Rookie on the water

[JUSTAWHALEN]

Hey there, I'm new to the boating world and yesterday was my first maiden voyage in my brand new SX-190, Had a blast with my girl and our dogs. Boat seems great and we got launched without any issues but noticed the boat doesn't steer worth a damn when in wake mode or at slow speeds at all. It was a little tricky getting it docked and back on the trailer. No embarrassing issues but a little nerve racking approaching the dock. So i researched and found THRUST VECTORS and LATERAL THRUSTERS by Jetboatpilot.com they are around $450 bucks for the combo or you can just buy either part. does anyone recommend these or have them? looks fairly easy to install yourself and the videos show they work very well..CHEERS

 

[Arcadyus]

Is your boat a 2019? Didn't they start making thrusters stock in 2019?

 

[JUSTAWHALEN]

Yes it is a 2019 but i don't see them on it. and the videos show them installing them on a 2019 so i don;t think so

 

[jjmparsons]

@JUSTAWHALEN

Recommend you start right here with @Cobra Jet Steering LLC

Not a hit on or against the Thrust Vectors but my personal take on the matter, the Cobra Jet Fangs (various setups) are worth looking at as well. No Wake Mode and any sort of slow travel in these boats can be hell. It took me about two boat rides to realize the importance of having the assisted steering at slow speed provided by these types of applications.

Congrats on the boat and welcome to the forum!

 

[Arcadyus]

Yeah guess you just have the new v shape reverse. You don't need lateral thrusters with a jet boat IMHO. Just buy some cobra fins if you want them to stay in the water at speed. Helps a ton with high speed cornering and tracking straight. Does add tightness to the steering. Or if you don't want them to stay deployed at speed look at the JBP fins. Both with help with low speed a ton. Buy some good fenders and learn how to use the wind to your advantage. Last year when I was new I would always wait a bit and watch how other boats came into the dock.

 

[IvanRZB]

I was a newbie as well when I bought our '12 SX190, the JBP thrust vector fins and the reverse thrusters have both helped with handling a ton. Maybe someone more experienced could do without one or the other but for me it was money well spent--installation was easy enough, and the boat responds so much better.

 

[mwalker4]

Yes it is a 2019 but i don't see them on it. and the videos show them installing them on a 2019 so i don;t think so

The 2019 have v shaped reverse bucket which replace the lateral thrusters.

 

[Cobra Jet Steering LLC]

I m in Pinellas park so if you want steering in ALL speeds for under $250 just let me know I can set you up . And be mindful of how far fins hang under the boat, my setups do not go below the original rudder. That is important. Plus you can adjust my setup to meet your needs even make them go up at speed if you choose, However I recommend keeping them in the water at all speeds. The super ultimate ak-19 steering is the one for your boat

 

[JUSTAWHALEN]

I m in Pinellas park so if you want steering in ALL speeds for under $250 just let me know I can set you up . And be mindful of how far fins hang under the boat, my setups do not go below the original rudder. That is important. Plus you can adjust my setup to meet your needs even make them go up at speed if you choose, However I recommend keeping them in the water at all speeds. The super ultimate ak-19 steering is the one for your boat

This looks like a great product, and i wasn't aware that anyone else was making them. (rookie), or else i probably would have purchased them from you, but i just ordered the Vectors for my boat for $209 plus tax. Thank you so much for reaching out and giving me this information. Cheers

 

[Dean P]

This looks like a great product, and i wasn't aware that anyone else was making them. (rookie), or else i probably would have purchased them from you, but i just ordered the Vectors for my boat for $209 plus tax. Thank you so much for reaching out and giving me this information. Cheers

Bring them back! I had them and swapped them for the Cobras. It's just a little bit more but well worth it. Just my honest observation/opinion.

 

[JUSTAWHALEN]

I was a newbie as well when I bought our '12 SX190, the JBP thrust vector fins and the reverse thrusters have both helped with handling a ton. Maybe someone more experienced could do without one or the other but for me it was money well spent--installation was easy enough, and the boat responds so much better.

Thank you for reaching out, Yes i think this will be money well spent, and hopefully will get me lined up better for docking and save myself some embarrassment for getting the boat on the trailer in 1 attempt. CHEERS

 

[JUSTAWHALEN]

Yeah guess you just have the new v shape reverse. You don't need lateral thrusters with a jet boat IMHO. Just buy some cobra fins if you want them to stay in the water at speed. Helps a ton with high speed cornering and tracking straight. Does add tightness to the steering. Or if you don't want them to stay deployed at speed look at the JBP fins. Both with help with low speed a ton. Buy some good fenders and learn how to use the wind to your advantage. Last year when I was new I would always wait a bit and watch how other boats came into the dock.

Great advise, i will definitely be putting something to help with the slow motion steering, Cobras, or Vectors..

 

[JUSTAWHALEN]

@JUSTAWHALEN

Recommend you start right here with @Cobra Jet Steering LLC

Not a hit on or against the Thrust Vectors but my personal take on the matter, the Cobra Jet Fangs (various setups) are worth looking at as well. No Wake Mode and any sort of slow travel in these boats can be hell. It took me about two boat rides to realize the importance of having the assisted steering at slow speed provided by these types of applications.

Congrats on the boat and welcome to the forum!

Thank you, and for the advise and will definitely be doing something about this before i get back out, which will be very soon. Cheers

 

[IvanRZB]

Thank you for reaching out, Yes i think this will be money well spent, and hopefully will get me lined up better for docking and save myself some embarrassment for getting the boat on the trailer in 1 attempt. CHEERS

I did a few solo outings during off-peak times to get in some practice without anyone else around--I could live with a bit of embarassment but didn't want to risk damaging mine or anyone else's boats!

 

[Cobra Jet Steering LLC]

This would have cost you $235 but it is so much more and made from 6061-t6 aluminum. I don't hire people to market my steering I let my customers do that for me and I do stay really busy this time of year, So if you plan on doing any water sports or running from the storms here in the gulf or in waves etc you would be better off using the full time features of the cobra steering . Also you won't need a swim noodle with my steering when you tow your boat on the trailer. In any event I always say do your research and buy your last system first.

 

[IvanRZB]

.... Also you won't need a swim noodle with my steering when you tow your boat on the trailer.

I'm very curious what this means?

 

[JUSTAWHALEN]

This would have cost you $235 but it is so much more and made from 6061-t6 aluminum. I don't hire people to market my steering I let my customers do that for me and I do stay really busy this time of year, So if you plan on doing any water sports or running from the storms here in the gulf or in waves etc you would be better off using the full time features of the cobra steering . Also you won't need a swim noodle with my steering when you tow your boat on the trailer. In any event I always say do your research and buy your last system first.

Hey Dean, seems people are telling me to go with the Cobras instead of the Vectors, So i will be canceling my order with Vector and would like to purchase the Cobras that you suggested, Hook me up please and thank you..

 

[Cobra Jet Steering LLC]

Cobra Super Ultimate AK-19 and new Super Ultimate AK-19 DELUXE steering for 2019 and newer Yamaha Single Engine Jet Boats

Cobra Super Ultimate AK-19 and new Super Ultimate AK-19 DELUXE steering for 2019 and newer Yamaha Single Engine Jet Boats

cobrajetsteering.com

 

[Shookie]

Hey Dean, seems people are telling me to go with the Cobras instead of the Vectors, So i will be canceling my order with Vector and would like to purchase the Cobras that you suggested, Hook me up please and thank you..

Plenty of folks on here have both systems and like/love them both. I have the Thrust Vectors and Lateral Thrusters on my boat and love them.

I suggest you really reading the numerous reviews from dozens of people on here and then make a choice. Don't just order something, then cancel it and order something else on a whim...... Just my 2 cents. Good luck!

 

[mwalker4]

I'm very curious what this means?

The TVs hang down 4 inches below the keel on single engine boats. That can cause an issue for some driveways or business entrances. Placing the noodle in the nozzle allows lifted TVs to rest on noodle.