Steering assist?

[Jimonthebeach]

How do you jet?

 

[Gym]

Just upgraded from the Cobra originals to the new Cobra Ultimates. On the first trip of the season my wife took the helm while I squared away the boat. She was amazed at the difference in handling. No more zig zagging to maintain the course. I was actually surprised as they aren't all that much bigger than the originals. Nicely done Jeff.

 

[farrelltravis]

Finless and love it!

 

[Julian]

@Gym F#$@! F@#$! F$%^! And there's another item to add to the list-replace old Cobra's with new ones! LOL I'd actually been wondering how much difference they make....now I know!

 

[Gym]

@Gym F#$@! F@#$! F$%^! And there's another item to add to the list-replace old Cobra's with new ones! LOL I'd actually been wondering how much difference they make....now I know!

 

[xoomer]

I installed the Cobra Ultimates on my LX and it made a big difference--no more going back and forth all over the place when steering. On my new SX240 they installed the Thrust Vectors which makes steering easy but I didn't use the boat without the Vectors so I don't know how it would have been finless. The only problem I have with both boats is in reverse--neither boat steers well, especially at slow speeds.

 

[mmgg]

I might have to look into this,, are these the fins that bolt to the steering nozzle?

 

[Bruce]

@mmgg, yes they are.

 

[biglar155]

I went the Thrust Vector XL route and am very happy. After two seasons of being fin-less, I figured I'd better get 'em because my wife just couldn't steer the boat.

Even though they were bought "for her," I like the improvement in handling too. Knowing that, I'd buy them again even if it was just for me.

 

[txav8r]

I have original cobra experience but not the newer/larger cobras, so I can't comment to their effectiveness, but it has to be up there. I did have both the TV's and the TVXL's, and they too give great effective steering control at low speeds, as well as heading control at no wake speed while traveling distances. I didn't put fins on the new boat ('12 SX240), my fin experience was on the '08 SX230. On the 240, I am finless and I have full control without them...as long as the wind isn't whipping my ass! I can make the boat do what I want, but can't take my hand off the steering ever, and I could do that with fins. My wife steers for me even without fins when needed, but we are talking just holding a heading and she seems to be able to do it. But she won't drive the boat, so I don't have to configure it for her. I may add fins again one day, but for now, it is working without them...but I do have a little experience with these boats...and a new guy would certainly gain from them, as would anyone in inclement weather. Fins don't make the boat steer backwards any better than it does without them...so that isn't a reason to get them. But they really do help in gusty or variable winds.

 

[Julian]

They also provide some steering when you have no thrust.

 

[txav8r]

They also provide some steering when you have no thrust.

Yes, and that is probably the most important thing they do. One of our long time members pointed out, that even with some experience, in a reactionary situation where instinct takes over, we often forget that whatever heading we are on when we pull the throttles to idle, is what heading we will travel the 300-500 feet until we stop...no matter what we do with the steering wheel. But with fins, you at least get some steering back as soon as they drop into the water at speed, and of course at no thrust/slow speed, you have some steering with any of the fins.

 

[latitudeadjuster]

I have never needed attachments since my first 2006 SX230. Again with my 2014 212X I don't feel I need any attachments. I wouldn't mind trying someone who has attachments to see the difference.

 

[davel501]

With the big Cobra XLs no wake 1 & 2 are now viable options even in crowded channels with lots of boats.

I got stuck in a long line of slow boats coming from a fireworks show a few weeks ago. Night time, boats everywhere trying to cut into line, a nightmare without fins or even with the minis. I had IO boaters passing me because they had less control going that slow. So big fins and 5 seasons of experience on a jetboat beats prop walk.

 

[BravoMike]

I have the original Cobra's as well. Been wondering if it would be beneficial to upgrade. Going to have to really consider it now. I am old school and still like to slalom ski. I can pull the back of the boat around with the original cobra fins. Wondering if the bigger fins would help. Any opinions on this? Better tracking with skier, wake-boarder?

 

[Andy S]

I have the original Cobra's as well. Been wondering if it would be beneficial to upgrade. Going to have to really consider it now. I am old school and still like to slalom ski. I can pull the back of the boat around with the original cobra fins. Wondering if the bigger fins would help. Any opinions on this? Better tracking with skier, wake-boarder?

The newer larger fins move up out of the water at speed so they provide no help for lateral movement while at power.

 

[BravoMike]

The newer larger fins move up out of the water at speed so they provide no help for lateral movement while at power.

Thanks @andy07sx230ho Went back to Cobra Jet Steerings web site and found the following for the Cobra Venom Ultimates:

Furthermore, if your needs or preferences should change from time to time, VENOM ULTIMATE allows you to simply change the settings and function of the unit without any additional expense.

COBRA VENOM ULTIMATE is capable of providing sufficient influence "when set in the full time steering mode" that it can act as a stand-alone steering system and help keep the operator in control to avoid a collision thanks to it's unique design and positioning. This mode will also allow the operator to steer the boat while being towed.

I read this to mean the fins can be locked in the down position if desired. Is this incorrect? Do not have any experience with the Ultimate's.

 

[Andy S]

Thanks @Cobra Jet Steering LLC

[B][I]Furthermore, if your needs or preferences should change from time to time, VENOM ULTIMATE allows you to simply change the settings and function of the unit without any additional expense.

[B][I]COBRA VENOM ULTIMATE is capable of providing sufficient influence "when set in the full time steering mode" that it can act as a stand-alone steering system and help keep the operator in control to avoid a collision thanks to it's unique design and positioning. This mode will also allow the operator to steer the boat while being towed.[/I][/B]
[/I][/B]
I read this to mean the fins can be locked in the down position if desired. Is this incorrect? Do not have any experience with the Ultimate's.

I have no direct experience with Cobra Venom Ultimate (nice product however I have Thrust Vector XL's on my boat). Looking closely at this desgin, it looks like the placement of the horizontal bar will dictate if the fins stay deployed while underway. If so the Venom's should help out. I would ask Jeff @Cobra Jet Steering LLC for clarification.

 

[BravoMike]

Dah... Why didn't I think of that. Thanks @andy07sx230ho

 

[Cobra Jet Steering LLC]

To avoid any misconceptions about the ultimate sets.
They were designed to be very versatile and multi functional. In years past my smaller steering was designed to give a certain amount of assistance but they were not adjustable nor were they spring loaded.
The ultimates are a lot larger than the old fixed units. They are also set wider apart .
These can be set to go up at speed and only provide assistance in off plane speeds, usually around 6 miler per hour or less.
If you choose to set them to work all the time, you have 5 different depth settings per fin, each is capable of being set independent of the other so you can stagger the outer fins to do less high speed assistance or to give maximum assistance placing them all the way down.
This is excellent for precise control during water sport activities especially fighting the transom pull of skiers etc.
The system does not LOCK down it is simply held down by a spring and by the water exiting the nozzle at higher speeds , it deflects the water down so that there is no increase in water being sprayed out behind the boat, This is important for the people being pulled by the boat in tubes or on skies , wake boards , etc.
In the fully deployed full time mode the steering can hold a boat in a turn if the throttles are pulled back rapidly or if the boat looses power due to a mechanical malfunction .
Here are a couple of videos showing high speed maneuverability, the wake at speed and the capability of holding the turn during rapid deceleration using a 24 foot boat.