First day with Cobra Jet fins

[RobbieO]

Yeah i have to give it some thought if its worth it or not to make the switch

As much as I hate to admit it, I might change to the Cobra fins. I will have them anodized or whatever to make them black. I wish Jeff had videos showing before and after slow speed steering. He may have, but I haven’t found them. JBP has these videos that shows the improvement.

 

[SunnyD]

We just went out this weekend with the addition of our new Cobras, took off the TV's,. There was a huge difference in the 2 products and with the added steering rod the turning is MUCH easier. Our Surf wave was improved and the spray from our old Tv's were gone. I have to say this was a nice upgrade.

What about no wake speed? Did you lose and maneuverability going from TVs to Cobras?

 

[AZ Jetboater]

Took my boat out 2 times before installing Cobra Fins. Night & day difference. Jeff knows what he’s doing. Went ahead and powder coated them in Clark Griswold Black. Added 10 mph to my top speed

 

[AboveTheBest]

I like the color, but I’m afraid I don’t get the reference to Clark Griswold...

 

[jcyamaharider]

What about no wake speed? Did you lose and maneuverability going from TVs to Cobras?

Not at all.

 

[Ronnie]

Wow this thread really took off. 3 pages in about as many days.

I clearly remember the first outing on my new to me 2006 yamaha SX 230 in 2008, not because the boat handled so well but because it handled so terribly at no wake speeds. I took so long to pull up to the dock, after several failed attempts, my dog ended up pissing on one of the seat cushions.

I ordered probably close to the original cobra fins the next day, a Sunday, relevant because I called in my order to Jeff personally, and had them installed by the following weekend for my second outing on that boat. They totally changed the way the boat handled so I decided to keep the boat that I had just paid $23k ($25k including sales tax) in cash for instead of sell it and replace it with a seadoo jet boat.

I think I upgraded the fins 2 or 3 times since and replaced the first version of the fangs with JBP single engine thrust diverters. I wanted to experiment and had the mentality of they must be better than the fangs because they cost 4 times as much (im about $400 into thrust diverters v. Fangs for $100 or so) after a few seasons I can say with confidence that I was wrong. In all fairness will at jet boat pilot did recommend that I get the twin engine versions which only had a single but larger output port. Incidentally, the jet boat pilot rep who took my order sent me the twin engine versions instead of the single engine versions I ordered. When I called about it, I was told, “this is what will recommended” even though I spoke with will before I placed the order, eventually JBP made things right but required me to return what they sent me in error before sending me what I ordered. That didn’t make me feel like a loyal and trusted customer even though by that point I had spent well over $2k with JBP on other upgrades over several years. Contrast that to Jeff’s service, he quickly sent me what i needed to add thrust diverters to my cobra fins and he sold them to me at a discount. He always sent what I orderednot what he thinks I should have ordered. He has also sent me spacers, bolts, etc. without me asking for them, just a note saying put these on they should remove play, be stronger, etc.

in conclusion, jBP makes a lot of great products but ImHO when it comes to steering fins, they are second to one, cobra fins (and fangs).

@Cobra Jet Steering LLC, Jeff if I can find the time and motivation (to locate and install the hardware needed for my old fangs), I will be calling you to place an order for the latest/largest fangs currently available.

 

[scokill]

JBP=Jeff Boat Pilot?

 

[RobbieO]

Took my boat out 2 times before installing Cobra Fins. Night & day difference. Jeff knows what he’s doing. Went ahead and powder coated them in Clark Griswold Black. Added 10 mph to my top speed

Can I ask what the cost was to powder coat?

 

[HangOutdoors]

Will give an interesting bit of information as well. I was on the water and there was something large floating up a head not far, tough sometimes to see in the chop. I reduce throttle hard and turned. The boat grabbed the water and I missed the floating object. I attributed it to the fins that helped me cut the boat very to starboard and gripped the water (not the best term) without issue. Non of the sloppy rear end.

I don't have an issue with no Wake steering with the fins they help tremendously, but it is the watersports and WOT where I enjoy what they add to the steering and control. My 2 cents.

 

[RobbieO]

Took my boat out 2 times before installing Cobra Fins. Night & day difference. Jeff knows what he’s doing. Went ahead and powder coated them in Clark Griswold Black. Added 10 mph to my top speed

I think you are supposed to put Jeff's sticker back on......Don't forget about the patents!

 

[RobbieO]

If I can find a place that will powder coat the fins, I think I'm going to make the switch. Hopefully I haven't been black balled by Mr. Patent. The Admiral (she's doesn't know she's the Admiral) is not going to be happy. I told her I was done with upgrades. For now.

 

[adrianp89]

Will give an interesting bit of information as well. I was on the water and there was something large floating up a head not far, tough sometimes to see in the chop. I reduce throttle hard and turned. The boat grabbed the water and I missed the floating object. I attributed it to the fins that helped me cut the boat very to starboard and gripped the water (not the best term) without issue. Non of the sloppy rear end.

I don't have an issue with no Wake steering with the fins they help tremendously, but it is the watersports and WOT where I enjoy what they add to the steering and control. My 2 cents.

The cobras give you some control after killing the engines as well. I can kill the engines and turn the boat, it’s great for picking up someone in the water.

 

[HangOutdoors]

@adrianp89 I do that all the time, cool. Slipped my mind.

Is powder coating that important for something this is below the waterline?

 

[RobbieO]

Is powder coating that important for something this is below the waterline?

Yes, people admire that s*** while towing. I've gotten numerous compliments on my TV's just because they "look cool". I'm all about aesthetics too. Just like all your pretty upgrades. And besides, @ AZ JetBoater has said he gained 10 mph!....

 

[johhnyboat]

okay, but I don't think a 1/2 turn got me to 1/8 inch, but I did measure 1/8 inch gap on the outer nozzle when I tightened everything up, so hopefully I'm good.
Going on vacation tomorrow for a week but I will get it in the water and test after that.

 

[Cobra Jet Steering LLC]

It has to do with the leading edges of the fins and the trailing edges of the fins 1/2 turn out on one end of each tie rod makes the fins angle inward remember the fins are 7 inches wide so a small amount in the middle equals a lot from one end of the fin to the other end

 

[bigwaves]

Noticed that you have these set in the 4 and 5 holes? Any reason why you chose that setting vs the 5 and 6 recommendation in the instructions?

Hey flinn, I dropped the fins to the 5 and 6 holes yesterday. I think it gave me a little more bite. Reverse, when keeping your expectations reasonable and speed slow by feathering the throttle was pretty good. I used an empty slip and practiced for an hour with the Admiral. The fins definitely help with the slow speed and I endorse the 5 and 6 holes

 

[Inlikeflinn]

I still haven’t tried mine out. Headed to the lake next weekend.

 

[Cobra Jet Steering LLC]

You guys are killing me , test out the high speed and steering control during rapid deceleration experience the predictability and instant response to the helm.
Then you know you have a real jet boat. Making them steer at slow speed is easy it's getting the proper, handling, predictable response to the helm and the ability to continue steering the boat when decelerating, taking waves and carving them sideways . That is the fun stuff.

 

[bigwaves]

Jeff, I’m very confident the fins will do everything you say they will do but my priority concerns by far are leaving my marina, getting into and out of a fuel dock, into and out of foreign marinas, and back to my marina with as little drama as possible. It’s only me and my wife, not towing anyone, not trying to impress anyone with how fast I can go in a turn. I could care less. If I impress anyone by not hitting another boat or smashing into the dock that would be great. I got the jet boat for its mechanical simplicity and far less maintenance versus a sterndrive Regal I was considering at the time. Oh, and the Yamaha jet boat looked a lot cooler than the regal especially with the tower.
You make an excellent product and the fins help me to minimize the low speed drama. Thank you