Jet boat no neutral

[Paul Bestland]

Just got a 1999 Sugar Mirage and had it out yesterday. 120hp Sportjet hang on! My issues are these: 1. Boat continues to"creep" ahead when in neutral. Is this normal? 2. Steering is very sloppy and constant counter steering is required. Is this normal? I'm a newbie at jet boating but any advice is greatly appreciated! Thanks in advance! Paul

 

[ruztew]

1). Not uncommon, bucket adjustment can help... with a jet boat the only true neutral is turned off
2). Yes, sloppy steering is common and the addition of fins (thrust vector or cobra steering) help, but they probably don't make them for your older boat

 

[bronze_10]

As far as the steering, u will get use to it.. my advise to u is to not wait to counter steer.. steer proactively and u can control the side to side wondering...

 

[Julian]

@Cobra Jet Steering LLC @JetBoatPilot do either of you make steering fins for Mirage boats?

 

[JetBoatPilot]

@Julian we do not but if we had a test boat we'd look into it.

 

[itsdgm]

Just got a 1999 Sugar Mirage and had it out yesterday. 120hp Sportjet hang on! My issues are these: 1. Boat continues to"creep" ahead when in neutral. Is this normal? 2. Steering is very sloppy and constant counter steering is required. Is this normal? I'm a newbie at jet boating but any advice is greatly appreciated! Thanks in advance! Paul

Welcome aboard @Paul Bestland and congrats on the new boat.

Jet boats are very different in how things work in traditional drive boats.

First, jet boats need thrust to steer. Sometimes it helps to give it a bit of thrust while you're turning the wheel. That will help "push" the rear of the boat in the desired direction. Otherwise, with minimal thrust at idle, the boat won't respond too well.

Generally speaking jet boats don't have transmissions so if the boat is running, it's developing thrust. Typically, reverse is obtained by redirecting the flow of water backwards under the boat to push the boat backwards. Simply put, neutral is achieved when the reverse gate is moved into a position that balances forward and reverse thrust. So the reverse gate can be adjusted to gain a bit more forward or reverse thrust while in the neutral position. Just make sure that the reverse gate is raised clear of the flow of water when in forward. If it isn't, you'll feel it vibrate back through the controls at the helm. Good luck with your adjustment. It should be a simple fix. Keep us posted on your results.

 

[Britboater]

Check your steering cables for wear too, all good advise up there

 

[4x15mph]

The other thing to check on the neutral, although you will not ever have true neutral, is your idle speed. If this is idling too high, the boat will move faster in neutral than if it is turned down. I don't know the idle speed specs (rpm's) but check into it.

Great boat... show us a picture!

 

[Gym]

@Paul Bestland. The downside of no neutral is creep. The upside is no transmission.

 

[Cobra Jet Steering LLC]

I have been building steering for those old style mercury pumps for 15 years the first jet boat I owned and the one that started me on this path of fixing jet boat steering 15 years ago was a similar boat with the old mercury jet pump. It is actually not mercury it is a force outboard engine they made a 90 hp and a 120 hp jet setup.

 

[Cobra Jet Steering LLC]

Jet boats have neutral it is actually a true neutral, turn the key to off.

 

[Speedling]

I like that it creeps forward.
I use that slight movement for close quarters maneuvering.

 

[Murf'n'surf]

I have been building steering for those old style mercury pumps for 15 years the first jet boat I owned and the one that started me on this path of fixing jet boat steering 15 years ago was a similar boat with the old mercury jet pump. It is actually not mercury it is a force outboard engine they made a 90 hp and a 120 hp jet setup.

So, do you still have fins available for them?

 

[Cobra Jet Steering LLC]

Yes I still build them for people when they order a set

 

[Jay Petzold]

Coming from à stern drive docking was my biggest ajgustment getting better everyday adjusting for wind is my biggest obstacle

 

[Bill D]

Having never been captain of a stern drive, doesn't wind still push the bow around? Isn't it just a matter of understanding the need for thrust to manuever the boat?

*I'm not being smart here, it's a real question*

 

[Jay Petzold]

Get to know your boat that's the easiest way to maneuver and dock it

 

[Jay Petzold]

Having never been captain of a stern drive, doesn't wind still push the bow around? Isn't it just a matter of understanding the need for thrust to manuever the boat?

*I'm not being smar

 

[Jay Petzold]

I feel a lot more comfortable driving my yamaha than my stern drive

 

[njmr2fan]

Welcome aboard @Paul Bestland as you can see theres a lot of knowledge here. Neutral creep is normal, so is sloppy steering until you get some fins on your boat. All "normal". Hang in here, you'll learn a lot and begin to really enjoy your new boat the more time you spend in it. Welcome to the club.