I'm tossing arround some ideas in my head atm for what I want to do with this ski. I write this out because this is my 1st build, and if someone reading sees something I am doing contradicting the goal I am trying to accomplish, they can point it out.
Objective - #1 imporactance is that I have a nice reliable ski. #2 is what I can do with it. I do not plan to do free style on my ski as much as a lot of carving, jumping and subs, so a mad amount of low end power might not be my preferance. I think I'd rather have a smooth range of power. I also don't think the design of the 650 can handle speeds into the 50's. Stability becomes an issue when the water is not smooth.
Engine/drive - Whatever I can put together based on the parts I have. I want a good low end punch but I'd like to be able to get this ski into the low 40's (which is where my current ski runs). I ride with sit downs and we all know what they like to do. I thought about changing to a rear exhaust but I don't see the benefit.
I'm going to go with the ride plate that will be best for carving, slashing, hockey slides and subing, no D-cut here. I might go with the scoop style intake grate because it'd be better on the rough water from what I hear, but I have 4 different intakes and ride plates so whatever works the best for that.
I'm going to go with the prop and nozzle that does the best job getting me to 40 or 45mph top end, and delievers the rest to the low end. I'd like to be able to cruise arround 25mph w/o having to keep on the throttle wasting gas when going from one place to another. I think one of the X2's has a trim set up. I haven't gotten there yet to check it out, but soon I will, and if I do have a trim avail, I'll be using it on the SX.
I was talking about the no water box thing. I am still going to look into that some. Not having the waterbox in the front of the hull would give me a lot of extra space. I was thinking I could have a custom gas tank made that could get me up into the 8-9 gallon range so I can ride out to the islands. The issue would be that most of the time I would run it on 1/2 or 1/3 of a tank because that's just too much fuel for most riding, and I need to make sure the sloshing doesn't run it out of gas.
Hull - I was thinking about making footholds 2 or 3 inches from the back of the ski that have toeholds going up to just past half of the tray. I was debating foot straps because they kind of make me nervous but they look helpful.
I want to modify a hood so the water comes in from the back so I can sub w/o taking on so much water. I tossed the idea of hand holds but I don't really have a reason for them... I don't think I like a scupper so I'll probably go 1 or dual bilges with a stock bilge too.
Mostly just cleaning it up and making it super comfy to ride. Also thinking about internal fuel fill, because i think the hull would look nicer, and that'd be one less part that could break. Same idea with removing the chin pad and turfing the pole. One less thing that can fall off.
Paint/turf - This is the most undecided place I am. I was origionally thinking black hull, burgandy turf and a burgandy pole w/ black turf. They don't make burgandy turf......!!!! =( I was also going to turf the rails but it seems like a high maintance thing so I'll probably just do the lame black bumpers. Right now I'm leaning towards this picture that Marz831 posted of a 650SX. I like it, but I'll probably do a cobalt instead of burgandy.
Pic #1 ~ Marz831's 650SX
