Well we had our first outing today in our new/used 14 212x...

[Ratket]

It was pretty good, the kids had a blast. I will say this for our first time out.. fck it was stressful, we had my in-laws with us on their 2 waive runners, and I while I was trying to keep distance between them and us.. I always felt like they where to close.. and all the other people on the water ways... it didn’t take much for the river to get to choppy with all the big go fast boats out. My wife decided she wanted to bring EVERYTHING.. the Lilly pad/the inflatable paddle board.. needles to say by the time we where done and heading back... there was a blown up 10ft paddle board in the isle and a Lilly pad strapped to the swim pad. You run out of storage fast... but we made it work. Docking was stressful when we stopped for lunch, and loading the boat when we where done was a little stressful, definitely need some fins... it took me like 7 attempts before I could get the boat straight and keep it straight.. the heat didn’t help. We where on the water by 6am and home by 3pm. Seems like that’s how our boating is going to go as the water is empty and calm that early. Anyways just wanted to give a quick review of how the day went.

 

[captras]

If this is your first jet boat, slow speed maneuvering and getting back on the trailer can be a real problem. Fins will help you SO much with the low speed, no matter which of the 2 choices you make. I do recommend that you read about how to maneuver on this forum and go out and practice by yourself. It will make you even better if/when you get fins.

 

[Ratket]

Ya been doing a lot of reading and a ton of research on everything. It’s the little things that Nickle and dime you in boating, at least that’s my take lol. Either way, we can boat year round where we live and it is going to serve my family well. With the days so long, gonna try to be home by 5 one day a week so we can have a good evening trip.

 

[giroux68]

It gets better and easier every time you go out.

 

[Ratket]

Lovely morning this morning..

 

[Weeb]

Looks like a nice spot to hang out.

 

[Ratket]

Ya wife and I went out alone early this morning, going to take the whole fam back there tomorrow. Havasu is pretty quiet from 5am until 9am.

 

[Gym]

It's tempting to bring family, friends and a lot if gear your first time out but, as you found out, it can be pretty stressful. You and your wife may want to try a couple of trips alone so you can get comfortable with operating your boat to include docking and retrieval operations. Stress usually means a bad time for all involved.

My wife and I did a few trips before inviting people out. In fact we do a shakedown cruise at the beginning of each season to ensure all is working ok before we take anybody out.

 

[tabbibus]

My first few outings was super hard to dock. Now I enjoy the slow speed manoeuvers with the twins. No fins, no thrusters. Stock. Will the mods help? Of course. But to know your boat a bit before you take the plunge.

At this point I think I only need the lateral thrusters, just for fun.

 

[Cobra Jet Steering LLC]

If you learn your boat a bit more and how to operate the twin throttles you can rotate in place, slide the back of the boat either way and never add any steering of any type . As for steering without thrust or staying in control while carving up a big wave sideways or tracking straight in wind and current You need real steering, the rudder alone just won't cut it.

 

[Gym]

The aftermarket will help 100%. My wife wouldn't touch the helm before I installed them. Now she gladly handles the boat.

 

[captainhook]

If you learn your boat a bit more and how to operate the twin throttles you can rotate in place, slide the back of the boat either way and never add any steering of any type . As for steering without thrust or staying in control while carving up a big wave sideways or tracking straight in wind and current You need real steering, the rudder alone just won't cut it.

While I agree with this, Lateral Thrusters *do* help push the stern and spin the boat faster compared to stock and are worth the money. I went 4.5 seasons without any added steering and added the Lateral Thrusters at the end of season 5. I then added Thrust Vectors in the middle of season 6 (last week) and I have to say I’m a bit disappointed. They certainly helped but not immensely like everyone says and I’m getting annoying spray on the starboard side at 30MPH and below as I see them bouncing in the jet wash.

Next set of used Cobras that pop up in the Classifieds section will probably be mine and I’ll try those too. I’ve never had an issue with high speed steering and the Thrust Vectors popped up first so that’s what I ended up with.

 

[Ratket]

If you learn your boat a bit more and how to operate the twin throttles you can rotate in place, slide the back of the boat either way and never add any steering of any type . As for steering without thrust or staying in control while carving up a big wave sideways or tracking straight in wind and current You need real steering, the rudder alone just won't cut it.

This is definitely true we have only gone out four times and I can already dock and load the trailer first shot. But BUT.. I still want added steering enhancements and am going to go that route as soon as I can get my wife to quit spending money. It will ultimately give her confidence and in an emergency anyone else who has to pilot my boat.