Freestyle Rickter XFS Build

[mik72e]

Quick right up on new build

Ski choice is a Rickter XFS BLACK

Ski purchased from AJSP delivered on that date I was first told kept in the loop the hole time very very happy
You’re a champion Craig you to Adam.

Ski arrived in a perfectly sealed box this was a massive improvement from the last box that came from Rickter nice and thick and sturdy.




Unwrapping I was like a little school boy ski and hood was all wrapped so well there was no way for any scratches or anything.



Bought myself a set of scales to weigh things I was quiet suprised the total weight of the XFS not as light as I thought. But that s also a good thing not being so light. Have to say the finish of the ski just gets better and better everything was perfect. The room in the XFS to work on is massive way much more room than my FR-2.

Total Hood weight 4.15 kilos


Total Hull Weight 44.30 kilos ( Hull, Pole Bracket, Engine mounting system, RRP foot holds Pint and Graffics & Turf)


Total . 48.50kilos


Complete Skat pump nozzle shaft prop wamiltons trim so on Weight 8.80 kilos

 

[mik72e]

Pump shoe went in with Breeze and the install of the pump and alignment was perfect I dumbie like me can do it had to shimmed the rear of the pump for shaft alignment about 2-3mil.



Mid Shaft weight 1.45 kilos
Install of the mid shaft and bolt holes once again perfect nice easy install.

 

[mik72e]

Electrically box with FLAME unit with all leads and cables weight 2.20 kilos installed the box to the rear of the fire wall it sits so far up and away the room inside is a massive.


Weight my motor 38.5 kilos with everything on it including water lines and fuels line head pipe couplers starter motor the lot.


Next install was the pole to the pole bracket now my pole was complete. Installed the spring perch to the RRP bracket easy. Now the install of the pole bolt to a complete set up pole was a bitch and the pole bracket is so close to the hull be very careful not to scratch your new baby. With 3 people we managed to get the bitch in was an issue because the complete pole was set up. Full length breath tubes where installed there is way more room in the front than an FR-2 or 1.

Got carried away with the build forgot to weight things from here on.

Water box install was easier than a superjet I can t stress how much room these little things have to top it of the breather tubes are still full length and not in the way at all.

Fitting the long black exhaust hose was an issue its 2-3 inchs to short so had to spit the hose and extend it done installed.

Now engine mounts install was easy they have given you enough room under the rails to get a nut under there with your fingers and install the mounts where previously the rails had to come off. Quick and easy.

Installed Xscream 865 with the header pipe on the motor with the carbs attached went straight in. The motor kind of sits further back so lining up your motor and reaching in is a little pain full but not an issue. Heaps of room between the motor and the electrical box firewall more room on the side as well the B pipe chamber clear by heaps. All I had to do was connect 2 water lines and fuel lines done.

Battery box lined up straight in DEKA battery weights 5 kilos. Going to install a Ballastic soon.

OEM Fuel tank slipped straight in. good idea is turf the bottom of you tank or tray stop the tank rubbing against your hull.

Hood prongs lines up perfect installed.

Hood latch installed no issue hood closed and sealed perfect.

Total weight of ski less fuel came in at
125.25 kilos will drop a few kilos with a lighter battery.



Ski is set up for small baby surf and abit of flat water but no so much as you may have noticed decided to run an oem fuel tank motor forward with extended couplers and a long ride plate provided by RP thanks Watty.

Get the feel of the ski first them make changes like pole length bars and plate.

Rode the ski for 10mins in bad condition windy and crappy and was happy with the way the hull felt for the conditions I was in. Ski feels short that’s for sure but stable at the same time you kind of look back for the rest of the ski when your riding but there s nothing there. With the long ride plate rides really nice if you ride with one foot forward forget it there s no room in the tray but nice and wide.

Now the funny part tried to set up my own wake for a back flip well 1st attempt was kind of nose in but more landing on my head. Jay Habib was with me he cracked up laughing in stitches he said your suppose to hit the wake not miss it lol its all fun. Jay got 2 mins on it only to have the header pipe come off see Habib breaks everything so I can t report to much more but

I LIKE IT

Thanks to Craig from AJSP for the ski and motor set up

Thanks to Watty for the FLAME and ride plate quick turn around time and always there to
help.

 

[badvinny]

Nice ski, and a great build thread too.

 

[Superjetjim]

Looks amazing, lets hear more on the rideability compared to a SJ - I'm looking to press the button on the Glass XFS in Black like yours, would like to hear more!

Cheers

Jim

 

[Polish jet pilot]

the weight came out quite a bit as I recall an oem sj is about 132 kgs?? I bet the competition ones made from kevlar are 1/2 weight (of fiberglass hull)...but the price be probably 100% more..

 

[Superjetjim]

the weight came out quite a bit as I recall an oem sj is about 132 kgs?? I bet the competition ones made from kevlar are 1/2 weight (of fiberglass hull)...but the price be probably 100% more..

Wonder what a stock SJ with scupper, adj foot holds, billet pole bracket and a RRP pole weighs?..

 

[mik72e]

Looks amazing, lets hear more on the rideability compared to a SJ - I'm looking to press the button on the Glass XFS in Black like yours, would like to hear more!

Cheers

Jim

When you say ride ability it's not a SJ that you can run around WOT it's more flat water and small surf.

I would not buy this ski if I want to run around a bouy course stick with your SJ.

The ride alone is freaking awesome for what they are stable solid build and strong could nt be happier.

 

[Proformance1]

Ill have to weigh my 2000 sj with billet rrp pole and adjustable footholds. That will be a good comparison. Although my entire ski is carbon reinforced. Even in the tray inside area.

 

[Superjetjim]

When you say ride ability it's not a SJ that you can run around WOT it's more flat water and small surf.

I would not buy this ski if I want to run around a bouy course stick with your SJ.

The ride alone is freaking awesome for what they are stable solid build and strong could nt be happier.

Sorry - should have been more specific! Do they roll like a SJ or do they have any funny habits? How's the setup wake? Any issues turning back to your wake and going into an involuntary tail stand? I rode a shortened SJ hull a few years ago and it was awful - just keen to avoid a similar situation again! It's a lot of $$$$ when you can't try one first!

 

[gdjetski]

I bought a XFS but don't know what is the rings came with the pole bracket use for? Do you have that or do you know what is that for? Thanks,

 

[Superjetjim]

I bought a XFS but don't know what is the rings came with the pole bracket use for? Do you have that or do you know what is that for? Thanks,

The two red rings?

These are spacers for the drive shaft couplers!

 

[Polish jet pilot]

yeah and watch out for the tubes that go from pump area into hull. Apparently they cross inside so watch out for cooling!

 

[Superjetjim]

yeah and watch out for the tubes that go from pump area into hull. Apparently they cross inside so watch out for cooling!

Yeah that's a good shout - blow down the to check which is which.

Best of all enjoy that hull - there amazing to ride!

 

[gdjetski]

Thank you very much this is very helpful~

 

[Seanc]

yeah and watch out for the tubes that go from pump area into hull. Apparently they cross inside so watch out for cooling!

I'm just wondering if anyone knows the reasoning?

 

[badvinny]

They dont cross, the trim tube is on an angle so it can lay flat in the hull and then come out on top of the pump.