Super Jet Surprise after Surprise

[donteatdirt]

It all started when I was putting on a new impeller last riding season. When I took off the rideplate water was dripping from the bolt holes under the ski, this got my attention, water was getting inside my tray. I decided to do nothing about it tell the winter down time, I was planing on putting new turf on then anyways. After my last ride of last season I decided to take off the rideplate and let the water drip out, tell I got my turf for X-mass. Well the thing is still dripping water and it is now Jan. It has been almost 2 months since I last rode the ski and for water to still be dripping it only meant one thing WET FOAM. I decided to investigate and start ripping off the FACTORY mat, I was very surprised when I started seeing what looked like some kind of patch work on both sides of the tray right where it meets the sidewalls. I am the 3rd owner and the ski is 17 years old but when I tell you this thing looks amazing for it age, no stress cracks, nice bright white factory paint and stickers, all stock not molested. Looks better then some newer skis. I was very confused! Why would some one put back factory mat? and why was there some kind of patch work? I started cleaning all the glue and what not off to get a better look as to what was going on. The glass work was pealing up so I chiseled it up and sanded it smooth to reveal a crack in the corner of the tray, this would explain the patch work and where the water was coming form, but it was dripping out the other side of the ski opposite the crack, crazy! The tray was weak around the crack, you could easily push it in. So I shot some 2 part foam into the tray for more support, worked great! My plan was to just leave it and let it dry out all winter, then patch and reinforce. Many people suggested that I cut out the damaged area when I go to repair it but I really didn't want too. The more I thought about the more I changed my mind. I decided I was going to cut out the damaged area and let air get in their and dry it out and at the same time put in some foot holds my buddy had laying around (Thanks Al). So yesterday I started my foot hold install. Cut and fit the footholds in-place. I am glad I did all that work as I was able to see how wet and soaked my foam was and to my surprise all the foam I didn't have. There are huge pockets of nothing where there is suppose to be foam, big giant voids all over. I can stick my hand under my tray, and down the side wall.

Here are some pics: 1st foam is soaked around the exhaust pipe and has voids
2nd my hand in a void going up the tray (goes to the front of the tray)
3rd My hand in a void under the tray (goes alot deeper)
4th bottom foam it wet and has voids.
5th this was the the crack cleaned up ( previously repaired by original owner)


Now my plan is to let it dry real good before I glass and foam my footholds in. More to come!

 

[Matt_E]

No, you need to get all the old foam out and regain it with fresh stuff. Drying it out isn't going to work out.
You're already in there and have the area accessible - do it now and save yourself the trouble later.

 

[donteatdirt]

Why wouldn't drying it out work?

 

[Matt_E]

That foam has been saturated with water for years. It will re-saturate with water very quickly. Because no matter how well you think you'll re-seal it, you'll have leaks, guaranteed.
Fresh foam will cost you about fifty bucks and will resist water saturation much better than the old stuff.
You'd be trying to save money in the wrong spot by not taking advantage of this great and convenient opportunity to refoam.

 

[sjetrider]

if you had water coming out your ride plate bolts then you will get water back in them too. Remove all foam and reseal everything then re foam. Or just ride it wet and remove no foam or all foam and put plugs or duck bills in the rear.
No sense in refoaming if its gonna soak more water up anyway.
Reinforce the try and remove the foam all together or fix all leaks.

 

[donteatdirt]

I would have to cut out my entire tray to get out all the wet foam which I don't want to do. It was a pain in the a** just doing the little I did. Plus the top foam is dry it is the bottom foam that is wet. I don't see why letting it dry and sealing up the rideplate bolt holes wouldn't work. I'm not worried about weight not trying to make this ski something its not ie alight weight hull, the ski ripped as it was. Just want to stop the water from getting in the best I can, which will be better then it was, install foot holds and turf and ride the out of it. I won't be doing this again and if the foam gets so wet that it doesn't float ill get a different hull. Spring is around the corner and it will be time to ride soon I don't want to be messing with all this when I could be riding!

 

[Al//gsx//sj]

how much of the tray would need to be cut?

 

[icecoled007]

Picture #3 makes me all itchy