Basic Surf Boat Setup

[wolf]

OK, I’ve looked at Yamaslut’s SJ setup page, and the setup pages linked from it, and skimmed the last hundred pages of the general section (can I have a cookie?), so I know this subject has been beat like meat. Nevertheless, I have some questions, 'cause I'm a loser baby, so why don't you kill me? If I had any friends that rode skis in the surf, (hell, if I had any friends at all) then I might know these things.

What I’m going to do, is put down what I think my stock SJ needs to be a solid, if unspectacular, surf boat. Then, if you lucky dogs that live in the surf would be so good as to critique my thinking, I’ll be on my way to Pismo/ Baja, eventually- woot!

My boat gets used primarily as a fitness macheen on lakes and rivers, so I don’t want to go radical on the setup, just make it reliable, so I’m not a liability to anyone who goes surf riding with me. I’ll not be pulling any backflips, at least at first. I just want to air it out a little, bust some floaters, and demolish the lip- maybe get tubed if it’s an epic day.

Intake grate: Worx 201. I forgot how bad the stock ones are, it’s like having a bald knobby.

Impeller: stock. It looks better than the one that came with my ’94. Is there big gains to be had here? (stock motor)

Pole limiting strap. Who has the sano mount setup?

Hood straps. Best setup? (cleanest/ strongest/ trickest?)

Tow loop: I’ll just tie off a nylon sling. Would like to see other setups, though.

Anti-U-Boat: bilge pump(s). Can I get a way with a single 500? Or just quit screwin’ around, and get PUMPED with dualing 5 hunnerts? Switching: on with ski? Or manual switching?

Flush kit: clueless. I’ve read some of your posts about “true” backflushing, but still don’t know what the bulletproof setup is for that. I like trick maintenance upgrades.

Water separator: just pull the plug, and let it drain into the bilge? Is this asking for water in the tank if your boat goes through the wash cycle a few times?

Leashes: do y’all turn down your idle, and zip-tie the leash switch open? Or just wear the damn thing?

Other stuff: B-pipes: any obvious mods that need to go with the pipe, i.e. jetting? I’m avoiding the pipe for now, but I know that the OEM one will probably break like the last one did… Is there even an alternative to the B-pipe? I thought the red Riva pipe on my last boat was sweet. It ripped. Are they no mas?

Sealing the stock hood: I’ve seen this mentioned, but don’t know what it entails, or if it’s necessary, what?

Damn, I’m a wordy mother, and that’s with no coffeeeeeyeeyee yahhh!

Hey, thanks in advance. I never made it to the surf with my last boat, and really wanted to. Man, times were tight when I was young. I feel lucky to have another shot at the surf. Life is good.

 

[stanton]

Intake grate: Worx 201. I forgot how bad the stock ones are, it’s like having a bald knobby.
ITS PROBLY THE MOST POPULAR, SO YEA

Impeller: stock. It looks better than the one that came with my ’94. Is there big gains to be had here? (stock motor)
YES GAINS WITH THE IMPELLER, WHAT PITCH YOU WANT IDK.

Pole limiting strap. Who has the sano mount setup?
Hood straps. Best setup? (cleanest/ strongest/ trickest?)
BLOWSION, JUST FIGURE OUT A BETTER WAY TO MOUNT THE LIMITING ROPE. HERES MINE. SAME WITH BLOWSION STRAPS.
http://www.x-h2o.com/gallery/thumbnails.php?album=404

Tow loop: I’ll just tie off a nylon sling. Would like to see other setups, though.
ROPE IS GOOD
Anti-U-Boat: bilge pump(s). Can I get a way with a single 500? Or just quit screwin’ around, and get PUMPED with dualing 5 hunnerts? Switching: on with ski? Or manual switching?
SINGLE 360 WOULD BE FINE. YOU NEED A MANUAL SWITCH, MY BILGE WONT SUCK IF RUNNING DRY THEN COVERED WITH WATER SO BEWARE RUNNING ALL THE TIME WONT WORK!

Flush kit: clueless. I’ve read some of your posts about “true” backflushing, but still don’t know what the bulletproof setup is for that. I like trick maintenance upgrades.
I MADE ONE OUT OF A HOSE. FITS OVER THE HOLE ON THE PISSER AND THATS ALL THERE IS TO IT.

Water separator: just pull the plug, and let it drain into the bilge? Is this asking for water in the tank if your boat goes through the wash cycle a few times?
DUNNO

Leashes: do y’all turn down your idle, and zip-tie the leash switch open? Or just wear the damn thing?
GOT MY SKI ZIPTIED SO IVE NEVER USED A LANYARD

Other stuff: B-pipes: any obvious mods that need to go with the pipe, i.e. jetting? I’m avoiding the pipe for now, but I know that the OEM one will probably break like the last one did… Is there even an alternative to the B-pipe? I thought the red Riva pipe on my last boat was sweet. It ripped. Are they no mas?
B-PIPE IS WHAT YOU WANT NO DOUBT ABOUT IT

Sealing the stock hood: I’ve seen this mentioned, but don’t know what it entails, or if it’s necessary, what?
COVER TWO OF THE THREE INTAKE HOLES IN THE FRONT, TAPE, PLUG, YOU COME UP WITH SOMETHING. LEAVE THE LOWER INSIDE OPEN. YOU MAY WANT TO ENLARGE THE HOLES IN THE BACK.

 

[joe b]

what five0 said:arms: here would be my priority list:

1 seal front hood openings
2 1 bilge pump
3 tow loop
4 flush kit
5 prop
6 b-pipe

 

[wolf]

5-O and Joe, thanks- you guys rock.

I'm getting a better idea of what mods and parts to come up with. Those were the first pics I've seen showing how the straps are set up.

Joe, do you also run with the lanyard disabled? Do you guys turn your idle down enough that your boat dies with no throttle? That's the way my SN was, it was cool 'cause I could lose the whole start/ stop assembly- just had a WP switch mounted up under the top pad.

After looking at the carnage section, the whole no lanyard thing sounds like it may be risky...

edit: I just saw the B-pipe cooling thread, so that should answer my questions about what goes with the pipe install. Haven't had a chance to read it, but hopefully some concensus is reached about what the optimum cooling program looks like. Looks like a great thread.

 

[marz831]

YOU NEED A MANUAL SWITCH, MY BILGE WONT SUCK IF RUNNING DRY THEN COVERED WITH WATER SO BEWARE RUNNING ALL THE TIME WONT WORK!

There is something wrong with your pump, because I run my Rule 360 all the time and it does go from dry to pumping water with no issues.

 

[LBE]

The rule pumps are known to "airlock". Dunno if its true with the 360 vs 500? I would just run a switch. Five-o hit most the good stuff. A limiting set up and hood straps can be home made for next to nothing.

Stock and reliable is what you want for surf. Ap prop will help but mabey wait till you get the pipe for budget purposes. The reason a B-pipe is expensive...It's worth it. Not just performance but simplicity. Red pipes will break mounts in the surf, as it mounts much like a stock pipe. Plus it goes across the top of the motor makeing it more difficult to work on IMO.

Only other thing I would suggest for surf is a set of Tubbies. If you want to surf ride they are a must.

Lastly RUN A LANYARD!! I ran for a long time w/o one, zip tie with idle tuned down. Mike did a roll one day and his throtle spring broke at 1/4 rotation, motor reved to the moon. When it hit the water it took off. He rides with a lanyard. Without it, if something happens you have a wild 300lb torpeedo.
As soon as this happened I started running a lanyard. last ride my throtle spring broke! glad I had a lanyard.

 

[Shonuff]

Get the lanyards that clip to your vest, that way, you don't have to mess with it until it snaps into your leg at 50 mph.

You HAVE to get footholds if you'll be jumping surf. Otherwise, you'll fall off your boat and then land on it breaking your sacrum like some people on this board.

 

[wolf]

Excellent, thanks LBE. You make a good case for the lanyard- I think I'll just find a different bracelet thingy and run it. Good to have a way to kill the torpedo, from broken throttle springs, or going wfo 'cause you have your shoe or vest caught up in the throttle.

I take it the tubbies are good for added flotation, and less tendancy to bury the nose down the face? I've wanted to add some for turning performance, anyways. Anyone feel like commenting on how to mount the tubbies? Are they just epoxied on, or do you pull the tank and waterbox, and thru-bolt 'em? Sorry, I don't know diddley ish about this stuff, yet.

Edit: Shonuff, I'm thinking straps is how I'm gonna go, rather than footholds, as I like to ride in a surf stance.

 

[Sospikey]

Here is my build. I consider it to be close to what you're asking for. Enjoy!

http://www.x-h2o.com/threads/17785

 

[wolf]

Sospikey. Dude. Your thorough documentation and corresponding text is worth several thousands of words. That was a nice read. :beerchug:

My geography is poor, but I'm looking at a globe- where do you launch? Somewhere on the Baltic? I'm off topic, I'll bombard you with some questions over at your build thread. Nice attention to detail, love the car audio leads, and wish I had a Husqvarna sewing machine- I'd use that sucker alot! However- there is a Husqvarna in my garage... it's a 576cc.:biggrin:

 

[Sospikey]

On the opposite side of the Baltic Sea. I live by the second largest lake in Sweden, about 100 miles long, 20 miles wide and greatest depth of 120 yards
It is called Lake Vättern, I live in the Motala, check this out:

http://www.lib.utexas.edu/maps/europe/sweden.jpg

Some geography lessons while talking jetsis!!!

 

[wydopen]

Edit: Shonuff, I'm thinking straps is how I'm gonna go, rather than footholds, as I like to ride in a surf stance.

good call on the straps...tubbies for sure and a shortenpole is all you really need....

 

[stanton]

There is something wrong with your pump, because I run my Rule 360 all the time and it does go from dry to pumping water with no issues.

i need a 360 then!
i talked to a rule representative and he knew that it happens and admitted it sucks. what happens is the pump spins up fast when its not pumping and then when water hits it it just cavitates. he recommended a float switch, i told him it was a surf ski and then he didn't recommend a switch. lol
i asked him about the 360 being better and he didn't think so..

 

[Sospikey]

Apparently the 360s are less prone to cavitate. My 500s cavitate when I test run them but get the water out fast when doing subs. I keep mine running.

 

[John_Ciocca]

I run two Rule 1100's in the rear and an 800 up front and I don't have bilge pump cavitation issues. I have seen it before, but it's not an issue with the 1100s and 800 I run.

If running the pumps dry on the trailer and slowly adding water to the bilge by hose....sure, the pumps will cavitate. However, while ripping around during actual riding I think there is enough water sloshing around to break the cavitation and the pumps work fine. Just keep riding the water will get out.

JC

 

[DCRocks]

I run a 800gph bilge pump, it is the same size as the 500, and I can leave it to run dry, and it will pump out water when it gets there.

Of all the advice I can give ya, a top notch bildge is NUMERO UNO at the top of the list must haves, IMO.

While you can get by without all the other items, a non functional/faulty bildge can ruin your whole day, not to mention sinking your ski.

I have seen several top notch all tricked out skis, end their day early due to a bildge pump failure.


Oh, and a Factory B limited Pipe, is also pretty much a given, as an upgrade.

 

[Ross_C]

I would also suggest just coming out and ride one weekend. There are lots of guys that ride Pismo, and you can see what they are doing as far as setup goes.

Put in the bilge pumps and go get in the water! The rest of the stuff mentioned here is super important, especially when you start pushing yourself and equipment. But you can go have fun just the way Yamaha built it!

 

[dbrutherford]

I had two 500 Rules in a 650 SX once on a custom bracket at the back of the fire wall just like the typical standard aftermarket bracket mounted them. Well I feel two of them was pointless. Those things would air lock all the time. Then one would out pump the other.

I have been thinking of doing two 100 Rules. However they cost more, the through hull aluminum fittings are harder to find and cost more, and I doubt for me who is a lake/river rider two are necessary.

Best bet is to put a handle bar switch on the ski. Then you can flip the pumps on and off occasionally. I also left in my stock bilge pump and it works decent. But you need at leats one aftermarket pump!

So would one 1100, one 800 or two 800's be best?

I used to have one 500 in my old old X2 and it would take forever to drain the water out. So now I am just thinking either the one 1100 or two 800's.

 

[oxnard111]

I hate lanyards, but think I should start running one again. I think the only time I won't is if the surf is huge.

I switched to attwood bilges after using rule 360's and 500's.

Do everyone a favor and use a front and back tow loop, and carry your own easily accessible tow strap. That way you can be all strapped up and ready for some to hook up to you and tow your ass out on the go.

Wear a helmet, ALWAYS!!!

 

[demolition_x]

or just get the 10 dollar attwoods and done with it.

they don't airlock, they are cheap, and easy to get (wally land if you dare) and you can't go wrong.

i run them and i know a bunch of people that do too.