hyfax removal
The way the service manual will tell you is to just take out the rear suspension. Thats probably the simplest way, but me personally Ive always found it a pain trying to get the rear suspension to line back up with the bolt holes when you go to put it back in.
On Polaris sleds you can simply remove the screw that holds the hyfax to the slide rain and slide it out through the holes in the track. Ive never tried that on a Yamaha, however, so Im not sure if it would work the same.
Sounds like you chanced upon a real nice sled with your Venture. I myself considered getting a Venture but for me I dont think its the right sled.
Im what you might call an "aggressive" rider. I try to ride as fast as the conditions will allow, if I come up on a long straight stretch of trail I pin the throttle and hold on for dear life. For me, a Venture really isnt the best sled.
However, if you want something that has a nice ride, a Venture is perfect.
Anyways, I hope you are happy with your sled and that you get some more snow so that you can ride it.
We dont have much snow here in Wisconsin either. Even up in Minocqua where I ride there isnt much snow. It is still early however, and Id be willing to bet that it wont stay 40 degrees for the rest of the winter.