Will thrust vectors/cobra fins negatively impact performance?

[SamClay]

We are year one into AR 190. Very pleased with the boat and enjoying life on the water. While I feel I’ve gotten much better at maneuvering the boat as is, still wonder if thrust vectors / cobra fins would be a good purchase if for nothing else, when others are driving the boat like my kids. I’ve heard it makes a world of difference for slow speed maneuverability which is great. But I actually wonder if there are negative consequences of thrust vectors, primarily around top speed performance, and high speed maneuverability. Meaning, does it slow the boat down at all? And will I not be able to perform as tight of turns, almost like gliding, that you can achieve on the jet boat, and I really enjoy for things like when we’re whipping the kids around on the tube.
Any experience with thrust vectors / fins slowing down the boat and or negatively impacting sharp turn performance at higher speeds?
Appreciate the help!! (*updated post to reference cobra fins too. Didn’t realize fins and thrust vectors were two different things)

 

[FSH 210 Sport]

As far as low speed handling goes, are you using the throttle in the TDE ( Thrust Directional Enhancer) position, that is the first detent you come to when pushing the throttles forward, and raising the rpm’s with the no wake mode button? This is from the factory, by raising the rpm’s via the no wake mode button you will experience crisp directional control.

While I do not have Thrust Vectors I understand their operating principal, when you start adding power the thrust vector rides up and out of the way of the jet wash. When you slow down the thrust vectors drop back down.

 

[SamClay]

Thank

As far as low speed handling goes, are you using the throttle in the TDE ( Thrust Directional Enhancer) position, that is the first detent you come to when pushing the throttles forward, and raising the rpm’s with the no wake mode button? This is from the factory, by raising the rpm’s via the no wake mode button you will experience crisp directional control.

While I do not have Thrust Vectors I understand their operating principal, when you start adding power the thrust vector rides up and out of the way of the jet wash. When you slow down the thrust vectors drop back down.

Thanks for the help! I don’t have any installed yet, just considering a purchase. I updated the post too since I didn’t realize that thrust vectors and cobra fins are two different types of products.

 

[FSH 210 Sport]

Thank

Thanks for the help! I don’t have any installed yet, just considering a purchase. I updated the post too since I didn’t realize that thrust vectors and cobra fins are two different types of products.

And have you been using the TDE position and no wake at level two or three? If you haven’t then I’d suggest giving that a try, it makes a huge difference in steering authority.

 

[gthorson]

I've thought similar on speed performance and thought about smoothing the edges of mine, they are pretty good already, but in comparison to pushing a thousands of pounds boat through the water the effect would be miniscule. Pushing 4 dull knives through the water compared to the splash and waves of the boat should put it in perspective. On turning, I get tighter turns.

 

[biffdotorg]

Some have complained about "stiff steering" but there is a fine line between stiff feeling, and more control. As you truly have more "bite" in the water, which is what you want.

It's like driving a car with sticky tires, you will feel the pressure in the wheel, as you have better control. You won't have that washout feel that you may have experienced in the past. That's a good thing.

 

[SamClay]

Do

I've thought similar on speed performance and thought about smoothing the edges of mine, they are pretty good already, but in comparison to pushing a thousands of pounds boat through the water the effect would be miniscule. Pushing 4 dull knives through the water compared to the splash and waves of the boat should put it in perspective. On turning, I get tighter turns.

good insight, thanks! Do you have cobra fins or thrust vectors?

 

[gthorson]

good insight, thanks! Do you have cobra fins or thrust vectors?

I have Cobra that stay down always. Even with the longer boat they help a lot with slow speed tracking.

Your turning will be much different on the 19' that mine. Your boat should be a lot more responsive in turns. I can feel the better bite in my turns. I also feel like the help the fins give in turns allows me to modulate speed so I get the most turn for my power rather than just lose speed with the rpms staying high. Then when I feel the jets grabbing again in the turns I can give it the gas.

 

[Cobra Jet Steering LLC]

We are year one into AR 190. Very pleased with the boat and enjoying life on the water. While I feel I’ve gotten much better at maneuvering the boat as is, still wonder if thrust vectors / cobra fins would be a good purchase if for nothing else, when others are driving the boat like my kids. I’ve heard it makes a world of difference for slow speed maneuverability which is great. But I actually wonder if there are negative consequences of thrust vectors, primarily around top speed performance, and high speed maneuverability. Meaning, does it slow the boat down at all? And will I not be able to perform as tight of turns, almost like gliding, that you can achieve on the jet boat, and I really enjoy for things like when we’re whipping the kids around on the tube.
Any experience with thrust vectors / fins slowing down the boat and or negatively impacting sharp turn performance at higher speeds?
Appreciate the help!! (*updated post to reference cobra fins too. Didn’t realize fins and thrust vectors were two different things)

https://fb.watch/dMr4yZ8EDA

This video was made by a customer trying out his cobra super ultimate ak-19 deluxe steering for the first time, he made this video on his own watch him make waves behind the trailer and then drive up to the trailer and park the boat on it..
Also my steering is adjustable and spring loaded so if you want the fins to rise up out of the water at speed you certainly can do that, I tell people whre to set the fins and they usually use that setting remember my tempered aluminum fins are super fins with a special design to automatically change the steering influence they provide based on the position of the hull in the water so when you need more influence you automatically get it

 

[mray]

We are please with the Cobra Jet fins on our 195s. Slow speed tracking is much better and we didnt notice any Ill effects in high speed maneuvering and I can still slide the boat at speed if wanted.

 

[Pat600cc]

Anyone have any experience with the cobra jet fins on the drive models? Boat handles well except for close quarter docking. I struggle the most with the reverse steering in neutral.