- Location
- United States
I've had 4 Superjets now and I mostly ride them in the surf. Here is the order I do things and I hope it is helpful like the First Mods thread that is a sticky. See: http://www.x-h2o.com/index.php?threads/first-mods-for-your-new-superjet.25487/
1. Bilge - if your going into the surf your going to take water in for sure. First thing to get sorted on your ski is a bilge system. You can get the bracket but most guys glue a Rule 25D to the hull and still run the OEM siphon for backup. Total cost around $65 with the Bilge $25, hose, $10, switch / wire etc $15, and billet outlet $15. I take the choke cable and actuator off the boat and run a waterproof switch there that is lit so I know when the bilge is running. You only need the choke to start the ski and you can do that at the ramp with the hood off without the cable and actuator.
2. Limiting rope - If you ride the surf your probably going to be surfing wave faces, jumping, and trying nose stabs to start things off. Sure way to ruin you day is to get the pole ripped off or damaged from overextending. You can buy a prefabed limiting rope or make your own. I like a folding pad eye on the dash so the hardware wont be a hard point to slam my knees into on the waves.
3. Pole spring - This is my #1 modification to any SJ that I get. Its so much less physically intense to ride with a pole that has a stronger spring. I run the bolt a bit tighter so the pole will kind of stay where I want it to. If its too loose and you don't have a limiting rope the ski can stay upside down b/c the pole is extended by the spring.
4. Tighten the steering. If the steering is too loose I find riders can't rely on the ski to act the same way all the time. A small rider input or action from a wave can really throw the rider and then the steering does not help compensate if its super loose. Its ride preference for sure but I like her tight!
5. Turn the idle up - Last thing I want when the big waves on the inside are crashing on my ski and me is to have to hold the throttle on slightly when I'm starting the ski. I turn the idle up so when I start the thing it lights right up and away I go!
6. Run tow loops and carry a tow strap. I pride myself on maintaining the skis and ensuring that they run flawlessly but it never fails that a ski will die when we are riding the surf. In the small stuff its not too bad but on the big days it can be dangerous. Just check the threads about guys that lost skis. Run tow loops front and back on SJ and carry a tow rope in your fire extinguisher compartment or some other place so it can be accessed relatively easily. I find 9 FT is the perfect length for towing the skis out of surf. You have some pace fro the ski towing you and you can get over the waves as one unit.
7. ADA reverse hood hooks and Cold Fusion hood prongs. I like the SJ lock on the hood. I think the ADA hood hooks that you put the prongs over really help the hood stay in place in the surf. I like the Cold Fusion hood prongs as they are bulletproof - wont bend like the useless (for surf riding) OEM hood prongs.
8. Worx 201 intake grate - it make a world of difference in how the ski hooks up on the water. Its a excellent upgrade for the surf.
9. Rear foot strap. I like the SJ front foothold. Its pretty easy to add a rear foot strap so you can ride in surf stance and have a bit more control over the ski without having to cut it up for footholds. A pretty time intensive operation. I use Plexis to hold in the nuts for the straps. It can easily be ground off when you do install your footholds.
10. Reinforce hull - footholds. If you start riding a lot in the surf it will probably take a toll on the ski and you will want to reinforce the hull and add footholds. When I got to this stage I got a Rickter.
Thats the main stuff I do to make the SJ more reliable in the surf. Yea the other thread dives right into engine reinforcing and props and bars but the above works for me and I hope this info is useful to others who ride as well.
1. Bilge - if your going into the surf your going to take water in for sure. First thing to get sorted on your ski is a bilge system. You can get the bracket but most guys glue a Rule 25D to the hull and still run the OEM siphon for backup. Total cost around $65 with the Bilge $25, hose, $10, switch / wire etc $15, and billet outlet $15. I take the choke cable and actuator off the boat and run a waterproof switch there that is lit so I know when the bilge is running. You only need the choke to start the ski and you can do that at the ramp with the hood off without the cable and actuator.
2. Limiting rope - If you ride the surf your probably going to be surfing wave faces, jumping, and trying nose stabs to start things off. Sure way to ruin you day is to get the pole ripped off or damaged from overextending. You can buy a prefabed limiting rope or make your own. I like a folding pad eye on the dash so the hardware wont be a hard point to slam my knees into on the waves.
3. Pole spring - This is my #1 modification to any SJ that I get. Its so much less physically intense to ride with a pole that has a stronger spring. I run the bolt a bit tighter so the pole will kind of stay where I want it to. If its too loose and you don't have a limiting rope the ski can stay upside down b/c the pole is extended by the spring.
4. Tighten the steering. If the steering is too loose I find riders can't rely on the ski to act the same way all the time. A small rider input or action from a wave can really throw the rider and then the steering does not help compensate if its super loose. Its ride preference for sure but I like her tight!
5. Turn the idle up - Last thing I want when the big waves on the inside are crashing on my ski and me is to have to hold the throttle on slightly when I'm starting the ski. I turn the idle up so when I start the thing it lights right up and away I go!
6. Run tow loops and carry a tow strap. I pride myself on maintaining the skis and ensuring that they run flawlessly but it never fails that a ski will die when we are riding the surf. In the small stuff its not too bad but on the big days it can be dangerous. Just check the threads about guys that lost skis. Run tow loops front and back on SJ and carry a tow rope in your fire extinguisher compartment or some other place so it can be accessed relatively easily. I find 9 FT is the perfect length for towing the skis out of surf. You have some pace fro the ski towing you and you can get over the waves as one unit.
7. ADA reverse hood hooks and Cold Fusion hood prongs. I like the SJ lock on the hood. I think the ADA hood hooks that you put the prongs over really help the hood stay in place in the surf. I like the Cold Fusion hood prongs as they are bulletproof - wont bend like the useless (for surf riding) OEM hood prongs.
8. Worx 201 intake grate - it make a world of difference in how the ski hooks up on the water. Its a excellent upgrade for the surf.
9. Rear foot strap. I like the SJ front foothold. Its pretty easy to add a rear foot strap so you can ride in surf stance and have a bit more control over the ski without having to cut it up for footholds. A pretty time intensive operation. I use Plexis to hold in the nuts for the straps. It can easily be ground off when you do install your footholds.
10. Reinforce hull - footholds. If you start riding a lot in the surf it will probably take a toll on the ski and you will want to reinforce the hull and add footholds. When I got to this stage I got a Rickter.
Thats the main stuff I do to make the SJ more reliable in the surf. Yea the other thread dives right into engine reinforcing and props and bars but the above works for me and I hope this info is useful to others who ride as well.
