Maiden AR195 Voyage

[kindtampa]

I purchased about a week ago, but yesterday was the first opportunity to get her in the drink. With forecasted thunderstorms at 1:30. Plan was to put her in, play around for an hour, and get her back to the slip behind the house.

We got a late start at the ramp @ 11am, and dark clouds loomed from the south. We attempted to straighten my jeep & boat to back on down the ramp. Took about 3 tries, and we still weren't completely straight. Mimicking the sales manager on our sea trial, I tried to power off the bunks. Didn't work, but a few pushes from the did (odd). A little frustrated, and embarrassed at this point. In the water I could feel the wind affecting the maneuvering of the boat. I felt like I looked like a complete ass leaving the ramp.

Once out, we passed under the Courtney Cambell bridge, and cruised out to the middle of Old Tampa Bay. We took turns going at no wake attempting to point at landmarks without over steering. Floated awhile listening to music, and spotted a pod of dolphins off in the distance. The pod came off the starboard side, and then off the stern about 20 feet from us. What a nice welcoming!

The forecasted 1:30 thunderstorms never appeared, and was beautiful day. We navigated to our channel, and cruised to a lift station. The lift station takes you from salt, to fresh water canal system. The lift station has HUGE straps that you maneuver (with a set of industrial controls) under your boat. You then lift your boat UP and OVER a seawall, and plop your boat down. Little scary seeing the boat completely out of the water. Much larger boats than mine traverse this system though.

Lessons learned:

• The AR195 is BADDA$$! Love the boat, and got a ton of compliments at the boat ramp, and lift station.
• I've done a lot of research on the AR192 & 195. I was surprised at how low the fuel consumption was. Then again I have no experience with the 192. Curious what BoatTest will find.
• Even though I docked like a champ during the sea trial, I didn't feel confident in my low speed maneuvering after launching from the boat ramp. I need lots of practice, or Cobra Jet Steering.

 

[captras]

Congrats on your new boat. They are awesome boats. Maneuvering definitely takes some practice! I still have not pulled the trigger on fins. I have found that the more you do it the easier it gets! When deciding make sure you look at Thrust Vectors at Jetboat Pilot. Will is very helpful and really seems to take customer service seriously.

 

[Ronnie]

Congrats on the boat and successful maiden voyage. If you have any pics of the lift system you described please share them. Here in NCAL I have not had to go though lockes or a lift system so I'm always interested in such things.

As for backing up the trailer to launch and recover, there are a lot of tips on this but what I've found works best is to go very slow (your foot should always be on the brake, never the gas), don't start down the ramp until the trailer is lined up with the tow vehicle, when the trailer starts to veer left or right unintentionally, turn the streering wheel in the same direction to straighten the trailer out (going slow helps keep you from over streering).

 

[kindtampa]

I'll definitely take some pics of my boat going up and over the seawall. It's pretty interesting, and rather intimidating rolling up on such a huge structure. From my understanding each strap is rated for 15 tons allowing boats up to 30 tons to cross. There are two systems typically one going in, one going out to the channel. I believe on slow days your allowed to use one to wash the bottom of your boat, or do some maintenance.

 

[4x15mph]

Please keep up the reviews on the 195. Any idea on the top speed and/or power?

 

[malibu Dan]

@kindtampa welcome to the 195 family.... lets see a pic sometime of your boat in that lift system.

 

[Noko]

Congrats on the new boat. Don't worry about people when you launch and recover your boat. I was the same way but you'll get better at it pretty quickly. Be patient with the steering at low speeds. It took me awhile to get the low speed handling down. It takes a few seconds for the boat to respond at low speed. I've gotten pretty good at docking but its a learning experience every summer the first day out. Have fun with the new boat.

 

[njmr2fan]

Congrats on the new boat. Always love reading the excitement of a new owner! Enjoy

 

[kindtampa]

Please keep up the reviews on the 195. Any idea on the top speed and/or power?

We got up to 53 (from speedo) during the sea trial (Lake Tarpon) with 25 gallons of fuel, 3 adult males (1 in the bow), and water temp at 90 degrees F. We were WOT, but not really trying to hit top speed, I just happen to look down at the speedo.

This was my first time in a jet boat... but Hole Shot, which I believe is time to plane? Felt immediate. Maybe 2 seconds? There hasn't been a time in the short period of time I've been driving that my view has ever been obstructed by the bow rise. She seems to want to be on a plane.

I have today off, so I'm going to cruise around the canal system practicing low speed maneuvering. The canal system is wide, and deep (11-12ft). Also need to get my boatswain mate used to cruising. When I put his life jacket on he turns to stone, and doesn't move. Thats saying a lot since he's a Welsh Terrier, and always ready for a walk, or play. He helped me clean the boat yesterday.

 

[haknslash]

Damn 53 is nice top speed even if by the dream-o-meter gauge. Wished mine would hit those speeds loaded down!

 

[swatski]

We got up to 53 (from speedo) during the sea trial (Lake Tarpon) with 25 gallons of fuel, 3 adult males (1 in the bow), and water temp at 90 degrees F. We were WOT, but not really trying to hit top speed, I just happen to look down at the speedo.

This was my first time in a jet boat... but Hole Shot, which I believe is time to plane? Felt immediate. Maybe 2 seconds? There hasn't been a time in the short period of time I've been driving that my view has ever been obstructed by the bow rise. She seems to want to be on a plane.

I have today off, so I'm going to cruise around the canal system practicing low speed maneuvering. The canal system is wide, and deep (11-12ft). Also need to get my boatswain mate used to cruising. When I put his life jacket on he turns to stone, and doesn't move. Thats saying a lot since he's a Welsh Terrier, and always ready for a walk, or play. He helped me clean the boat yesterday.

View attachment 47627
View attachment 47628

Wow, that is impressive speed, especially with the bow loaded up! I bet you the new 160mm pump has a lot to do with the way she rides. Is the speedo GPS based? - this could be the fastest boat in the lineup now.

As far as fins, both Cobras and TVs will do pretty much the same thing at no wake speeds - keeping your boat from excessive spinning around. However, Cobras can be set up to be deployed on plane to keep the stern from sliding too much. I loved that about the Ultimates in my 190, a bit more of the planted feel, coming from outboards. The Fangs provide a power steering effect and work really well with the Ultimates. I would not go any other way unless you like slip-sliding (sideways) and running around in that jetski-like fashion (I personally much prefer the planted feel).

--

 

[d_coyne1984]

The key to trailer backing is just take it very slow. Mistakes are amplified by speed so if you take it nice and slow you can make small adjustments to keep you on course.

http://www.wikihow.com/Back-a-Trailer

 

[kindtampa]

Is the speedo GPS based?

No its a spinning paddle towards the starboard stern.

 

[djetok]

Congrats on the boat and successful maiden voyage. If you have any pics of the lift system you described please share them. Here in NCAL I have not had to go though lockes or a lift system so I'm always interested in such things.

As for backing up the trailer to launch and recover, there are a lot of tips on this but what I've found works best is to go very slow (your foot should always be on the brake, never the gas), don't start down the ramp until the trailer is lined up with the tow vehicle, when the trailer starts to veer left or right unintentionally, turn the streering wheel in the same direction to straighten the trailer out (going slow helps keep you from over streering).

Also if you place your hand at the bottom of the wheel the way you move your hand is the way the trailer goes.

 

[4x15mph]

Great update - make me upgrade my LS2000.... I like what I hear

 

[robert cabrerea]

Dont worry about the peanut gallery on the ramp. Ive heard the old stories about people who like to sit there and laugh about people struggling to launch boats. I try to ignore them and also take your time. Slow down and let those who want to rush go 1st. Enjoy.

 

[robert cabrerea]

Great update - make me upgrade my LS2000.... I like what I hear

You will love it

 

[gsbrown]

Congrats on a great boat! I picked up my AR195 on Saturday and after 2 boat launches I'm still trying to get it right. But I love the boat and most importantly the wife does too!

 

[gsbrown]

I purchased about a week ago, but yesterday was the first opportunity to get her in the drink. With forecasted thunderstorms at 1:30. Plan was to put her in, play around for an hour, and get her back to the slip behind the house.

We got a late start at the ramp @ 11am, and dark clouds loomed from the south. We attempted to straighten my jeep & boat to back on down the ramp. Took about 3 tries, and we still weren't completely straight. Mimicking the sales manager on our sea trial, I tried to power off the bunks. Didn't work, but a few pushes from the did (odd). A little frustrated, and embarrassed at this point. In the water I could feel the wind affecting the maneuvering of the boat. I felt like I looked like a complete ass leaving the ramp.

Once out, we passed under the Courtney Cambell bridge, and cruised out to the middle of Old Tampa Bay. We took turns going at no wake attempting to point at landmarks without over steering. Floated awhile listening to music, and spotted a pod of dolphins off in the distance. The pod came off the starboard side, and then off the stern about 20 feet from us. What a nice welcoming!

The forecasted 1:30 thunderstorms never appeared, and was beautiful day. We navigated to our channel, and cruised to a lift station. The lift station takes you from salt, to fresh water canal system. The lift station has HUGE straps that you maneuver (with a set of industrial controls) under your boat. You then lift your boat UP and OVER a seawall, and plop your boat down. Little scary seeing the boat completely out of the water. Much larger boats than mine traverse this system though.

Lessons learned:

• The AR195 is BADDA$$! Love the boat, and got a ton of compliments at the boat ramp, and lift station.
• I've done a lot of research on the AR192 & 195. I was surprised at how low the fuel consumption was. Then again I have no experience with the 192. Curious what BoatTest will find.
• Even though I docked like a champ during the sea trial, I didn't feel confident in my low speed maneuvering after launching from the boat ramp. I need lots of practice, or Cobra Jet Steering.

What color did you go with? I went with the white and red. A few of the other guys on here went with the black and yellow.

 

[kindtampa]

What color did you go with? I went with the white and red.

Congrats! I also went with the white & red.