Cobra fins. Yes or no?

[Marvin willis]

Just curious what y'all think of them. I hear they are great but if they are so great then why do I see so many for sale used?

 

[txav8r]

Jeff has been hard at work updating them and making what "you the customer" say you want, so what you see for sale is not the new Ultimate version more than likely, it is the earlier models, that were smaller, and fixed. The newest versions are way bigger, and give even more authority and command, and they are also retractable. So the newest versions are a fin that answers many questions. I am guessing you are seeing the older, smaller, non adjustable fins that owners want to sell so they can upgrade.

 

[Glassman]

I have the originals.

 

[Cobra Jet Steering LLC]

I would suggest if you see some used ULTIMATES or even the MAGNUMS for sale grab them, Lots of people have the earlier styles as Mel said but keep in mind I have been doing PATENTED steering for over a decade and I started out making small ones.
I believe Glassman is one of the remaining people who still use the actual original type.
My last patent covers my newest adjustable, selectable, spring loaded, tempered aluminum set .
From slow speed only to maximum watersport high speed influence.
Use them in the surf riding the waves or in heavy traffic and avoid being caught in someone's wake.
For watersports or for just about anything you could want. Sort of the Transformers of steering for Yamaha jet boats.

 

[Marvin willis]

From what I've heard the biggest thing they help with is slow speed steering. I use to think I wanted thrm until I drove my friends i/o a month ago. I never thought I was gonna get that boat turned around. It's all what you get use to

 

[Julian]

I still have the originals on my boat too!

 

[Marvin willis]

What is your opinion of them. How does your boat perform differently ?

 

[Cobra Jet Steering LLC]

well I would say someone gave you bad info, my steering is a blast at high speed, here is a 24 foot running a slalom course and in the end during the last right turn he pulled both throttles back to neutral but the boat kept turning.

here is one taken from inside the boat , damn hard to hold on with one hand and wield a camera in the other, you can see the wake and see the engines were put in neutral during the turn.

 

[Jim Robeson]

@Marvin willis ...I have the originals as well and haven't had any difficulty in handling. Like you said, it takes a little to get used to it but once you do it's no problem. I have heard others say it's hard to dock one of these boats... that's just BS. I put mine in a slip all the time as well as tie up at other docks and have had no problem either in a strong wind or no wind. Again, it takes a little practice, just like it would with any other boat.... in my humble opinion.

 

[Marvin willis]

I have no problem steering my boat. Every time I try and get my dad to drive the boat slow he ends up doing circles and can't get the boat to straighten out

 

[Wayloncle]

I have no problem steering my boat. Every time I try and get my dad to drive the boat slow he ends up doing circles and can't get the boat to straighten out

Is he going too slow? I realized pretty quick that I was always over steering while going slow. Now if I start to get a little crooked I do slight turns of the wheel and maybe a short shot of throttle to one side or the other.
I also have the originals (I think, there no markings on them at all). I keep wondering if I should get the newer bigger ones but I really don't have a problem anymore, if I do get new ones it'll only be so if my wife ever learns to drive it she doesn't run over me while wake boarding or something

 

[Marvin willis]

He's just old and tries to drive it like an outboard. He waits too long to correct the steering and by then it's too late

 

[mark_m]

So this thread.... Similar in concept to not having any seat time with a motorcycle, best for newbie to go without fins and learn / adapt or add to the "have to have" list with the rest with a new boat? Thoughts?

Clarification: I have very little IO experience, only the online and passenger based learning.

Road trip to Maryland on Wednesday to pick up sx230!!!

 

[Zarrella]

I also have the original ones and pretty much can't imagine not having them. I have thought about getting the new ones.

 

[Marvin willis]

Mark you will love the boat but the slow speed steering is a little tricky at first. My first time out it was blowing 30 mph with a strong current. Didn't think I was ever gonna get to the dock. The wind was blowing me away from where I was trying to go. Also YouTube how to dock these boats

 

[captainhook]

Where do you see used ones for sale "all the time?" Maybe I'm missing something but they seem pretty hard to come by used for a cheap ass like me. My WTB thread has no responses.

 

[Marvin willis]

You can find them for sale on this site

 

[Cobra Jet Steering LLC]

I have a few of the older style sets around used , and I have one set of ultimates around that were test fins I used twice .
I May have another set someplace also, Don't remember if they were mags or ultimates though , I would need to look for those. Where are you running the want to buy thread? Not on the old site I hope.

 

[Marvin willis]

I love the video.

 

[captainhook]

I have a few of the older style sets around used , and I have one set of ultimates around that were test fins I used twice .
I May have another set someplace also, Don't remember if they were mags or ultimates though , I would need to look for those. Where are you running the want to buy thread? Not on the old site I hope.

What "old site?"

https://jetboaters.net/threads/wtb-cobra-jet-steering-or-thrust-vectors.2951/