Thoughts from first time out...

[steelhorse454]

I'm lucky enough to have a private marina that I pay a membership fee for launch privileges. It's only $25 a month and at least half the time I'm the only person launching or loading my boat. It beats the heck out of the circus that is the public launch.

Same here. Private neighborhood boat ramp for $300 per year.....Every once in a while it's a little busy.

 

[YoDaddy292]

One thing that also needed to stick in my head is this.........your boat turns like it has a pole in the middle (like a forklift).....as in, if your front end is going left your ass is going right. Practice maneuvering as slow as you possibly can by going in and out of neutral and still maintaining forward motion but not coming in too hot. Soon you will be able to walk the boat into the dock or on the trailer. You can walk the boat in to the dock by steering towards the dock with just forward and reverse to keep it parallel.
I will say this though.......we thought we were pretty good at this stuff (and I suppose we had gotten decent) but after three boating seasons we finally added Thrust Vectors to the mix and it has literally made it twice as easy. That being said........after these past years of learning without fins it made us appreciate how hard it is to dock or load without them .

 

[Ed255fsh]

So, after two weeks of trying to find time, we finally got the AR195 out for her maiden voyage! I thought I'd share some thoughts to spark discussion, help other new owners...or to get answers!

1 - I completely forgot about the engine break-in instruction from the manual...how screwed am I for not following them?
2 - The internet is NOT lying when they say jetboats have no steering at slow speeds...I don't know how you folks are docking these things!! It was a nightmare
3 - It's loud! I'll need to read some threads on quieting down the engine bay
4 - It was so much fun!! We can't wait to get out more...but docking is going to take a long time to get the hang of!

~Andrew

Jetboatpilot.com
Sale on vector kit which will improve steering.
I have installed on my 255 FSH.
Works good .

 

[Daren and Heather]

Sadly I can't find CE Smith or VeVe guide posts in Canada....I'll have to settle for some Amazon ones.

They sell the CE Smith on Amazon too

 

[Cobra Jet Steering LLC]

Now how about newer twin engine Yamaha jet boats.
I offer Choices from base versions that are spring loaded or not spring loaded, that have plaining surfacers or no plaining surfaces, that all have the second tie rod for balance and redundancy and all have adjustments so you get to set the level of steering that suits your personal needs.
They also have super fins that are specially designed to change their steering influence based on the position of the hull in the water so when you need more steering input you get it automatically.
Oh yes highspeed steering not just at the dock so you can do water sports easier and safer and deal with rough conditions also.
And you get rid of the loss of steering control when turning and rapidly decelerating good to have when you are retrieving someone from the water or avoiding a collision with a floating object.
You also get rid of the severe speed bleed-off in turns on plane. And you get tempered aluminum fins. But the price you pay for all that and more is at sale prices all year long and free domestic shipping is also included.

Pay attention to the child in this video because after he changed to my super steering she actually drives the boat!
Always compare features and benefits' so you get the most features and benefits as well as a unbelievable low price with a 30 day money back guarantee and free domestic shipping. From the specialist that blazed this trail 23 years ago

Super ultimate ak-19 deluxe system for 2019 and newer twin engine Yamaha jet boats However I make model specific steering in several versions for all Yamaha jet boats no 1 trick ponies

 

[Daren and Heather]

One thing that also needed to stick in my head is this.........your boat turns like it has a pole in the middle (like a forklift).....as in, if your front end is going left your ass is going right. Practice maneuvering as slow as you possibly can by going in and out of neutral and still maintaining forward motion but not coming in too hot. Soon you will be able to walk the boat into the dock or on the trailer. You can walk the boat in to the dock by steering towards the dock with just forward and reverse to keep it parallel.
I will say this though.......we thought we were pretty good at this stuff (and I suppose we had gotten decent) but after three boating seasons we finally added Thrust Vectors to the mix and it has literally made it twice as easy. That being said........after these past years of learning without fins it made us appreciate how hard it is to dock or load without them .

I've never really tried to "walk" the boat. Can you describe in a little more detail how you "walk" the boat to the dock? Like, are you already parallel to the dock and you can just walk it completely almost sideways to get closer to the dock? Any videos out there of someone doing this? I also have 2 engines / throttles, if that helps

 

[YoDaddy292]

I've never really tried to "walk" the boat. Can you describe in a little more detail how you "walk" the boat to the dock? Like, are you already parallel to the dock and you can just walk it completely almost sideways to get closer to the dock? Any videos out there of someone doing this? I also have 2 engines / throttles, if that helps

For me, and I’ve seen it done better online somewhere, yes you will be coming into the dock fairly parallel or even at an angle. It takes some practice but with the steering wheel pointed towards the dock just take short stabs in forward and reverse which will essentially act to bring you in almost like you have side thrusters. Occasionally you will have to steer back out of it if you get too sharp of an angle but maybe only once or twice. It takes a lot of practice on an empty dock or maybe practice on a floatie out in the middle of the water. Take it super slower than you’d want to hit the dock and have someone with you who is capable of pushing you off when you get wonky.

 

[Daren and Heather]

For me, and I’ve seen it done better online somewhere, yes you will be coming into the dock fairly parallel or even at an angle. It takes some practice but with the steering wheel pointed towards the dock just take short stabs in forward and reverse which will essentially act to bring you in almost like you have side thrusters. Occasionally you will have to steer back out of it if you get too sharp of an angle but maybe only once or twice. It takes a lot of practice on an empty dock or maybe practice on a floatie out in the middle of the water. Take it super slower than you’d want to hit the dock and have someone with you who is capable of pushing you off when you get wonky.

When you alternate between F and R, are you just putting the gear into the first position of each (the TDE position)?

 

[YoDaddy292]

When you alternate between F and R, are you just putting the gear into the first position of each (the TDE position)?

Typically yes. Sometimes reverse will need a harder stab. It’s fun to practice on a weekday and the wife and I will make it a competition on who does it better.