Steering Assit

[Jet Blue]

Any of my Chaparral partners looked into or used the Cobra Jet Steering? Fangs? Thrust Vectors? I think I remember seeing that the Chaparral motor/steering/buckets/etc/whatever are too different and do not work with these steering assist tools. As badly as I want to be a purest, if low speed control is significantly enhanced then I think I want to look into it.

 

[blackhawkpilot]

Will @JetBoatPilot has Thrust Vectors for us on his website at https://jetboatpilot.com/index.php?id_product=316&controller=product

 

[BobJohnson]

read through this post. scarabmike and jetboatpilot get into a discussion on thrust vectors for rotax.

https://jetboaters.net/threads/2-questions-1-thrust-vectors-2-removing-pump.10772/

 

[Jet Blue]

read through this post. scarabmike and jetboatpilot get into a discussion on thrust vectors for rotax.

https://jetboaters.net/threads/2-questions-1-thrust-vectors-2-removing-pump.10772/

Oh boy. Good read - not sure how I missed it other than maybe I skipped the scarab forum. Certainly don't want to reignite this, but now just as stumped. Thanks for the link - at least we have it in the chaparral forum now too.

 

[Tyler Brown]

I have 223 vortex and had cobra fins installed when purchased the boat. Thus, I never drove boat without them so can't give a comparison but with them feel like have good low speed control.

 

[Ronnie]

Just so you know, you guys are not alone. When i had single engine jet boats powered by mercury engines coupled to a mercury pump slow speed response was great. Moved to a twin engine yamaha and swear i would have sold it after my first outing had i not purchased and installed first generation cobra jet fins soon afterwards.

I'm partial to cobra fins but if you want instant improvement in low speed steering either cobras or thrust vectors will do the job. Will at jet boat pilot is great so if anything does go wrong with the thrust vectors rest assured that he will make it right. Jeff at cobra jet also provides great post sales support. I recall one occassion where he sent me additonal spacers to correct a potential issue that i didnt even know about.

 

[blackhawkpilot]

I just ordered a pair of the Thrust Vectors from @JetBoatPilot. I'm (actually, my wife is) excited to experience the difference in steering capabilities. They should be here in a few days.

 

[blackhawkpilot]

Showed up yesterday. Can't wait to get them on and in the water for a sea trial.

 

[ScottyOK]

I'm anxious to hear about your experience. I've been considering the same.

 

[blackhawkpilot]

Me, too. I'm hoping for a DRASTIC change in low-speed handling. My wife is a bit gun-shy around the docks and in confined areas. Hoping this gives her a little more confidence as she's in charge of loading the boat on the trailer when we go out.

 

[swatski]

@blackhawkpilot Is your boat equipped with the iST system? I wonder if it really is not as good as some say.
Yamaha never adapted Rotax-type buckets in boats and the TDE (thrust directional enhancement or whatever they call it) is a joke, but we all know it and just learn to live with it. And/or add fins.

--

 

[blackhawkpilot]

Yeah, I have the iST, but I don't see it being advantageous at all. There have been numerous times that my wife has ended up with the stern of the boat facing the trailer while trying to load. Hoping that the new "rudders" will help give that boost of confidence that is desperately needed.

 

[swatski]

Yeah, I have the iST, but I don't see it being advantageous at all. There have been numerous times that my wife has ended up with the stern of the boat facing the trailer while trying to load. Hoping that the new "rudders" will help give that boost of confidence that is desperately needed.

Hah. I guess those are all the same, that TDE (thrust directional enhancer) of Yamaha also does not prevent spinouts. Which is annoying and unsafe.
I think you will be amazed!

EDIT: I know you read the other discussion, interested in your take on it down the road!
https://jetboaters.net/threads/2-questions-1-thrust-vectors-2-removing-pump.10772/

 

[blackhawkpilot]

Sea trial completed yesterday. I have to say that we didn't get the DRASTIC change that we had hoped for, however we did see some improvement. Overall, it did boost the wife's confidence a bit and she learned some new techniques by talking to Will at JetBoatPilot.com. We went to his shop yesterday - we got the wrong SeaDek delivered to us (got the 243 pattern vs. my 223) so we returned it and he's cutting a new pattern for us. Ended up leaving the boat with him for the week so he can install it and take some pictures for his web-site. While there, we did notice that the Yamaha Thrust Vectors are quite a bit bigger than the ones for the Chaparral, so that may be why we didn't get the HUGE change in steering. It was good to get out on the water yesterday for a short time and play with some dolphins. Ready for summer.

 

[Jet Blue]

Any thought on what the changes would be on a single engine 203?

 

[blackhawkpilot]

Any thought on what the changes would be on a single engine 203?

I would expect that you would probably see the same change. It would be nice if they were bigger, but after talking with Will, he said there just isn't enough real estate under the Chap to put a bigger one. It's worth a shot, though. Even a little assistance would help. I did notice that the left-to-right motion of the bow has stopped at slow speed and I'm not having to correct as much. Maybe after a few more times out on the water we'll learn to appreciate them more.