Cobra Jet VIPER AK-19, not as much fun installing as I hoped for.

[lokart]

I don't care if they are inline with the lower fins. I want them to be the correct angle. I'm asking if my photos look right. According to your response, the top fins are angled too far inward.

 

[Cobra Jet Steering LLC]

You should have the fangs either even with each other front and back or with the front in and the back out slightly.

 

[lokart]

You should have the fangs either even with each other front and back or with the front in and the back out slightly.

I understand. I'm saying I've already done that and they are still angled inward... is this normal and if so why aren't they equally angled. The port is not at the same angle as the starboard.

 

[Cobra Jet Steering LLC]

the pictures are not very easy to see what is the actual distance between the front of the fins and the back of the fins inside wall to inside wall?

 

[Cobra Jet Steering LLC]

so to me one side looks straight and the other looks a bit angled inward if you can not get it to at least be even with the other one I would suggest using a small round file and adjusting the hole on the largest part of the base to accommodate the needed adjustment.

 

[lokart]

the pictures are not very easy to see what is the actual distance between the front of the fins and the back of the fins inside wall to inside wall?

I can't get the tape all the way to the front of the fin because of the nozzle, but you can see nearly 3/4 inch difference from mid-point to rear of fin.

 

[lokart]

so to me one side looks straight and the other looks a bit angled inward if you can not get it to at least be even with the other one I would suggest using a small round file and adjusting the hole on the largest part of the base to accommodate the needed adjustment.

I shouldn't have to do that. The product should be manufactured correctly.

 

[Cobra Jet Steering LLC]

measure the distances between the base looks like possibly the fangs are angled outward rather than being at a 90 degree angle if that is the case it is easy to correct looking at the bases of the fangs where they mount to the viper it looks exactly the same .

 

[lokart]

measure the distances between the base looks like possibly the fangs are angled outward rather than being at a 90 degree angle if that is the case it is easy to correct

My point is, I should not have to be going through this. I still can not get a clean measurement with the nozzle there. The rear of the fin is 10-1/4 at the base and 10-1/8 at the top of the fin. So nearly a square 90. The issue seems to be that the mounting holes for the top fins were not drilled in the correct place.

 

[Cobra Jet Steering LLC]

I am trying to help you I look at a picture and see one thing and then look at another and see something else I have never run into this I always tell people to call me or email me if they have a issue or a question . I'm am coming in on the tail end of this, the parts are laser cut never had any issues with the fins hitting the plate or the bolt not coming out with the plate on, If you had contacted me in the beginning when you had an issue with the fins hitting the plate I would have told you to cease and send back the part for me to check, I tell you what I will do if it helps I will send you the super ultimate ak-19 deluxe setup and you can return this to me so I can see what the heck is going on with this anomaly. but the holes for the fang bases look like they are in perfect position looking at the bases rather than the fangs

 

[Cobra Jet Steering LLC]

That is not possible the parts are cut by a huge computer operated laser no one drills the holes I am still baffled why your having the issues, I would say looking at the base of the fangs they are perfectly even with each other so now it is probably just as simple as a fang being off kilter and needing to be corrected, The fangs are also cut by the computer operated laser but I form them in a jig and perhaps I did not get one at a perfect angle and all it needs is a tweak, again I am just trying to run through any possibility.

 

[lokart]

I am trying to help you I look at a picture and see one thing and then look at another and see something else I have never run into this I always tell people to call me or email me if they have a issue or a question . I'm am coming in on the tail end of this, the parts are laser cut never had any issues with the fins hitting the plate or the bolt not coming out with the plate on, If you had contacted me in the beginning when you had an issue with the fins hitting the plate I would have told you to cease and send back the part for me to check, I tell you what I will do if it helps I will send you the super ultimate ak-19 deluxe setup and you can return this to me so I can see what the heck is going on with this anomaly. but the holes for the fang bases look like they are in perfect position looking at the bases rather than the fangs

I understand where you are coming from. It's just frustrating! The fins hitting the ride plate doesn't really matter, it all started when the ride plate rudder bolt would not clear the plate. Even the allen bolt doesn't clear. Had to pull the plate to even know if the fins were goin to hit, wouldn't have known to even question that from the beginning. It all makes sense now. The plate is father back and so the pivot bolt will not clear and the fins now hit the plate. What a mess! I'll take you up on the offer to swap this out and send you back this unit.

 

[lokart]

I understand where you are coming from. It's just frustrating! The fins hitting the ride plate doesn't really matter, it all started when the ride plate rudder bolt would not clear the plate. Even the allen bolt doesn't clear. Had to pull the plate to even know if the fins were goin to hit, wouldn't have known to even question that from the beginning. It all makes sense now. The plate is father back and so the pivot bolt will not clear and the fins now hit the plate. What a mess! I'll take you up on the offer to swap this out and send you back this unit.

Does the deluxe eliminate any need for trim tabs? Or is there no substitute for a good set of tabs?

 

[Cobra Jet Steering LLC]

it is not as big as tabs but it also helps with water spray behind the boat I am really wondering why your ride plate is the way it is I thought I saw white sealant where your pump forcing cone meets the back of the pump and that is not normal from what I remember but I would need to go back and look at the pictures again. Just looked and don't see it but the first pictures show me the fang on the drivers side is angled out a bit looks like the fang bend is no 90 degrees and that is why the distances are off.. you may want to try it with the top fangs off and send back those fangs so I can check them and send new ones that I personally inspect to be sure they are 90 degrees easier than removing the base all over again.

 

[lokart]

it is not as big as tabs but it also helps with water spray behind the boat I am really wondering why your ride plate is the way it is I thought I saw white sealant where your pump forcing cone meets the back of the pump and that is not normal from what I remember but I would need to go back and look at the pictures again. Just looked and don't see it but the first pictures show me the fang on the drivers side is angled out a bit looks like the fang bend is no 90 degrees and that is why the distances are off.. you may want to try it with the top fangs off and send back those fangs so I can check them and send new ones that I personally inspect to be sure they are 90 degrees easier than removing the base all over again.

I can remove the whole thing now. I have the plate notched now for the allen head to pass. If you want to do the swap to the deluxe.

 

[Cobra Jet Steering LLC]

pm sent

 

[adrianp89]

Just got my set put on, took 15-20 minutes after aligning the nozzles, no issues.

 

[lokart]

Jeff sent me the super fins to swap out the viper fins. Got those installed few weeks back but hadn't had time to test them until this weekend. Ran the boat 50 miles yesterday up the St Johns river to Blue Springs park. The boat racks 100 times better than OEM rudder. I don't have to constantly correct the steering anymore. Reverse is a little better, but some of that is likely my still learning how to maneuver a jet boat. I've been outboard my whole life and this is the shortest boat I've owned. Next step, install my Bennett trim tabs with the AtuoTrimPro. I wanted to drive the boat with each of the three progressive steering systems from OEM up to see how it compares as I add-on.