veedubtek
Jetboaters Admiral
- Messages
- 2,424
- Reaction score
- 3,741
- Points
- 322
- Location
- Punta Gorda, FL
- Boat Make
- Scout
- Year
- 2011
- Boat Model
- Other
- Boat Length
- 28
So. I'm a fairly seasoned jet boat guy (I'm on my 4th jet boat, plus several skis). I know a thing, maybe 2, about jet boats. I'm not particularly favored towards any brand, as avid forum readers can attest to. With that said, I picked up a 2016 FSH not long ago. My last jet was a seadoo 210SE 430hp, so a bit of difference in the controls, but nothing crazy. I've had another doo and a couple yammy's. I've driven others. I've torn apart both. I've ridden in a bunch. I've got a fair grasp of the ins and outs of all. I'm not a jet boat expert, but, an aficionado? Yeah. Let's go with that because it sounds cool.
So. I'm confident in my jet boat maneuverability skills. Maybe too much. I was actually talking to Jeff @ CJS (Cobra Jet Steering - try to keep up here, eh?) before I even had my latest jet boat. Not because I thought I'd need the steering aid, but because I thought I could provide a non-biased opinion on his new steering setup, and wanted to get it at a deal because I knew, I freaking KNEW, I wouldn't care for it and I'd just end up pulling it back off and reselling it. If I got in early, I ain't gonna lose nothing, maybe even make a few $$$'s when I resold. Because, I just don't need it.
WELL. My last boat was a freakin' massive Whaler. It's not a jetboat. Not even close. I'm blaming that. Let's pile on it's been a long crazy winter, so we'll add 'lack of practice' in the mix. But my first few times out in the FSH, I won't say I was lost, but it was a far cry from what I had grown accustomed to. I was seriously scared of the dock. Scared of slow speed maneuvering. And holy friggin batman, batman, even at speed - this thing did NOT handle like I was used to. Yes, I would get used to it. Yup, adapt and overcome. No worries. But, I did have this new Viper system here, so of course I threw it on last night.
Yup. A whole bunch of paragraphs later. Some drama. A whole lot of backstory you didn't need/nor care about. I have a new boat again. Yes, I know, it was a new boat I didn't introduce already. Yes, I get a new boat every year (sometimes multiple). But, I like to think I'm more in tune with my boat than most with my background and profession. And, well, yeah. I'm just awesomer. But this Viper system humbled me.
I wanted to not like it. I'm too good for steering enhancements. I don't need em. But, while I may not, this is so much more. I tried to take some video yesterday, but had a ton of trouble with sucking of debris that I couldn't. Trust me when I say that every aspect of this boat is better. Or don't trust me. Enjoy your mediocre handling.
Docking speeds - yes, better. Is it "HOLY FRIGGIN SPACEBALLS BATMAN" better? No. But, I'm not scared of docking. I'm more confident. It isn't gonna completely change your life - it's *just* better enough that you aren't gonna worry about it. Pretty much exactly like all other steering enhancements have helped all your other jet boats. You won't be disappointed, you won't be blown away. The first couple times I took my FSH around, I seriously thought I lost "it" (how to handle a jet boat at slow speed). Afterwards, I was reminded that I'm as awesome as I thought I was. My wife drove my FSH 5?-ish miles today at docking speeds (no wake mode maxed) with zero complaints about handling. She's driven approximately 0 of my previous jet boats. Actually, exactly 0. Never. And, bless her heart, she brought home all of us drunken idiots today.
Getting on plane - I wish I had more conclusive evidence supporting it either way. I don't. I tried. Sorry. Most of my testing without was just me. All of my testing with, was with 4 additional adult crew members. I'd like to say it made an improvement, but I can't say with absolute certainty. Hell, I can't say with any certainty at all. But it does feel better.
Planing speeds - yes. All the yes. Take the yes, and multiply it. I truly feel this is where it shines. I took mom out yesterday, and honestly, this thing turned like my 23' Whaler Conquest did. It handled just fine. Just, meh. Other times, it just didn't excite me. Infinitely better than your traditional fishing rig, but a far cry from jetboats of yesteryear. With the Viper on there now, it reminds me more of my Seadoo 210 430HP. It TURNS. Like, you better hold on kinda turning (particularly in an FSH where there ain't much to hold you in or hold onto). If the Viper added nothing else to my boating experience, handling at speed is 110% worth the investment. It truly reminded me this isn't just a fishing boat, but a fun boat too.
I will not be removing this setup. I will not be selling it. I *do* highly encourage you to pick one up. And, I'm not just saying that because I saved money buying it for a review. (Just look up my google and amazon reviews if you think I am - I'm kind of an asshole). If I buy 3 more 19' Yammies this year (which isn't a stretch of the imagination), every one of them will have this Viper system installed. No question. I do like it. I do feel like it was worth the jingle.
So. I'm confident in my jet boat maneuverability skills. Maybe too much. I was actually talking to Jeff @ CJS (Cobra Jet Steering - try to keep up here, eh?) before I even had my latest jet boat. Not because I thought I'd need the steering aid, but because I thought I could provide a non-biased opinion on his new steering setup, and wanted to get it at a deal because I knew, I freaking KNEW, I wouldn't care for it and I'd just end up pulling it back off and reselling it. If I got in early, I ain't gonna lose nothing, maybe even make a few $$$'s when I resold. Because, I just don't need it.
WELL. My last boat was a freakin' massive Whaler. It's not a jetboat. Not even close. I'm blaming that. Let's pile on it's been a long crazy winter, so we'll add 'lack of practice' in the mix. But my first few times out in the FSH, I won't say I was lost, but it was a far cry from what I had grown accustomed to. I was seriously scared of the dock. Scared of slow speed maneuvering. And holy friggin batman, batman, even at speed - this thing did NOT handle like I was used to. Yes, I would get used to it. Yup, adapt and overcome. No worries. But, I did have this new Viper system here, so of course I threw it on last night.
Yup. A whole bunch of paragraphs later. Some drama. A whole lot of backstory you didn't need/nor care about. I have a new boat again. Yes, I know, it was a new boat I didn't introduce already. Yes, I get a new boat every year (sometimes multiple). But, I like to think I'm more in tune with my boat than most with my background and profession. And, well, yeah. I'm just awesomer. But this Viper system humbled me.
I wanted to not like it. I'm too good for steering enhancements. I don't need em. But, while I may not, this is so much more. I tried to take some video yesterday, but had a ton of trouble with sucking of debris that I couldn't. Trust me when I say that every aspect of this boat is better. Or don't trust me. Enjoy your mediocre handling.
Docking speeds - yes, better. Is it "HOLY FRIGGIN SPACEBALLS BATMAN" better? No. But, I'm not scared of docking. I'm more confident. It isn't gonna completely change your life - it's *just* better enough that you aren't gonna worry about it. Pretty much exactly like all other steering enhancements have helped all your other jet boats. You won't be disappointed, you won't be blown away. The first couple times I took my FSH around, I seriously thought I lost "it" (how to handle a jet boat at slow speed). Afterwards, I was reminded that I'm as awesome as I thought I was. My wife drove my FSH 5?-ish miles today at docking speeds (no wake mode maxed) with zero complaints about handling. She's driven approximately 0 of my previous jet boats. Actually, exactly 0. Never. And, bless her heart, she brought home all of us drunken idiots today.
Getting on plane - I wish I had more conclusive evidence supporting it either way. I don't. I tried. Sorry. Most of my testing without was just me. All of my testing with, was with 4 additional adult crew members. I'd like to say it made an improvement, but I can't say with absolute certainty. Hell, I can't say with any certainty at all. But it does feel better.
Planing speeds - yes. All the yes. Take the yes, and multiply it. I truly feel this is where it shines. I took mom out yesterday, and honestly, this thing turned like my 23' Whaler Conquest did. It handled just fine. Just, meh. Other times, it just didn't excite me. Infinitely better than your traditional fishing rig, but a far cry from jetboats of yesteryear. With the Viper on there now, it reminds me more of my Seadoo 210 430HP. It TURNS. Like, you better hold on kinda turning (particularly in an FSH where there ain't much to hold you in or hold onto). If the Viper added nothing else to my boating experience, handling at speed is 110% worth the investment. It truly reminded me this isn't just a fishing boat, but a fun boat too.
I will not be removing this setup. I will not be selling it. I *do* highly encourage you to pick one up. And, I'm not just saying that because I saved money buying it for a review. (Just look up my google and amazon reviews if you think I am - I'm kind of an asshole). If I buy 3 more 19' Yammies this year (which isn't a stretch of the imagination), every one of them will have this Viper system installed. No question. I do like it. I do feel like it was worth the jingle.
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