First day with Cobra Jet fins

[adrianp89]

The boat seems hard to turn at high speeds. I have concerns the Cobras would make it worse. I may install tabs at some point if it will help with the squirrliness in wavy water. Is that even a word? Lol. Not sure you could install tabs with the Cobras

I have the Cobras, I made an almost 90 degree turn at 43mph yesterday. No issues what so ever, honestly probably easier than stock, but I can't remember.

 

[NewBoater]

I’ve had them on 2 boats now. Wouldn’t go without them on any Yamaha moving forward. Fantastic product made by a great guy that’s always willing to help. Jeff’s the best! Loving my fins on my 242X!

 

[johhnyboat]

The boat seems hard to turn at high speeds. I have concerns the Cobras would make it worse. I may install tabs at some point if it will help with the squirrliness in wavy water. Is that even a word? Lol. Not sure you could install tabs with the Cobras

If you mean trim tabs then yes, I have Lectro Trim Tabs and the Cobra Jest steering. not really that close to each other.

 

[Cobra Jet Steering LLC]

Yeah i have to give it some thought if its worth it or not to make the switch

This is my point FEATURES and BENIFITS no comparison do you want slow speed at the dock only I have that but I also have all the other features and benefits try doing a fast turn and rapidly decelerate or tack a big wave sideways even my reverse upgrades do real reverse and increase the real reverse thrust for wind waves and current, and I do not make one size fits all I customize them and I constantly take feedback and make changes to the parts like the change to super fins and mega fang plus or the plaining surfaces . to name just a few most importantly this is " NOT JUST AT THE DOCK" it is all the way to W O T and water sport activities, even off power. It's what I do . so as I always say do your research and but your last steering system first!

 

[mrcleanr6]

Honestly jeff, its only at no wake speeds where i needed the improvement. The boat really does handle fine on plane. On my last boat i had the ultimates so those were like the tv and went up and down. I remember trying them both locked down and retracted at speed. That boat benefitted from them being down at speed. This boat is a different animal though and i think it handles great other than the slithering back and forth at slow speed. Maybe your fins would improve high speed as well. Just saying i am not unhappy with the tracking on plane in stock form.

 

[Cobra Jet Steering LLC]

By the way I carefully design the super fins so they do not make it hard to turn at speed , it is in the design that the majority of the fin is up above the bottom of the nozzle when the boat is on plane because the nozzle is above the water then and you choose the amount of influence that you want plus I know better than to build in what I call the fulcrum effect in the fins since the longer you make them the more they work against you, then I have the fangs to make them even less obvious as those lead forward of the pivot point of the nozzles to help with turning the nozzle.
Take a look at what Yamaha did with the 19 foot rudders, it has a fang and I had that feature on my very first set of steering, and many more variations of forward leading fins to make it easy to turn. I read some of the troll stuff and remind people I am the innovator of this it is what I do if you believe everything you read on the internet just remember this, I put my name on what I have to say and I never hire marketing people to create fake profiles or become hired guns etc or post nonsense I just say do your research and buy your last system first.

Honestly jeff, its only at no wake speeds where i needed the improvement. The boat really does handle fine on plane. On my last boat i had the ultimates so those were like the tv and went up and down. I remember trying them both locked down and retracted at speed. That boat benefitted from them being down at speed. This boat is a different animal though and i think it handles great other than the slithering back and forth at slow speed. Maybe your fins would improve high speed as well. Just saying i am not unhappy with the tracking on plane in stock form.

So if you rapidly reduce your speed in a turn the boat steers fine??? and does not loose a lot of speed in high speed turns . Here is a 24 foot boat with the very first set of spring loaded cobra fins nearly a decade ago

and it just got better and better from there. but remember I do this myself and I stay busy.

 

[mrcleanr6]

Sure, she does lose speed in tight turns. Coming from waverunners i think we all know that chopping the throttle is something you dont do. I dont ever really do it so its not an issue for that really. Not to mention if you do that on a 275 you have a good tidal wave that comes up the back of the boat through the walkway and into the cockpit if you forget to put the gate in place. Im sure at some point ill give you a call to discuss options. Might be half way through this season when i do a haul out for cleaning or maybe end of season. Who knows. Right now i just want to get some time on it and see how it goes. Either way i can say i have had both systems and i do like the construction of yours better without a doubt.

 

[Cobra Jet Steering LLC]

I also have the patented second tie rod to balance out the steering system. and the top fins for even more slow speed assistance added to the super fins and the AK fangs that also help with the slow speed turns and other areas.

 

[cgarofalo]

Please feel free to open that door any time I appreciate the opportunity to address the silent majority and no worries I will not be making any colored fins unless the color makes them perform better. Here are some blue ones a customer did on their own .

Jeff, any idea what product this customer used to paint those? That looks slick, I might want to do that myself!

 

[Cobra Jet Steering LLC]

Yes off the shelf Rust-Oleum high gloss metallic or all in one , I use it for custom built parts I also tell people to let me know if they plan on doing powder coat or paint or anodizing there also have a chemical for blackening aluminum . If I know ahead of time I can send the parts and decals separate so they can be done and then stickered after coloring . I did special finishes many years ago but Now I have several model specific systems and upgrades etc for most of the Yamaha lineup And the internet shows people how to do their own anodizing etc. So I stay focused on making STEERING systems with the most features and benefits and stay away from BLING. I leave that is up to the customer. I keep my overhead low so I can keep offering buy direct discount prices on my steering. and I am not getting any younger so Now I have to decide if I want to continue doing this or sell it and really retire, I have 1 year left to hit 70 and maybe my steering needs to be put on the market properly not as a part time 14 hour a day job LOL, yea that is just about how many hours I spend in the busy months from the time I get up to the time O go to bed I am dealing with this because it's my baby been doing this 20 years. like I say the class of 2021 every year I see the same questions and some of the same nonsense , just the names change but I still address the silent majority and they seem to have the best grasp on reality. And never let anyone tell you that it can't be done or someone would have already done it. Because if you try hard enough you will be that someone and the proof is that others will try to follow your lead.

 

[Inlikeflinn]

Sorry but in that case you will just have to deal with what you have.

As for the settings some like 5 and 6 some like 5 and 4 I think 5 and 4 is the one most people like so give it a try and see if you like it better. just takes a few seconds to adjust it.

What characteristics would 5/6 provide over 4/5. In other words why do most like the 4/5 setting best?

 

[Cobra Jet Steering LLC]

The leading angle of the fins and the extra clearance for the reverse thrust on the 2019 and newer models . is MY guess but I see all sorts of settings because it is an added option to set the system to your liking.

 

[jcyamahariders wife]

Personally I like the metal look of the fins I think they look great on our boat.

I only drove when Jerry was surfing and the stiff steering was gone. Added bonus no more TV spray and our surf wave was better than ever.

Can't wait to try it out for myself at high speeds and in choppy water ! Last year I put the boat on the trailer 3 times. So this year I want to try loading more and add docking to my resume. I can't be the trailer girl forever

 

[Inlikeflinn]

The leading angle of the fins and the extra clearance for the reverse thrust on the 2019 and newer models . is MY guess but I see all sorts of settings because it is an added option to set the system to your liking.

I see now. Wasn’t thinking about the reverse thrust. Makes sense. Thank you

 

[Cobra Jet Steering LLC]

Personally I like the metal look of the fins I think they look great on our boat.

I only drove when Jerry was surfing and the stiff steering was gone. Added bonus no more TV spray and our surf wave was better than ever.

Can't wait to try it out for myself at high speeds and in choppy water ! Last year I put the boat on the trailer 3 times. So this year I want to try loading more and add docking to my resume. I can't be the trailer girl forever

Thank you so much for the feedback it is what I look forward to and I always warn the men not to let the Admiral drive with my steering unless they want to become the passenger all the time.

 

[SunnyD]

I have a 2020 242 with TVs. I'm considering switching to gain more at speed control.
Since the 2020 reverse is redesigned, fangs are not supported. Is there any reverse maneuvering benefit with cobras with the 2020 jets?

 

[adrianp89]

I have a 2020 242 with TVs. I'm considering switching to gain more at speed control.
Since the 2020 reverse is redesigned, fangs are not supported. Is there any reverse maneuvering benefit with cobras with the 2020 jets?

yes mine was much improved, but as to how that’s @Cobra Jet Steering LLC

 

[johhnyboat]

i just installed the upgraded Cobra Jets with the AK fangs. I think I did it correctly but the only thing I was a little unsure of is how much to tow the cobra jets. Anyway, I am out of town for a few weeks but I test out in the water after that.

 

[Cobra Jet Steering LLC]

I have a 2020 242 with TVs. I'm considering switching to gain more at speed control.
Since the 2020 reverse is redesigned, fangs are not supported. Is there any reverse maneuvering benefit with cobras with the 2020 jets?

The super magnum ak-19 deluxe system has the super fin design and the top fin design these are made to increase the influence at slow speeds including reverse by adding more steering surface and making a wider swath in the water without needing to make the fins hang down below the existing keel and rudder while still provide the needed increase in steering influence needed at the slower speeds.
The top fins are only in the water off plane and all the super fin surface above the bottom of the nozzle is also in the water off plane but on plane the outside fins below the nozzle are adding real high performance steering influence and you get to choose that setting from several optional positions No increase in draft the second tie rod for balance and redundancy the ability to set the high speed influence to your preference the plaining surfaces under the nozzle for faster hole shot, smoother ride and a cleaner wake for watersport activities , plus the ability to turn fast without the speed bleed-off you are now experiencing and the ability to turn and rapidly reduce your thrust while maintaining steerage.
It is easy enough to confirm the features and benefits provided by these systems. Just ask around , see the second picture and you see both nozzles and the top part of the rudder are not in the water this is how my parts change influence levels automatically just by the attitude of the hull Also water exiting the ride plates under the pumps rises up rapidly and contacts the jet thrust so the plaining surfaces being mounted just below the nozzle exit protects the jet thrusts from being diverted upward as much by that water.

 

[Cobra Jet Steering LLC]

i just installed the upgraded Cobra Jets with the AK fangs. I think I did it correctly but the only thing I was a little unsure of is how much to tow the cobra jets. Anyway, I am out of town for a few weeks but I test out in the water after that.

That is easy ,once you have the nozzles totally even and the tie rods adjusted to match the rudder mounting hole and the nozzle mounting holes you add 1/2 turn out to one end of each tie rod so it pushes the nozzles about 1/8 inch out wider in the back than in the front so the super fins will have a very slight tow in on their leading edges. further if your boat is one of many that has an unexplained pull at high speed you can adjust the rudder to compensate for that, say the boat pulls to the left slightly you can readjust the rudder and place a slight right accent to it to compensate for that pull. I recall these boats reporting odd issues even with ride plate drag or the props loading unevenly due to non counter rotating impellers all minor but annoying issues, so with the 2 tie rods you can easily make simple corrections with the rudder without upsetting the nozzle alignments.