Questions on magnum AK with fangs for 2015 and up boats

[CraigAR]

Ok, so I've had my 2017 AR240 now for 2 months and I have 23 hours on her. I have no problem steering it at low speed when docking. It turns on a dime when you have the throttles just past neutral. I hear after you install the AK system that you don't loose speed when turning at high speed and they help the boat from wondering at a slow cruise. That in itself would make me want this system. So, anyone here with a 2015 and up boat with the articulating keel install these and what is your take?

 

[Neutron]

I have had them for aprox 25 hours now. Turning at high speed and low speed forward is deffinitly an improvement.... well worth the investment. Reverse still is the same as it was before the fins and fangs.

I tried wakeboarding for the first time and had a friend with only stern drive experience drive my boat. He was very confident with it and said if he didnt know before hand he would have never guessed it was a jet drive.

You will still scrub off speed on a turn like any boat but you will have a tighter turning radius than without fins.

 

[CraigAR]

Thanks for the feedback. Anymore input from anyone else would be greatly appreciated. I want to stress that I have no problem controlling the boat now and can spend the money elsewhere in mods but if it is that much of an improvement to steering and it can help with teaching my wife and kid to drive, I'm all for it. I will be adding throttle sync also to help make it easier for them to learn to drive.

 

[Cobra Jet Steering LLC]

if you want them now may be a good time to take advantage of this sale.
https://jetboaters.net/threads/cobra-magnum-a-k-steering-with-fangs-mid-summer-special.14729/

 

[swatski]

Thanks for the feedback. Anymore input from anyone else would be greatly appreciated. I want to stress that I have no problem controlling the boat now and can spend the money elsewhere in mods but if it is that much of an improvement to steering and it can help with teaching my wife and kid to drive, I'm all for it. I will be adding throttle sync also to help make it easier for them to learn to drive.

Here is a thread on that, I forgot what I said there but love the system. The chief advantage is to give your keeled boat some steering ability while at speed but with no/little thrust.And it curves like a mofo.
https://jetboaters.net/threads/2016...st-impressions-plus-ez-locks-refresher.11530/


EDIT: No issues with the system during/after the Bimini crossing which was a bit rough this year.

I had Jarred and then Jason @Jason Winn drive my boat and they were blown away by the handling characteristics. But it is both the Cobra steering and also the L13 cones.

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[CraigAR]

@swatski great write-up on the steering system. Exactly what I wanted to hear. @Cobra Jet Steering LLC will be talking with the wife and placing an order very soon.

 

[Mainah]

I agree with @swatski for the most part. I too did not have any trouble handling the boat except in low speed docking situation where you want to the turning ability but not the speed. This is my 3rd jet boat and I did not have any aftermarket steering add ons for the other 2. I think the keel is the difference with this one as it certainly does resit turning. The fins and fangs made a big difference in tracking at high speed and turning in low speed docking situations but really only in forwards. Reverse may be slightly improved from a control aspect but I don't think the reverse turning radius has improved unless you use more throttle which of course gets hairy around the dock. Overall I am able to get into and out of some very tight parallel docking situations with obstacles in every direction and lots of people watching with full confidence that the boat will turn the way I need it to at low speed. I do have a hairy reverse situation every time I return to my marina though.

Best way I can elaborate on reverse is based upon my current marina situation with is a worse case scenario. The prevailing wind comes in broad side against the boats from the open end of the marina and each person is assigned a double slip to themselves. So your choices are an easy docking situation with the wind and waves pushing you right into your dock and letting the gel coat take the fender bumping/rubbing abuse or tie off on the opposite side with bow, stern, and spring lines allowing the rope to absorb some of the shock and not having rub marks on the gel coat. The pontoons all go for option one (so would I). The fiberglass hulls mostly do like myself and do option 2. I am however the only one doing option 2 and making it harder by backing in. So every time I back in the wind and waves are pushing me away broadside from where I want to be. I end up having to use more reverse rpm than I would like to make the boat turn.

If I were you @CraigAR at this point in time I may wait for the @JetBoatPilot announcement. There are solid bets out there that it could be something that improves reverse or steering in someway. @Cobra Jet Steering LLC certainly makes a high quality product but I would wait a few days to make sure I am spending my boating money in the right place for me. Jeff I mean no offense but I certainly hope that the product Will is teasing is something that significantly improves reverse. That said I have no regrets purchasing the fins and fangs and hope that you are continuing to do R&D.

 

[DeeAmericanDream]

I have the thrust vectors on my 2015 AR210 and it made slow speed manuvering day and night. But my boat didnt have any keel to begin with. I'm looking to trade my boat in now and I'm set on getting after market steering on the AR240 as well.

 

[ruztew]

I have the thrust vectors on my 2015 AR210 and it made slow speed manuvering day and night. But my boat didnt have any keel to begin with. I'm looking to trade my boat in now and I'm set on getting after market steering on the AR240 as well.

When at speed, does turning the steering wheel required more force than before? I put them on my 2015 sx190 and noticed the steering wheel was harder turn, when at speed. I had them set to full down all the time with fangs. I want to try to disable them (unhook them from spring) and see if my steering cables are just stiff or it was the Cobra fins. Boat tracks very straight though now.

 

[swatski]

When at speed, does turning the steering wheel required more force than before? I put them on my 2015 sx190 and noticed the steering wheel was harder turn, when at speed. I had them set to full down all the time with fangs. I want to try to disable them (unhook them from spring) and see if my steering cables are just stiff or it was the Cobra fins. Boat tracks very straight though now.

I had Ultimates w/Fangs in my 190 and those were VERY smooth - real "power steering" feel.
Also much improved reverse.

With the new (keeled) 240 - the main advantage of the AK Magnum system is that you can still steer at speed, even with little or no thrust. For me this is a nice safety feature as the reverse is limited at speed. The turning is also much crisper, tighter. But the reverse still sucks a$$, even with fangs.


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[Cobra Jet Steering LLC]

When at speed, does turning the steering wheel required more force than before? I put them on my 2015 sx190 and noticed the steering wheel was harder turn, when at speed. I had them set to full down all the time with fangs. I want to try to disable them (unhook them from spring) and see if my steering cables are just stiff or it was the Cobra fins. Boat tracks very straight though now.

You have a different style of steering that the magnum A K system yours is the ULTIMATE and those have numerous functions and adjustments. Never disconnect the springs on those , you can change the setting on the side actuator to lift them at speed if you choose but you must have the spring attached for that mode, also you have numerous settings for full time mode as you are now using them in the fully deployed setting , I would suggest you set them in the second or third setting from fully deployed , this changes the high speed influence and on a 19 foot boat you don't need all that influence at speed. As for the fangs on your system be sure the front of those are set inward slightly by loosening the screws slightly and pushing the front in toward the center of the nozzle , then re tighten the bolts, I always send you information that explains the benefits of having the adjustable and selectable settings on this system as well as how to set the fangs , if you need the info again I can send it to you just email me. Remember adding fins adds steering influence and this will feel different than a boat with no extra steering you get feedback in the wheel so you can tell what the boat is doing similar to regular boat.

 

[Coheeba]

I cant tell you the difference with out them, because I bought them and put them on before I ever took the boat out. I am very happy with them and based on comments from every one else they are a must have.

 

[DeeAmericanDream]

When at speed, does turning the steering wheel required more force than before? I put them on my 2015 sx190 and noticed the steering wheel was harder turn, when at speed. I had them set to full down all the time with fangs. I want to try to disable them (unhook them from spring) and see if my steering cables are just stiff or it was the Cobra fins. Boat tracks very straight though now.

Yes it is a bit harder since you are fighting the water but it eliminates a lot of the wishy washy steering. As far as disconnecting the spring.. idk about that.