My personal views/review of the Cobra Venom Magnum AK with MEGA Fangs

[Jameson Clark]

When I got my boat this spring, it was my first jet boat. But, I have been boating as long as memory serves and was raised going to the lake on the weekends. I was raised boating on O/B ski and bass boats and switched to I/O when I bought my first boat. So, I obviously was used to that type of handling from a boat. When I got my Yamaha, it was... different. I joined here and started reading. After about 40 hours of use, I felt I had a pretty good handle on the boat and knew the areas I wanted to improve for my style of boating. Listed in order of MY priority were these items:

1. Sharper turning when on plane. This boat seemed to never be able to "dig in" when needing to whip around for something like a down skier or someone coming off a tube. With the wheel turned all the way, I just felt like the boat slid across the water and I didn't have the sharp turning power/ability I was used to.

2. Better tracking when on plane. Once again, being used to outboards and sterndrives, this boat seemed very loose going across rougher water. I had never felt a boat move around in the rear like this one. If I hit a wake at 45 degrees or so, the rear of the boat would move all around and point the boat in a different direction.

3. Better reverse power and steering. I don't think this needs much of an explanation. Yamahas just don't do a very good job with the reverse on these boats and it is very noticeable. While it wasn't the top of my priority list since I have learned to use the twin engines to help this, better reverse power and authority is never a bad thing.

4. Better slow speed tracking. This one was at the bottom of my list because I really didn't think this boat was that bad really. Maybe the newer AK style boats aren't as bad with the rudder? But, even my I/O boats wandered at idle speeds and you couldn't expect the boat to go straight with no hands on the wheel making corrections. So, for me, this boat felt pretty close to what I was used to. But again, if it can be improved... great.

Seeing what my priorities were and doing my research on the two main steering systems and what they correct, I chose the Cobra system. So, after a weekend of boating on busy Lake Keowee, I thought I would share my opinion on what @Cobra Jet Steering LLC system did for my boat in these 4 areas.

1. This was my biggest priority as the poor turning performance of this boat had already almost gotten me in a bad spot once and thankfully this was one of the most improved areas! I had read reviews saying how well these boats turn with the Cobra systems but I was skeptical... It absolutely 100% solved my complaint of this boat! It turns as sharp, or sharper, than my last I/O and also now bleeds off less speed in normal watersports steering and maneuvers. The boat feels like it really digs into a turn now and it is exactly what I was looking for. (100% improvement for me)

2. Much much better tracking through rough chop. I could still feel the boat move around slightly in the rear on some of the worst chop where wakes from multiple boats came together. But, the boat feels so much more planted in the water and drives straight with hands off the wheel now. With the added MEGA fangs, steering effort did not increase from the added drag of the fins when turning. I can't say that it got easier, but I had no issues with the boat being hard to turn to begin with. (90% improvement for me)

3. I am not convinced a jet boat will ever perform like an I/O in reverse and that is just due to design I believe. However, the MEGA fangs did improve reverse power and steering substantially. I feel like I have more authority in reverse for sure. For crazy tight reverse maneuvering, I use engines in opposite direction to accomplish this and it did better with the fangs for sure. (70% improvement for me)

4. Like I mentioned before, I did not have a major issue with this area before like many seem to. But, once again, it did improve it quite a bit! Obviously this jet boat took more steady corrections when idling than an I/O but it just didn't really bother me. Well, now it tracks much better at slow speeds! It needs less steady corrections and I am able to get up and go grab a cold refreshment and come sit back down and the boat is still headed in the same direction. So, for it to not be a big deal for me, I was still pleasantly surprised with how much better it got. I don't really think it wanders anymore than my last I/O at idle speeds now for sure. (90% improvement for me)

So, overall, I 100% recommend this system for anyone trying to correct any of these 4 issues! This system offers other benefits I did not include here but for me, these were my concerns and it did a terrific job at correcting them all with one system at a very reasonable price. If I can answer any questions for anyone, I'd be happy to give my HONEST opinion of anything about it.

PS - It should be noted that I had a question about the install and emailed Jeff ( @Cobra Jet Steering LLC ) at 9:30pm and he responded within 10 minutes...pretty good customer service right there!

 

[swatski]

I had read reviews saying how well these boats turn with the Cobra systems but I was skeptical... It absolutely 100% solved my complaint of this boat! It turns as sharp, or sharper, than my last I/O and also now bleeds off less speed in normal watersports steering and maneuvers. The boat feels like it really digs into a turn now and it is exactly what I was looking for.

So glad you posted this, I've been so impressed with that aspect of the Cobras, the boat rides and handles like a sports car in turns.

--

 

[Jameson Clark]

So glad you posted this, I've been so impressed with that aspect of the Cobras, the boat rides and handles like a sports car in turns.

--

Yeah, I was truly shocked at how much it improved the sharp turning!

 

[Cobra Jet Steering LLC]

Thank you for your review. The next review I am looking forward to is the comparison in handling between the mag ak and mage fang -vs - the ultimate ak and mega fang plus on a 24 foot. This should be forth coming after the holiday weekend from a different member of the board.

mag ak

Ultimate ak

 

[Cobra Jet Steering LLC]

I also just received a review from a 21 foot a k owner who compared the new ultimate A K with mega fang plus effectiveness to another system he recently removed from his boat. I found that review very enlightening.

 

[cameron.sprinkle]

@Cobra Jet Steering LLC

21ft Yamaha 212 Limited S review of the Cobra Jet Ultimate AK w/Mega Fangs Plus.



First off, install was easy. I had no trouble following instructions and the pictures provided.

Above is the picture when install was completed.

Looks great!

Underside of nozzle before bolt installation.

Bolt for rear of nozzle with new washers and spacers.

Underside of nozzle with fangs installed.

Above picture is of some locktight on the inside of the nozzle to help secure the bolt. I was able to do this instead of superglue because I wasn't going to put in the water for several days.

Before bolts were installed.

After bolts installed. Jeff said to install the bolts with head of the bolt on the top. But I had clearance and left it alone.


Next are some pics of the side force stabilizer and fins.

Now on to performance. I was at the coast for testing. So the conditions are with ICW currents.


The fins and fangs performed very well. Slow/no wake handling was surprisingly impressive considering the 4-6 mph current that I was in. I did not have any type of load assisting bumpers installed on my trailer. Had no trouble loading or unloading. I could control the boat well. Reverse was improved over stock. I will say it performed well with the current, but believe it would be a lot more noticeable in a lake setting. So low speed handling was great.

High speed handling is where I noticed the biggest difference. I will describe the steering not as power steering, but more of a progressive type steering. Let me explain. If anyone has driven a car that has power steering, and a car without power steering then you have experienced both worlds. The car with power steering is great at low speeds and turning while stopped. Not so much at higher speeds as you have less feel of the road. With no power steering, you hate the times you are slow or stopped but the road response is noticeably better and you can feel the road and seem to have more control at higher speeds. That’s why race cars don’t have power steering. That’s what I felt this system added to the Yamaha. You feel like you have low speed control and ease of steering, yet when you are at higher speeds you feel the steering has that feedback and thus more feel for what your boat is doing or fixing to do. The steering is still light with system, but I feel more in control because I feel what my boat is doing/fixing to do (bow walk, turns, etc.). Tracking was straight. Tighter turns. Off throttle control was amazing compared to before. I could back off the throttle and definitely control my boat even in currents and heavy, heavy chop.


To summarize my experience.

I had the the Thrust Vectors. They performed exactly as they were described and performed well at no wake speeds. Had no complaints on their performance and advertised perfectly for what they are designed to do. I just want to make that statement clear. I am not in any way, shape, or form saying anything negative about the Trust Vectors. I did want to add that the Thrust Vectors were easy to install and directions were easy to understand. I did not have to call or inquire for help on install, but I did email for some other questions and they were very responsive to my questions. None of which were time sensitive either.

Having said that, the Cobra Jet system did the same thing at no wake speeds. Where the Cobra Jet system really stands apart was anything above no wake speed. From no wake speed to full throttle increased performance was very apparent. Highly increased off throttle maneuvering, high speed maneuvering, low speed maneuvering, and straight line tracking. I do not regret changing to the cobra Jet system. It was that little bit of extra that I was looking for to make the whole boating experience more enjoyable.

I agree with several things that I have read on some of the forums. This system should be standard on these boats. Just from the safety aspect of off power control and docking control. Not to mention the increased high speed performance.

You will not go wrong with this system and will not need the money back guarantee the is offered. You will not want your money back after you use it. Customer service is amazing! Definitely goes above and beyond to make sure you are satisfied. The only other advice I will give is this. Make sure you listen to what Jeff says to do. PUT BLUE LOCK TIGHT ON EVERY BOLT AND NUT! I have checked and double checked my bolts and nuts. Non of them, I repeat, non of them have loosened. I have about 10 hrs running the system and solid as a rock.


Buy it, you won’t regret it!

 

[swatski]

@Cobra Jet Steering LLC

21ft Yamaha 212 Limited S review of the Cobra Jet Ultimate AK w/Mega Fangs Plus.



First off, install was easy. I had no trouble following instructions and the pictures provided.

Above is the picture when install was completed.

Looks great!

Underside of nozzle before bolt installation.

Bolt for rear of nozzle with new washers and spacers.

Underside of nozzle with fangs installed.

Above picture is of some locktight on the inside of the nozzle to help secure the bolt. I was able to do this instead of superglue because I wasn't going to put in the water for several days.

Before bolts were installed.

After bolts installed. Jeff said to install the bolts with head of the bolt on the top. But I had clearance and left it alone.


Next are some pics of the side force stabilizer and fins.

Now on to performance. I was at the coast for testing. So the conditions are with ICW currents.


The fins and fangs performed very well. Slow/no wake handling was surprisingly impressive considering the 4-6 mph current that I was in. I did not have any type of load assisting bumpers installed on my trailer. Had no trouble loading or unloading. I could control the boat well. Reverse was improved over stock. I will say it performed well with the current, but believe it would be a lot more noticeable in a lake setting. So low speed handling was great.

High speed handling is where I noticed the biggest difference. I will describe the steering not as power steering, but more of a progressive type steering. Let me explain. If anyone has driven a car that has power steering, and a car without power steering then you have experienced both worlds. The car with power steering is great at low speeds and turning while stopped. Not so much at higher speeds as you have less feel of the road. With no power steering, you hate the times you are slow or stopped but the road response is noticeably better and you can feel the road and seem to have more control at higher speeds. That’s why race cars don’t have power steering. That’s what I felt this system added to the Yamaha. You feel like you have low speed control and ease of steering, yet when you are at higher speeds you feel the steering has that feedback and thus more feel for what your boat is doing or fixing to do. The steering is still light with system, but I feel more in control because I feel what my boat is doing/fixing to do (bow walk, turns, etc.). Tracking was straight. Tighter turns. Off throttle control was amazing compared to before. I could back off the throttle and definitely control my boat even in currents and heavy, heavy chop.


To summarize my experience.

I had the the Thrust Vectors. They performed exactly as they were described and performed well at no wake speeds. Had no complaints on their performance and advertised perfectly for what they are designed to do. I just want to make that statement clear. I am not in any way, shape, or form saying anything negative about the Trust Vectors. I did want to add that the Thrust Vectors were easy to install and directions were easy to understand. I did not have to call or inquire for help on install, but I did email for some other questions and they were very responsive to my questions. None of which were time sensitive either.

Having said that, the Cobra Jet system did the same thing at no wake speeds. Where the Cobra Jet system really stands apart was anything above no wake speed. From no wake speed to full throttle increased performance was very apparent. Highly increased off throttle maneuvering, high speed maneuvering, low speed maneuvering, and straight line tracking. I do not regret changing to the cobra Jet system. It was that little bit of extra that I was looking for to make the whole boating experience more enjoyable.

I agree with several things that I have read on some of the forums. This system should be standard on these boats. Just from the safety aspect of off power control and docking control. Not to mention the increased high speed performance.

You will not go wrong with this system and will not need the money back guarantee the is offered. You will not want your money back after you use it. Customer service is amazing! Definitely goes above and beyond to make sure you are satisfied. The only other advice I will give is this. Make sure you listen to what Jeff says to do. PUT BLUE LOCK TIGHT ON EVERY BOLT AND NUT! I have checked and double checked my bolts and nuts. Non of them, I repeat, non of them have loosened. I have about 10 hrs running the system and solid as a rock.


Buy it, you won’t regret it!

Pictures not showing...
Great review, I like your description of the "power steering" effects, I think you kind of nailed it.

--

 

[cameron.sprinkle]

I fixed the pics in my other post, I think, I’ll try to post a link to it. Hopefully.

https://jetboaters.net/threads/cobra-jet-ultimate-ak-w-mega-fangs-plus-review.19567/

 

[Tahoe Boater]

When I got my boat this spring, it was my first jet boat. But, I have been boating as long as memory serves and was raised going to the lake on the weekends. I was raised boating on O/B ski and bass boats and switched to I/O when I bought my first boat. So, I obviously was used to that type of handling from a boat. When I got my Yamaha, it was... different. I joined here and started reading. After about 40 hours of use, I felt I had a pretty good handle on the boat and knew the areas I wanted to improve for my style of boating. Listed in order of MY priority were these items:

1. Sharper turning when on plane. This boat seemed to never be able to "dig in" when needing to whip around for something like a down skier or someone coming off a tube. With the wheel turned all the way, I just felt like the boat slid across the water and I didn't have the sharp turning power/ability I was used to.

2. Better tracking when on plane. Once again, being used to outboards and sterndrives, this boat seemed very loose going across rougher water. I had never felt a boat move around in the rear like this one. If I hit a wake at 45 degrees or so, the rear of the boat would move all around and point the boat in a different direction.

3. Better reverse power and steering. I don't think this needs much of an explanation. Yamahas just don't do a very good job with the reverse on these boats and it is very noticeable. While it wasn't the top of my priority list since I have learned to use the twin engines to help this, better reverse power and authority is never a bad thing.

4. Better slow speed tracking. This one was at the bottom of my list because I really didn't think this boat was that bad really. Maybe the newer AK style boats aren't as bad with the rudder? But, even my I/O boats wandered at idle speeds and you couldn't expect the boat to go straight with no hands on the wheel making corrections. So, for me, this boat felt pretty close to what I was used to. But again, if it can be improved... great.

Seeing what my priorities were and doing my research on the two main steering systems and what they correct, I chose the Cobra system. So, after a weekend of boating on busy Lake Keowee, I thought I would share my opinion on what @Cobra Jet Steering LLC system did for my boat in these 4 areas.

1. This was my biggest priority as the poor turning performance of this boat had already almost gotten me in a bad spot once and thankfully this was one of the most improved areas! I had read reviews saying how well these boats turn with the Cobra systems but I was skeptical... It absolutely 100% solved my complaint of this boat! It turns as sharp, or sharper, than my last I/O and also now bleeds off less speed in normal watersports steering and maneuvers. The boat feels like it really digs into a turn now and it is exactly what I was looking for. (100% improvement for me)

2. Much much better tracking through rough chop. I could still feel the boat move around slightly in the rear on some of the worst chop where wakes from multiple boats came together. But, the boat feels so much more planted in the water and drives straight with hands off the wheel now. With the added MEGA fangs, steering effort did not increase from the added drag of the fins when turning. I can't say that it got easier, but I had no issues with the boat being hard to turn to begin with. (90% improvement for me)

3. I am not convinced a jet boat will ever perform like an I/O in reverse and that is just due to design I believe. However, the MEGA fangs did improve reverse power and steering substantially. I feel like I have more authority in reverse for sure. For crazy tight reverse maneuvering, I use engines in opposite direction to accomplish this and it did better with the fangs for sure. (70% improvement for me)

4. Like I mentioned before, I did not have a major issue with this area before like many seem to. But, once again, it did improve it quite a bit! Obviously this jet boat took more steady corrections when idling than an I/O but it just didn't really bother me. Well, now it tracks much better at slow speeds! It needs less steady corrections and I am able to get up and go grab a cold refreshment and come sit back down and the boat is still headed in the same direction. So, for it to not be a big deal for me, I was still pleasantly surprised with how much better it got. I don't really think it wanders anymore than my last I/O at idle speeds now for sure. (90% improvement for me)

So, overall, I 100% recommend this system for anyone trying to correct any of these 4 issues! This system offers other benefits I did not include here but for me, these were my concerns and it did a terrific job at correcting them all with one system at a very reasonable price. If I can answer any questions for anyone, I'd be happy to give my HONEST opinion of anything about it.

PS - It should be noted that I had a question about the install and emailed Jeff ( @Cobra Jet Steering LLC ) at 9:30pm and he responded within 10 minutes...pretty good customer service right there!

 

[Tahoe Boater]

Jameson, Thank You for such a thorough and comprehensive review. I have been communicating with Jeff on his product and am seriously considering the super magnum ak-19 set up. I was hoping you could give me your impression of improvement in my two priorities. Most of my boating has been with either jet or direct inboard. I find low speed maneuvering techniques very similar and really don't have a problem with docking, backing, etc. However, I find annoying how much back and forth with the wheel is needed during the 1/2 mile or so in and out of our absolutely calm marina. And like you said, there's no leaving the helm even for a second. This is where I'm mostly looking for improvement. Once I leave the marina, I navigate an open water channel for a bit, which pushes me all over at low speed. In rough chop at cruising speed, I'm constantly fighting the wheel to maintain course. These two areas are where I'm looking for the most improvement. Jeff also claims that adding fangs is like adding power steering. Can you attest to this. As for jet boats, this is my first twin. Previously I had a 23' day cruiser single jet connected to a 455 ci Olds V-8. I had none of the high or low speed maneuvering issues that we've been experiencing with this boat. The day cruiser did have a steering lock which was helpful when you needed to leave the helm. Probably not considered safe today. Thanks for any further input you can give me.