warning YAMAHA VX SPORT 2008 Owner's Manual

Operation
51
(4) Push the start switch (green button), and
then release it as soon as the engine
starts to run.
NOTE:
The engine will not start if the throttle lever is
squeezed.
CAUTION:
ECJ00480

Never push the start switch while the en-
gine is running.

Do not operate the start switch for more
than 5 seconds, otherwise the battery
will be discharged and the engine will
not start. Also, the starter motor could
be damaged. If the engine does not start
in 5 seconds, release the start switch,
wait 15 seconds, and then try again.
EJU32860Stopping the engine
To stop the engine, release the throttle lever,
and then push the engine stop switch (red
button).
WARNING
EWJ00600
You need throttle to steer. Shutting the en-
gine off can cause you to hit an obstacle
you are attempting to avoid. A collision
could result in severe injury or death.
EJU32890Leaving the watercraft
If leaving the watercraft, select the lock
mode of the Yamaha Security System (for
VX Deluxe/VX Cruiser) and remove the en-
gine shut-off cord to reduce the chance of
accidental starting or unauthorized use by
children or others. (See page 29 for
Yamaha Security System and low-RPM
mode selection procedures.)
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Operation
52
EJU32900
Operating your watercraft EJU32960Getting to know your watercraft
Operating your watercraft requires skills ac-
quired through practice over a period of time.
Take the time to learn the basic techniques
well before attempting more difficult maneu-
vers.
Operating your new watercraft can be a very
enjoyable activity, providing you with hours of
pleasure. However, it is essential to familiar-
ize yourself with the operation of the water-
craft to achieve the skill level necessary to
enjoy riding safely.
Before operating this watercraft, read this
owner’s/operator’s manual, the Riding Prac-
tice Guide, and all warning and caution labels
on the watercraft. Pay particular attention to
the safety information on page 9. These ma-
terials should give you an understanding of
the watercraft and its operation.
Remember: This watercraft is designed to
carry the operator and up to 2 passengers.
Never exceed the maximum load limit or allow
more than 3 persons (or 2 persons if a water-
skier is being pulled) to ride the watercraft at
any time.
EJU33000Learning to operate your watercraft
Before operating the watercraft, always per-
form the pre-operation checks listed on page
40. The short time spent checking the water-
craft will reward you with added safety and re-
liability.
Check local laws before operating your water-
craft.Operate defensively at safe speeds and keep
a safe distance away from people, objects,
and other watercraft. Select a wide area to
learn in, where there is good visibility and light
boat traffic.
Use the buddy system—operate with some-
one nearby. Scan constantly for people, ob-
jects, and other watercraft. Be alert for
conditions that limit your visibility or block your
vision of others.
Attach the engine shut-off cord to your left
wrist and keep it free from the handlebars so
that the engine stops if you, the operator, fall
off.
Wear a personal flotation device (PFD). All
riders must wear a PFD that is approved by
the appropriate authorities and is suitable for
personal watercraft use.
Wear protective clothing. Severe internal inju-
ries can occur if water is forced into body cav-
ities as a result of falling into the water or
being near the jet thrust nozzle. Normal swim-
wear does not adequately protect against
forceful water entry into the rectum and vagi-
na. All riders must wear a wetsuit bottom or
clothing that provides equivalent protection.
Such clothing includes thick, tightly woven,
sturdy and snug-fitting apparel such as den-
im, but does not include spandex or similar
fabrics, like those used in bicycle shorts. A full
wetsuit can also protect against hypothermia Maximum load:
240 kg (530 lb)
Load is the total weight of cargo, oper-
ator, and passengers.
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Operation
53
(subnormal body temperature) and abra-
sions.
Footwear and gloves are recommended.
Eye protection is recommended to keep wind,
water, and glare from the sun out of your eyes
while you operate your watercraft. Restraining
straps for eyewear are made which are de-
signed to float should your eyewear fall in the
water.
You should grip the handlebars firmly and
keep both feet on the floor of the footwell. Do
not attempt to ride with passengers until your
operating skills are fully developed.
EJU33060Riding with passengers
When 2 or 3 persons (including the operator)
are on board, the watercraft handles different-
ly, and is not as easy to maneuver, so operat-
ing it requires a higher degree of skill. Before
attempting to operate the watercraft with pas-
sengers on board, the operator must practice
operating the watercraft alone enough to be
able to acquire the necessary skills.
The passengers must always wear a PFD
that is approved by the appropriate authorities
and a wetsuit bottom or equivalent.
WARNING
EWJ00540
Do not apply throttle when anyone is at the
rear of the watercraft. Turn the engine off
or keep it at idle. Water and/or debris exit-
ing the jet thrust nozzle can cause severe
injury. Passengers should not attempt to
board the watercraft if the operator is ap-
plying throttle.
Do not give a ride to children whose feet can-
not reach the floor of the footwell. The pas-
sengers should hold on firmly, either to the
person in front of them or to the handgrip pro-
vided, and keep their feet on the floor of thefootwell. Never allow a passenger to ride in
front of the operator.
WARNING
EWJ00550
When passengers are on board, make
sure that they are holding on firmly and
have their feet on the floor of the footwell
before you start to accelerate.
When pulling a water-skier, the spotter should
face to the rear while holding the handgrip
with both hands. The spotter should always sit
astride the seat with both feet placed firmly on
the floor of the footwell for proper balance.
Follow all local laws regarding water-skiing,
such as those for skier-down flags, rearward-
facing spotter, and other requirements.
EJU33080Starting the watercraft
WARNING
EWJ00710

Scan constantly for people, objects, and
other watercraft. Be alert for conditions
that limit your visibility or block your vi-
sion 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 shal-
low water.

Take early action to avoid collisions. Re-
member, watercraft and other boats do
not have brakes. Do not release the
throttle lever when trying to steer away
from objects—you need throttle to steer.
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Operation
54

Practice reboarding in shallow water be-
fore riding in deep water.
EJU33091Boarding and starting in shallow water
(1) Launch the watercraft in water free from
weeds and debris and at least 60 cm (2 ft)
deep.
WARNING
EWJ00570
Never operate in water that is less than 60
cm (2 ft) deep, otherwise you increase
your chance of hitting a submerged ob-
ject, which could result in injury.
CAUTION:
ECJ00470
Never operate in water that is less than 60
cm (2 ft) deep, otherwise pebbles or sand
could be sucked into the jet intake, caus-
ing impeller damage and engine overheat-
ing.
(2) Board the watercraft from the side or the
rear.
(3) Attach the engine shut-off cord to your left
wrist, and then attach the clip to the en-
gine shut-off switch.
(4) Grip the handlebars with both hands,
place both feet on the floor of the footwell,
start the engine, and then look in all direc-
tions before starting off.
EJU33110Boarding and starting from a dock
(1) Board the watercraft from the side.
(2) Attach the engine shut-off cord to your left
wrist, and then attach the clip to the en-
gine shut-off switch.
(3) Push the watercraft away from the dock,
grip the handlebars with both hands,
place both feet on the floor of the footwell,
start the engine, and then look in all direc-
tions before starting off.
EJU36080Boarding and starting in deep water
WARNING
EWJ01110

The operator and passengers should
practice boarding in shallow water be-
fore riding in deep water. Boarding in
deep water requires more skill.

The fatigue and exposure that could re-
sult after unsuccessful attempts to get
back on the watercraft may increase the
risk of injuries and drowning.
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Operation
55
EJU33140Boarding alone
(1) Swim to the rear of the watercraft and
place both hands on the boarding plat-
form, pull yourself up, and then grasp the
handgrip with one hand.
(2) Pull yourself up to a kneeling position on
the platform, and then move to the seat
and sit astride.
(3) Attach the engine shut-off cord to your left
wrist, and then attach the clip to the en-
gine shut-off switch.
(4) Grip the handlebars with both hands,
place both feet on the floor of the footwell,start the engine, and then look in all direc-
tions before starting off.
WARNING
EWJ00610
Before starting off, make sure that there
are no boats, swimmers, or obstacles
around you.
EJU33162Boarding with passengers
WARNING
EWJ00660
Severe internal injuries can occur if water
is forced into body cavities as a result of
being near the jet thrust nozzle. Do not ap-
ply throttle until the passengers are seated
with their feet on the floor of the footwell
and are securely holding on to the person
in front of them or to the handgrip provid-
ed.
(1) Climb on board as noted in the previous
section, and sit astride the seat.
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Operation
56
(2) Attach the engine shut-off cord to your left
wrist, and then attach the clip to the en-
gine shut-off switch.
(3) Have the passengers move to the rear of
the watercraft.
(4) Have a passenger board and sit astride
the seat. If a second passenger is board-
ing, have him or her follow the same pro-
cedure.
NOTE:
When a passenger is boarding, both the pas-
sengers and the operator should try to bal-
ance the watercraft.
(5) Check that the passengers have their
feet on the floor of the footwell and are
securely holding on to the person in front
of them or to the handgrip provided. Nev-er allow a passenger to ride in front of the
operator.
(6) Start the engine, look in all directions, and
then accelerate to planing speed.
WARNING
EWJ00610
Before starting off, make sure that there
are no boats, swimmers, or obstacles
around you.
NOTE:
The heavier the total weight of the operator
and passengers, the more difficult it will be to
balance the watercraft. Do not operate the
watercraft when the total weight exceeds 240
kg (530 lb) including any cargo. If it is difficult
to balance the watercraft at a standstill, pro-
ceed as follows:
(1) While the passengers are steadying the
watercraft, pull yourself up onto the
boarding platform into a kneeling posi-
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Operation
57
tion, and then move to the seat and sit
astride to balance the watercraft.
(2) Have a passenger pull him or herself up
onto the boarding platform into a kneeling
position, then move to the seat and sit
astride to balance the watercraft.
(3) Attach the engine shut-off cord to your left
wrist, and then attach the clip to the en-
gine shut-off switch.
(4) Start the engine and keep it at idle.
(5) Have the second passenger pull him or
herself up onto the boarding platform into
a kneeling position, then crawl onto the
seat as the watercraft accelerates.(6) Gradually increase the speed to balance
the watercraft.
EJU33230Capsized watercraft
If the watercraft capsizes, turn it over immedi-
ately.
Be sure to carefully follow the procedures be-
low to prevent injury, or damage to the water-
craft.
WARNING
EWJ00670
IMPROPER UPRIGHTING CAN CAUSE IN-
JURY:

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

Do not put your hands in the intake
grate.
CAUTION:
ECJ00530
If the watercraft capsizes, release the
throttle lever immediately. Oil could flow
into the air filter case and the engine could
be damaged.
(1) Remove the clip from the engine shut-off
switch.
(2) Swim to the rear of the watercraft. Pull the
watercraft over with your left hand on the
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Operation
59
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 ap-
ply 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.
WARNING
EWJ00770

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 passengers
overboard, which could cause an injury.
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 continu-
ing to supply some thrust while the watercraft
is decelerating, but you can turn more sharply
if you apply throttle while turning the handle-
bars. The OTS system does not function be-
low planing speeds or when the engine is off.
Once the engine slows down, the watercraft
will no longer turn in response to handlebar in-
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Operation
60
put until you apply throttle again or you reach
trolling speed.
EJU33280Stopping the watercraft
The watercraft is not equipped with a sepa-
rate braking system. It is stopped by water re-
sistance when the throttle lever is released.
From full speed, the watercraft comes to a
complete stop in approximately 100 m (330 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 ob-
stacle, apply throttle and turn in another direc-
tion.
WARNING
EWJ00730

Allow adequate stopping distance.

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

Operate defensively at safe speeds and
keep a safe distance away from people,
objects, and other watercraft to give you
time to stop.

Do not shut the engine off when slowing
down in case you need engine power tosteer away from a boat or other obstacle
that comes into your path.

For VX Deluxe/VX Cruiser:
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.
EJU35960Beaching the watercraft
(1) Make sure that there are no boats, swim-
mers, or obstacles near the beach. Re-
lease the throttle lever about 100 m (330
ft) before you reach the intended beach-
ing area.
(2) Approach the beach slowly and stop the
engine before reaching land.
Remember, you need throttle to steer.
(3) Get off the watercraft and pull it up on the
beach.
CAUTION:
ECJ00490
Small pebbles, sand, seaweed, and other
debris can be sucked into the jet intake
and impair or damage the impeller. Always
stop the engine and get off the watercraft
before beaching it.
EJU36060Docking the watercraft
(1) Make sure that there are no boats, swim-
mers, or obstacles near the watercraft.
Reduce speed about 100 m (330 ft) away
from the dock.
(2) Slowly approach the dock and stop the
engine just before coming alongside it.
EJU33320Reverse on waterways (for VX
Deluxe/VX Cruiser)
Reverse can be used for slow-speed maneu-
vering when it is necessary to back up out of
tight spots where you cannot turn around. Re-
verse can be used to slow down or stop only
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Maintenance and care
63
EJU33490
Storage
WARNING
EWJ00330
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 by the owner.
EJU33542Flushing the cooling system
Flushing the cooling system is essential to
prevent it from clogging with salt, sand, or dirt.
CAUTION:
ECJ00121

Do not supply water to the cooling water
passages when the engine is not run-
ning. The water could flow back through
the muffler into the crankcase, causing
severe engine damage.

Do not run the engine for more than 15
seconds without supplying water or
over 4000 r/min on land, otherwise the
engine could overheat.
(1) Place the watercraft in a horizontal posi-
tion.
(2) Remove the seat. (See page 23 for seat
removal and installation procedures.)
(3) Remove the flushing hose connector
cap, and then insert the garden hoseadapter into the flushing hose connector
and turn it until it is securely connected.
(4) Connect the garden hose adapter to a
water tap using a garden hose.
NOTE:
A garden hose is not included and must be
purchased separately.
(5) Start the engine, and then immediately
turn the water supply on until water flows
out continually from the jet thrust nozzle.
(6) Run the engine at idling speed for about
3 minutes watching the engine condition.
If the engine stops while flushing, turn the
water supply off immediately and repeat
the above steps.
(7) Turn the water supply off, and then force
the remaining water out of the cooling
1Flushing hose connector cap
2Garden hose adapter
3Flushing hose connector
UF1K73E0.book Page 63 Wednesday, July 11, 2007 9:15 AM