New AR195 Owner - Any upgrades recommended?

FLBulldogger · Mar 26, 2018

So you guys up in Iowa have had a chance to get the boat out for a run? That's fantastic, I would think that with the AK that you wouldn't need much more to help you at low speeds, unless you are on a river with big currents and winds. Sounds like a great season ahead...

With no AK we have found he the CJS Viper to help us through the currents and tides of the gulf coast.

SCP1 · Mar 27, 2018

I’m thinking the Lateral Thruster may make a great upgrade. I have seen plenty of successful reviews on the twin engines, now just waiting for some feeeback on the performance on a single engine one.

tweeter1148 · Apr 1, 2018

Yeah I read that post but I really need some guidance on the depth finder/sonar.

jEt_jAk · Apr 1, 2018

I just got a 195 recently, here is what I have done:
Replace bow roller with Stoltz
Replace trailer lights with LED
Install Boat Buckles on trailer
Install Thrust Vectors
Tint Windows
Removed stickers and named it

Next on list:
Install Prosport 6
Mounting location for Fire Extinguisher
Spare tire on trailer
Paint horn grill (black)

Zach Ahmed · May 11, 2018

newer yamahas have the articulating keep.. dont need any of that aftermarket stuff. docks trailers fine.

DogDad · Jun 10, 2018

Where did you find a good spare tire for your AR195? I'd like to do the same thing but figured the dealer would overcharge ha ha.

Midnight2V · Jun 10, 2018

I bought mine at TSC.

FLBulldogger · Jun 10, 2018

Bought mine at a local trailer parts store.

jEt_jAk · Jun 17, 2018

jEt_jAk said:
I just got a 195 recently, here is what I have done:
Replace bow roller with Stoltz
Replace trailer lights with LED
Install Boat Buckles on trailer
Install Thrust Vectors
Tint Windows
Removed stickers and named it
Mounting location for Fire Extinguisher
Paint horn grill (black)

Next on list:
Spare tire on trailer
Install Prosport 6
SeaDek in cockpit

Updated

DogDad · Jun 17, 2018

I just added my CobraJetSteering Viper today.

DogDad · Jun 17, 2018

On the AR195 .... I wish there was a two piece SeaDek kit for the rear middle seat area. I don't want to buy the whole kit as I don't need it yet but that step area will get scratched up by my pup.

#10 & #11 in the in THIS diagram

DBamaC · Jun 17, 2018

Call JBP and see what he’ll do. He’s a super helpful guy and if he’s not losing money I bet he’ll work with you.

KyleP · Jun 17, 2018

DogDad said:
On the AR195 .... I wish there was a two piece SeaDek kit for the rear middle seat area. I don't want to buy the whole kit as I don't need it yet but that step area will get scratched up by my pup.

#10 & #11 in the in THIS diagram

You can order just those steps from Jet Boat Pilot. @JetBoatPilot

jEt_jAk · Jun 20, 2018

Did this today

was kinda a pain to get back here! Used spacers to keep off carpet.

Kellen McWhite · Jun 23, 2018

Just wanted to send a huge THANK YOU to the community. My “average size garage opening” is now home to an 18’ AR195 thanks to all the support from members demonstrating how easy it is to tuck her in for the night. I was apprehensive based on the dealer specs but 30min, $5 and voila. If there are any Yamaha Corp folks on here, fix that already. You have a windshield and a clear capability of tucking the tower beneath it, just make it standard.

Already installed TV and LTE as well. Tomorrow is the maiden voyage. I’m gonna wipe a bunch of smile all over my kiddos faces.

Thanks again and looking forward to more mods and fun.

Kellen McWhite · Jun 24, 2018

Yup! Smiles all around. My 10 month old didn’t fuss but she definitely doesn’t like her life jacket. Any suggestions for an infant life jacket that doesn’t fit like sausage casing?

Knocked out the first day jitters on my first jet boat experience. Lots of chop for some reason even though it didn’t seem windy. I never realized how many weedy areas were around Lake Minnetonka but that clean out port is insane. I pulled out gobs of weeds several times and was back to planing in under a min.

I also didn’t realize that there really isn’t a reverse. Thanks to LTE I turned a failed forward approach at docking at the end of the day to a 180 reverse to nestle up nice and close. Would have looked planned if only I didn’t have my fenders and ties one the opposite side of the boat. Docking for lunch was a breeze though. Part luck I’m certain that the perfect spot was available at the bar but I’m also gonna claim some level of competence here from my pontoon days.

And the last feature worth commenting on is the no wake and cruise modes. Coming from an outboard to a jet I couldn’t imagine not having these available. The throttle response is sick. I’m considering waiting until the kids aren’t with me and I’ll actually wear a life vest while piloting to really see how it handles.

Final share today, my kids came up with 3 options for the boat name. Caffeina, Cheesy Fingers and John Deere. #needmoreoptions #notonmyboat #youcallitwhatyouwantwhen youhaveajob

SCP1 · Jun 24, 2018

Kellen McWhite said:
Yup! Smiles all around. My 10 month old didn’t fuss but she definitely doesn’t like her life jacket. Any suggestions for an infant life jacket that doesn’t fit like sausage casing?

Knocked out the first day jitters on my first jet boat experience. Lots of chop for some reason even though it didn’t seem windy. I never realized how many weedy areas were around Lake Minnetonka but that clean out port is insane. I pulled out gobs of weeds several times and was back to planing in under a min.

I also didn’t realize that there really isn’t a reverse. Thanks to LTE I turned a failed forward approach at docking at the end of the day to a 180 reverse to nestle up nice and close. Would have looked planned if only I didn’t have my fenders and ties one the opposite side of the boat. Docking for lunch was a breeze though. Part luck I’m certain that the perfect spot was available at the bar but I’m also gonna claim some level of competence here from my pontoon days.

And the last feature worth commenting on is the no wake and cruise modes. Coming from an outboard to a jet I couldn’t imagine not having these available. The throttle response is sick. I’m considering waiting until the kids aren’t with me and I’ll actually wear a life vest while piloting to really see how it handles.

Final share today, my kids came up with 3 options for the boat name. Caffeina, Cheesy Fingers and John Deere. #needmoreoptions #notonmyboat #youcallitwhatyouwantwhen youhaveajob

Regarding the infant life jacket we noticed the Brand really makes a difference in comfort. We didn’t realize this until we bought our 2nd infant life jacket so we could have a dry one after being in the water. The original one we had was a Cars one my parents got for for us. We now have a regular infant one from Overton’s and a neoprene one from Overtons’s as well. I included the links to the ones we now have, I did notice Overton’s has one that looks uncomfortable as well. Stick with these 2 below.

https://www.overtons.com/product/details?pdesc=Overtons-Infant-Nylon-Life-Vest&i=304477

https://www.overtons.com/product/details?pdesc=Overtons-Infant-BioLite-Life-Jacket&i=307689

DogDad · Jun 24, 2018

Kellen McWhite said:
Just wanted to send a huge THANK YOU to the community. My “average size garage opening” is now home to an 18’ AR195 thanks to all the support from members demonstrating how easy it is to tuck her in for the night. I was apprehensive based on the dealer specs but 30min, $5 and voila. If there are any Yamaha Corp folks on here, fix that already. You have a windshield and a clear capability of tucking the tower beneath it, just make it standard.

Already installed TV and LTE as well. Tomorrow is the maiden voyage. I’m gonna wipe a bunch of smile all over my kiddos faces.

Thanks again and looking forward to more mods and fun.

Just a comment... I too have a 195 where I need to raise and lower that wake tower every time I take it out. Those Wake tower knobs with the springs are super easy to cross thread!!!!! I actually removed the knob nut, spring and washer so I can more easily properly seat those knobs. I did jack one of mine up the third time putting it backup and I was being careful. Believe it or not that knob is $40!

I feel like the tower puts a load on those bolts when screwing them in and they need to be just perfect... also it would't hurt to lubricate the threads a bit. Your call but I feel like I'm cautious and it still happened.

Kellen McWhite · Jun 25, 2018

DogDad said:
Just a comment... I too have a 195 where I need to raise and lower that wake tower every time I take it out. Those Wake tower knobs with the springs are super easy to cross thread!!!!! I actually removed the knob nut, spring and washer so I can more easily properly seat those knobs. I did jack one of mine up the third time putting it backup and I was being careful. Believe it or not that knob is $40!

I feel like the tower puts a load on those bolts when screwing them in and they need to be just perfect... also it would't hurt to lubricate the threads a bit. Your call but I feel like I'm cautious and it still happened.

Thanks for the heads up. I’ll keep that top of mind when raising and lowering the tower.

DavisAR195 · Jun 25, 2018

I added a 4th pop-up cleat on each side which helps greatly with fender placement and docking.

New AR195 Owner - Any upgrades recommended?

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