2014 TigerCraft Aquabot V2

[KTM434]

I'm coming off a -2" carbon Superfreak Badass that I've ridden for a year. I loved that ski and I progressed as a rider because of it. I wanted a second ski that's shorter for the flat summer surf yet still capable in big surf and wanted a ski that would fit an SJ tank. I had a couple hulls in mind but the Aquabot seemed to be the best choice. There are only a few hull builders I'd really trust as a builder and with Tonys background in composites I knew that TigerCraft was a solid choice. I had talked to Tony for a while and I wanted a heavier layup for two reasons: better handling in surf and more cost effective. I also wanted to do some experimenting with handling modifications such as removable Tubbies and different tailplate lengths and designs. I really wanted tubbies on my Superfreak but didn't want to kill the resale value since most people wanting a carbon hull are extremely picky with weight etc. Having a cheaper glass hull allows me to experiment without worrying so much as well. After receiving my hull at the Daytona Freeride and taking some measurements and really looking it over I decided it would be a capable enough hull that I wouldn't need 2 complete skis and it was smartest to sell the Superfreak to put the money toward bills.

Paid deposit 10/17 and remainder on 10/26. After making payment Tony told me he was coming out with a second version of the Aquabot to make some improvements and I would get the V2. He needed to make brand new molds for topdeck, bottom deck, ride plate, hood, hood liner and everything before he even started building my hull. I was in no hurry since I had a ski to ride and the newer version would be improved over the original.
•12/4 Tony asked for gel color choice to make my molds
•12/19 Tony sent pics of top deck out of mold
•12/24 Tony said he started rigging my hull and all molds were done other than hood liner
•delivery at Daytona Freeride


Build setup:

hull 97.0lbs surf layup.
(With pump shoe, tail plate, pole bracket, graphics , etc)
hood 7.6lbs
Non adjustable footholds
Recessed front foothold
Scupper tube with Versiplug max
WORX scoop grate
Fast Elements ratcheting hood strap

Graphics: #964Chris
RACU designs custom wrap with many hours of tweaking to be exactly what I wanted

Engine: #egbrig
TPE964 (monster) with billet SB2020 flywheel cover
Riva intake ported for 48mm carbs
angled reed spacer
VForce2 reeds
Full Spectrum 46mm carbs w/ billet throttle wheel
Thrust Innovations billet F/A adapters with OEM F/As hogged out to feed the beast
RHAAS billet motor mounts

Exhaust:
Factory B-pipe bored to 52mm with TNT limited chamber and dual cooling
H2o Designs flowbox waterbox
Rad Dudes long exhaust hose
Rad Dudes hoses and aluminum tubing custom fit for TNT chambers with correct diameters for TNT outlet and flowbox inlet

Fuel:
Stock SJ tank
Cold Fusion internal fill
OEM fuel hoses
OEM fuel pumps installed on the Full Specs (preference)
No primer

Pump:
Skat 144 mag
Skat C75 14/19 cut back 3mm
Thrust ez pull trim
Stock diameter reduction nozzle (for strength)

Electronics:
62t electronics with stock flywheel
MSD enhancer
JSS coil
Rad Dudes battery cables
Rad Dudes aluminum battery tray
Heavy A$$ huge battery that barely fits in my Rad Dudes battery tray
No bilge yet

Pole/steering:
RRP cast pole
RRP steering
RRP 75mm riser bars
KVPI throttle
Blowsion steering cable

Top deck out of the mold:

Hull assembled with Aura pole bracket:

Hull getting graphics installed in Tonys hotel room at the Daytona Freeride:

Hull on display in the TigerCraft tent at the Freeride with the new billet Aura pole:

TPE964 monster:

 

[KTM434]

Pump install and alignment: everything lined up perfectly! No hogged out holes or anything!

Driveshaft perfectly centered and squared up in my bulkhead that Tony got creative with. Bass boat pink metal flake. He knew I wanted pink and green hi-lights on the blue and I let him be creative and kept telling him to do whatever he thinks would be cool.

Short and long tail plates: the fitment is amazing with no gaps! (Tony said he didn't have a long blue plate for Daytona so I told him I didn't care what color it is)... I shoulda waited

Motor mount shimming and coupler alignment: Another simple task on this hull. EVERY insert on this hull was perfectly centered and aligned like any OEM hull. Inserts are also chunks of billet aluminum that are tapped for thread pitch and glassed in rather than cheap shallow T nut inserts.

Mounting ebox above the huge front foothold:

Bilge assembly:

 

[KTM434]

I cut the gunwalls behind the holds for a wider mor open tray. This gives more options for rear footing and also allows a rear footstrap to be offset to the right. (I ride regular foot) yet still allow enough space to kick into holds. I also prefer a straight kick

Under padding for tray and footholds:

Turf:

 

[KTM434]

Completed:

The turf looks crappy in that last pic. Not sure why, just lighting and shadows

 

[Big Kahuna]

Dibs

 

[849tigerbotkv1]

Wtf lol

 

[KTM434]

Edited thread with full details. Had a Quick 30 minute test ride yesterday in the dark and rain to break-in the engine and water test. More details to come after break-in and some surf riding. This hull is very fun though and this engine is going to hurt me! More pics and details to come. Was too dark to get pics in the water and I was alone

 

[jeastes1]

very nice, I,m jealous!

 

[849tigerbotkv1]

Nice bro . Do you know how long is you pole tubes? Also are you running a pole spring ?

 

[Chris03HD]

Graphics are so killer

 

[ThatGuy]

Look'n good Jamie. I likey the Takobot. Every time I look at these skis for some reason I just keep looking at the outer back corners and wondering why they have to be so pointy. Did you ever consider rounding them off. Maybe it is cause the only one I saw in person was the cooler in Daytona. I don't believe it had turf or padding.

 

[KTM434]

Do you want exposed length of pole tubes? No pole spring yet but I plan on running an OEM spring when I get my new pole for a little assistance but nothing crazy.

I slightly considered rounding it off a little but the theme of the hull has sharp angles and I didn't want a ton of glass work. I was very close to putting under padding along the whole top of the gunwalls. May end up doing it later. Superfreaks have very low profile and rounded gunwalls and I still managed to smash my taint a few times on tweaked out landings. That's not an awesome feeling. I'm going to ride it for a while and see how it goes. Smashing the gunwalls is going to happen regardless unless it's a flat deck so I just need to think of what my plan is. I kinda like the shape of them and I may be able to do an angle cut rather than a radius but I'm really not looking to affect the gelcoat. My foothold mod is hidden under the turf so that was simple.

 

[JetManiac]

Looks good, nice writeup.

 

[ocdfreeride]

Looking good buddy

 

[849tigerbotkv1]

No full length of the pole so i have an idea how long do i cut mine

 

[KTM434]

I'll have to measure them and I'll edit this post with a length

 

[849tigerbotkv1]

Thanks man

 

[AdzUK]

Nice job man!! Ski looks great and love the graphics!!

 

[964Chris]

Nice write up Jamie. Can't wait to see what you do with it in the surf. Glad you like the graphics, they look sick. Been great working with you on them. The 964 puts the ski over the top......totally capable for some flat water flips and rolls. Julien's graphics are just about wrapped up. Next week we'll get to see both of them side by side =)

 

[Harbor]

KTM434.... I like what you with the foot hold, cutting it open at the back making it a straight kick, awesome!