Installed Thrust Vectors

[Elio195HOI]

I Have to say, this was hands down the easiest installation. Once I had the proper tools in hand, it took about 10 minutes to complete. Noticed huge improvements on the water especially in no wake zones. Normally, I'd be all over the place trying to keep the boat straight with all the other boats going by me. The correction now is almost instantly with little steering redirection.

 

[wango tango]

thanks for sharing info and water test, anything different on high speed, how much $

 

[Elio195HOI]

High speed was never an issue but I believe the wake was a little better now, will need to compare old videos to confirm. I believe I paid right around $200 with shipping as it was on sale.

 

[gRobi]

does anyone really have any issues with it's scarab in that regard? I think yamaha has more of a need than a BRP powered boat.

 

[Dave Ackley]

Unfortunately, I had to take mine off our Scarab 255 as I was having issues with the buckets being caught up while in reverse. Had a couple scary situations even with their updated Thrust Vectors. Since then I have put on the Cobra's and no longer have the issue and the Cobras are in the water all the time and I notice even more response at higher speed.

 

[Scarabpaul]

Unfortunately, I had to take mine off our Scarab 255 as I was having issues with the buckets being caught up while in reverse. Had a couple scary situations even with their updated Thrust Vectors. Since then I have put on the Cobra's and no longer have the issue and the Cobras are in the water all the time and I notice even more response at higher speed.

this is the reason i went with Cobra's! always in the water and improved straight line tracking while underway. the typical wandering was improved for sure.

 

[Cobra Jet Steering LLC]

I agree the 4 tec systems regardless of boat manufacturer seem to need a lot less assistance than the Yamaha boats need.
I love only needing one set to deal with all the different boat models that use either a single or twin engine 4 tec setup.

 

[wango tango]

High speed steering is way too stiff with cobra jet fins!!

 

[Cobra Jet Steering LLC]

High speed steering is way too stiff with cobra jet fins!!

Anyone care to address that misinformation ?

 

[Dave Ackley]

High speed steering is way too stiff with cobra jet fins!!

To be honest I feel a slight difference at high speed. The reason I want them on is due to the low speed wander and the ability to feel comfortable with my wife, kids or friends driving who are not used to a Jet Boat. I tried the Thrust Vectors along with the updated ones (with bumps stop - that fell off after the second time out) after my first incident but after a second incident with the bucket getting caught up in reverse on the middle bracket, it scared the crap out of me and could have been a very bad day as I was in a congested area at the dock! I am confident with the Cobras and they will not be coming off.

 

[wango tango]

Without the fins it was easy to make a turn in high speed , now it takes almost two hands to do a turn. Low speed it does help .

 

[Dave Ackley]

Without the fins it was easy to make a turn in high speed , now it takes almost two hands to do a turn. Low speed it does help .

Interesting....I guess everyone is different. I did not have to use both hands and was cruising between 35 - 49mph at times.

 

[wango tango]

I'm not saying there junk, I'm just stating that me and my family that use the boat seen a improvement in low speed but high speed steering was stiffer, our opinion is we don't like the stiffer steering.

 

[wango tango]

It may not be as bad with just myself on boat, but loaded down with gas people it's stiff!

 

[Dave Ackley]

I'm not saying there junk, I'm just stating that me and my family that use the boat seen a improvement in low speed but high speed steering was stiffer, our opinion is we don't like the stiffer steering.

wango tango......Not debating you at all please don't take it as if I was.

 

[wango tango]

No problem, all is good, just trying not to knock them down completely, my wife and kids love the low speed , myself I don't need it.

 

[wango tango]

This Forum has alot of good information, opinions, and views which is great! Take what works best for your boat/boating.

 

[Cobra Jet Steering LLC]

I always encourage people to contact me directly if they have any questions regarding their steering, if they don't I can't help.
I always include my home number and email address on the email when I send the shipping notice and encourage people to contact me with any questions.
This is interesting since The only way I know you could get a stiff steering at speed like you described is if you do not have your fins aligned correctly. If one or two are towed out.
Being staleness steel you can actually change the angle of those while attached to the nozzle , The forward edge of the fins should be towed in slightly, so take a measurement of the distance between the front edges and the rear edges , the front "closest to the boat" should be just a bit closer than the rear.
I simply take a 2 by 4 and cut a 3 foot piece make a slot in the center of the 2 by 4 and slide it up on to the fin, then tweak the fin setting by holding one end in each hand and twisting the fin slightly to effect a change it it's position.
This is a very simple thing to do .
Now keep in mind that the 4 tec nozzles and reverse gates are totally different than the Yamaha style, and the clearance between the reverse bucket and the ride plate is what determines the size of the fins.
I also minimize the 4 tec fins to avoid countering the reverse steering.
As you know the steering nozzle goes in the opposit direction of where you want your back end of the boat to travel the steering wheel turns in the opposite direction when you are backing the boat so I have the fins partially covered by the reverse gate while operating in reverse to prevent the fins from working against you in that mode. Having fins under the reverse and fully exposed just is not a good option on these systems.
I have been making these for a long time and yes there is feedback in the steering like a regular prop boat because they are partially in contact with the water at planning speeds but this is a good thing and they are so small I can not think of any reason the steering would be hard at all however if you would like me to cut off some of the lower portion of the fins I would be happy to do that for you..
So first check that the fins are not towed out in the front etc. as this could certainly create more resistance at speed.

 

[wango tango]

Thanks for the feedback, I will look into it

 

[Cobra Jet Steering LLC]

excellent , keep me informed