Hydrojet Pro

[haknslash]

I think it depends on the year of the boat if the gate opens up all the way on first detent. I think it was around 2012 when Yamaha made a change to the gate and they dubbed it the Thrust Directional Enhancer which basically opens the gate partially from reverse to fully opened, or 45 degrees approx if you want to think of it that way.

 

[Julian]

I've not studied the new gates, but regardless, this product doesn't fit on the new gates per their website. And I can 100% confirm that a boat that has no TDE has gates that move 100% into forward or reverse before you can apply any thrust (unless of course you have a boat with a button on the binnacle that allows you to rev the engines without moving the gates--which many models have and some do not)

 

[BigN8]

Safety concern as well. Can you imagine accidentally kicking that fin where it comes to a point?!!! Ouch!

 

[swatski]

I think it depends on the year of the boat if the gate opens up all the way on first detent. I think it was around 2012 when Yamaha made a change to the gate and they dubbed it the Thrust Directional Enhancer which basically opens the gate partially from reverse to fully opened, or 45 degrees approx if you want to think of it that way.

Thank you, that is what I thought, started worrying about loosing my mind for a sec there...

 

[swatski]

I've not studied the new gates, but regardless, this product doesn't fit on the new gates per their website. And I can 100% confirm that a boat that has no TDE has gates that move 100% into forward or reverse before you can apply any thrust (unless of course you have a boat with a button on the binnacle that allows you to rev the engines without moving the gates--which many models have and some do not)

Thank you for clarifying that @Julian!

Well then... these new fins, fitting only the older models, seem rather useless.

 

[Julian]

Thank you, that is what I thought, started worrying about my mind for a sec there...

I'll be studying how the E-Series gates move when I get my boat in 6 day 1 hour and 1 minute....LOL

 

[haknslash]

The only positive thing I can think of with the hydro fins is that in the event you are traveling at speed and you need to kill thrust to avoid an obstacle or boat for evasive maneuvers, the fins would immediately drop giving you a rudder effect at off power but at speed. Fins that can be locked in the down position also have this advantage like the Cobra Ultimatea. The TV's would take some time to come back from the retracted position I would imagine until water resistance drops low enough to be less force than the spring.

The way I see it, these hydro fins aren't really all that practical for low speed maneuvering, especially with a TDE year boat since the fins would not be in the water much at all to be of much help.

 

[JetBoatPilot]

I know I have a dog in the hunt here so my opinion might not be very valuable here, but here's what I can say with relative certainty.

At ultra low speeds, like in idle with the gates down there is not sufficient water flow across the fins to provide any real significant control. This product will only allow the fins to be down at neutral or reverse.

At forward idle when the gates are up you really need a fin down beneath the hull so that the solid uncavitated water can give the fin significant control. This product does not allow that.

At no wake speeds and in channels or long canals you need the fins down so you're not constantly oversteering. This product will pull its fins up at no wake speed and will dramatically reduce the fins effectiveness when it's needed most.

This new hydro jet design will not provide any real significant improvement over stock.

 

[swatski]

Here are some pics of my 2012 SX190 shift/reverse gate at various throttle positions (sorry for crappy pics, didn't have time to pull the boat out). These are to illustrate the earlier discussion of TDE and models (I was getting confused and needed to double check my memory). Learning something all the time here!

1. Reverse

2. Neutral

3. Forward - 1st Detent

4. Forward - 2nd Detent

5. Forward - WOT


--

 

[subysti]

OK I was confused also so I just went and took some pics of my jets. 2016 AR240
. Both in Neutral

Starboard in No wake/1st detent, Port in forward

Port is 1st detent reverse, Starboard in full reverse.

Just thought I'd throw in my .02

 

[haknslash]

Yup that is how it is for every Yamaha from 2012 and newer. Good pics guys to help others understand when and how the TDE mode works. Here's the original Yamaha video showing how it works and as he mentions in the video, first detent in forward is the what engages the bucket to TDE mode, or half open if you want to simplify things.

 

[swatski]

Yup that is how it is for every Yamaha from 2012 and newer. Good pics guys to help others understand when and how TDE it works. Here's the original Yamaha video showing how it works and as he mentions in the video, first detent in forward is the what engages the bucket to TDE mode, or half open if you want to simplify things.

Thanks @haknslash , I tried to find this clip but couldn't, for the life of me. Also flipped through the service manual, but found nothing helpful.

My next issue is if the "no-wake" mode works (can be engaged) while throttles are engaged in the 2nd detent (or anything past the 1st really). Basically - with a gate fully opened. I think it does, but again I'm not confident before I check.

If it DOES NOT work in the 2nd (or past 1st - when fully opened) - that would have some obvious implications to using no-wake mode for long(ish) no wake zone crossings, as the lowered gate would rob forward thrust (steering enhancement notwithstanding).

--

 

[Bill D]

@swatski how fast is your boat moving in no wake mode? Since I have aftermarket throttles, I don't have quite the same experience. At 2k rpm, no wake #3 I assume, I travel about 6mph with the buckets fully open.

 

[swatski]

@swatski how fast is your boat moving in no wake mode? Since I have aftermarket throttles, I don't have quite the same experience. At 2k rpm, no wake #3 I assume, I travel about 6mph with the buckets fully open.

@Bill D Sounds about right. I am not overly concerned, just kind of like to know when is my no-wake also TDE mode (i.e. not a position that fully opens the bucket).

 

[haknslash]

@Bill D Sounds about right. I am not overly concerned, just kind of like to know when is my no-wake also TDE mode (i.e. not a position that fully opens the bucket).

Granted I don't have a boat yet but from my many hours and years of researching the Yamaha boats, it works like this for 2012+ boats (someone correct me if I'm wrong):

First detent = half open gate (TDE mode)

• No Wake mode will give you 3 settings of different RPM's.
• Hydro fins would barely be in the water, if at all.

Beyond first detent = fully open gate (no longer in TDE mode)

• No Wake mode basically turns into "Cruise Assist" (above 3000 RPM) where you can set RPM's to adjust in ±8 increments of 100-200 RPMs from the initial RPM from which you set Cruise Assist. Anything below 3000 RPM deactivates Cruise Assist.
• Hydro fins would be completely out of water.

Neutral or Reverse = gate closed

• Hydro fins would be in the water.

Hope that clears it up for you.

 

[swatski]

Great info and a "get to know your boat" lesson. For me anyway.

 

[haknslash]

Great info and a "get to know your boat" lesson. For me anyway.

Glad it could help clear it up for you. I just wish I had a boat to even use these features

 

[swatski]

Sounds like you are certainly doing your homework, LOL. I will be watching your next move, and good luck!

--

 

[Bill D]

@haknslash the offer for a free ride is still good!

 

[haknslash]

@haknslash the offer for a free ride is still good!

It's been hectic for me this year but if I'm down your way on a weekend this summer I may give you a shout. Thanks for keeping the offer open Bill! I imagine you boat primarily on the Black Warrior River or Lake Tuscaloosa?