YAMAHA VX 2014 Owner's Manual

Safety information
15
EJU30871
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.
EJU30935
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 Sport: 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 Deluxe / VX Cruiser: 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 either “for-
ward” or “reverse”, depending upon the
shift lever position.
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Safety information
16
VX Deluxe / VX Cruiser: Do not use the re-
verse function to slow down or stop the
watercraft as it could cause you to lose
control, be ejected, or impact the handle-
bars.
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.
VX Deluxe / VX Cruiser: Reverse can be
used to slow down or stop during slow-
speed maneuvering, such as when dock-
ing. Once the engine is idling, shift into re-
verse and gradually increase engine speed.
Make sure that there are no obstacles or
people behind you before shifting into re-
verse.
Keep away from the intake grate while the
engine is on. Items such as long hair, loose
clothing, or PFD straps can become entan-
gled in moving parts, resulting in severe in-
jury or drowning.
Never insert any object into the jet thrust
nozzle while the engine is running. Severe
injury or death could result from coming in
contact with the rotating parts of the jet
pump.
Stop the engine and remove the clip from
the engine shut-off switch before removingany debris or weeds, which may have col-
lected around the jet intake.
1Intake grate
2Jet thrust nozzle
1
2
1Clip
2Engine shut-off switch
STOP
2
1
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Safety information
17
EJU30955
Water-skiing
You can use the watercraft for water-skiing if
it has the seating capacity to carry the opera-
tor, a rearward-facing spotter, and the water-
skier when he or she is not skiing.
The watercraft must also have a cleat de-
signed to pull a ski rope; do not attach the
rope to any other location.
It is the watercraft operator’s responsibility to
be alert to the safety of the water-skier and
others. Know and follow all local water-skiing
regulations in effect for the waters in which
you will be operating.
The operator should be comfortable carrying
passengers before attempting to pull a skier.
The following are some important consider-
ations for minimizing risks while water-skiing.
The skier should wear an approved PFD,
preferably a brightly colored one so boat
operators can see the skier.
The skier should wear protective clothing.
Severe internal injuries can occur if water is
forced into body cavities as a result of fall-
ing into the water. Normal swimwear does
not adequately protect against forceful wa-
ter entry into the rectum or vagina. The ski-
er should wear a wetsuit bottom or clothing
that provides equivalent protection.
A second person should be on board as a
spotter to watch the skier; in many placesit is required by law. Let the skier direct the
operator’s control of speed and direction
with hand signals.
The spotter should sit astride the rear of the
seat and hold onto the handgrip with both
feet firmly on the floor of the footwell for
proper balance while facing to the rear to
watch the skier’s hand signals and condi-
tion.
Your control while pulling a water-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 ski rope is taken up.
1Cleat
1
1Handgrip
1Handgrip
1
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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,
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 (164 ft), about twice the
distance of a standard ski rope, from any
potential 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,
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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Safety information
19
EJU30992
Enjoy your watercraft
responsibly
You share the areas you enjoy when riding
your watercraft with others and with nature.
So your enjoyment includes a responsibility
to treat these other people, and the lands,
waters, and wildlife with respect and courte-
sy.
Whenever and wherever you ride, think of
yourself as the guest of those around you.
Remember, for example, that the sound of
your watercraft may be music to you, but it
could be just noise to others. And the exciting
splash of your wake can make waves others
won’t enjoy.
Avoid riding close to shoreline homes and
waterfowl nesting areas or other wildlife ar-
eas, and keep a respectful distance from fish-
ermen, other boats, swimmers, and
populated beaches. When travel in areas like
these is unavoidable, ride slowly and obey all
laws.
Proper maintenance is necessary to ensure
that the exhaust emission and sound levels of
your watercraft will continue to be within reg-
ulated limits. You have the responsibility to
make sure that the recommended mainte-
nance in this owner’s/operator’s manual is
carried out.
Remember, pollution can be harmful to the
environment. Do not refuel or add oil where a
spill could cause damage to nature. Remove
your watercraft from the water and move it
away from the shoreline before refueling. Dis-
pose of water and any fuel and oil residue in
the engine compartment according to local
regulations. And keep your surroundings
pleasant for the people and wildlife that share
the waterways: don’t litter.When you ride responsibly, with respect and
courtesy for others, you help ensure that our
waterways stay open for the enjoyment of a
variety of recreational opportunities.
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Description
20
EJU40303
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.
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Description
21
EJU31012
Location of main components
Exterior
5
6789 4 3 2 1
1Hood
2Handlebar
3Seat (page 38)
4Footwell
5Bow eye (page 40)
6Fuel filler cap (page 44)
7Cooling water pilot outlet (page 29)
8Gunwale
9Sponson
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Description
22
9
8
7 6 5 4123
10 11
1Boarding platform
2Cleat (page 40)
3Handgrip (page 39)
4Reboarding step (VX Deluxe / VX Cruiser)
(page 39)
5Jet thrust nozzle
6Reverse gate (VX Deluxe / VX Cruiser)
(page 30)
7Ride plate
8Stern eye (page 40)
9Stern drain plug (page 47)
10Speed sensor11Intake grate
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Description
23
5
4 1
23
10
1112 7
68
9
1Start switch (page 27)
2Engine shut-off switch (page 27)
3Clip (page 27)
4Engine shut-off cord (lanyard) (page 27)
5Engine stop switch (page 27)
6Glove compartment (page 41)
7Multifunction information center (page 33)
8Rearview mirror
9Remote control transmitter (VX Deluxe /
VX Cruiser) (page 25)
10Beverage holder (VX Deluxe / VX Cruiser)
(page 42)
11Shift lever (VX Deluxe / VX Cruiser) (page
30)
12Throttle lever (page 28)
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Description
24
Engine compartment
6
789
12
345
1Water separator (page 29)
2Fuel tank
3Air filter case
4Battery (page 53)
5Flushing hose connector
6Electrical box
7Spark plug/Spark plug cap/Ignition coil
8Oil tank filler cap/Dipstick
9Oil tank
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