Fast(ish) swapped 550 skating around at speed

[Myself]

@E350, sounds like I might want to do exactly what you are going to do to yours. Looks like your wife could hold her own! Mine is just learning and I think the stability of the Superjet will help her along. She's been riding my stockish but tuned 650sx (44+mph still has 28mm carb) lately and getting the hang of it pretty good.

 

[E350]

@Myself Cool video. Some will likely say "shorten the pole" to get your weight forward to plant the nose. They may be right and likely know more than me. But I say extend the hull to get the nose down. It already comes down at speed. It will come down at slower speed with hull extensions. Hopefully the 550 royalty here will come back to post up their thoughts so we can both learn.

 

[fastgtfairlane]

A 650 or 750 turnplate is about 2 inches shorter than the 550 turn plate. That with 0 degree bars is about all you'll be able to do with the stock pole. I put a custom pole on my 550 that was 3 inches shorter than stock and used a 750 turn plate so in total it was about -5 from the stock pole. That was the sweet spot for me. I'm 6ft 215ish lbs.

 

[Myself]

You know.....last time out, a few different times I remember thinking the pole was WAY too long. I was thinking...."I'm pretty tall.......who the hell did they build this pole for?" I think -3 would be a good start anyway. I mean, damn, a shorter guy would be holding his arms at shoulder height like Frankenstein LOL!!

 

[E350]

@fastgtfairlane is your 550 spirit guide.

 

[Sparkplug]

Shortened pole is the number 1 way to change the handling of a ski

Nothing will do as much of an all around change to the ski. Sweep increase. Pump or nozzle change. Tubbies. Ovp. None change as much as the pole length. Pole length changes your entire bodies placement on the ski

 

[E350]

You know.....last time out, a few different times I remember thinking the pole was WAY too long. I was thinking...."I'm pretty tall.......who the hell did they build this pole for?" I think -3 would be a good start anyway. I mean, damn, a shorter guy would be holding his arms at shoulder height like Frankenstein LOL!!

Well @fastgtfairlane and @Sparkplug both believe that you should shorten the pole. And you can take their advice to the bank. So, probably good to ask how best to accomplish that on your 550.

(That way I can learn too . . . )

 

[SexPanther]

I third the shorter pole. Im 6’2” 210, helps me get the center of balance forward and my arms are still more than long enough to move my weight back when needed. Plus aftermarket poles with ovp are an absolute game changer and you can experiment with lengths.

I like the 750 pump conversion for helping it to feel more planted. I also run a Rhaas ride plate full length shimmed up with washers to really help the ski instantly plane out.

Also fish stix or rear sponsons just flat out help the ski.

Front sponson tubbies are really got for stopping death roll and help initiate turns a ton.

But honestly after watching the video and seeing how tall you are I think a waaaaay shorter pole is where you should start.

 

[E350]

Custom/Hybrid - Mini Monster

This one's not for sale. However, I'd be glad to build you one with this motor! You game? that is super cool! yeah, PM me with prices I still have a minivan to sell to help cover cost. Also, can you remove the aquaholic stuff and replace with engraved Mikesee instead? Last question for now...

www.x-h2o.com

 

[Myself]

Well..........I started taking on water real bad at the end of this season and it seems my hull bonding lines are coming loose from the rear corners forward. Seems to be a common issue on the 1986 models. Going to tear down this winter to fix that and probably shorten the pole.

 

[Myself]

Maybe a new plan. I came across a '95 hull cheap. Any reason I shouldn't just build it instead? I would really only gain rear exhaust but wouldn't have to mess with the bonding line.

 

[WFO Speedracer]

Maybe a new plan. I came across a '95 hull cheap. Any reason I shouldn't just build it instead? I would really only gain rear exhaust but wouldn't have to mess with the bonding line.

Thats what I did on the customers ski that split at the bulkhead , unless your ski has some crazy hull mods or paint that's the way I would go.

 

[Myself]

Pics of said hull from my bro-in-law.
Buuuuuuuttt.............I also have the whole reed 550 driveline in good condition (I mean EVERYTHING) to go in this thing if somebody wants to get into a reed 550 at a reasonaable price! Then I could just fix mine.....either way is fine with me.

 

[WFO Speedracer]

Those are bringing some serious money right now, if you wanted to fix it up and sell it , I have a really clean regular 300b1 hull here I would just about give away or at the least trade for some parts , I would hate to see you leave all that money laying on the table , the 300 hull is basically an 86 550 hull with a 440 driveline installed it and a hole for an oil tank that can be plugged with a bilge outlet.

 

[Myself]

Reason my bro-in-law never did anything with it is cause the Vin tag was baked to the point it was unreadable and the 2nd vin was gone. He just didn't want to mess with the paperwork.

 

[WFO Speedracer]

Reason my bro-in-law never did anything with it is cause the Vin tag was baked to the point it was unreadable and the 2nd vin was gone. He just didn't want to mess with the paperwork.

Gotcha

 

[ryanpsd]

Just wanted to chime in as another member of the short pole club. With a -2" MMF pole and short steer plate from Watcon I can say with confidence that I enjoy being nearly 4" shorter than most.

 

[Myself]

I will post a thread when I shorten the stock pole.