2018 212X--Question on Thrust Vectors

[JDRacing]

So, I'm not even picking up the boat till Saturday, and already looking at the Lateral Thruster and Thrust Vector group buy. One of the things that appealed to me on a competing boat was the lateral thrust capability on the Chaparral nozzles that the 212X doesn't have. And then I came across the group buy from Jet Boat Pilot for the Lateral Thruster, and, without having even put the boat in the water yet, I'm thinking this is something I want to do.

My question: Do I want the Thrust Vector XV with it as well? Does the articulating keel eliminate or greatly reduce the need for thrust vectors for low speed maneuvering (or any other purpose)? And does it reduce the nozzle spray for those being towed on a tube? It's not a huge add on expense to order them, but if the consensus is that they don't add much to the mix on the 2018 212's, then I can always find another (boating) use for the funds.

Recommendations on this greatly appreciated, and thank you.

By the way, I've been sailing off and on most of my adult life, so I'm not new to boats. However, I'm brand new to jet boats, so this is going to be quite a learning curve.

Jeff

 

[MidnightRider]

You dont need anything and there are people on this forum that will tell you that but it’s not because of the articulating keel it’s because they like the jet boat feel and feel they have enough control as is. It’s personal preference. But if you want to enhance the low speed handling to be more grounded and feel a little more like a prop boat handles then you need both. LTs and TVs do different things and they both greatly enhance slow speed maneuvering over the stock setup even boats with the articulating keel. Articulating keel is not a good reason to not get fins IMO. Just so you can know your options, JBP steering products are not the only option, many people use steering products by Cobra Jet Steering and some (myself included) mix the JBP LTs with the Cobra Jet Fins. If you do some searches you find a ton of information about all setups. I spent a whole week researching all the options and combinations before making a decision on my mixed setup.
You can read about my write up on my setup and install here if your interested.

https://jetboaters.net/threads/cobra-vm-ak-lateral-thrusters-ready-to-go.17781/

 

[BigAbe75]

Sale runs to the end of the month. So, I’d say give the boat a couple runs before making the decision.

Personally, I’m not sure I need the Lateral Thrusters. They do sound cool, but I haven’t yet found myself in a situation where I wished I had those forces.

I’ve had my boat 1 complete season now and feel like I’m getting pretty good at putting the boat where I want it. But, I’m rarely out in a current. And only had 1 instance of too much wind to dock comfortably this year. I ended up dropping my wife off and she moved the truck to another (more protected) ramp about 2 miles away to retrieve.

You may decide that the question is fins vs no fins for added control (going forward). Then, you may be going down the rabbit hole of researching Cobra fins vs Thrust Vectors.

I prefer the Cobra solution as they can be set to be down all the time vs the Thrust Vectors that lift out of the water at speed.

Good luck and congrats on the new boat! Can’t wait to see the pics.

 

[JDRacing]

Many thanks for the responses. Research is underway. Probably patience + research should prevail over the expediency of a group buy discount.

Jeff

 

[BigAbe75]

Probably patience + research should prevail over the expediency of a group buy discount.

Well, I don’t know if I’d go quite that far. Lol! I know I’m not very good at the whole patience thing.

Worst case, you get the boat this weekend, get the LT and TV pair by next weekend at the sale price. Then either decide they’re awesome and keep them. Or, decide you don’t need them and sell them here for what you paid in a couple months after the group buy is over.