Shop Built SN Handlepole

[Prairidawg]

Hi, thought I would do a build thread for the handlepole that I built for my 650 superjet. So I bought this superjet for cheap. It had a few extra brackets screwed onto the side of the pole, i didn't think anything of it, as this ol girl starts when you push the button, and you just have to keep filling it with gas to have fun. The thing that I did notice was that the extra brackets were rubbing on the fiberglass on the hood, and it was seeming to get worse over the course of the summer. So one day a friend is over and we are both going to go for a rip. I get this SJ ready for him in the water and subconsciously notice that the handle bars moved up and down a bit more than usual, but what can you do? Anyway he ends up in the middle of the lake with the pole broken in half, and I finally realize that it is apparently hard to steer a stand up when the bars are not connected to the pole. I end up dragging him to shore, put the SJ away, and start trying to find a replacement pole.

Here are the brackets.

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[Prairidawg]

Here are pics of how the pole broke, I'm guessing that this is fairly common.

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[Big Kahuna]

Very Common. You could get a conversion bracket and install a RN Pole on it.

 

[Prairidawg]

I looked all over for a replacement stock pole and pretty much got laughed at, and I didn't really want to spent the big bucks on a pole for for the old girl. I did eventually find a hull and pole for sale, the pole was supposedly good so I bought it sight unseen and had it shipped to me. When it arrived, it was also cracked, in pretty much the same spot. I suppose I could have added some layers of fiberglass, but at this point said screw it, I will just build an aluminum one. The only problem is that I have never tried and dont have the spool gun to weld aluminum, so I will make it all bolt together.

So I bought aluminum. I'm not exactly sure on sizes and thicknesses right now, I can check and measure later. The bill for aluminum was maybe 200.00? But there was enough to build a couple poles.

I decided to use the stock pole bracket, and the stock pivot bolt. I also used the nylon bushings from the stock pole where the pivot pin goes through. I used the stock pole spring as well, but have since bought an aftermarket spring to install.

Here are some pictures

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[Prairidawg]

Also built a limiting strap......lasted for one ride and tore out

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[Prairidawg]

In the end, I have a pole that looks kinda cool, was cheap and functions well. I believe it is about -4" from stock which is a good feel. I have since bought an aftermarket spring, as the pole is a bit heavy. Next time I would use thinner material everywhere. Also I never noticed until recently, but I should change the hex bolts at the bottom of the pole to some smooth or countersunk allen bolts to avoid some injuries. Also the way that I milled a groove in the one pipe does not allow me to change out the pole spring easily, now I have to take it all apart to cut the groove longer to make it fit.

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[user_error]

Looks great! Sounds like with a couple minor improvements it will be a perfect DIY handlepole upgrade. Nice job

 

[Req]

I am debating a welded version now that I have seen yours. I would love to know the thickness of aluminium you used.

Great looking piece!

 

[Prairidawg]

I will try to get the dimensions this weekend

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[Big Kahuna]

When you first said "Bolt Together" I was a bid scared of what I was going to see. Many have tried to make a welded tube pole and they are absolutely hideous looking. You knocked this out of the park. Your limit strap actually need to clip near the hood latch area but on the hull side.

 

[Roseand]

That looks better than the welded twin tube poles that's for sure and the original chin pad doesn't even look bad on there! Killer killer work.

 

[TheBuzzard]

that limit rope is going to rip off the hood side the first time it really gets yanked on. nice looking pole for sure. if the head end is made out of too thin a stuff, its going to bend there. ask me how I know lol. if you could put an end cap to cover the spring, it would clean up nice

 

[Prairidawg]

Thanks for the compliments! I recall now that I used a plastic quick connect on the buckle for the limiting strap, the first time I used it the plastic exploded, so I ripped it all off. Yes it would be best to connect it to the dash somewhere.

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[Prairidawg]

The fi ish on all of the aluminum.inum was a red scotch brite pad and spray wax after.

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[Lumberjack]

Wow this looks 10x as good as I imagined. I was going to convince you to get a RN pole as a cheap replacement but Nice work!