Hello all! We've got some HUGE news that we'd like to share today. But first if you'd prefer to watch the video version of the below dissertation of our new Thrust Vector product, click on this link:
Video Version
It is hard to believe that 10 years ago JetBoatPilot released its first product, Thrust Vector. Thrust Vector was an immediate success. Over time we stayed connected to our customers and listened to their feedback. Most of the feedback was positive, with users telling us that they enjoyed the added control and confidence that came along with it. But some told us that they wish that they had more control. So we acted upon these few suggestions and rolled out Thrust Vector XL. It was only 2 inches longer, but light years ahead in terms of added control.
In 2015 Yamaha released new 24 foot models with the addition of the Articulating Keel. This made necessary a dramatic change in the system to allow it to work with newer and older style boats. We called this system Thrust Vector XV, for the roman numerals 15... as in 2015.... get it?....ok moving on.
Again in 2019 Yamaha released a new nozzle design and once again we had to adapt our design to work with new nozzles and legacy boats. We called this product Thrust Vector X. Thrust Vector X was not the only new addition that year. We also launched in the same year, Thrust Vector Wake, our low speed steering enhancement that also enhances watersports activities like tubing, wakeboarding and wake surfing.
Over the last two years since the introduction of our current Thrust Vector products we have received a lot of great feedback in regards to how the system performs. Unfortunately we've also received feedback that the installation is difficult, too time consuming, and too technical. People don't like the epoxy step and the time associated with letting the epoxy cure. We've also had to handle a significantly higher number of warranty claims than with our previous Thrust Vector systems. Most of these warranty claims are related to cosmetic issues like faded anodized finishes or flaking powder coating.
Because of these issues inherent with the current design Both Thrust Vector X and Thrust Vector Wake will be discontinued in November. Inventory has been reduced and a percentage of our stock has been allocated for warranty parts.
In the spirit of continual improvement over the last 12 months we have been in development of a new system to replace both Thrust Vector X and Thrust Vector Wake. The goals were clear.
Make the new system easy to install.
Reduce complexity and eliminate technical steps such as height gauges and adjustment angles.
Eliminate EPOXY!
Provide a clean surf wave and minimize the spray for tubers.
Get away from aluminum fins and back to flexible and color fast polymer fins.
Make the system universal so it works with all jet boats, all years.
Break up the Thrust Vector Wake System so that the fins and jetwash deflector can be sold separately.
And finally reduce the cost.
We are pleased to announce that we have succeeded in accomplishing all of these goals. Our new system, in the spirit of simplicity, is called Thrust Vector. No more acronyms to confuse potential buyers as they try to make a decision on what to buy.
Our new patent pending Thrust Vector system is a first of its kind. Since its introduction in 2010 Thrust Vector has relied upon jet thrust to actuate the fins to the up position. We found that the spring tension pulling the fins downward creates a small amount of spray while at speeds above 10 mph. This spray is minimal and is not the spray associated with the spray that tubers face (quite literally) when tubing. The spray is mostly noticed when attempting to clean up the surf wave at or around 10-11 mph. To eliminate the spray while surfing while at the same time eliminating complexity, epoxy and adjustment steps, we had to reimagine how to actuate the fins into the up position. The answer was actually quite simple. We created an actuator that uses water flow beneath the boat as a lifting force. This new patent pending design allows Thrust Vector to remain in the down position until around 5 mph. As the boat speeds up the force exerted on the small vertical plates at the bottom of the actuator exceeds the hold down force of the spring. At this moment the fins rotate upward and as the boat reaches plane speeds the fins are carried out of the water completely. The only part of the system that comes into contact with the water are the two small plates which we call skis. They act similarly to the way that water skis work when skiing behind a boat. The angle is such that the skis always press the fins in an upward direction.
What's really great about this new method of actuation is that the actuator does not come into contact with the jet wash at speeds above 5 mph. This means that the spray created by an older version of Thrust Vector is eliminated, creating a favorable surf wave for boaters who want to go surfing.
We've tested on both twin engine and single engine boats and the results are the same in all scenarios. Great low speed control and no added spray while at plane speeds. And, there's more. This new method of actuating our fins to the up position also allows us to reduce the number of springs used to keep the fins down. And it allows us to completely remove the spring stops which eliminates the need for epoxy and cure times. NO MORE EPOXY!
But it gets better still. One of the only complaints we've ever received on our BRP Thrust Vector Kits is that the cross member with the bump stop would commonly rub the underside of the reverse bucket. This would create a scratch on the powder coated surface and in worst case scenarios potentially cause difficulty lowering the reverse gate to the fully down position. With our new patent pending design, the cross member and bump stop have been completely eliminated from the BRP Thrust Vector product! There is now no possible way for the system to scratch powder coated surfaces complete freedom to move the reverse gate up or down without interference.
Thrust Vector for Yamaha Jet Boats will be offered at pre-sale pricing at $399.95 for twin engine boats. For single engine models it will be pre sold at $199.95. Final retail numbers will be determined nearer to product launch which is slated for January 2021. BRP Thrust Vectors will pre sell at $399 for a twin and $199 for a single. The final retail should remain the same as it has been, $439.95 for a twin engine version and $219.95 for a single engine version.
JetWash Deflector will now be sold separately and will sell at $349.95 for the 21 and 23 foot version and $699.95 for the 24 foot version. When you buy the Thrust Vector system and JetWash Deflector at the same time there will be a combo discount of $50 for 21/23 footers and $100 for 24/25 footers. (JetWash Deflector is not needed for single engine jet boats.)
Beta testing has been ongoing since spring 2020. We have tested extensively in house with much success but experience has taught us that beta testing is critical and that it must be done to ensure the highest quality and best possible customer experience when delivered. If you would like to be a beta tester of our all new Thrust Vector system please e-mail us at
will@jetboatpilot.com. We'll be able to give you more details when the beta units are ready to ship. Ideally users who want to participate in the beta program will reside in warmer climates like Florida or Texas so that testing may continue even during the cooler fall season. However if you live in an area where you can continue boating in the fall we'd be glad to send you a beta unit if you'll be willing to go boating in the cold.
With your help we hope to begin shipping product in January 2021. Please email us with any questions you may have. We'll be glad to help you any way that we can.
