Need help with upgrades

[Av8tor07]

Good evening guys, I introduced myself about a month when I was planning on buying a Yamaha boat. We'll, I got a 2016 212x. The boat is a the dealers showroom, I'm planning on picking it up next year. Part of the deal was that the dealer would store it for me during the winter months. I had a few questions about upgrades.
1. I want to put some fins on the boat, I just don't know if I should go with the cobra fins or the thrust vector ones. Any input?
2. The boat comes with 6 speakers, I'm not sure how good those are without an amp. If anybody has first hand knowledge on whether or not I need an amp please let me know, if you guys believe that I do need an amp please suggest one, I like good sound and moderate volume, not looking for something that can be heard 2 miles away.
I want to start with those two things, unless you guys believe that I need more, I will also replace the roller on the trailer.
Thanks for the help guys, this site is a great help.

 

[Speedling]

Good evening guys, I introduced myself about a month when I was planning on buying a Yamaha boat. We'll, I got a 2016 212x. The boat is a the dealers showroom, I'm planning on picking it up next year. Part of the deal was that the dealer would store it for me during the winter months. I had a few questions about upgrades.
1. I want to put some fins on the boat, I just don't know if I should go with the cobra fins or the thrust vector ones. Any input?
2. The boat comes with 6 speakers, I'm not sure how good those are without an amp. If anybody has first hand knowledge on whether or not I need an amp please let me know, if you guys believe that I do need an amp please suggest one, I like good sound and moderate volume, not looking for something that can be heard 2 miles away.
I want to start with those two things, unless you guys believe that I need more, I will also replace the roller on the trailer.
Thanks for the help guys, this site is a great help.

1. Yes. Have had both products and happy with both.
2. I believe it has a small amp to power them already behind the dash. I could be wrong.
Do you have any tower speakers? I found them to be the winning ticket item when it came to the sound system!

 

[Av8tor07]

1. Yes. Have had both products and happy with both.
2. I believe it has a small amp to power them already behind the dash. I could be wrong.
Do you have any tower speakers? I found them to be the winning ticket item when it came to the sound system!

Any preference to either fin? I'm not planning on putting any tower speakers, I just hope that the stock system is good enough.

 

[WildCatFan54]

the first thing I added to my AR240 was the throttle sync clip from JBP. IMHO this is far superior to adjusting the throttles separately which is still an option by just unlocking the clip. I also had my dealer install the thrust vectors. I never drove the boat without them and know nothing about cobra fins but was prepared for a difficult leaning curve in handling a jet boat . That did not turn out to be the case and I feel like the thrust vectors contributed to how soon I felt comfortable maneuvering the boat.

 

[Av8tor07]

the first thing I added to my AR240 was the throttle sync clip from JBP. IMHO this is far superior to adjusting the throttles separately which is still an option by just unlocking the clip. I also had my dealer install the thrust vectors. I never drove the boat without them and know nothing about cobra fins but was prepared for a difficult leaning curve in handling a jet boat . That did not turn out to be the case and I feel like the thrust vectors contributed to how soon I felt comfortable maneuvering the boat.

Thanks for your input, I'll wait to hear from someone about the cobra fins, if I don't hear anything I'll jump on that group buy that they have going on.

 

[Speedling]

Plenty plenty plenty to hear from both camps if you start finding the right search words on here. They handle slightly different perhaps, but in the end it's a very similar result.

 

[Av8tor07]

Plenty plenty plenty to hear from both camps if you start finding the right search words on here. They handle slightly different perhaps, but in the end it's a very similar result.

I have no point of reference on driving a jet boat, so I'm guessing that at the end it'll come down to price. Thanks for your help

 

[Bruce]

I am not a fan of the throttle sync. I use the throttles to steer as much as the steering wheel. I know they can be unlocked but I would not want to learn to drive twin engined boats with the throttles locked.

 

[Av8tor07]

I am not a fan of the throttle sync. I use the throttles to steer as much as the steering wheel. I know they can be unlocked but I would not want to learn to drive twin engined boats with the throttles locked.

I agree. The throttle sync never crossed my mind.

 

[Ronnie]

Congrats on the new boat and I hope the off season for you is short and goes fast.

If you go the cobra jet route you may improve your low speed reverse handling as well with the optional fangs. I'd you have an articulating keel (keel and a rudder) You can also buy an additional tie rod to make your your steering look bi-symmetrical.

There are many other upgrades for you to consider and being a member of this forum/cult I'm sure you will receive lots of help/recommendations but one of the best upgrades I've done next to the fins was to add guides to the trailer. They make recovering the boat and backing an empty trailer down the ramp so much easier for me.

Also, if this is your first boat don't forget to buy enough docking lines, I recommend at least two the length of the boat.

I have the throttle sync (bought them for my wife), I rarely use it. Either I don't need it or forget that I have it until after I needed it.

 

[Av8tor07]

Congrats on the new boat and I hope the off season for you is short and goes fast.

If you go the cobra jet route you may improve your low speed reverse handling as well with the optional fangs. I'd you have an articulating keel (keel and a rudder) You can also buy an additional tie rod to make your your steering look bi-symmetrical.

There are many other upgrades for you to consider and being a member of this forum/cult I'm sure you will receive lots of help/recommendations but one of the best upgrades I've done next to the fins was to add guides to the trailer. They make recovering the boat and backing an empty trailer down the ramp so much easier for me.

Also, if this is your first boat don't forget to buy enough docking lines, I recommend at least two the length of the boat.

I have the throttle sync (bought them for my wife), I rarely use it. Either I don't need it or forget that I have it until after I needed it.

I was wondering what the optional fangs were, so I guess those are for backing up? My boat doesn't have the articulating keel, I definitely want some fins. Thanks for the tips.

 

[Ronnie]

There are a few threads about the fangs and what they do but I have found that they improve slow speed maneuvering in reverse the most.

 

[swatski]

@Av8tor07 I see where you are coming from, it was not too long ago I've considered the same choices. Steering enhancement is one the most important and confusing issues with jet boats, IMO.

Your boat has the "articulating keel" with a rudder. (WRONG! - see my edit at the bottom). I've not had a chance to drive the new 2016 212 but currently own a "keeled" 240 and used to own a 190 (not keeled). With 190, it was helpful to have fins to prevent spinouts at no-wake speeds as there is a bit of a learning curve. I ran without for a long time, eventually chose Cobra Ultimates and had them installed to be deployed at all speeds. Those were fantastic, and made my boat a lot more enjoyable for water sports by giving a more firm feeling at the stern when towing skiers/boarders.

With the new keeled boats, there is much less tendency to spin in circles at low speeds as those tend to track strait. In fact, that tendency to track strait presents some new challenges, although overall these boats are totally amazing IMO. I like to think of the new keeled boats as more of traditional boats with jet propulsion.

Below is what I view as a very accurate and succinct description of the @Cobra Jet Steering LLC invention that works crazy well in my 2016 240 hull.
(Excerpted from a recent thread on the subject: https://jetboaters.net/threads/2016...-w-fangs-install-and-first-impressions.11530/)

These are the original fins that he has continued to improve over time, I don't think there are any substitutes that match their functionality and durability, overall, or even come close.

Trust Vectors do work well at no-wake speeds in Yamaha boats and they look very cool as you can match solid colors with your hull.
Both Jeff and Will provide superb customer service, and they both provide discounts to the forum members.

I designed the steering to deal with the lack of a second tie rod so as to increase the life of the steering components by balancing out the load and providing a redundancy in the system as it was obvious to me this was absolutely the first thing in need of attention in the original design .
Secondly I dealt with the fact that a keel down the center of the boat will absolutely make the boat less maneuverable at speed and the faster you go the harder it will become as you experienced first hand, so I added a balanced set of steering fins to each side, taking care to keep it effective and reliable.
I then targeted the need for easy steering and improved reverse response by adding in the optional fangs to the system.
The FANGS actually reduce the stress on the steering parts and make it easier to turn the steering wheel at higher speeds prolonging the life of the steering system.
The rack and pinion steering helm was a way to deal with the increased resistance in the wheel by gearing it down but that made you turn the wheel a lot more to move the nozzles and rudder and it only masked the actual resistance created by the rudder.
I also noticed the rudder was being blocked by the with of the keel making it take longer for the keel to have any noticeable effect on directional changes .
Placing the fins directly in the flow of water on either side of the nozzles now provides immediate and increased influence to the boats steering effect.

EDIT: Sorry, had a long day, I just realized the boat you are getting is the 2016 212, so no articulating keel. No problem turning those at any speed! But if you do water sports and/or generally like the more "planted" feel at the stern, the best choice would be the Ultimate Cobras (set up to be down/deployed all the time -- no wake and on plane) with FANGS, IMO of course. Amazing system that will transform your boat.

In fact, I would ride it without any mods for some time, just to get a good feel for the baseline. I like to do that with any mods.

Also - I would get the EZ locks for your cleanout plugs right away.

--

 

[Av8tor07]

@Av8tor07 I see where you are coming from, it was not too long ago I've considered the same choices. Steering enhancement is one the most important and confusing issues with jet boats, IMO.

Your boat has the "articulating keel" with a rudder. (WRONG! - see my edit at the bottom). I've not had a chance to drive the new 2016 212 but currently own a "keeled" 240 and used to own a 190 (not keeled). With 190, it was helpful to have fins to prevent spinouts at no-wake speeds as there is a bit of a learning curve. I ran without for a long time, eventually chose Cobra Ultimates and had them installed to be deployed at all speeds. Those were fantastic, and made my boat a lot more enjoyable for water sports by giving a more firm feeling at the stern when towing skiers/boarders.

With the new keeled boats, there is much less tendency to spin in circles at low speeds as those tend to track strait. In fact, that tendency to track strait presents some new challenges, although overall these boats are totally amazing IMO. I like to think of the new keeled boats as more of traditional boats with jet propulsion.

Below is what I view as a very accurate and succinct description of the @Cobra Jet Steering LLC invention that works crazy well in my 2016 240 hull.
(Excerpted from a recent thread on the subject: https://jetboaters.net/threads/2016...-w-fangs-install-and-first-impressions.11530/)

These are the original fins that he has continued to improve over time, I don't think there are any substitutes that match their functionality and durability, overall, or even come close.

Trust Vectors do work well at no-wake speeds in Yamaha boats and they look very cool as you can match solid colors with your hull.
Both Jeff and Will provide superb customer service, and they both provide discounts to the forum members.






EDIT: Sorry, had a long day, I just realized the boat you are getting is the 2016, so no articulating keel. No problem turning those at any speed! But if you do water sports and/or generally like the more "planted" feel at the stern, the best choice would be the Ultimate Cobras (set up to be down/deployed all the time -- no wake and on plane) with FANGS, IMO of course. Amazing system that will transform your boat.

In fact, I would ride it without any mods for some time, just to get a good feel for the baseline. I like to do that with any mods.

Also - I would get the EZ locks for your cleanout plugs right away.

--

Thank you for your post. Looks like I'll go with the ultimate cobras with the fangs. I'll also do the EZ locks without a doubt.

 

[Gym]

Thanks for your input, I'll wait to hear from someone about the cobra fins, if I don't hear anything I'll jump on that group buy that they have going on.

I do have the Cobra Ultimates but haven't added the fangs yet. I will do that in the spring. The main difference in the Cobra vs the Thrust Vectors is that the Cobras can be adjusted to stay in the water at all times, be partially in the water at all times of pop out of the water at higher than no wake speeds. The fangs help take the pressure off the steering wheel and cables when in a turn giving the effect of power steering. They also offer much more control in reverse. The Cobras are also made of heavy gauge aluminum vs the Thrust Vectors being a fiber material. Both are great products supported by member vendors of this board. Your choice mainly depends on what your needs are.

 

[Av8tor07]

I do have the Cobra Ultimates but haven't added the fangs yet. I will do that in the spring. The main difference in the Cobra vs the Thrust Vectors is that the Cobras can be adjusted to stay in the water at all times, be partially in the water at all times of pop out of the water at higher than no wake speeds. The fangs help take the pressure off the steering wheel and cables when in a turn giving the effect of power steering. They also offer much more control in reverse. The Cobras are also made of heavy gauge aluminum vs the Thrust Vectors being a fiber material. Both are great products supported by member vendors of this board. Your choice mainly depends on what your needs are.

Can you please elaborate on the "my needs " part. This is exactly what has me confused because I'm not sure about what I need. Maybe you can help me. I will be doing mostly cruising with an occasional tube pull, no wakeboarding. I would think that the fins that rise up out the way at speed would be the way to go, I'm not sure if any other way would be more beneficial. Thanks a lot for your help.

 

[swatski]

Thank you for your post. Looks like I'll go with the ultimate cobras with the fangs. I'll also do the EZ locks without a doubt.

One more thing about EZ locks. Those really ARE easy, and I'm pretty sure I am the first person on the planet who managed to goof up with the install... But just for the record -- here is what I've learned.
1. Watch the @Cobra Jet Steering LLC video clip

2. Drill close to the top -- see the pictures below -- I goofed up on the right, the left is the correct location of the hole.
When installed in the correct location (left in the pic), the locks do not "lock" when the plug is "open".
I know... it is obvious. But I still managed to drill the first hole too low... Before I realized my mistake.



This is what you want to see when the plug is open:


And closed:


View from top (open/closed):


--

 

[Av8tor07]

One more thing about EZ locks. Those really ARE easy, and I'm pretty sure I am the first person on the planet who managed to goof up with the install... But just for the record -- here is what I've learned.
1. Watch the @Cobra Jet Steering LLC video clip

2. Drill close to the top -- see the pictures below -- I goofed up on the right, the left is the correct location of the hole.
When installed in the correct location (left in the pic), the locks do not "lock" when the plug is "open".
I know... it is obvious. But I still managed to drill the first hole too low... Before I realized my mistake.

View attachment 47393View attachment 47394

This is what you want to see when open the plug is open:
View attachment 47395

And closed:
View attachment 47396

View from top:
View attachment 47397View attachment 47398

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Got it. Thanks