Took the AR192 out for the 1st time.

[Rob9550]

As the title states I took my 2015 AR192 out today for the 1st time and I have a few questions. How difficult should it be to keep the boat going straight? I felt that the wind would push the boat all over and the lack stability was a little surprising. Also, how much effort should it take to steer the boat? Its been years since I piloted a boat but I don't recall it being so difficult. It also seems to have a lot of NVH (Noise, Vibration and Harshness.) I wasn't expecting it and I am wondering if normal.

Slow speed...what can I say. As other have said and warned me its tough to get used to. I got the boat off the trailer easily and then took about 20 min to get the damn thing on the dock to move my truck. I thought I was going to have a nervous breakdown! What I didn't anticipate was the dock having large steel pylons and trying to get between them with the wind pushing me all over the dock. Once I got the hang of it I was able to dock on the 1st try when retrieving the truck. I was also able to line up and get on the trailer in one shot.

Overall, I had a nice ride for a few hours. I will say the time to plane is amazing. I am excited to get the wife and kids out very soon.

 

[RiverRat]

Your first outing sounds very similar to most new jet boaters first time out. I too was surprised by the "roar" of the boat when I first went to get her on plane, and for a minute thought there must be something wrong. Nope, just an "in your face" kind of boat. I quickly grew to love that about it.

Just keep practicing your docking, a few more times out and your nerves will settle, and you'll wonder how you ever thought it was tough. If you don't have Cobras or TV's , they definitely help keep her in line while at no wake speeds.

 

[BakedZiti]

I don't have a TON of boating experience but the 192 is a small boat so a stiff wind will blow it around a little while cruising. As for the low speed handling definitely invest in some thrust vectors but again when it's windy it's still tricky, these boats aren't heavy. All that being said it will better, congrats on the new boat!!

 

[Rob9550]

I have the TV and they do help, but its still more difficult than a remembered.

 

[David D]

Congrats on the boat. Like the other guys said, the Thrust Vectors are a huge help (imagine what you experienced without them). I found that going out and practicing at different speeds - especially being willing to rev up the engine some - helped me figure out how to get that 192 moving where I wanted it to.

There are a few good videos on YouTube about docking a jetboat. I found them very helpful. If I find the link I'll post it.

 

[David D]

Found it:

 

[Rob9550]

Great video, I will keep all the tips in mind. Thank you.

 

[robert843]

That video is great I post it all the time for new guys as well. @Rob9550 when docking in wind and current situations always try and approach the dock from the same side the wind and current are push towards the dock. Come in bow first at a bow forward angle like the video then go back in to reverse to control the rear end pivot and let the wind and current push you into the dock. If this is not possible for any reason you will have to take an extreme bow angle into the dock and do this but it is difficult in any boat to fight the wind and current and highly recommend the other way anytime you can sometimes I will even wait in open water to approach the dock till I can get in on that side. In idle speed if you feel the boat drifting give it a touch more of throttle or a tap up on the no wake mode and this will straighten it out. Even my old I/O boat drifts a little at the bare minimum of of forward throttle when it drifts I know I'm going to slow and and give the throttle a nudge to help straighten it. Hope this help!

 

[bronze_10]

This month is a year I have had out boat... in learning how to steer this boat both under power and at no wake speed the best I can describe it is, you have to be proactive with your steering.if u r turning to the left and want to go straight turn the wheel to the right a little past center and then back straight before u get to the point u need to go straight.
It's a lot like steering a car in a skid... first u have to catch up with it ... then over steer to stop the skid.. then snatched the wheel back straight to catch the car as it straighten out.. the boats feel a lot like that but one u get the "steer early" feel it become 2nd nature!

 

[njmr2fan]

Hey @Rob9550 Glad to see your boating! Your first outing sounds like mine on our 190! I spent my first day docking and then launching away, docking and then launching away. I probably looked retarded. My wife told me I got better that day during my OCD docking practice. Our small hulls do get pushed around in the wind quite easily, they have a lot of surface area and a lightweight. Ive been able to squelch some of the vibration by using pool tubes to insulate the throttle and steering cables under the fuel hatch (I found them buzzing and slapping against the hatch). I also keep all my traveling pool noodles that i use for windshield edge covers, pooling pole covers, etc. under that hatch to keep it from vibrating. Its helped a bunch. Glad to hear you're enjoying your new boat. Its going to be a great summer!

 

[dexx00420]

It definitely gets better after the first trip....I was sweating bullets the first time we took ours out without the help of the sales guy and actually did a couple 360's in between two docks. Like others have said, it gets easier with each trip.

 

[octavio3311]

Congrats on the new boat.
Coming from an I/O myself, all I can say to just practice. My biggest problem at first was over compensating with the wheel. The 3/4 stearing made what I thought was small corrections HUGE! T/V's made a big improvement for me. Once you figure out the learning curve - you'll be able to maneuver this thing anywhere you want, and make your I/O buddies envious.
1 thing to remember - on windy days, close the Bimini before coming in. That thing can act like a big sail and push you around pretty good.


Good luck and enjoy.

 

[BakedZiti]

Hey @Rob9550 Glad to see your boating! Your first outing sounds like mine on our 190! I spent my first day docking and then launching away, docking and then launching away. I probably looked retarded. My wife told me I got better that day during my OCD docking practice. Our small hulls do get pushed around in the wind quite easily, they have a lot of surface area and a lightweight. Ive been able to squelch some of the vibration by using pool tubes to insulate the throttle and steering cables under the fuel hatch (I found them buzzing and slapping against the hatch). I also keep all my traveling pool noodles that i use for windshield edge covers, pooling pole covers, etc. under that hatch to keep it from vibrating. Its helped a bunch. Glad to hear you're enjoying your new boat. Its going to be a great summer!

Not to hijack, did you literally just slip the noodles over the cables?

 

[njmr2fan]

Not to hijack, did you literally just slip the noodles over the cables?

Yes, slit them and slip them over the bundle.

 

[Rob9550]

Hey @Rob9550 Glad to see your boating! Your first outing sounds like mine on our 190! I spent my first day docking and then launching away, docking and then launching away. I probably looked retarded. My wife told me I got better that day during my OCD docking practice. Our small hulls do get pushed around in the wind quite easily, they have a lot of surface area and a lightweight. Ive been able to squelch some of the vibration by using pool tubes to insulate the throttle and steering cables under the fuel hatch (I found them buzzing and slapping against the hatch). I also keep all my traveling pool noodles that i use for windshield edge covers, pooling pole covers, etc. under that hatch to keep it from vibrating. Its helped a bunch. Glad to hear you're enjoying your new boat. Its going to be a great summer!

Thanks for the heads up. I am OCD about NVH. I guess it is one of my pet peeves, I had the entire dash replaced in the suburban because it was rattling! I will give the noodles a try and report back.

 

[DBamaC]

Yes, slit them and slip them over the bundle.

This is a good idea and will be taken care of this weekend. Thanks!

 

[Rob9550]

I spent the entire day detailing and cleaning up the boat. I also used the noodle trick to isolate the vibrations and hopefully I will have good news Sunday.

 

[swatski]

I spent the entire day detailing and cleaning up the boat. I also used the noodle trick to isolate the vibrations and hopefully I will have good news Sunday.

I'm watching your progress! Hopefully you can come up with some fresh ideas.

I went ape shit about noise reduction in my boat when I first got it. I thought I can turn it into a Bentley...

 

[Rob9550]

I'm watching your progress! Hopefully you can come up with some fresh ideas.

I went ape shit about noise reduction in my boat when I first got it. I thought I can turn it into a Bentley...

I am sure it will help. I understand that this boat will never be silent but I would like it to sound like its not about to rattle apart. The weather is going to be nice Sunday so I am going to take the wife and kids for the first time. If she doesn't think it sounds bad then I am golden.

 

[BakedZiti]

I am sure it will help. I understand that this boat will never be silent but I would like it to sound like its not about to rattle apart. The weather is going to be nice Sunday so I am going to take the wife and kids for the first time. If she doesn't think it sounds bad then I am golden.

So what was the verdict?