- Location
- Del Mar, CA
This build thread will go through the whole process from my initial impressions and experiences with my BOB (Bobbie) through the actual build and in to testing and developing the hull to work in the surf.
After riding the hull in Parker, I felt like I would need more forward weight bias to make the hull handle well in the surf. So they moved the mounting points for the fuel tank, water box, and battery as far forward as possible to help with that. And they also gave us the option of mounting the motor a little farther forward also. Jack (at the Ski Clinic) was nice enough to make a box that I could mount in the dash to let me get my front foot a little farther forward as well. These changes should allow me to get a more balanced weight bias in the boat, and help curb the "wheelie" tendency of the hull. That "wheelie" tendency would be great if I was trying to actually flat water Backflip On a Budget...but I'm not. I am trying to build a good handling boat that will also allow me to flip it quickly.
I think it is also very important to keep in mind that the retail price on the boat is $3,500. So my review of build quality etc will be keeping that fact in mind. This is not a $10,000 hull and I don't expect it to be built like one.
OK...here are some pics of the boat as it arrived and some of my initial impressions of the boat. Click on the pics for larger pics.
I'm pretty impressed with the overall quality of the boat. The hull seems quite solid and finish is good. If we wanted to, I'm sure we could buff out the gel coat and not have to paint. Hull seems very solid also. And I like the curved surfaces, flat surfaces break when they hit the water and curved surface will distribute the force better.
Clearly Sidney is super excited about the build.
Pretty innovative ball valve to keep water from coming in the drain. Will be interesting to see how well it works.
Hood looks and feels solid. The air intakes are a little small. But we will be breathing through the hood also. And there is a chance we will be installing some additional air intakes that will be covered by FrogSkins on the top side of the hood.
Multiple mounting locations for the motor.
I opted for the open holds, I tend to put my foot in sideways part of the time. These stick a little too far in to the tray for me to be comfortable with, so we will trim them up a little.
This is the front foothold that I will recess in to the dash. This will allow me a little more tray room and a front hold without using a strap...good to have the room...I'm comfortable in the strap though but I don't think I'll want to run it with the hold.
We are going to replace the fitting on the bow. It is a nice looking piece and would probably be fine to secure to the trailer, but I'm not comfortable with trying to use that to tow with. The good thing is the back side of the mount is easily accessible.
After riding the hull in Parker, I felt like I would need more forward weight bias to make the hull handle well in the surf. So they moved the mounting points for the fuel tank, water box, and battery as far forward as possible to help with that. And they also gave us the option of mounting the motor a little farther forward also. Jack (at the Ski Clinic) was nice enough to make a box that I could mount in the dash to let me get my front foot a little farther forward as well. These changes should allow me to get a more balanced weight bias in the boat, and help curb the "wheelie" tendency of the hull. That "wheelie" tendency would be great if I was trying to actually flat water Backflip On a Budget...but I'm not. I am trying to build a good handling boat that will also allow me to flip it quickly.
I think it is also very important to keep in mind that the retail price on the boat is $3,500. So my review of build quality etc will be keeping that fact in mind. This is not a $10,000 hull and I don't expect it to be built like one.
OK...here are some pics of the boat as it arrived and some of my initial impressions of the boat. Click on the pics for larger pics.
I'm pretty impressed with the overall quality of the boat. The hull seems quite solid and finish is good. If we wanted to, I'm sure we could buff out the gel coat and not have to paint. Hull seems very solid also. And I like the curved surfaces, flat surfaces break when they hit the water and curved surface will distribute the force better.
Clearly Sidney is super excited about the build.
Pretty innovative ball valve to keep water from coming in the drain. Will be interesting to see how well it works.
Hood looks and feels solid. The air intakes are a little small. But we will be breathing through the hood also. And there is a chance we will be installing some additional air intakes that will be covered by FrogSkins on the top side of the hood.
Multiple mounting locations for the motor.
I opted for the open holds, I tend to put my foot in sideways part of the time. These stick a little too far in to the tray for me to be comfortable with, so we will trim them up a little.
This is the front foothold that I will recess in to the dash. This will allow me a little more tray room and a front hold without using a strap...good to have the room...I'm comfortable in the strap though but I don't think I'll want to run it with the hold.
We are going to replace the fitting on the bow. It is a nice looking piece and would probably be fine to secure to the trailer, but I'm not comfortable with trying to use that to tow with. The good thing is the back side of the mount is easily accessible.
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