steering YAMAHA FX HO 2014 User Guide

Operation
76
32 for information on operating the shift le-
ver.)
EJU33255Turning the watercraft
WARNING
EWJ00772
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 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.
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.
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 re-
leasing the throttle lever, but once the
1Shift lever
2 Forward position
1
2
UF2T72E0.book Page 76 Monday, July 22, 2013 2:26 PM

Operation
77
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.
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
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.
EJU42581Stopping the watercraft
The watercraft is not equipped with a sepa-
rate braking system. It is stopped by water
resistance when the throttle lever is released.
From full speed, the watercraft comes to a
complete stop in approximately 110 m (360
ft) after the throttle lever is released or the en-
gine is stopped, although this distance will
vary depending on many factors, including
gross weight, water surface conditions, and
wind direction. The watercraft slows down as
soon as the throttle lever is released, 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.
WARNING
EWJ00745
Allow adequate stopping distance.
Take early action to avoid collisions. Re-
member, watercraft and other boats do
not have brakes.
110 m (360 ft)
UF2T72E0.book Page 77 Monday, July 22, 2013 2:26 PM

Care and storage
90
EJU33493
Long-term storage
WARNING
EWJ00331
Always place the watercraft upright in a
horizontal position when storing it, other-
wise fuel could leak out into the engine or
engine compartment, which could create
a fire hazard.
Storage for long periods of time, such as win-
ter storage, requires preventive maintenance
to ensure against deterioration. It is advisable
to have the watercraft serviced by a Yamaha
dealer prior to storage.
However, the following procedures can be
performed easily by the owner.
EJU40763Cleaning
(1) Flush the cooling water passages. (Seepage 86 for information on flushing the
cooling water passages.)
TIP:
If you will be storing the watercraft for a pro-
longed period, such as winter storage, top off
the fuel tank with fresh gasoline and add fuel
stabilizer and conditioner to the fuel tank ac-
cording to the manufacturer’s instruction be-
fore starting the engine.
(2) Clean the watercraft. (See page 87 for in-formation on cleaning the watercraft.)
Wax the hull with a non-abrasive wax.
EJU42541Lubrication
Use a suitable marine grease applicator and
spray a rust inhibitor between the inner and
outer cables to lubricate the cables and
purge out any dirt and moisture.
To keep moving parts sliding or rotating
smoothly, lubricate them with water-resistant
grease.
Steering cable (jet thrust nozzle end) and
Q.S.T.S. rod (jet thrust nozzle end)
Shift cable (shift lever end)
Shift cable (reverse gate end)Recommended water-resistant grease:
Yamaha Marine Grease/Yamaha
Grease A
UF2T72E0.book Page 90 Monday, July 22, 2013 2:26 PM

Maintenance
94
EJU37063Periodic maintenance chart
The periodic maintenance chart gives general guidelines for periodic maintenance. Have a
Yamaha dealer perform the checks in the following chart. However, maintenance may need to be performed more frequently depending on your operating conditions. If you have any
questions, consult a Yamaha dealer.
This “ ” mark indicates items to be checked and serviced by a Yamaha dealer.
Item OperationInitial
Thereafter every
Page
10
hours 50 hours
100
hours 200
hours
6
months 12
months 12
months 24
months
Spark plugs Check, clean, replace —
Lubrication points Lubricate —
Internal engine
components Spray lubricant
—
Intermediate
housing Lubricate
—
Fuel system Check —
Fuel tank Check, clean —
Engine idling
speed Check, adjust
—
Throttle shaft Check —
Water inlet strain-
er Check, clean
—
Bilge strainer Clean —
Electric bilge
pump strainer Clean
—
Impeller Check —
Jet thrust nozzle
angle Check, adjust
—
Steering master Check, adjust —
Q.S.T.S. mecha-
nism Check, adjust
—
Shift cable and re-
verse gate Check, adjust
—
Stern drain plugs Check, replace —
Battery Check, charge —
Rubber coupling Check —
Engine mount Check —
Nuts and bolts Check —
UF2T72E0.book Page 94 Monday, July 22, 2013 2:26 PM

Index
A
Adjustable tilt steering system ................. 30
Adjustable tilt steering system checks .... 67
After removing the watercraft from the water ..................................................... 85
Analog speedometer/tachometer ............ 40
B
Battery care.............................................. 87
Battery checks ......................................... 65
Battery, jumping ..................................... 101
Beaching and docking the watercraft ...... 84
Beverage holders ..................................... 52
Bilge pump fuse, replacing .................... 103
Bilge water check..................................... 65
Bilge water, draining ................................ 58
Bilge water, draining on land ................... 58
Bilge water, draining on water ................. 59
Boarding alone ......................................... 79
Boarding and starting off from a dock ..... 83
Boarding the watercraft ........................... 79
Boarding with passenger(s) ..................... 80
Bow eye ................................................... 48
Bow storage compartment ...................... 49
Builder’s plate ............................................ 2
C
Capsized watercraft ................................. 83
Check engine warning ............................. 45
Cleaning ................................................... 90
Cleaning the watercraft ............................ 87
Cleat ......................................................... 48
Cooling water pilot outlet ......................... 30
Cooling water pilot outlet check .............. 71
Craft Identification Number (CIN)............... 1
Cruise assist............................................. 37
Cruising limitations................................... 12
D
Digital speedometer ................................. 41
E
Emergency procedures .......................... 100
Engine break-in ........................................ 61
Engine compartment check ..................... 64
Engine cover, removing and installing ..... 92
Engine idling speed check ....................... 72
Engine oil ................................................. 57
Engine oil and oil filter .............................. 95 Engine oil level check ............................... 65
Engine oil requirements ........................... 57
Engine overheat warning.......................... 44
Engine serial number ................................. 1
Engine shut-off cord (lanyard) check ....... 69
Engine shut-off switch ............................. 28
Engine stop switch ................................... 28
Engine unit check ..................................... 65
Enjoy your watercraft responsibly ............ 20
Equipment ................................................ 46
F
Fire extinguisher check ............................ 70
Fire extinguisher holder and cover........... 54
Fire extinguisher holder, cover,
and band checks .................................. 70
Flushing the cooling water passages....... 86
Fuel .......................................................... 55
Fuel level check........................................ 64
Fuel level meter ........................................ 43
Fuel level warning..................................... 43
Fuel requirements .................................... 55
Fuel system checks ................................. 64
Fuses, replacing ..................................... 101
G
Getting to know your watercraft .............. 73
Glossary, watercraft ................................. 21
Glove compartment ................................. 50
H
Handgrip .................................................. 47
Hazard information................................... 16
Hood check .............................................. 71
Hour meter/voltmeter ............................... 42
Hull and deck check ................................ 70
I
Identification numbers ............................... 1
Information display................................... 41
J
Jet intake and impeller, cleaning............ 100
Jet intake checks ..................................... 70
Jumper cables, connecting .................... 101
L
Labels, important ....................................... 4
Labels, other .............................................. 9
Labels, warning .......................................... 5
Launching the watercraft ......................... 74
UF2T72E0.book Page 1 Monday, July 22, 2013 2:26 PM

Index
Learning to operate your watercraft ........ 73
Leaving the watercraft ............................. 75
Limitations on who may operate the watercraft.............................................. 11
Long-term storage ................................... 90
Low RPM Mode ....................................... 35
Lubrication ............................................... 90
M
Main components, location of ................. 22
Maintenance ............................................ 92
Manufactured date label ............................ 2
Model information ...................................... 2
Multifunction information center .............. 40
Multifunction information center check ... 71
N
No-wake mode ........................................ 36
O
Oil pressure warning ................................ 44
Operating in weeded areas ...................... 84
Operating the watercraft .......................... 75
Operating the watercraft in reverse or
neutral ................................................... 78
Operating your watercraft ........................ 73
Operation requirements ........................... 13
P
Periodic maintenance chart ..................... 94
Post-launch checks ................................. 71
Post-operation care ................................. 86
Pre-launch checks ................................... 64
Pre-operation check points ..................... 64
Pre-operation checklist ............................ 62
Primary Identification (PRI-ID) number ...... 1
Pull-up cleats (FX Cruiser HO) ................. 49
Q
Quick Shift Trim System (Q.S.T.S.) .......... 33
Quick Shift Trim System (Q.S.T.S.)
checks .................................................. 67
R
Reboarding grip ....................................... 47
Reboarding step ...................................... 47
Recommended equipment ...................... 15
Remote control transmitter ...................... 26
Remote control transmitter check ........... 69
Riding position ......................................... 74
Rustproofing ............................................ 91 S
Safe boating rules .................................... 19
Safety equipment check .......................... 70
Seats ........................................................ 46
Shift system ............................................. 32
Shift system checks ................................. 68
Start switch .............................................. 28
Starting off ............................................... 82
Starting off from a trailer .......................... 83
Starting the engine on water .................... 74
Steering system ....................................... 29
Steering system checks ........................... 66
Stern drain plug checks ........................... 70
Stern eyes ................................................ 48
Stern storage compartment ..................... 51
Stopping the engine ................................. 75
Stopping the watercraft ........................... 77
Storage compartment checks.................. 69
Storage compartments ............................ 49
Submerged watercraft ........................... 105
Switch checks .......................................... 69
T
Throttle lever ............................................ 29
Throttle lever checks ................................ 68
Tool kit ..................................................... 92
Towing the watercraft ............................ 104
Transporting on a trailer ........................... 60
Troubleshooting ....................................... 97
Troubleshooting chart .............................. 97
Turning the watercraft .............................. 76
W
Water separator ....................................... 31
Water separator check ............................. 64
Watercraft characteristics ........................ 16
Watercraft control functions..................... 26
Watercraft operation functions ................ 32
Watercraft operation modes .................... 35
Water-skiing ............................................. 18
Watertight storage compartments ........... 52
Y
Yamaha Security System ......................... 27
Yamaha Security System settings ........... 27
UF2T72E0.book Page 2 Monday, July 22, 2013 2:26 PM