Shift lever and reverse gate Check for proper operation. 3-13
QSTS Check for proper operation. 3-14
Fuel and oil Check fuel and oil levels and add if necessary.
Check the hoses and tanks for leakage.3-6, 3-7
Water separator Check for water and drain if necessary. 3-8
Battery Check electrolyte level and battery condition. 3-10
Hood Check that the hood is properly secured. 2-7
Front and rear seats Check that the seats are properly secured. 2-5, 2-6
Hull and deck Check the hull and deck for cracks or other damage. 3-6
Jet unit Check for debris and remove if necessary. 3-15
Fire extinguisher Check condition and replace if necessary. 3-11
Engine shut-off cord Check condition and replace if frayed or broken. 3-15
Switches Check the start switch, engine stop switch, and engine
shut-off switch for proper operation.3-16
Cooling water pilot outlet Check that water is discharged while the engine is run-
ning and the watercraft is in the water.3-16
Multifunction meter Check for warning indications and proper operation. 3-16
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EJU18340
Throttle
Squeeze and release the throttle lever
several times to make sure that there is no
hesitation in its travel. It should be smooth
over the complete range, and spring back to
the idle position when released.
WARNING@ Before starting the engine, always check
the operation of the throttle lever.
@
EJU18480
Steering system
Check for looseness in the handlebars.
Turn them as far as possible to the right
and left to make sure that operation is
smooth and unrestricted throughout the
whole range. Make sure that the jet thrust
nozzle also changes directions as the han-
dlebars are turned, and that there is no free
play between the handlebars and the jet
thrust nozzle.
Check that the handlebars are locked in
position. (See “Tilt lever” on page 2-14 for
more information.)
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EJU19960
Turning the watercraft
Steering control depends on the combi-
nation 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 produced.
The amount of jet thrust, in addition to the
position 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 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
releasing 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.
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WARNING@
Do not release the throttle lever when
trying to steer away from objects—you
need throttle to steer. A collision could
result in severe injury or death.

When operating at higher speeds,
make gradual turns or slow down
before turning. Sharp high-speed turns
may cause the watercraft to slide side-
ways or spin, throwing the operator
and passengers overboard which
could cause an injury.
@
This model has the Yamaha Engine Man-
agement System (YEMS) that includes an
Off-Throttle Steering (OTS) system. It will
activate at planing speeds should you
attempt to steer the watercraft after releas-
ing the throttle lever (see condition C
above). 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 system
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.
E_F1X-70.book Page 32 Friday, August 26, 2005 11:00 AM