Chris; how much modification is needed to get stuff to fit these hulls? It seems they are not "plug-and-play" so to say?
No, they do not build like an oem hull. They have improved in fit 'n' finish, but you can still expect some cut, grind, mod, align. Rickters and several other a/m hulls are known for easy builds, but many/most others have some degree of similiar fitment/prep work when building.
That said, you might cuss when building a freak and encounter a 'superfreaky' issue or two, i know i have, but once ski is built and you are riding then you will forget all about them. This is no excuse for not having further refinement of the part of superfreak, but not a reason to avoid them at the same time. Many have built easy to build rickters and others only to ditch them and build a freak after riding them.
This has also been discussed in several superfreak threads:
Superfreak talk:
http://www.x-h2o.com/threads/87895-SUPERFREAK-talk
MattE's Great SF thread: http://www.x-h2o.com/threads/92933-Superfreak-Review-Ride-Buying
-Experience-Quality
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"Flipped pump stator by 180deg."
so no guide pins used between the stator and wearing and nosel?
I have done this in the past as well but was always a little nervous about it LOL.
I hear you and agree, but many others have done this already apparently without issue.