New and nervous about the jet drive

[ericoask424]

Been lurking for awhile and lots of good information on here. Coming from a Larson 254 deck boat to a Yamaha. Definitely nervous about the jet drive but excited to take it out. If the docks don’t close.

 

[F.M.]

Just take your time when maneuvering at slow speeds and you'll get the hang of it quickly.

 

[Babin Farms]

Congrats on the new boat!! Just like everything, it takes time to get used to new things. Take it out in open water and throw a fender overboard and try to nudge up to it or back up to it. Just get the feel for the boat, especially at slower speeds

 

[gwrace1]

We've owned I/O, outboard and Jetboats. The first time you have to repair an I/O or outboard lower unit because of an underwater strike you will appreciate the simplicity of the jet drive.

 

[2kwik4u]

Absolute largest change between the I/O and the jet for me......The ability to QUICKLY jump between forward and reverse. You can swap back and forth as fast as you want. There is NO transmission in there to worry about tearing up. Nothing changes direction. I you're coming in too hot to a dock, you can firewall reverse for a 1/2 second and STOP your moment very quickly. In my old I/O I would be hesitant to change in/out of gear, and would always wait a split second for the mechanical system to slow to a stop before proceeding with the opposite direction. That doesn't apply to a jet. Throw it in/out of "gear" as often and as fast as you need to. Doesn't hurt a thing.

The biggest learning hurdle was really wrapping my head around "No thrust, no control".....If there isn't high pressure water shooting out of the rear of the boat, you have NO attitude control. SOME throttle is absolutely necessary. This isn't like 1k rpm of "some throttle", this is like 2-3k rpm of "some throttle" You need to spin up the motor a little bit to have directional control. For me, that means when I'm docking, I usually leave the motors in No Wake Mode, maybe the 1st or 2nd click up (of 3 available). Then bump quickly between forward and reverse to control speed, momentum, and directional control. It takes some practice, and some time to get used to, but keep in your head "No thrust, No Control", and you'll be fine.

Beyond the docking, it drives like every other boat on plane. Turn the wheel, adjust the throttle, etc. No biggie.

Lots of people complain about "no control" when coming off plane. If you're on plane, and reduce throttle to idle, then of course you have no control. DON'T DO THAT in an emergency stop situation. Remember you need some throttle to maintain directional control. So drop the revs to 2-3k as you come off plane and you can still steer. Also, if it's a true E-Stop situation, run those throttles all the way in reverse. It will STOP faster than you've ever stopped a boat before.

Speaking of reverse. I tend to "steer with the rear" quite a bit. As I come in somewhere, to say a dock, or the trailer....I'll slow my momentum, and slide the rear of the boat around with reverse. You can cahnge the direction the boat is heading, when moving slowly, by hitting reverse slightly, then turning the wheel. Reverse is largely slow to react on these, so you can use it to just slow, and not actually go backwards, but still swing the rear around a little to correct for direction. Then a short bump into forward again, and you're back to moving, but in the correct direction!

Good luck and be sure to come back and let us know how you get along!

 

[Dean P]

to the forum! Love the color. Let us know if you need anything. Have fun, stay safe and enjoy.

 

[Looper7]

Welcome and have fun with that good looking boat

 

[ericoask424]

Thanks guys! Looking forward to a season with the kids on the Mississippi

 

[motomandan]

Welcome you will love it!

 

[grywlfbg]

Welcome! One thing you'll quickly learn is that this forum will help you spend money.

On that note, a fin system like Cobra Jet or Thrust Vectors will help bring back that off-throttle steering that you are used to.

Also, a lot of folks rave about the RideSteady cruise control for wakesports. It's a GPS cruise control that will hold a set speed for you so you can focus on watching your rider.

 

[Cobra Jet Steering LLC]

No worries.
I have a new super system deluxe version for that boat, It even has planing surfaces and extra top fins for even more slow speed assistance , as well as adding in the second tie rod for balance and yes you can steer the boat when rapidly decelerating even in neutral as long as the boat is moving it will steer. And the high speed tracking is excellent as well as high speed turning without all the speed bleed off . The planing side force stabilizers also give the boat a quicker hole shot and more stable ride in chop. And it does not hang low or increase your draft I am also making upgrade kits for people who already have the basic Super Magnum ak-19 system and wish to upgrade , but if you want inf on it you must go directly to me as I don't have any of the new products on the site , I currently have people redoing that. but you can look at the vendor section for the latest upgraded systems like the new fangs for the 19 foot boats with the keel excluding 2019 and newer also the new 2019 and 2020 version of the viper is now ready and a new top fang for those and all the other vipers , I also have deluxe upgrades and systems for the magnum ak systems and the super ultimate systems as well as new super ultimate ak-19 systems , I have been busy in the off season because one size does not fit all. visit the vendor section for more information on ALL the current systems available for the Yamaha jet boat line https://jetboaters.net/threads/basi...us-options-from-cobra-jet-steering-llc.16857/. it's like driving a sports car on a dry road

 

[motomandan]

Been lurking for awhile and lots of good information on here. Coming from a Larson 254 deck boat to a Yamaha. Definitely nervous about the jet drive but excited to take it out. If the docks don’t close. View attachment 115372

Try it without any mods to the steering. With the twin engines and the Rudder it is no problem steering!

 

[ericoask424]

Try it without any mods to the steering. With the twin engines and the Rudder it is no problem steering!

Definitely good to know. It’s easy just to buy the steering for reassurance but I’ll give it a shot without first.

 

[Dean P]

Definitely good to know. It’s easy just to buy the steering for reassurance but I’ll give it a shot without first.

You'll definitely appreciate them more.

 

[motomandan]

Definitely good to know. It’s easy just to buy the steering for reassurance but I’ll give it a shot without first.

Models before 2019 did not have the rudder. So aftermarket filled the need. With twins and the rudder its much much better!

 

[Cobra Jet Steering LLC]

Rudders have been on the 24 foot boats since 2015 and on 21 foot boats since 2017 and on 19 foot boats since 2016 .

 

[motomandan]

Rudders have been on the 24 foot boats since 2015 and on 21 foot boats since 2017 and on 19 foot boats since 2016 .

bad dealer info then sorry! mine handles great

 

[Dixie Highway]

Congrats! I’ll add something I read on here about 18 months ago...Don’t approach anything faster than you’re willing to hit it. Meaning slow speeds and small corrections until you are confident. I have a twin with the rudder myself, and opted for the Cobra Jets. I’m even thinking about upgrading to the new system, haven’t decided yet though. Welcome!

 

[Cobra Jet Steering LLC]

@motomandan ,Just remember I call the new boating year the class of 2020 last year it was the class of 2019 etc lots of new students every spring. I have been doing this a few weeks Started making steering back when I was 49. And if you ever get a chance to drive someone's boat like yours that has one of my systems on it you will see the difference immediately. not just around the dock either, high speed, slow speed off power water sports, waves, wind, currents.

 

[Cobra Jet Steering LLC]

Congrats! I’ll add something I read on here about 18 months ago...Don’t approach anything faster than you’re willing to hit it. Meaning slow speeds and small corrections until you are confident. I have a twin with the rudder myself, and opted for the Cobra Jets. I’m even thinking about upgrading to the new system, haven’t decided yet though. Welcome!

Thank you and you do not need to upgrade to the new deluxe system you can upgrade your existing system to the new system