300/440/550 550sx Hull Modernization Build

haha yes i agree! you obviously have the skill to fix it if it doesnt loook right... i widened my tray over the winter last year and added footholds as well.. no where near the degree you have gone but i love your setup! i have another friend that did a setup very similar to yours on a squarenose and i got to ride it.. it was pretty nice too.. i wonder if theres any way you could add a front foothold too...
 

Attachments

  • IMG_20110926_192315.jpg
    IMG_20110926_192315.jpg
    63.7 KB · Views: 444
Last edited:
for the front I'm just gonna go with a nice Dakine footstrap, and I'm making my own "lifter wedge" out of the spare 26mm Plush underpadding I'll have.

Now that I look at it more - I'm actually thinking of doing something I'd rather not - I'm going to cut away some of the new hull on the nose lol. I figure just cut it so that there is an 8" flat spot on the nose - from that I can "round it off" and hopefully improve the flow.
 
Last edited:

hornedogg79

dodgin' bass boats
I think it looks awesome! You could make the nose follow the hood lines and extend the bottom deck lip inward so they meet. It would look like it has an under-bite. 1996-Thorton.jpgnugget.jpg
 
Well I've avoided cutting anything off sofar - my intention is to use the pole as the body line to follow for the very front. I've got a block in place right now - but I think it's too tall. I'll play around with it a little more but I'm pretty happy with the rest of it!

IMAG0761.jpg

IMAG0762.jpg

IMAG0763.jpg
 
Ahhh... now that's a more like it!

Well I'm happy I spent 2 hrs after returning from some swilling to reshape the nose. I also "finish" sanded it, rounded all edges ,and started filling pockets with my foil tape. I'm thinking of totally ecapsulating it in something so I can pull off a new nose after laying it up on it - then reinforce it internally off the ski. Still got lot's more work left - but seeing it finally take shape is really motivating!

IMAG0767.jpg

IMAG0766.jpg


And a Good angle shot of how it looks right now - I kinda like it! doesn't really resemble any other 550sx that I know of?

IMAG0769.jpg


I think I might actually remove the tape on the upper portion of the nose and just bondo it. I'm thinking of just leaving that foam in there, then encapsulating it by flatting out the inside bottom - then reinforce the :):):):) out of that as a "floor" if that makes any sense? It does in my head at least lol.
 
Last edited:

Mark Gomez

is where the surf is
Location
Fullerton, CA
Does anyone have any experience with this kill switch lanyard?
http://www.ebay.com/itm/KILL-SWITCH...336139&pt=Boat_Parts_Accessories_Gear&vxp=mtr

I'm just trying to figure out if one of the universal adapters will work with the 650 style kill switch.

Didn't make much progress this weekend... needed to RIDE! All work and no play makes for an exponentially decaying progress curve lol.

Dont bother with that buddy, an Atlantis Yamaha style lanyard will fit really tight into your 650 switch, or you can order one of the KPWJ'S that will fit perfectly for your kawasaki switch. When I race personally I use the Atlantis Yamaha key lanyard for the tightest fit.
 
Again, great build. What is the benefit from shortening the hull? I've have seen it done here and other build but have not been able to determine by the conversations.
 
Shortening the hull helps in reducing it's overall length, which is beneficial to the jet ski because it is no longer as long as it used to be.

I.E. - I'm just doing it because it's supposed to help some with making it more playful in the water (or so it seems) I'm only doing 2" in the rear - but with the rocker nose - it's almost like 1-2 inches shorter effectively in the front (Because the steeper nose means less of the hull is in the water for a given time). However it's actually about 1" longer now with the modified and modernized nose.

So I finally got off my ass and glassed the tray and nose! Nose fits like a glove - gotta love the foil tape for making molds! The tray came out great as well - I only have 2 layers of 1708 on the floor, but I"m going to add another 3-4 more in the areas that needs it (i.e. not right above the pump) so it'll be bullet proof!

The layup:
Many many many many many many templates went into making this - probably about 5-7 unique ones. All 1708 and 1208, 2 layers.
IMAG0780.jpg

Getting there - this was hella tedious. Need to invest in a vacuum bag so I can just slap the :):):):) on there and let it suck away all night.
IMAG0781.jpg

The nose was made from layering a :):):):) load of squares of 18oz glass. Then I used bigger squares of 10oz twill glass to smooth it all out and hold it down
IMAG0782.jpg


The cured product:
Almost NO air bubbles, not bad for a hand laid jobber. Those triangle wedges on there - they look like they may be cosmetic but they stiffened up the rear walls where the footholds will mount A LOT! Like very very noticeably. Glad they did the job!
IMAG0784.jpg

The nose layup released from the foil tape with a little effort - came out almost as nice as the hood! I'll be smoothing out the interior bottom and layering quite a few patches of 1708 on it! (It only has 1 now!)
IMAG0785.jpg

When placed back on the ski without the foam floor in place, the nose fits perfectly! So glad this worked out, was really worried it would just be a big ass mess of my time shaping the foam, and the fiberglass work lol.
IMAG0786.jpg
 
Lookin' great. You're an inspiration! One day when I have more than one ski I'd like to chop up my 300.

Do you think she will be ready to ride for summer?
 
this thing is insane! most crazy 550 build i have ever seem! nice work, you have skillz. since you have come all this way, and you have the skill, you should put a 750 in there and a 750 pump, trim, cut a little more off the back, and make it the first 550 backflip ski! then you could cast a mold off of it, and make on out of carbon!!!!!!!!!
 
this thing is insane! most crazy 550 build i have ever seem! nice work, you have skillz. since you have come all this way, and you have the skill, you should put a 750 in there and a 750 pump, trim, cut a little more off the back, and make it the first 550 backflip ski! then you could cast a mold off of it, and make on out of carbon!!!!!!!!!

Do what he said!! you obviously have it in you. and by the way,his thing is nuts and i want to ride it lol.
 
Top Bottom