tow YAMAHA VX 2012 Owners Manual

Table of contents
Operation ......................................... 59
Operating your watercraft ............. 59
Getting to know your watercraft ....... 59
Learning to operate
your watercraft ............................. 59
Riding position ................................. 60
Launching the watercraft ................. 60
Starting the engine on water ........... 60
Stopping the engine ........................ 61
Leaving the watercraft ..................... 61
Operating the watercraft .................. 61
Turning the watercraft ..................... 62
Stopping the watercraft ................... 63
Operating the watercraft in reverse
(VX Deluxe / VX Cruiser) ............. 64
Boarding the watercraft ................... 64
Starting off ....................................... 67
Capsized watercraft ......................... 68
Beaching and docking
the watercraft ............................... 69
Operating in weeded areas ............. 70
After removing the watercraft
from the water .............................. 70
Care and storage ............................. 71
Post-operation care ...................... 71
Flushing the cooling water
passages ...................................... 71
Cleaning the watercraft ................... 72
Battery care ..................................... 72
Long-term storage ........................ 75
Cleaning .......................................... 75
Lubrication ....................................... 75
Rustproofing .................................... 76
Maintenance..................................... 77
Maintenance ................................. 77
Tool kit ............................................. 77
Periodic maintenance chart ............. 78
Engine oil and oil filter ..................... 79
Specifications.................................. 80
Specifications ................................ 80
Trouble recovery ............................. 81
Troubleshooting ........................... 81
Troubleshooting chart ...................... 81
Emergency procedures ................ 84
Cleaning the jet intake and
impeller ........................................ 84
Jumping the battery ......................... 85
Replacing the fuses ......................... 85
Towing the watercraft ...................... 87
Submerged watercraft ..................... 87
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Safety information
14
tercraft to avoid accidental starting or unau-
thorized use by children or others.

Scan carefully for swimmers and stay away
from swimming areas. Swimmers are hard
to see and you could accidentally hit some-
one in the water.

Avoid being hit by another boat. You should
always take the responsibility to watch for
traffic; other boaters may not be watching
for you. If they do not see you, or if you ma-
neuver more quickly than other boaters ex-
pect, you risk a collision.

Maintain a safe distance from other boats
and watercraft, and also watch for ski ropes
or fishing lines. Obey the “Safe boating
rules” and be sure to check behind you be-
fore making a turn. (See “Safe boating
rules” on page 18.)
EJU30840
Recommended equipment
The following items should be carried on
board your watercraft:

Sound-signaling device
You should carry a whistle or other sound-
signaling device that can be used to signal
other boats.

Visual distress signals
It is recommended that a pyrotechnic de-
vice, which is approved by the appropriate
authorities, be stored in a waterproof con-
tainer on your watercraft. A mirror can also
be used as an emergency signal. Contact a
Yamaha dealer for more information.

Watch
A watch is helpful so you will know how long
you have been operating the watercraft.

Towline
A towline can be used to tow a disabled wa-
tercraft in an emergency.
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Safety information
18
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.
EJU30970
Safe boating rules
Your Yamaha watercraft is legally considered
a powerboat. Operation of the watercraft must
be in accordance with the rules and regula-
tions governing the waterway on which it is
used.
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Equipment operation
40
towing it in an emergency. (See page 87 for
information on towing the watercraft.)
EJU34881Stern eyes
The stern eyes are used to attach a rope to
the watercraft when transporting or mooring it.
EJU40420Cleat
The cleat is used to attach a ski rope to the
watercraft when pulling a water-skier.
WARNING! Do not use the cleat to lift the
watercraft. The cleat is not designed to
support the watercraft’s weight. If the cleatbreaks, the watercraft could fall, which
could result in severe injury.
[EWJ01510]
EJU31683
Storage compartments
This watercraft is equipped with the following
storage compartments.
The storage compartments are not designed
to be waterproof. If you carry objects that must
be kept dry, put them in a waterproof bag.
Make sure that the storage compartments are
closed securely before operating the water-
craft.
EJU31715Bow storage compartment
The bow storage compartment is located un-
der the hood.
1Bow eye
1Stern eye
1
1
1Cleat
1
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Equipment operation
42
To open the glove compartment:
Slide the glove compartment latch toward
you, and then lift up the lid.To close the glove compartment:Push the lid down to securely lock it in place.
EJU41420Beverage holder (VX Deluxe / VX Cruiser)
The beverage holder is located in the glove
compartment. (See page 41 for information
on the glove compartment.)
The beverage holder is removable.
Do not place any items in the beverage holder
while riding. Otherwise, the items may fall out
of the beverage holder.
EJU40991Fire extinguisher holder and cover
The fire extinguisher holder and cover are lo-
cated in the bow storage compartment.
1Glove compartment latch
1Glove compartment
Glove compartment:
Capacity:
7.0 L (1.8 US gal, 1.5 Imp.gal)
Load limit:
1.5 kg (3 lb)
1
1
1Beverage holder
1
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Operation and handling requirements
48
engine, which can result in severe dam-
age.
[ECJ00553]EJU33464Transporting on a trailer
When transporting the watercraft on a trailer,
secure the tie downs to the trailer through the
bow eye and stern eyes. NOTICE: Do not at-
tach ropes or tie downs to any part of the
watercraft other than the bow eye and
stern eyes to secure the watercraft to the
trailer. Otherwise, the watercraft may be
damaged. Wrap the ropes or tie downs
with towels or rags where they touch the
body of the watercraft to avoid scratches
or damage. VX Deluxe / VX Cruiser: Do not
transport the watercraft with the shift lever
in the reverse position. Otherwise, the re-
verse gate may hit an obstacle, which
could cause damage.
[ECJ00644]
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Operation
69

Be sure to shut the engine off by pulling
on the engine shut-off cord (lanyard) to
remove the clip from the engine shut-off
switch.

Do not put your hands in the intake
grate.
If the watercraft capsizes, turn it over immedi-
ately.
To upright the watercraft:
(1) Remove the clip from the engine shut-off
switch.
(2) Swim to the rear of the watercraft. Turn
the watercraft over clockwise by pulling
on the ride plate with your left hand while
pushing down on the gunwale with your
right hand or foot.
If the port (left) side of the capsized wa-
tercraft is tilting up, push down on the
gunwale so that the port (left) side is
down before turning the watercraft clock-
wise. NOTICE: Do not turn the water-
craft over counterclockwise,
otherwise water can enter the engine,which can result in severe damage.
[ECJ00541]
(3) Start the engine and operate the water-
craft at planing speed to drain the bilge
water from the engine compartment.
(See page 47 for information on draining
the bilge water. If the engine does not
start, see “Towing the watercraft” on
page 87 or “Submerged watercraft” on
page 87.) NOTICE: Do not run the en-
gine at full throttle for at least 1 minute
after the engine has been restarted.
Bilge water in the engine compart-
ment can splash into the engine,
which can result in severe damage.
[ECJ00553]
EJU35962
Beaching and docking the watercraft
To beach the watercraft:
(1) Make sure that there are no boats, swim-
mers, or obstacles near the beach.
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Trouble recovery
87
If the fuse immediately blows again, the elec-
trical system may be defective. If this occurs,
have a Yamaha dealer service the watercraft.
EJU34715Towing the watercraft
WARNING
EWJ00811

The operator of the towing boat must
keep speed to a minimum and avoid traf-
fic or obstacles which could be a hazard
to the operator on the watercraft.

The towline should be long enough so
that the watercraft will not collide with
the towing boat when slowing down.
If the watercraft becomes inoperative in the
water, it can be towed to shore.
To tow the watercraft:
Use a towline that is three times the combined
length of the towing boat and the watercraft.
(1) Securely attach the towline to the bow
eye of the watercraft being towed.
(2) Sit astride the seat and hold on to the
handlebars in order to balance the water-
craft. NOTICE: The bow must be kept
up out of the water during towing, oth-
erwise water could flood the engine
compartment or water could flow back
into the engine, causing severe en-
gine damage.
[ECJ01330]
Tow the watercraft at 8 km/h (5 mph) or less.
NOTICE: Tow the watercraft at 8 km/h (5
mph) or less, otherwise water could flood
the engine compartment or water could
flow back into the engine, causing severe
engine damage.
[ECJ01321]
EJU36155
Submerged watercraft
If the watercraft is submerged or flooded with
water, drain the bilge water from the engine
compartment. Then, have a Yamaha dealer
service the watercraft as soon as possible.
If the watercraft was submerged:
(1) Remove the watercraft from the water
and drain the water from the storage
compartments. (See page 40 for informa-
tion on draining the storage compart-
ments.)
(2) Drain the bilge water from the engine
compartment. (See page 47 for informa-
tion on draining the bilge water.)
(3) Have the watercraft serviced by a
Yamaha dealer as soon as possible.
NOTICE: Be sure to have a Yamaha
dealer inspect the watercraft. Other-
wise, serious engine damage could re-
sult.
[ECJ00791]
1Bow eye
1
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Index
M
Main components, location of .................. 21
Maintenance............................................. 77
Manufactured date label............................. 2
Model information....................................... 2
Multifunction information center ............... 33
Multifunction information center check ..... 58
O
Oil pressure warning ................................ 36
Operating in weeded areas ...................... 70
Operating the watercraft........................... 61
Operating the watercraft in reverse
(VX Deluxe / VX Cruiser) ...................... 64
Operating your watercraft......................... 59
Operation requirements ........................... 12
P
Periodic maintenance chart...................... 78
Post-launch checks .................................. 58
Post-operation care .................................. 71
Pre-launch checks.................................... 52
Pre-operation check points ...................... 52
Pre-operation checklist............................. 50
Primary Identification (PRI-ID) number ...... 1
R
Reboarding step (VX Cruiser) .................. 39
Recommended equipment ....................... 14
Remote control transmitter check
(VX Deluxe / VX Cruiser) ...................... 55
Remote control transmitter
(VX Deluxe / VX Cruiser) ...................... 25
Reverse system checks
(VX Deluxe / VX Cruiser) ...................... 54
Reverse system
(VX Deluxe / VX Cruiser) ...................... 30
Riding position.......................................... 60
Rustproofing ............................................. 76
S
Safe boating rules .................................... 18
Safety equipment check ........................... 57
Seat .......................................................... 38
Speedometer............................................ 33
Start switch............................................... 27
Starting off ................................................ 67
Starting off from a trailer........................... 68
Starting the engine on water .................... 60Steering system ....................................... 28
Steering system checks ........................... 53
Stern drain plug checks ............................ 57
Stern eyes ................................................ 40
Stopping the engine ................................. 61
Stopping the watercraft ............................ 63
Storage compartment checks .................. 56
Storage compartments ............................. 40
Submerged watercraft .............................. 87
Switch checks .......................................... 56
T
Tachometer .............................................. 34
Throttle lever ............................................ 28
Throttle lever checks ................................ 55
Tool kit...................................................... 77
Towing the watercraft ............................... 87
Transporting on a trailer ........................... 48
Troubleshooting ....................................... 81
Troubleshooting chart .............................. 81
Turning the watercraft .............................. 62
W
Water separator ....................................... 29
Water separator check ............................. 52
Watercraft characteristics ......................... 15
Watercraft control functions ..................... 25
Watercraft operation functions ................. 30
Watercraft operation modes ..................... 31
Water-skiing ............................................. 17
Y
Yamaha Security System settings ........... 26
Yamaha Security System
(VX Deluxe / VX Cruiser) ...................... 26
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