I am obviously a big fan of the squarenose Sj as everyone knows :biggrin: I like the way they handle and to me a squarenose with a shorter roundnose pole (which has better geometry to it and is more compact) is awsome. If you take the time to mod the ski they way it needs to be modded (address the handlepole mounting area, reinforcement and hood liner) it is just as good as a modded roundnose. I do like the tray design of the rounds a little better b/c the turf wraps around the top and provides some comfort to when you use that as a brace to get yourself up.
I am making some changes to the bracket that Sergio made me, then I am going to send him the specs and he will make me anouther for more testing. I am really liking the XFT pole on the squarenose. It not only looks great but fits well and is light.
I am not a fan of the square to round conversion. That is a bit much just to have a roundnose SJ. Looks like it would be a fun project to reconstruct a old squarenose but I would rather put that $$ towards a lighter ski. I just cannot see putting the money into a hull just to put more $$ into it to by a pole, hood, nose peice, footwells, foam, glass, turf, ect. You are probably looking at 3000 for a full conversion w/o paint. I would rather buy an wet laid X-jet or REV hull that is gelcoated. It will be lighter, stronger and it won't still be a SJ.
As far as resale value of the ski, unless you are in the business of building skis who really cares!! If you build a boat build it for you. Your style, your taste ext.. Thats the way I did my ski, I just made changes that I felt were right for my style of riding. Allot of guys think the XFT tank is kind of stupid, but it works great for me. I don't ride long distances so that was not a priority for me. Some people like it, some don't. I have a good amount of $$ in my boat now and there is no way I could get that $$ back if I tried to resell it. But if someone offers me 10,500 for my square I am take them up on it. :cool2: