Thrust Vector advice

[Leonidas514]

The person I replied to @nf22 has a single engine. Most of you have twins. I believe this makes a big difference; one thruster verses two. My Yami was a single engine and I was amazed in the control I gained by installing them. As you can tell, I would strongly advise putting them on, especially on older models.

100% correct! I had a 2018 SX190 and the Thrust Vectors made a world of difference, however on my 2019 210FSH I am actually kind of disappointed I spent the money on them. The handling on the twin engine is wayyyy better than the singles.

 

[Cobra Jet Steering LLC]

Best to start with nothing to get a baseline.

Both TVs and Cobras will increase control and stability at no wake speeds.

I like Cobras because you can set them down at speed that gives the ability to steer while on plane, even with NO thrust.

I’ve had too many close calls myself, and a few times a guest driver would try to steer at speed with no thrust, it can get hairy very quickly.

Plus I like the feeling of enhanced steering at speed, and with my setup w/Fangs I can let go of the wheel at any speed and the boat tracks completely straight with no driver input.

I would say in a single engine the Cobras are a must for water sports, as strong skiers can pull the stern to sides like crazy.

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Thank you @swatski I always say drive the boat as it came from the factory first and this will let you know very fast if you need to enhance your steering system.
I always provide a second tie rod to the original A K boats , these are included in my A K system It think balancing out the steering system is very important .
I also have a new fin design for both the Ultimate and the Magnum systems so that the fins provide even more slow speed assistance in forward and reverse So you automatically get increased fin surface influence once the boat comes off plane .
The fins are also made to provide assistance on plane and again with the keel in the center of the 21 and 24 foot hulls the influence is important to overcome the hull's resistance to turning due to the keel wanting the hull to continue going straight.
The faster you go the more it resists turning quickly and without a lot of speed bleed off . Plus the important ability to rapidly reduce your speed and maintain control while turning.
The rudder alone will not do that . So give that a try for yourself so that you know how the boat reacts in rapid deceleration and turning at the same time when you drive the boat as it came from the factory.
One nice feature of a twin engine jet boat is it has no transmission so you can learn the magic of using the duel throttle controls to rotate in a single spot by staggering the controls, you can use the forward reverse bump to walk the boat up to a dock and the same when backing the boat simply by working the controls .
Having a jet boat after owning prop boats takes a little retraining but once you learn how to handle it you can enjoy it , the big drawback is having to be the one who drives all the time and the constant left right correction in the steering at slow speeds along with the issues of dealing with rough conditions in storms or wind.

 

[biglar155]

That is my old boat, which I am going to keep and add the new 24ft to the stable of toys (and expenses)...

Like I keep telling my wife: "Whoever dies with the most boats wins!"

 

[Beachbummer]

I had a smaller more nimble jet boat (sportster 1800) and I could control that boat so well, I seemed to have telekinesis powers over it. The first time out on my SX230 I could tell this was NOT as controllable. You can make up for some of it with training and familiarity with the boat, but there is an element of response that is missing from stock. Same as many others, I spent some money on fins, and it was money well spent.

 

[Wesley Cobb]

I have a stupid question. I just spoke to my dealer about these Vectors when I signed my paperwork and he advised that 90% of his clients do not get these add on’s. I’m coming from a major disadvantage as I’ve never driven a jet boat and just bought one (yeh, not the smartest move, but I wanted to buy with boat show discount and get the color I wanted). So, I guess my question is, coming from a boat with an out drive and 24 pitch prop, do the jet boats have horrible handling that so many people on this site are such big believers of the vector? My understanding is that the new vector will improve slow steering and wake. The new vector will also not have 3 wake modes now, just one simple position...

Driving a stern drive at 3-5mph for a sunset cruise is constant correction of the wheel, how much worse can the jet boat be?

I agree the dealer doesn't seem to know these boats like the people on this forum. As a first time jet boater, I gleaned huge amounts of advice and education from this forum and I am happy I found it. Based on my research and reading this forum, I upgraded my 2017 242 Limited E-Series w/Thrust Vector X. WOW! It made a tremendous difference in the low speed handling. I had gotten used to the steering w/out the fins and it was no big deal. However, the moment I tested them out, I knew I made the right choice. Get the fins...they are worth every penny!

 

[W3bexec]

I took my AR240 out twice before buying thrust vectors. I had a hard time with it at low speed. Maybe just too used to a stern drive I guess. Also, I am always the one who backs the truck down the ramp for launch and retrieve. Frankly, I want my wife and my daughter, who sometimes drives, to have comfortable control.

If I had it to do all over again I would probably go with the Cobra's since I would prefer some better control coming of plane. Based solely upon comments by Swatski and others. Don't get me wrong the thrust vectors do the job at slow speed but when the kids fall off the tube or board, instinctively the first thing I do is power down and turn.

 

[merlinjet]

Cobra fins/fangs are a must if you want optimal control when the jets are not maneuvering the boat effectively. Its a small investment with huge returns. The "dealer" normally doesn't know jack about aftermarket enhancements to these boats, the folks here do. Order your Cobra fins and fangs and don't look back....you won't regret it! Thrust vectors work too but I prefer the Cobra metal fins.

 

[n1111z]

Thanks for all the great input. I will be ordering the Cobras.

 

[nf22]

Yes, thanks for all of the information. I’m going to wait on this and put some time behind the wheel first. Worst case, if there is a big difference, first I’m going to be pissed I spent 70k on a boat that doesn’t have the expected response & handling I was sold on and would expect, and second I’ll just buy one of the aftermarket products and go on my way...

 

[jEt_jAk]

I have a stupid question. I just spoke to my dealer about these Vectors when I signed my paperwork and he advised that 90% of his clients do not get these add on’s. I’m coming from a major disadvantage as I’ve never driven a jet boat and just bought one (yeh, not the smartest move, but I wanted to buy with boat show discount and get the color I wanted). So, I guess my question is, coming from a boat with an out drive and 24 pitch prop, do the jet boats have horrible handling that so many people on this site are such big believers of the vector? My understanding is that the new vector will improve slow steering and wake. The new vector will also not have 3 wake modes now, just one simple position...

Driving a stern drive at 3-5mph for a sunset cruise is constant correction of the wheel, how much worse can the jet boat be?

I had an opposite experience at the dealer. I wasn't planning on getting it at first but the delaer convinced me, also reading around the forums here you can see why. I'm glad it did.

 

[JetBoatPilot]

We hope to do business with you at some point in the future. Thrust Vectors still sell very well even on the newer AK equipped boats and we have many many happy customers. Check out our the product reviews on our site and if we can answer any questions feel free to ask.

 

[mwalker4]

I have new 19 sx190. Taken it out a couple of times. I believe reverse maneuvering has been greatly improved. I know I want low speed no thrust improvement. My question is: does keeping the fins in water increase the high speed turning radius while using thrust. Saying differently, do fins in water take away the jet boat characteristics turning it into stern drive feel. I think the AR has taken some of the feel away already. I will probably use it more before deciding unless my wife. who trailers the boat, determines the low speed issue needs solved now.

 

[Dean P]

Thrust Vectors are spring loaded to keep them down when driving slow. They back up when on plane. Cobra Steering the fins are mounted in place and do not retract. Steering is affected at low and high speeds. Yes, they bite hard when on plane but will not feel like a stern drive due to the fact you do not have as much "drive" in the water.

 

[swatski]

I have new 19 sx190. Taken it out a couple of times. I believe reverse maneuvering has been greatly improved. I know I want low speed no thrust improvement. My question is: does keeping the fins in water increase the high speed turning radius while using thrust. Saying differently, do fins in water take away the jet boat characteristics turning it into stern drive feel. I think the AR has taken some of the feel away already. I will probably use it more before deciding unless my wife. who trailers the boat, determines the low speed issue needs solved now.

I have been looking at those new Yamaha pumps and love what they did with the reverse nozzles!
As far as Cobras, they can be set up either way, if set up "down at speed" the stern is way more planted in the water - very good for water sports.
The new AK boats do not slide sideways anyway, at least the 240s do not.

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[Ancient canoe]

What's the benefit of not having them down when on plane? It seems to me that newer boats with their hull designs you would want more input even at speed because of the keels. I guess I understand if you have an older styled Yamaha and don't want to lose that classic jet boat feel, but the newer style hulls kind of already take that away.

 

[Dean P]

What's the benefit of not having them down when on plane?

If they're made of plastic, they will flex when turning.

 

[tabbibus]

@n1111z congrats on the boat. We have the same model! I've taken her out 3-4 times now and slow speed gets easier every time. I do think I'll want the TV wake at some point mainly to reduce spray when tubing since that will be our main activity, and at the same time it won't hurt to get some extra maneuverability at low speed. Also suspect that I'll plunk down for the later thrusters, again, just to have even more handling options. But in reality, I'm not sure that I NEED NEED any of those. It is fun as it is just learning to handle her full stock!

 

[Cobra Jet Steering LLC]

One of the things that I stay focused on is making a variety of steering systems for the various Yamaha jet boats to meet the needs of different size boats and individual boating styles as well as varied boat designs.
I make a variety of systems and upgrades that are listed in detail here on this web site in the vendor section https://jetboaters.net/threads/basi...he-options-from-cobra-jet-steering-llc.16857/ I also have numerous pictures of the different options and links to some of the many posts from actual members of this web site who offer their testimonials and comments in that same location.
As for high speed response most of my systems are adjustable so you choose the influence levels you like for your needs and you can change those settings if your needs change.
So I hope you would visit the link and even ask questions of the actual members who posted their first hand experience with the various steering systems.
If you have steering engaged at speed you will actually experience better and faster response to the helm plus improved straight tracking.
I also balance out the twin A K steering systems with an additional tie rod kit . I do not add in any internal fins as they first are not necessary because there is a rudder in the middle and second they are basically blocked by the hull when you are moving forward.
I also make the new super fins for increased slow speed influence in both forward and reverse that is automatically in play when the boat comes off plane . This will become more important as more people have the new 2019 nozzles where none of the mega fangs or lateral thrusters can be added.
There is so much more involved with making effective steering to cover the numerous situations that need covering like slow speed assistance is usually the first thing people want, next is straight high speed tracking, less bow wander, handling rough conditions and big waves, dealing with heavy boat traffic, having control during water sports activities even improving control in off power situations. There is a lot to consider when you add a system to change the handling of your boat.

 

[swatski]

What's the benefit of not having them down when on plane?

None, if you ask me.
I found in the 190 the big aluminum fins down at speed are a must, and Cobras to me are the ticket, zero questions about it.
In the twin, it’s more of a luxury, I love the fact I can take my hands off the wheel and the boat does not wander, but I can also turn while slowing down and that can be a safety feature, big time.

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[Dean P]

but I can also turn while slowing down and that can be a safety feature, big time.

I should put the fins on mine just for this reason alone!