DRIVE Neutral Steering Assist - 2024 and newer

[Madman]

Has anyone heard if the FSH (joystick) model has this issue?

Check out posts #42 & 43. @TeeNGee seems to indicate he has noticed the same problem, but is able to use the joy stick to help minimize the issue.

@TommyMcK Sorry I haven’t followed up with you yet, but I can neither confirm nor deny that this is neutral steering assist issue. However I’m willing to assume you’re right! Thank you for your time explaining it to me.

In the meantime, I’m still waiting to hear back from my dealer and have been talking with others about this issue. Hopefully I’ll have more information to share soon. Personally, this is an big issue for me. I had never had a problem trying to retrieve anyone from the water in 15 years, but this Labor Day weekend changed all of that. It’s a long story, but it’s the kind of that keeps you awake at night. I’ve said it before, the way these boats behave in neutral is not only unnatural, but it’s also dangerous and only a matter of time before something really bad happens.

More to come.

 

[Madman]

So I just got off the phone with Yamaha Customer Relations (866-894-1626) and described my experience with the boat. He informed me that this is indeed considered normal for boats equipped with DriveX. I asked how can changing directional control be considered normal when no other boat Yamaha's line, or any other boat for that matter, performs this way. He acknowledged that this a common complaint and their advise is to always center the steering wheel before putting the boat in neutral. I told him that advise was neither helpful nor reasonable. He said he would “bubble it up through the food chain”.

Wow! The best thing about that call was that I was only on hold for about 30 seconds and the call lasted a couple of minutes and the rep was courteous and took down the information.

So it seems I'm getting to the end of the road. The last step is to complete the US Coast Guard Safety Defect Report: Safety Defect Report The US Coast Guard is equivalent to National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

I would encourage everyone with the newer Drive X boats to report it to Yamaha Customer Relations and then complete this report. The form asks for basic information about your boat and a description of the defect. Just contact me and I'll share my description of the defect that you can edit accordingly.

Our best chance for getting this fixed is if everyone does their part!

 

[Cobra Jet Steering LLC]

Yamaha P W C's steer backward in reverse due to the reverse bucket design and I just remember to turn the helm in the direction I want my bow to move rather that where I want the back of the boat to go also my added steering on thy p w c stabilizes the reverse so it is not so touchy and makes it predictable and comfortable. So maybe you want to try my latest model specific steering on your new style nozzles and reverse buckets
if the nozzles are turning and the boat is traveling forward or reverse even without thrust the steering will continue to control the boat .

A comment from a customer who tried this on his boat
2024 FSH Sport H Cobra Jet Steering.
I installed the Cobra Jet steering fins and tested on the lake yesterday. One word….Amazing!!
The install is simple but I did spend time ensuring the fin was aligned (clocked) perfectly with the nozzle.
I noticed the difference the moment I backed off the trailer. Low speed control was much better. Obviously the helm control is the the way to go around a dock, but the Cobra fins provide more control in the absence of the articulating keel.
My complaints with this boat from the first day on the water were …constant drifting at trolling speed (3-5mph)…left turn every time you cut the throttle and come off plane…drifting when on plane at speed.
Tested yesterday with 10-15 mph winds with moderate rollers from wake boats and bass tournament. Trolling speed required very little to no input to maintain course! As a fisherman this was my primary concern. Problem eliminated!! The left turn dive also eliminated. Drifting at speed reduced significantly.
Is it worth it?? Absolutely!!
I hope this helps the others that have been asking about this system.

 

[VitaminSea]

@Cobra Jet Steering LLC - I have your fins on my 2024 252SD, and agree that they make a noticeable improvement with tracking, the do not address the issues that @Madman has detailed. The moment you stop giving forward thrust with the wheel turned, the back of the boat starts to swing out in the opposite direction. This makes docking dicey if you try to dock a DriveX boat as you would with a single throttle vessel. I haven’t tried splitting the throttles, but instead use a combination of the side thrust and the fwd/reverse paddles while keeping the wheel centered.

 

[Madman]

@Cobra Jet Steering LLC - I have your fins on my 2024 252SD, and agree that they make a noticeable improvement with tracking, the do not address the issues that @Madman has detailed. The moment you stop giving forward thrust with the wheel turned, the back of the boat starts to swing out in the opposite direction. This makes docking dicey if you try to dock a DriveX boat as you would with a single throttle vessel. I haven’t tried splitting the throttles, but instead use a combination of the side thrust and the fwd/reverse paddles while keeping the wheel centered.

I’m not the sharpest knife in the drawer, but splitting the throttles hasn’t worked well for me. Maybe I’m just old, but I make a list of things to try every time I go out. I literally wrote a post-it note yesterday to remind myself to try using both paddles simultaneously, keeping the boat out neutral. Does that work? Hoping to get out this weekend yet and try it.

 

[Madman]

Yamaha P W C's steer backward in reverse due to the reverse bucket design and I just remember to turn the helm in the direction I want my bow to move rather that where I want the back of the boat to go also my added steering on thy p w c stabilizes the reverse so it is not so touchy and makes it predictable and comfortable. So maybe you want to try my latest model specific steering on your new style nozzles and reverse buckets
View attachment 239494 if the nozzles are turning and the boat is traveling forward or reverse even without thrust the steering will continue to control the boat .

A comment from a customer who tried this on his boat
2024 FSH Sport H Cobra Jet Steering.
I installed the Cobra Jet steering fins and tested on the lake yesterday. One word….Amazing!!
The install is simple but I did spend time ensuring the fin was aligned (clocked) perfectly with the nozzle.
I noticed the difference the moment I backed off the trailer. Low speed control was much better. Obviously the helm control is the the way to go around a dock, but the Cobra fins provide more control in the absence of the articulating keel.
My complaints with this boat from the first day on the water were …constant drifting at trolling speed (3-5mph)…left turn every time you cut the throttle and come off plane…drifting when on plane at speed.
Tested yesterday with 10-15 mph winds with moderate rollers from wake boats and bass tournament. Trolling speed required very little to no input to maintain course! As a fisherman this was my primary concern. Problem eliminated!! The left turn dive also eliminated. Drifting at speed reduced significantly.
Is it worth it?? Absolutely!!
I hope this helps the others that have been asking about this system.

Thanks for the feedback. Your fins would definitely help with tracking in the open water, especially with towables. Based on Yamaha’s response, this might not be the right boat for us, but your fins are something we’ll consider once we sort it all out.

 

[FSH 210 Sport]

I’m not the sharpest knife in the drawer, but splitting the throttles hasn’t worked well for me. Maybe I’m just old, but I make a list of things to try every time I go out. I literally wrote a post-it note yesterday to remind myself to try using both paddles simultaneously, keeping the boat out neutral. Does that work? Hoping to get out this weekend yet and try it.

So when you split the throttles, you are keeping the steering wheel centered and not touching it when you spilt the throttles correct? If you use the steering wheel when you split the throttles it will not work correctly at all.

 

[TommyMcK]

So when you split the throttles, you are keeping the steering wheel centered and not touching it when you spilt the throttles correct? If you use the steering wheel when you split the throttles it will not work correctly at all.

Don't mean to be stalking you fsh! I find the issue interesting though, and have pretty much calibrated myself so that it feels intuitive now...

Regarding splitting throttles, you are right that since the steering is centered, there is no issue by definition. Generally though, I don't find these jetboats to be super duper in terms of control with split throttles. Maybe there just isn't enough separation between the nozzles...but it doesn't work as well as with twin outboards or stern drives in my experience.

There are two things that do work with the XDs. First, using the side thrust controls in concert with paddles to control lateral and in-line position, while using the steering wheel to control rotation workts. It does require some coordination though since it involves working two buttons, two paddles and the wheel rotation, all at the same time. That's why it's so much nicer with the fsh's with a joystick. You can do the same thing with one hand.

I find that using the paddles and just training yourself to deal with the steering wheel position in neutral is super easy though, and I reserve the side thrust for when I need to sneak between two boats with not much more separation than a boat length.ace

It's all academic for me since I recently got rid of the 255 for a bigger boat.

 

[FSH 210 Sport]

Don't mean to be stalking you fsh! I find the issue interesting though, and have pretty much calibrated myself so that it feels intuitive now...

Regarding splitting throttles, you are right that since the steering is centered, there is no issue by definition. Generally though, I don't find these jetboats to be super duper in terms of control with split throttles. Maybe there just isn't enough separation between the nozzles...but it doesn't work as well as with twin outboards or stern drives in my experience.

There are two things that do work with the XDs. First, using the side thrust controls in concert with paddles to control lateral and in-line position, while using the steering wheel to control rotation workts. It does require some coordination though since it involves working two buttons, two paddles and the wheel rotation, all at the same time. That's why it's so much nicer with the fsh's with a joystick. You can do the same thing with one hand.

I find that using the paddles and just training yourself to deal with the steering wheel position in neutral is super easy though, and I reserve the side thrust for when I need to sneak between two boats with not much more separation than a boat length.ace

It's all academic for me since I recently got rid of the 255 for a bigger boat.

LOL! No worries! I don’t think you’re stalking!! It’s all good to have these conversations for the benefit of all.

On my little 210 FSH, I use split throttles a lot with great success, the only time it doesn’t work that well is when its really windy, then I have to use both throttles together and the steering wheel. I agree, that with twin outboards or I/O’s there is going to be more bite in the water.

I’m sure the “H” model with its joystick makes things pretty simple though..

Got rid of the 255 for a bigger boat??? Do tell?

 

[TommyMcK]

Got rid of the 255 for a bigger boat??? Do tell?

Cruisers Yachts 34gls. We're not much for overnighting on boats, but the theory is that bigger will be better when it comes to venturing farther afield and staying out all day. The boat handles great and is super comfortable. And it's still small enough that we can still get into and out of just about all of the places we go with the 255. The cabin and head are surprisingly large for what amounts to an overgrown bowrider. Amazing what they can stuff into these. I still have the 222XD in Maryland. Ideally, I'd have sorted out the logistics of selling the 222 and transporting the 255 up to Maryland but it would have been a hassle. I like the 222XD nearly as much, and it doesn't suffer from the "dreaded" reverse steering issue, so it has that going for it

 

[Madman]

So when you split the throttles, you are keeping the steering wheel centered and not touching it when you spilt the throttles correct? If you use the steering wheel when you split the throttles it will not work correctly at all.

Sorry for the late response. Spent a little time in Canada with the family. I'm still getting a feel for throttle remotes as they are much smoother than and more responsive than my previous boat. One concern is just the position of the throttles. As you know, with a center console, the remotes are placed high and right in the center, making it easier to control with each hand. On my boat their down to the right and since I'm usually standing while recovering, I have to squat quite a bit to reach them. I winterized the boat early this year, so this is something I will add to my list and experiment with next season.

 

[Madman]

Cruisers Yachts 34gls. We're not much for overnighting on boats, but the theory is that bigger will be better when it comes to venturing farther afield and staying out all day. The boat handles great and is super comfortable. And it's still small enough that we can still get into and out of just about all of the places we go with the 255. The cabin and head are surprisingly large for what amounts to an overgrown bowrider. Amazing what they can stuff into these. I still have the 222XD in Maryland. Ideally, I'd have sorted out the logistics of selling the 222 and transporting the 255 up to Maryland but it would have been a hassle. I like the 222XD nearly as much, and it doesn't suffer from the "dreaded" reverse steering issue, so it has that going for it
View attachment 240387

Nice upgrade! Congratulations!

 

[FSH 210 Sport]

Sorry for the late response. Spent a little time in Canada with the family. I'm still getting a feel for throttle remotes as they are much smoother than and more responsive than my previous boat. One concern is just the position of the throttles. As you know, with a center console, the remotes are placed high and right in the center, making it easier to control with each hand. On my boat their down to the right and since I'm usually standing while recovering, I have to squat quite a bit to reach them. I winterized the boat early this year, so this is something I will add to my list and experiment with next season.

Hope you had a great time in Canada !

So I’m going to assume that you were not keeping the wheel centered?

The controls being buried down on the right side is a good and bad thing and was a subject of thread concerning the helm on the starboard side instead of the port side.

Here’s my girls showing how it’s done …