VIPER Cobra Jet Steering

Spooling said:

I'm comfortable with the handling of my AR190, but all this talk sure does tempt me. Are there any downsides?

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I'm curious what others on the thread might think, as i have only driven my non cobra jet steering AR190 twice before doing the upgrade.

My only observation is that with a much lower speed to plane, you're wake will be different... It's not like it was huge to begin with, but there certainly isn't a plowing effect like there use to be at a lower speed. To me this isn't a huge downside, just different.

Another thing, I had house guests for a few weeks and we went out on the boat. I was able to let them drive (they are responsible) and didn't have any concerns... they were comfortable driving and enjoying themselves. This, along with perfect pass, makes it so I don't have to be the only driver and can do some watersports too. (I just need to get perfect pass installed now).

You are driving a stock single jet engine boat and you are happy with it???? WOW!!! I hated mine so much that it drove me to developed retrofit capable steering systems for jet boats and p w c's and patent them a long time ago. So honestly if you like it and everyone else can drive it with no issues leave it alone.
As for me I would never even consider owning a jet boat or P W C if it did not have my steering system on it, it's just boring stock. I can pull slalom skiers, or wake boarders or tandem multi person tubes and drive standing on the seat with my hands in the air pulling 5 people. Or drive on my back using my feet to steer pulling tubes etc. turn at W O T practically in place and just cruise with my hands off the steering if I want , so I can't imagine driving a jet propelled watercraft of any style with no additional steering added. So you don't have to keep on the steering wheel left right action all the time you drive the boat or deal with spinouts when you slow down rapidly or need to fight side slide from other boats wakes in tight areas or in rough water. If these things sound familiar that is a down side to not adding a steering system .

Rufusthedog said:

I'm curious what others on the thread might think, as i have only driven my non cobra jet steering AR190 twice before doing the upgrade.

My only observation is that with a much lower speed to plane, you're wake will be different... It's not like it was huge to begin with, but there certainly isn't a plowing effect like there use to be at a lower speed. To me this isn't a huge downside, just different.

Another thing, I had house guests for a few weeks and we went out on the boat. I was able to let them drive (they are responsible) and didn't have any concerns... they were comfortable driving and enjoying themselves. This, along with perfect pass, makes it so I don't have to be the only driver and can do some watersports too. (I just need to get perfect pass installed now).

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This is what the planning surface provides ,, faster hole shots and the ability to maintain planning at lower speeds with a more stable ride in rough water ,the smoother wake means less drag and usually less fuel consumption since drag = more power needed to get on plane and more fuel consumed doing it.

Well. I've gotten used to the things you mentioned. This is my first boat, although I've owned pwc's before. I was surprised in the beginning when I'd spin it out just by trying to come to a stop, but I got used to lowering the throttle more slowly. For the price I'm thinking I may just give this a go. Everything is sounding good.

Wow I drove a jet boat stock for about 10 minutes and put it back on the trailer thinking I made a huge mistake and wanting to just sell it. But something told me I could fix it and I certainly did, after I made steering for it , as soon as I drove it a few seconds I started to smile and I loved that boat once it did what I wanted when I wanted it to. So you being accustom to it is amazing since I had numerous decades of driving boats I just hated how the jet boat felt and responded stock. After patenting my steering and selling it to people I would hear time and time again " IF this system doesn't fix the steering problem I am going to sell this boat and I don't care how much money I loose! "
So I wasn't the only one who did not like how jet boats handled back years ago, so now it's a boat first and a jet second. It's for tubing and skiing wake boarding and cruising and just relaxing on the weekend. Funny how that transition at a time when jet boats were a declining market and people with prop boats did not take jet boats serious .
Jet boat manufacturers were dropping like flies and now they are coming back but if they are not user friendly and a good all around boat for the average family they may just end up going back on the endangered list.
As for your situation I always say buy a new boat without spending a lot of money get the boat you really wanted and start enjoying it more.
You know it is the boat you wanted when you look forward to getting behind the wheel and you hate putting it back on the trailer at the end of the day.

I recently bought an AR190, and I am also generally comfortable with the way it handles and my family really loves the boat. I'm coming from 10 years with a stern drive. Sure, it took an outing or two to adjust, but there is nothing about the way the boat handles that detracts from our enjoyment of the boat in the ways in which we use it (mostly pulling kids and getting to our favorite coves to hangout/swim). Having said that, I've been really tempted to try cobra jet steering for all the benefits mentioned in this thread. I am also thinking it would be easier for someone else to drive the boat, although this isn't a big deal. My wife landed the boat on the trailer on the first try in fairly strong wind.

The only thing that's kept me from pulling the trigger is the worry that I might be adding something that my daughter could kick and injure herself. I wouldn't think this would be an issue with most families, but my daughter has special needs. She's kicked the reverse bucket and the keel a couple of times without cutting herself. I wonder whether the outcome would have been the same had we installed the steering aid. The main reason we bought a jet boat was so that we can make outings safer for my daughter with regard to this specific concern. I would hate to undo that, especially since I don't feel like I need the additional steering aid (granted, I probably don't know what I'm missing). I'm still on the fence, but leaning towards trying it out since it sounds so great and would be a great value for all that it delivers.

These are not the old style 1/8 in thick stainless fins of years past they are 3/16 thick aluminum, they do not go below your factory rudder and they are tumbled to remove square edges although if you wanted to you could round them to your personal preference using a small electric sander or sanding block in just a few minutes for piece of mind if that was your concern.

Cobra Jet Steering LLC said:

These are not the old style 1/8 in thick stainless fins of years past they are 3/16 thick aluminum, they do not go below your factory rudder and they are tumbled to remove square edges although if you wanted to you could round them to your personal preference using a small electric sander or sanding block in just a few minutes for piece of mind if that was your concern.

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That's helpful. Thanks.

I dont have a jet boat yet and Im seriously considering getting one of these to have on hand when my future boat drops in my lap!!

cj3737 said:

I dont have a jet boat yet and Im seriously considering getting one of these to have on hand when my future boats drops in my lap!!

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Actually, i might put another one on my truck. I don't think it'll help but still. j/k.

I installed this on my boat. I think this is a must have add-on to every boat atleast our 19 foot boats.

Thank you , so can you describe the difference it made to the boat in slow speed, high speed, reverse, planing , power steering and tracking? I realize this is a lot to cover but it should have made significant improvements to all of those areas.

Just need to get my father in-laws new address and I'll be sending mine to him to bring up for Christmas. Trying to get another guy that owns a 14 sr192 to get one too. It will help his boat greatly.

Ordered, thanks Jeff. I shipped it to my Father-in-law in Louisiana. Hes coming up after Christmas so works perfect.

Well now it appears we have a slight problem since you are shipping it in the U S A and you forgot to send me a email or pm YOU OVERPAID 45 DOLLARS HAAAAAAAAAAAAAA I already refunded it to your payment Happy Happy holidays and thanks for the order.

Cobra Jet Steering LLC said:

Well now it appears we have a slight problem since you are shipping it in the U S A and you forgot to send me a email or pm YOU OVERPAID 45 DOLLARS HAAAAAAAAAAAAAA I already refunded it to your payment Happy Happy holidays and thanks for the order.

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Lol wicked! if you could just send it to me in cash so I can hide it from my wife it would be perfect. Lol

Cheaper is better I'm happy either way. Now if the dealer would give me my boat back I can store it.

Unfortunately I had to send it back via your payment through your card but you may want to delete this post if your wife reads this web page and uses it against you at some later time LOL.

Cobra Jet Steering LLC said:

Unfortunately I had to send it back via your payment through your card but you may want to delete this post if your wife reads this web page and uses it against you at some later time LOL.

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No worries she knows I hide money for boat,car,sled mods and stupid stuff.

I am probably going to order one of these this week to give it a try. I really like the trim tab idea incorporated into the unit. Will I lose any top end speed with this?

Matts18 said:

I am probably going to order one of these this week to give it a try. I really like the trim tab idea incorporated into the unit. Will I lose any top end speed with this?

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I couldn't say, maybe it did, I was in 3ft chop and the nose was down more not sure if that helped speed or hinderd it. Haven't been on calm water yet to try. I normally can hit 51 on the wisho meter and I was hitting 49. Other factors I'm sure. Low speed on plane is worth it.