[TAMPA] Seeking Advice on best ski to purchase for primarily surf and riding the bay

[red_ak_ranger]

Looking to purchase a custom ski for riding in the Tampa area. My belief is I would be primarily playing around the channel downtown as well as Apollo Beach. I do not want a flatwater specific ski. Prefer a bigger tank for longer riding and reliability. I would prefer new but willing to look into used.

Some more info about me. I've ridden superjets for years. I own a rok-r(in texas) so it could cover any flat water needs if I bring it here. And I once rode John' Krenn's Rickter at Daytona Beach and it was a bitch to ride. I'm 6'2.

Any advice would be appreciated. And my budget is probably $13,000.

 

[Quinc]

The krash freeride skis are great for the price. Just get one with a Yamaha drive train. There is a thread on here somewhere with a good graph showing how different skis ride/overlap with flat/surf/race.

 

[Quinc]

This also looks like a good deal/ski:

Ski - 2017 Tigercraft sv1 complete ski +4mm stroker $10k obo

2017 tigercraft sv1 780 +4mm stroker 44mm dual carb php billet intake manifold factory b pipe Solas 144 mag pump kp handle pole thrust steering thrust trim adjustable footholds front foothold awesome surf ski been sitting winterized and fogged for 2 years. very little time on entire build...

www.x-h2o.com

 

[red_ak_ranger]

The krash freeride skis are great for the price. Just get one with a Yamaha drive train. There is a thread on here somewhere with a good graph showing how different skis ride/overlap with flat/surf/race.

I couldnt find that thread. There's a few threads poop-talking Krash which doesn't help. Because I was looking at them.

Lee Stone LS1 popped up as well but that specific ski seemed to be more lake oriented with a 2gallon tank.

 

[Big Kahuna]

Edge, SV-Pro, Krash Preditor all would fit the bill. Same as a good running / setup Superjet.

 

[Quinc]

I couldnt find that thread. There's a few threads poop-talking Krash which doesn't help. Because I was looking at them.

Lee Stone LS1 popped up as well but that specific ski seemed to be more lake oriented with a 2gallon tank.

Krash hulls are great. It is the krash driveline people have issues with. That is why you want to go with yamaha driveline. (edited by BK, looked like you were asking "Why you want to go with yamaha driveline!")

 

[Quinc]

Thank you BK!

 

[eastbay]

I am loving my Tigercraft SV1! it rides great , carves hard but can still slide, pops off the wave great! if your ever in CA your welcome to ride it!

 

[Okoblowji]

And I once rode John' Krenn's Rickter at Daytona Beach and it was a bitch to ride. I'm 6'2.

Must've been an XFS, if it was an Edge it would have been easy and you would've loved it.

 

[subnsxr]

Just get a SJ.

 

[red_ak_ranger]

Is there somewhat a consensus that a 2-stroke SJ with pipe/footholds/(add a)hood strap is a very adequate surf ski?. FB marketplace has offerings across the diff brands but also many "surf setup" SJ. With 701, jetmaniac 718, 760. Assuming good compression and runs well, would be affordable.
Edit: example - https://www.facebook.com/share/1EyR8YBzjJ/

 

[Quinc]

That ski looks like a great deal assuming the fiberglass work is decent. Worse case you could use the driveline out of it for an a/m hull in the future.

 

[Bubz1908]

Reviving this…I’m in the same situation just on the other Coast. Out in CA. Wanting a good surf ski, reliable and able to chase bouys/play in the bay when I don’t hit the surf.

Not really too interested in flat water.

I have had superjets and some old 750s. Want something thags gonna take the surf slams well.

Hear a lot about the Rickter obviously. Seems the FR? I can’t find too much on year/changes.

Also I know the predator was changed a lot a couple years ago and I very long now.

What years of the predator hulls do you guys recommend? And is getting a Yamaha drivetrain in one of these krash skis quite the undertaking?

 

[fastgtfairlane]

I love my superfreak badass in surf.

 

[fastgtfairlane]

This also looks like a good deal/ski:

Ski - 2017 Tigercraft sv1 complete ski +4mm stroker $10k obo

2017 tigercraft sv1 780 +4mm stroker 44mm dual carb php billet intake manifold factory b pipe Solas 144 mag pump kp handle pole thrust steering thrust trim adjustable footholds front foothold awesome surf ski been sitting winterized and fogged for 2 years. very little time on entire build...

www.x-h2o.com

I was just about to post that link. That is a killer surf setup. The sv1 is shorter, lighter, and more playful than the sv pro. The pro shines with 900+ ccs and bigger waves. The sv1 will be better for more rec type riding. Not a flatwater ski though. Very similar in length to my 4.3 superfreak.

 

[Bubz1908]

How

I was just about to post that link. That is a killer surf setup. The sv1 is shorter, lighter, and more playful than the sv pro. The pro shines with 900+ ccs and bigger waves. The sv1 will be better for more rec type riding. Not a flatwater ski though. Very similar in length to my 4.3 superfreak.

How does this compare side wise with the edge and the Predator? (Predator pre 2021) I heave head from a few guys that ride predators only that its the best Hull you can get (Ride wise, sacrifices some fit and Finish compared to RRP) for surf/carving.

Wondering what you experienced guys think about the Predator with YAMI guts…i know the KV powertrain is not desirable at all.

I’ve never seen the SV1 in person, looks like a nice ski. Too bad im on the west coast. Looks like a pretty good deal.

 

[Freakrider]

I love my superfreak badass in surf.

Clean surf absolutely, I don't like my -4.3 SF in choppy/windy surf and would rather be on a heavier glass hull.

 

[brapperdoodle]

How

How does this compare side wise with the edge and the Predator? (Predator pre 2021) I heave head from a few guys that ride predators only that its the best Hull you can get (Ride wise, sacrifices some fit and Finish compared to RRP) for surf/carving.

Wondering what you experienced guys think about the Predator with YAMI guts…i know the KV powertrain is not desirable at all.

I’ve never seen the SV1 in person, looks like a nice ski. Too bad im on the west coast. Looks like a pretty good deal.

These aren’t exact numbers but the Edge is about 2” shorter than a Predator, and the Predator is about 2” shorter than a Superjet. I cut about 2” off my Predator and it’s perfect. I’ve ridden several aftermarket surf hulls and I think the Predator is the best value overall if you can find one. I personally really love the way it rides and have no intention of ever buying another hull. Plus, they come with removable tubbies and I like mine best without the “training wheels”

 

[fastgtfairlane]

Clean surf absolutely, I don't like my -4.3 SF in choppy/windy surf and would rather be on a heavier glass hull.

Ahh, see mine is glass and weighs 320 lbs with a full tank of fuel and water still dripping out of the tray haha.

 

[fastgtfairlane]

There were also a few variations of the sv1 to my knowledge. There were a few different lengths if I'm not mistaken. The sv1 is a little lighter than the edge and predator. The sv pro is closer to the predator. I've never personally ridden an edge so I can't comment on how they ride. I've heard the 16 to 20 edges are the best overall. The newer edges perform best a 900+ cc power valve engine. Same with the sv pro.. they're all good choices, I think you'll like anyone you get on when it's set up for you..