Thrust Vectors or Cobra Fins?

[CharlestonJet]

I installed these earlier today. Have a set of Cobra Ultimate fins on the SX230. Tomayto, tomahto?

 

[john94si]

All set and ready to test tomorrow. 2015 LS

 

[Bennie]

Ill be one of the many members ready for your return and your results.

Thank you!

 

[MOA_Chaser]

I have the Cobra Ultimates and the Cobra locks, and am very happy with both. I have the Ultimates set to come out of the water at speed. We often have debris in the river and I felt better going with aluminum over plastic.

 

[john94si]

I finally used them at clearwater. They do help a lot. I think its worth the invest for a $60k boat to add them for $500. It helped the low speed steering and the idle speed does not seem to drift as much.

 

[Art Traver]

I guess I am resurrecting an old thread here. I have an '07 SX210 and it came with the cobra jet steering (see photo, hopefully I am correct). We just purchased the boat over the winter and have been out only a handful of times this spring. My wife refuses to drive the boat, she thinks it is too hard to control at no wake speeds. I am getting used to the steering at no wake speeds, but still find myself over-correcting. So I have some questions. Are there differences in the newer designs as compared to what I currently have that would make a marketable difference in no wake mode? I have also seen posts about adding a keel guard to help with tracking, any validity to these claims? I am not at a point where I want to start swapping out "steering enhancements" to appease the wife prior to her really taking some time to learn the handling of the boat. I will say I'm hoping the wife can get over the steering issue as I like the fact there is no trim to adjust on the jetboat. Adjusting trim on our previous boat for my wife always proved to be a challenge, she was either driving the bow in to the water or cavitating the prop.

There was a post earlier in this thread about either the cobra jet or thrust vector helping in the wind. I would doubt either would help at planing speed as there is not much keel in the water. We experienced this last weekend out on the river with a 20 mph cross wind. Once we got up on plane it was difficult to keep the boat on track.

 

[JetBoatPilot]

@Art Traver I can tell you that we have many customers who have told us that the steering at slow speeds, up to no wake stage 2 on 1.8 liter equipped boats and in your case no wake mode speed, is dramatically improved. With that said I am sure that this opinion is subjective and each person will react differently to the added control. As always we offer a money back guarantee with our product and if you want to send in your old Cobra fins we will give you a $50 credit towards your purchase.

I hope this helps some.

 

[Cobra Jet Steering LLC]

Boy those are some older units, glad to see they are still working even if they are pretty dirty. I have been making steering units for Yamaha boats for a long time.
As for your steering, those were very popular and there are thousands of them still in use, as you may know I make newer steering and ALL my steering is made to provide slow and high speed assistance.
I have Ultimates that can be adjusted to the exact amount of influence you desire, at all speeds.
These are tempered aluminum and they are spring loaded so they can be set to retract at speed for that option also, however from your post I believe you want full time steering, basically there is NO other system available to my knowledge that offers the options or the level of influence you can obtain from my patented systems and you can also add FANGS to your new system for power steering and improved reverse control over and above the Improvement from the additional steering system.
I currently offer a 100 dollar trade in allowance for the stainless sets , even if they are damaged.
My challenge to you is to heat the screws with a small torch so that you can remove the screws easily, then remove those fins from the nozzles and try the boat just one day with the nozzles stock.
I Bet you see a dramatic difference in the boats handling without the fins. Then you can trade those in on any steering system you desire or reinstall them.

 

[swatski]

We experienced this last weekend out on the river with a 20 mph cross wind. Once we got up on plane it was difficult to keep the boat on track.

That is where the Ultimates and Fangs shine - set up to be down at speed. Also huge help for water sports - to keep the stern planted.

--

 

[Art Traver]

Boy those are some older units, glad to see they are still working even if they are pretty dirty. I have been making steering units for Yamaha boats for a long time.
As for your steering, those were very popular and there are thousands of them still in use, as you may know I make newer steering and ALL my steering is made to provide slow and high speed assistance.
I have Ultimates that can be adjusted to the exact amount of influence you desire, at all speeds.
These are tempered aluminum and they are spring loaded so they can be set to retract at speed for that option also, however from your post I believe you want full time steering, basically there is NO other system available to my knowledge that offers the options or the level of influence you can obtain from my patented systems and you can also add FANGS to your new system for power steering and improved reverse control over and above the Improvement from the additional steering system.
I currently offer a 100 dollar trade in allowance for the stainless sets , even if they are damaged.
My challenge to you is to heat the screws with a small torch so that you can remove the screws easily, then remove those fins from the nozzles and try the boat just one day with the nozzles stock.
I Bet you see a dramatic difference in the boats handling without the fins. Then you can trade those in on any steering system you desire or reinstall them.

I think I may try the boat stock with no additional steering options just to see how it reacts. We chose this boat not for its ability to perform crazy turns or tow skiers, tubers or wake boarders. We wanted a family bow rider with a few features and this fit the bill. Should be able to remove the fins and try out this weekend without them and post a report Sunday night or later next week.

 

[Art Traver]

That is where the Ultimates and Fangs shine - set up to be down at speed. Also huge help for water sports - to keep the stern planted.

--

Going to try out the boat without anything to see how it handles. Not sure even with steering enhancements with most of the hull out of the water that steering would be "easy" in a strong cross wind. This is where I do miss the outboard as we could trim the bow down into the water for better tracking. Although speed is greatly reduced and the overall ride quality is rougher.

 

[swatski]

Going to try out the boat without anything to see how it handles. Not sure even with steering enhancements with most of the hull out of the water that steering would be "easy" in a strong cross wind. This is where I do miss the outboard as we could trim the bow down into the water for better tracking. Although speed is greatly reduced and the overall ride quality is rougher.

I came from outboards too. Believe me, I understand! LOL.

--

 

[veedubtek]

I still don't know what, but I blasted something night fishing one night that completely mauled my CJS steering system last week and busted my steering nozzle. I ordered a new nozzle from YSP immediately, and emailed Jeff about the CJS. I mailed it to him, it was fixed and sent back. I mailed it late Wednesday afternoon. I have it back already. $37 later. My replacement steering nozzle isn't here yet. Not saying anything bad about TV's, I've had em and loved em, but my recent "warranty" experience with CJS was certainly a pleasant one. Zero questions. Zero hassle. 2 or 3 emails telling me different things to look at, what to check, how to make sure everything is installed correctly, just genuine care that I'm back on the water in good shape again and quick. Just good customer service.

 

[Blenderhead]

If you are just looking to improve steering then either will do, as I have owned both on my '17 212x.... if you are using any wake surfing attachments (on a newer Yamaha jetboat) ie. Wake Wedge, "The Flap" etc., then Cobra is the ONLY solution that will not bind up your steering at speed. I don't know about you, but I am a big fan of being able to steer my boat at cruising speed.

 

[Cobra Jet Steering LLC]

Here is the system that I would suggest you install on that boat after you try it naked for a day.

The Cobra Ultimate steering system is our most popular steering system . It is built from aircraft aluminum, the fins are only 3/16 thick and tempered for exceptional strength.
This Patented system, U S Patent 8425269 issued in April of 2013, fits most Yamaha jet boats , the only exception is the newest 21 and 24 foot articulating keel models and yes we have a special steering system, the Magnum A K system for those models.
The ULTIMATE SYSTEM is plug and play. The fins are spring loaded .
The system provides you with exceptional slow speed control for docking and no wake zones.
The ULTIMATE system makes it very easy for guest or novice operators to operate your boat even in congested no wake areas, even handling the wakes of passing boats with ease. So here is where the ULTIMATE earns it's name.
This system is selectable, YOU decide if you want the fins to stay down in the water at speed for water sport activities or for the sake of having excellent control of the boat even in rapid deceleration situations like collision avoidance.
This set actually allows YOU to set the fin depth when in all time mode.
You also have the option of staggering the fins on twin engine applications. You can set the inside fins lower and the outside fins higher to get the exact amount of influence that suits your style of driving and your size boat, yes YOU can set the level of influence in high speed mode to precisely accommodate your boats hull size, this allows you to set the influence level to exactly what you feel your boat requires to meet your individual needs .
Keep in mind if your needs change from time to time all you do is change the settings, no need to go buy a different set of fins.
The Ultimate steering uses a special selectable and adjustable actuator that is NOT positioned in the water below the nozzle so it can't cause drag, get snagged or kick up water behind the boat.
This actuator uses the jet of water exiting the nozzle to hold the fins down at the setting you chose while operating at speed, with the benefit of a backup spring to cover any situation where the pump fails or the engine stall for any reason.
This same actuator can be set to lift the fins up at speed using the same thrust exiting the nozzle to perform that function if you so desire.
This function utilizes the same spring to bring the fins back down when the boat is off plane for enhanced slow speed steering assistance .
The ULTIMATE system also incorporates a special multi function side force stabilizer that eliminates the need to add any stabilizer bars or braces between the fins in the flow of water that can snag things, create drag or create any unwanted water spraying up behind the boat.
So with both the specially designed side force stabilizer and the special actuator we have a unique selectable, adjustable and versatile answer for most Yamaha jet boat owners. From the smaller early jet boats to the largest models available.
Making this system UNIQUE and very desirable!
3 us patents with a fourth pending. Making steering for jet boats since 2001
The M.S.R.P. on a twin set is $450 the buy direct from my web page discounted price for the twin engine ULTIMATE steering is $369.
Cobra ultimate can also be upgraded with fangs below is a picture of Ultimate with fangs courtesy of @Ronnie

 

[Art Traver]

Here is the system that I would suggest you install on that boat after you try it naked for a day.

The Cobra Ultimate steering system is our most popular steering system . It is built from aircraft aluminum, the fins are only 3/16 thick and tempered for exceptional strength.
This Patented system, U S Patent 8425269 issued in April of 2013, fits most Yamaha jet boats , the only exception is the newest 21 and 24 foot articulating keel models and yes we have a special steering system, the Magnum A K system for those models.
The ULTIMATE SYSTEM is plug and play. The fins are spring loaded .
The system provides you with exceptional slow speed control for docking and no wake zones.
The ULTIMATE system makes it very easy for guest or novice operators to operate your boat even in congested no wake areas, even handling the wakes of passing boats with ease. So here is where the ULTIMATE earns it's name.
This system is selectable, YOU decide if you want the fins to stay down in the water at speed for water sport activities or for the sake of having excellent control of the boat even in rapid deceleration situations like collision avoidance.
This set actually allows YOU to set the fin depth when in all time mode.
You also have the option of staggering the fins on twin engine applications. You can set the inside fins lower and the outside fins higher to get the exact amount of influence that suits your style of driving and your size boat, yes YOU can set the level of influence in high speed mode to precisely accommodate your boats hull size, this allows you to set the influence level to exactly what you feel your boat requires to meet your individual needs .
Keep in mind if your needs change from time to time all you do is change the settings, no need to go buy a different set of fins.
The Ultimate steering uses a special selectable and adjustable actuator that is NOT positioned in the water below the nozzle so it can't cause drag, get snagged or kick up water behind the boat.
This actuator uses the jet of water exiting the nozzle to hold the fins down at the setting you chose while operating at speed, with the benefit of a backup spring to cover any situation where the pump fails or the engine stall for any reason.
This same actuator can be set to lift the fins up at speed using the same thrust exiting the nozzle to perform that function if you so desire.
This function utilizes the same spring to bring the fins back down when the boat is off plane for enhanced slow speed steering assistance .
The ULTIMATE system also incorporates a special multi function side force stabilizer that eliminates the need to add any stabilizer bars or braces between the fins in the flow of water that can snag things, create drag or create any unwanted water spraying up behind the boat.
So with both the specially designed side force stabilizer and the special actuator we have a unique selectable, adjustable and versatile answer for most Yamaha jet boat owners. From the smaller early jet boats to the largest models available.
Making this system UNIQUE and very desirable!
3 us patents with a fourth pending. Making steering for jet boats since 2001
The M.S.R.P. on a twin set is $450 the buy direct from my web page discounted price for the twin engine ULTIMATE steering is $369.
Cobra ultimate can also be upgraded with fangs below is a picture of Ultimate with fangs courtesy of @Ronnie

These fins do look larger and beefier than the older model I have. I might have to try these out. I do like the fact that they can rise out the water at speed. Are there any videos or animations on how they work both at no wake and cruising? I am curious to know how the jet of water is affected with the actuator in the up position, I assume the fins are held 'up' by the jet blast hitting the actuator.

 

[Art Traver]

I came from outboards too. Believe me, I understand! LOL.

--

I was thinking of adding trim tabs, has any one tried this? Not sure if they would hinder performance, that and I really don't to add something else to maintain or have a potential failure with.

 

[rsg1963]

I wish these had trim like my 3 seater. I like the ability to dial-in for conditions.

 

[Bennie]

Quite a few guys have already installed trim tabs on these boats.

https://jetboaters.net/threads/lectrotab-trim-tabs.71/

 

[Cobra Jet Steering LLC]

These fins do look larger and beefier than the older model I have. I might have to try these out. I do like the fact that they can rise out the water at speed. Are there any videos or animations on how they work both at no wake and cruising? I am curious to know how the jet of water is affected with the actuator in the up position, I assume the fins are held 'up' by the jet blast hitting the actuator.

\
Not just that but they are wider apart than the old style you have and even with the fins set to rise up at speed they leave about 10 percent of the fins in the water for extra steering and feedback at speed you can look in you tube under my name Jeff Walkowiak and see all sorts of videos.