steering YAMAHA SVHO 2011 Owners Manual

Table of contents
General and important labels ........... 1
Identification numbers .................... 1
Primary Identification (PRI-ID)
number ........................................... 1
Craft Identification Number (CIN) ...... 1
Engine serial number ........................ 1
Model information ........................... 2
Builder’s plate .................................... 2
Important labels .............................. 3
Warning labels ................................... 4
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
Water-skiing ................................. 17
Safe boating rules ........................ 19
Enjoy your watercraft
responsibly ................................ 19
Description....................................... 21
Watercraft glossary ...................... 21
Location of main components ...... 22
Control function operation ............. 26
Watercraft control functions ......... 26
Remote control transmitter .............. 26
Yamaha Security System ................ 27
Engine stop switch .......................... 28
Engine shut-off switch ..................... 28
Start switch ...................................... 28
Throttle lever ................................... 29
Steering system ............................... 29
Adjustable tilt steering system ......... 30
Cooling water pilot outlets ............... 30
Water separator ............................... 31
Watercraft operation ....................... 32
Watercraft operation functions ..... 32
Reverse system ............................... 32
Quick Shift Trim System
(Q.S.T.S.) ..................................... 33
Watercraft operation modes ......... 34
Low RPM Mode ............................... 34
No-wake mode ................................ 35
Cruise assist .................................... 36
Instrument operation ...................... 39
Multifunction information center ... 39
Analog speedometer/tachometer .... 39
Information display .......................... 40
Multifunction display
(FX Cruiser SHO) ......................... 44
Equipment operation ...................... 47
Equipment .................................... 47
Seats ............................................... 47
Handgrip .......................................... 48
Reboarding step .............................. 48
Bow eye ........................................... 49
Stern eyes ....................................... 49
Cleat ................................................ 49
Pull-up cleats (FX Cruiser SHO) ...... 50
Storage compartments .................... 50
Fire extinguisher container .............. 53
Operation and handling
requirements ................................... 54
Fuel requirements ........................ 54
Fuel ................................................. 54
Engine oil requirements ............... 56
Engine oil ......................................... 56
Draining the bilge water ............... 57
Draining the bilge water on land ...... 57
Draining the bilge water on water .... 58
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Safety information
15
EJU36850
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 muffler or engine dur-
ing or immediately after engine operation;
they can cause serious burns.
EJU30920
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 re-
leasing 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.
Practice turning in an open area without ob-
stacles 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 produce some
movement whenever the engine is running.
There is no “neutral” position. You are in ei-
ther “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 im-
pact the handlebars.
This could increase the risk of back/spinal
injury (paralysis), facial injuries, and broken
legs, ankles, and other bones. You could
also damage the shift mechanism.
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Safety information
18
watch the skier’s hand signals and condi-
tion.
FX SHO
FX Cruiser SHO

Your control while pulling a water-skier is
affected by the skier’s ability, as well as wa-
ter and weather conditions.

When preparing to pull a skier, operate the
watercraft at the slowest possible speeduntil the watercraft is well away from the ski-
er and slack in the ski rope 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, ap-
ply enough throttle to raise the skier.

Make smooth, wide turns. The watercraft is
capable of very sharp turns, which could ex-
ceed the abilities of the skier. Keep the skier
at least 50 m (150 ft), about twice the dis-
tance of a standard ski rope, from any po-
tential hazard.

Be alert to the hazard of the ski rope handle
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 cre-
ate a hazardous condition. If you must tow
another boat in an emergency situation, op-
erate slowly and cautiously.
1Handgrip
1Handgrip
1Handgrip
1
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Description
21
EJU40302
Watercraft glossary
Trolling speed
“Trolling” is the lowest maneuvering speed. You are applying little or no throttle. The watercraft
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.
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Control function operation
29
will not start. Also, the starter motor could
be damaged.
[ECJ01040]
The engine will not start under any of the fol-
lowing conditions:

Lock mode of the Yamaha Security System
has been selected. (See page 27 for
Yamaha Security System setting proce-
dures.)

Clip is removed from the engine shut-off
switch.

Throttle lever is squeezed.EJU31211Throttle lever
The throttle lever increases the engine speed
when the lever is squeezed.
The throttle lever returns automatically to its
fully closed (idle) position when released.
EJU31261Steering system
By turning the handlebars in the direction you
wish to travel, the angle of the jet thrust nozzle
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, ex-
cept 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
1Start switch
1Throttle lever
1
1
1Handlebar
2Jet thrust nozzle
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Control function operation
30
in response to handlebar input until you apply
throttle again or you reach trolling speed.
EJU31293Adjustable tilt steering system
The position of the handlebars can be adjust-
ed back and forth by operating the tilt lever.
To adjust the handlebar position:
(1) Pull the tilt lever up to disengage the han-
dlebar lock, and then move the handle-
bars back or forth to the desired position.
WARNING! Never pull the tilt lever dur-
ing operation, otherwise the handle-
bars may suddenly change position,
which may lead to an accident.
[EWJ00041]
(2) Make sure that the tilt lever returns to its
original position and that the handlebars
are securely locked in place.
EJU41800Cooling water pilot outlets
When the engine is running, some of the cool-
ing water that is circulated in the engine is dis-
charged from the cooling water pilot outlets.
There are cooling water pilot outlets on the
port (left) and starboard (right) sides of the
watercraft. To check for proper operation of
the cooling system, make sure that water is
being discharged from the port (left) pilot out-
let. If water is not being discharged from the
outlet, stop the engine and check the jet in-
take for clogging. (See page 97 for informa-
tion on the jet intake.)
TIP:

It will take about 60 seconds for the water to
reach the outlets after the engine is started.
1Tilt lever
1
1Cooling water pilot outlet (port [left] side)
1
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Pre-operation checks
61
EJU31981
WARNING
EWJ00411
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.
EJU41232Pre-operation checklist
Before using this watercraft, be sure to perform the checks in the following checklist.
ITEM ROUTINE PAGE
PRE-LAUNCH CHECKS
Engine compartmentVentilate the engine compartment.
Check inside the engine compartment for damage.63
Fuel systemCheck the fuel system for leakage.
Check the fuel level in the fuel tank.63
Water separatorCheck the water separator for water. 63
Engine unitCheck the exterior of the engine unit for damage. 64
Engine oil levelCheck the engine oil level. 64
Bilge waterCheck the engine compartment for bilge water. 64
BatteryCheck the battery connections and electrolyte level. 64
Steering systemCheck the steering system for proper operation. 65
Adjustable tilt steering sys-
temCheck the adjustable tilt steering system for proper
operation and check that the handlebars are secure-
ly locked in place.65
Q.S.T.S.Check the Q.S.T.S. for proper operation and check
that the Q.S.T.S. selector is securely locked in place.66
Reverse systemCheck the reverse system for proper operation. 66
Throttle leverCheck the throttle lever for proper operation.
Check the throttle lever free play.67
Remote control transmitterCheck the remote control transmitter for proper op-
eration.67
Engine shut-off cord (lan-
yard)Check the engine shut-off cord (lanyard) for dam-
age.67
SwitchesCheck the start switch, engine stop switch, and en-
gine shut-off switch for proper operation.68
Storage compartmentsCheck the storage compartments for damage and
water.68
Fire extinguisher containerCheck the fire extinguisher container for damage. 68
Fire extinguisherCheck the condition of the fire extinguisher. 68
Safety equipmentCheck that safety equipment meeting the applicable
regulations is on board.69
Hull and deckCheck the hull and deck for damage. 69
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Pre-operation checks
65
Make sure that the battery is securely held in
place.
EJU32613Steering 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.
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 theright and left fully turned positions of the jet
thrust nozzle.
EJU40362Adjustable tilt steering system checks
Operate the adjustable tilt steering system
several times to make sure that operation is
smooth throughout the whole range. Also,
make sure that the handlebars are securely
Difference between fully turned positions
of jet thrust nozzle (distances A and B):
Maximum 5 mm (0.20 in)
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Pre-operation checks
66
locked in place. (See page 30 for adjustable
tilt steering system operation procedures.)
EJU32644Quick Shift Trim System (Q.S.T.S.) checks
Operate the Q.S.T.S. selector lock lever and
the Q.S.T.S. selector several times to make
sure that operation is smooth throughout the
whole range. Also, make sure that the jet
thrust nozzle moves as the Q.S.T.S. selector
is operated and that the Q.S.T.S. selector se-curely locks in place. (See page 33 for
Q.S.T.S. operation procedures.)
EJU32634Reverse system checks
WARNING
EWJ00031
Do not touch the reverse gate while the
shift lever is being operated, otherwise
you could be pinched.
Operate the shift lever several times to make
sure that operation is smooth throughout the
whole range. Also, make sure that the reverse
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Operation
74
is in the fully closed (idle) position. (See page
32 for information on operating the shift lever.)
EJU33254Turning the watercraft
WARNING
EWJ00771

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 throt-
tle.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 releasing
the throttle lever, but once the engine
1Shift lever
2Forward position
1
2
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