Jet Boat Rookie

[OCMD]

No need for a fin. Especially on a one engine. Just remember the main thrust of a jet boat - no power no control. Try it before without for awhile. You will learn how easy these things are to steer.

 

[FSH 210 Sport]

I would add…

Practice, Practice, Practice.

Go out on a calm day in an area where you have room and mess around with it, learn how it feels, and get to know what it is going to do. Fins or not, a side wind, or a rear quartering wind will be the biggest challenge.

 

[The Mia Fay]

Well you have a lot of replies, I had three yamaha jet boats and put thrust vectors on them they definitely help at low speeds. Good luck with your new boat.

 

[Cobra Jet Steering LLC]

19 foot boats started having the rudder on the 2016 models And remember it is the internet lots of info some is valuable other is foolish you decide what you need .

 

[Thermobrett]

Here is an independent review I did, with the same size boat but mine is newer with the keel. Completely unbiased as I have only used the steering system I purchased for this boat. Again, very great info on this forum. It’s solely up to you on what you do.

https://jetboaters.net/threads/cobra-jet-steering-ak-19-ultimate-deluxe.37078/

 

[Cobra Jet Steering LLC]

You also have the blow out plug so you really should add an EZ lock to it to avoid a serious issue if it blows out during use. I designed these years ago at the request of Yamaha jet boat owners having issues with the plugs blowing out very inexpensive insurance against a plug blow out, time tested and proven just like my steering and remember I am not a vendor I am an inventor, I only sell what I invent and I did the steering 21 years ago . You can believe the inventor and specialist or not it's up to you but this will be a very interesting learning experience .

 

[84rzv500r]

You gotta love a gal that knows how to drive like a boss!

Love me some Detroit diesel..

Love me some 71 series... lol slam you thumb in the door and drive it like ya stole it... Ive got a 72 GMC C-60 NAPCO 4X6 project that i put an 8V-71 Detroit in and a RTO-9513 in it (that I did a homebrew Double O).. 11R22.5 rubber and a airshift 1187 Transfer case with a 0.75 OD so i can spin the 7.20:1 axles fast enough...

 

[84rzv500r]

I would add…

Practice, Practice, Practice.

Go out on a calm day in an area where you have room and mess around with it, learn how it feels, and get to know what it is going to do. Fins or not, a side wind, or a rear quartering wind will be the biggest challenge.

absolutely a rear quartering wind got me last week and I had to do a go around ?

 

[HawaiiBreeze]

It's ok to be a Rookie, I'm five years in on my SX190 and I still make Rookie boo-boo's. Just do them at low-speed and you'll be good. Slow is Pro. As for the turning aid's they make sense but so does practice, time on the water and knowing your docks/launches/ramps (wind and tide). After a season you'll know what you need. Those clean out covers though are another story. Too many bad stories of them blowing out so that's highly advisable.

 

[Michal]

I started without any assistance products. The boat did just fine without it on lakes (2019 does have the articulating keel). As soon as we moved to the coast and dealing with tides and currents came into play, the Thrust Vectors from JetPilot made a world of difference for me. Ultimately it will be your decision if you want to get one of the products and what product you chose to go with.

 

[Julian]

I think the best analogy I can give is this:

"Anti lock brakes aren't necessary on a car".

Neither are fins on a jet boat. But they sure do make low speed steering so much easier. Sure you can learn how to pump brakes manually for good effect, but what happens when the wife, GF, buddy, kid etc drives?

You (and anyone else who drives the boat) won't regret adding them. If you will be the only person driving and money is tight....keep steering (takes 50-70% more steering input to track a line without fins...but sure.... it can be done)

 

[Thermobrett]

I found shortly after buying my boat and having to navigate tight channels to the ramp and dodging anchored boats on the Alafia River at no wake speed the fins made a drastic difference.

 

[biffdotorg]

You also have the blow out plug so you really should add an EZ lock to it to avoid a serious issue if it blows out during use. I designed these years ago at the request of Yamaha jet boat owners having issues with the plugs blowing out very inexpensive insurance against a plug blow out, time tested and proven just like my steering and remember I am not a vendor I am an inventor, I only sell what I invent and I did the steering 21 years ago . You can believe the inventor and specialist or not it's up to you but this will be a very interesting learning experience .

I have to give Jeff a thumbs up on this. If you have the push in style cleanout plugs, get the EZ locks. It's such a simple design and not expensive.

There are so many times that I thought I had my plugs in, but if the EZ lock was not clicked into place, I knew it was not quite fully locked into place. Not sure if they would have blown out, but at least when I hear those pins click, I know they won't blow out.

 

[Cobra Jet Steering LLC]

I think the best analogy I can give is this:

"Anti lock brakes aren't necessary on a car".

Neither are fins on a jet boat. But they sure do make low speed steering so much easier. Sure you can learn how to pump brakes manually for good effect, but what happens when the wife, GF, buddy, kid etc drives?

You (and anyone else who drives the boat) won't regret adding them. If you will be the only person driving and money is tight....keep steering (takes 50-70% more steering input to track a line without fins...but sure.... it can be done)

Here are the facts as I see them and having more boating experience than most people not only in boats but also in modifying boats etc. Any one who has any of my super steering on their jet boat gets all the features and benefits available for a very small cost not just slow speed or high speed or both not just instant control and confidence but redundancy on the AK twins and plaining surfaces and top fins for even more slow speed influence plus variable influence based on the hulls position in the water and a choice of spring loaded or non spring loaded The ability to adjust the influence at speed also, without any drawbacks and the ability to sit back and relax at the helm with confidence ,without all the bow wander and loss of control when rapidly decelerating.
So yes you can get a vehicle with no power steering so why did they invent it? and a stick shift so why did they invent automatic trans ? and no air conditioning so why did they invent it? and no power windows so why did they invent them? and no cruise control so why did they invent it. Because people felt there was a real need for all that to make the driver and the passenger comfortable and increase the level of enjoyment and confidence. ETC ETC
So I always tell people to drive the boat as is from the factory and then if you don't think you need any of the features and benefits I offer good for you enjoy it after all it's your boat.
But for a very small amount of money if you want to have a boat that will out maneuver a stock boat and is a blast to drive and is easy for guest operators plus better handling in storms , etc and A lot better during water sport activities and if you don't worry about running over the rope or worse then its your boat and your time with friends and family do it your way.
For those of us who want to get every ounce of fun and pleasure out of our time on the water it is nice to know that today you can easily accommodate that where as when I purchased a jet boat in 2001 and totally hated how it handled there was only one option "INVENT SOMETHING TO GET THE JOB DONE" so I did and the rest is history. YOU WILL KNOW THE VERY FIRST TIME YOU GO OUT ON THE WATER IN YOUR BOAT IF YOU NEED SOME SUPER STEERING OR NOT. At the end of the day it will be apparent. SO don't worry about it it will be obvious.

 

[Toby Two-Bit George]

Welcome to the dark side. I’d say give it a summer (or at least a month or two) before you do anything. Get a feel for it and get the slow speed stuff down as best you can. You may find you have no issues or at least improve tenfold . I personally went from garbage in the launch area to just okay and not a menace. Even after getting it down I still think I will give the fins a shot after a few launches this spring (knock the rust off from not boating since October) that way I can fairly asses them.

I went with the Thrust vector and lateral Thruster kit from JetBoatPilot.com -- it doeas make a huge difference at low speeds. Plus she will pivot like a pro in reverse now.

Ps that is not the actual price - it was 30% less on https://jetboatpilot.com/

 

[Cobra Jet Steering LLC]

I make model specific steering, I do not have the fins go below the rudder nor do I use plastic However I also have spring loaded systems and they work at all speeds if you wish and you get to set them to your personal preference .
The super fins automatically adjust their level of influence based on the position of the hull in the water so you get the proper amount of influence . Plus they help steer the boat in wind ,waves, strong current. I do not use kickstands or bars between the fins below the nozzle nor any need for water skies on the fins and I add in a plaining surface between the fins under the nozzle for faster hole shot a smoother ride in chop and less sprays behind the boat for water sport activities. I also NEVER remove the factory stainless steel collars that the reverse hoods pivot on and a very simple install as well. All for the buy direct discount price of only $268.99 for the 2019 and newer 19 foot boats and $239.99 for the 2015 through 2018 model 19 foot boats and all sorts of steering for any of the Yamaha jet boats from 1996 models to 2023 models.