SJ hull strength question

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CarFanatic

Fiberglassing Newb
Location
Cincinnati, OH
Ok I"m new to the SJ, and I"m trying to learn all I can abot them I seen some posts about renforcing, and hull cracks etc... My question is how tough are these hulls?? I dont ride in the surf, dont live near the ocean.. But I plan on doing flatwater freestyle, jump boat wakes... Will I have issues with damaging the hull? Also Question about the foam. SOmeone told me there is two holes in somewhere where they spray the foam in, and to cover these so the foam doesn't get wet?? :confused:
 
Frosty

Frosty

New York Crew
Location
Western New York
the two holes are on the fire wall just below the electronics box on each side. Just above the the through hull fittings for the steering cable and the bildge siphon. They are about 1.5" in diameter and come with a round white sticker covering them... from the factory.

hull strength... flat water riding you might not really need to worry about reinforcing however, if you plan to start attempting barrel rolls you will want to reinforce the sides... becuase you will likely land on the sides many many times before you make it all the way around.

hope that helps.
 
Frosty

Frosty

New York Crew
Location
Western New York
CarFanatic said:
what should I cover the holes with?

I do want to do barrel roles, what should should reinforce the sides with?
Click to expand...

side reinforcement - I used progressively larger layers of 8.9 oz texalium... 1st layer was 3" strip, 2nd layer was 6" strip, 3rd layer covered the entire sides from lip to bottom. I filled in the gap in the bond line with a mix of epoxy/resin and microbead filler (purchased from US Composites). I laid all three layers together, one quickly after the other in order to keep a chemical bond with eachother.

Some peeps will tell you to grind the ribs off, as it makes it easier to reinforce, i chose not too... but i did have to grind the ribs on the exhaust side down to 1/2 their thickness, to make sure i had enough room for my wetpipe to clear.

Some people have used carbon fiber, carbon kevlar, and plain fiber glass cloth.

Also reinforce under the handle pole mounting area.

btw - I used the same material to cover the holes.
 
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CarFanatic

Fiberglassing Newb
Location
Cincinnati, OH
So I Can just get some glass and glass over the holes??? What kind of glass? I"d liek to glass them this weekend!

How are you getting to the inside of the ski with out cutting it up? I'd like to reinforce it with out cuttin itup. ?
 
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wydopen

Guest
dont wory about reinforcing until you start to barrelroll...chances are you wont ever have to do it if you dont ride surf
 
C

CarFanatic

Fiberglassing Newb
Location
Cincinnati, OH
ya I live in ohio.. so no surf except maybe once or twice a year.. I want to do barrel rolls, but dont want to F the ski up.

What should I use to close thoses holes. Can you guys list the materials and names so I can just go get this stuff at the store? I"m a newb! sorry!
 
F

FL-cracker

X-H2O
Location
old exit 72 Melbourne
You wont have any issues...... if some way you do get a crack you can always reinforce then....... highly unlikely on flatwater...... I learned to role in surf with no reinforcement, plenty of 3/4 landings..... no problems.
 
Frosty

Frosty

New York Crew
Location
Western New York
FL-cracker said:
You wont have any issues...... if some way you do get a crack you can always reinforce then....... highly unlikely on flatwater...... I learned to role in surf with no reinforcement, plenty of 3/4 landings..... no problems.
Click to expand...

Good point. I didn't reinforce my 2001 until this past winter... after i noticed bond line cracks finally starting.
 
onesojourner

onesojourner

I use a thumb throttle.
Location
springfield, mo
people are going over kill with reinforcing for flat water. I have never seen any cracked hulls that were being used for flat water stuff. I am not saying it does not happen but its rare. the hand pole area might be another matter. but if it were me I would wait to do anything on the sides. if you have your motor out you might stick la layer in there but I would not go all out until you actually start to crack something. just ride it til it brakes.
 
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