Not always true.
After market hulls in general
- Thread starter sportfish258
- Start date
Not always true.
It's a tough call....this seems to be a hot topic at the moment here in Australia. I've ridden stock hulls for years and loved every minute of it, but I got sick of repairs all the time. I went for an XFT hull and was more than impressed with the build quality and weight. I beat on that thing for a solid 12 months and not so much as a mark on the paint.
I found that I never could get it to handle right. It was just too buoyant and therefore didn't have enough hull area in the water to make it really bite in the water. In saying that, I changed my riding style a lot and found that right before I sold it, I was really liking it.
I think this is what most people would be finding on aftermarket hulls in general. I'm a firm believer (now!) that you are better off with a hull that weighs a bit more, and make up for it with engine power. This way you aren't affecting handling as much as you find that a ballsy engine in a lightweight hull to start with forces you to think about throttle control just to get the ski to point in the right direction!
I sold the XFT about 3 weeks ago, and the decision as to what to build next is a hard one. I like the Matrix and have done a lot of research on them, but I'm yet to see a decent surf video of them in action (I don't mean just flips and rolls, I'm talking REAL surf video's of guys carving waves like the average Joe would). I guess we'll just have to wait for Bobby to get a few more out there and see how they perform.
The biggest problem with aftermarket hulls is that most people that buy them are quite loyal to the builder because they've dropped so much coin on them. If it handles like a shopping trolley, you probably won't know until you buy one yourself, as it's not listed as a 'feature'.
Now, if someone would just make a splash of the oem Superjet that is slightly lighter than factory weight and sat in the water the same, we'd all be happy. All your stuff switches over, it fits well, handles the same as oem, and most importantly, is twice as strong as anything that involves the use of SMC.
I found that I never could get it to handle right. It was just too buoyant and therefore didn't have enough hull area in the water to make it really bite in the water. In saying that, I changed my riding style a lot and found that right before I sold it, I was really liking it.
I think this is what most people would be finding on aftermarket hulls in general. I'm a firm believer (now!) that you are better off with a hull that weighs a bit more, and make up for it with engine power. This way you aren't affecting handling as much as you find that a ballsy engine in a lightweight hull to start with forces you to think about throttle control just to get the ski to point in the right direction!
I sold the XFT about 3 weeks ago, and the decision as to what to build next is a hard one. I like the Matrix and have done a lot of research on them, but I'm yet to see a decent surf video of them in action (I don't mean just flips and rolls, I'm talking REAL surf video's of guys carving waves like the average Joe would). I guess we'll just have to wait for Bobby to get a few more out there and see how they perform.
The biggest problem with aftermarket hulls is that most people that buy them are quite loyal to the builder because they've dropped so much coin on them. If it handles like a shopping trolley, you probably won't know until you buy one yourself, as it's not listed as a 'feature'.
Now, if someone would just make a splash of the oem Superjet that is slightly lighter than factory weight and sat in the water the same, we'd all be happy. All your stuff switches over, it fits well, handles the same as oem, and most importantly, is twice as strong as anything that involves the use of SMC.
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Wattage, good thoughts.
At Surf Slam this year, I had the honor of meeting Norbert of Lightweight.de. We talked quite extensively about aftermarket hulls and hull weights.
Norbert feels that if you make a Superjet copy much lighter than stock, it simply cannot and will not handle as intended by the original hull designers. Whether that be good or bad is up for the rider to decide, but he seemed to think it was a bad thing.
Sickerling agreed with him on that.
At Surf Slam this year, I had the honor of meeting Norbert of Lightweight.de. We talked quite extensively about aftermarket hulls and hull weights.
Norbert feels that if you make a Superjet copy much lighter than stock, it simply cannot and will not handle as intended by the original hull designers. Whether that be good or bad is up for the rider to decide, but he seemed to think it was a bad thing.
Sickerling agreed with him on that.
- Location
- Grand Rapids, MI
I agree that most lighter boats I have ridden don't handle like my heavier OEM hull. I like a little weight for a surf boat. Just give me lots of braaaap.
BruceSki
Formerly Motoman25
- Location
- Long Island
it seems like its just two types of riding.
the flatwater guys want the lightest ski for most power to weight ratio, where the surf guys need a little more weight to keep the boat planted in the surf and just use big power to send it to the moon. the problem seems to be when a flatwater boat is used in the surf for most people(from what i have read)
keep in mind i have not ridden a single aftermarket hull and don't want to because i don't want to enjoy it and have to save up to buy one. this is just an opinion, take it for what its worth.
the flatwater guys want the lightest ski for most power to weight ratio, where the surf guys need a little more weight to keep the boat planted in the surf and just use big power to send it to the moon. the problem seems to be when a flatwater boat is used in the surf for most people(from what i have read)
keep in mind i have not ridden a single aftermarket hull and don't want to because i don't want to enjoy it and have to save up to buy one. this is just an opinion, take it for what its worth.
WILKEY
SO FAR CHANGE SUCKS!!!!!!
- Location
- s florida
I think anything less than 80 lbs in the surf is too light! I have ridden an XFT in somewhat choppy waters and could barely control it. It just kept popping up the nose and was hard to get the rear end to hook up an carve.
ON another note, it seems the new Rickter has great reviews in the surf. I'm sure Taylor would not be riding one if it wasn't.
ON another note, it seems the new Rickter has great reviews in the surf. I'm sure Taylor would not be riding one if it wasn't.
OCD Solutions
Original, Clean and Dependable Solutions
- Location
- Rentz, GA
That why I chose the Matrix "ES" at 95lbs. It weighs less than a Superjet without being too light and it's a redesigned hull meant to handle at that weight.
tom21
havin fun
- Location
- clearwater FL
Lets not forget about long term reliability. most of these new hulls are not proven yet. Time will show who has put the workmanship in and who just talked a good game.
- Location
- Brisbane Australia
Hey Wattage I just bought Josh Lustics white Matrix Pro hull so you'll be seeing a lot of videos in the surf soon mate.. I've herd good reports of them in the surf but like you said never actually seen a Matrix in action.
Exciting stuff seeing I think i'll be the 1st to have one of them in Australia.
The hull should be here in 3-4 weeks hopefully then i'll tranfer all my gear into it and let you all know how she goes.. Cant wait!!!
sjetrider
615 Freeriders are addicted to T1 madness.
- Location
- in the 615 (Nashville)
I think the Matrix or the Ricktor would definately be my choice for handling in the surf. For a flatwater & Freeride hull on the otherhand I would have to say the SuperFreak, Lightweight Envy or a lightweight Rickter. For a strickly FLatwater arial freestyle hull I think ya have to go Q8 or Lindsey's hull at this point (short, light and wide).
I am not sure it is possible to have the BEST of both worlds. Some peeps just want an aftermarket hull and once the get it realise it is great for one thing and sucks for another (same prob. an OEM SJ hull has). I have a few friends that are looking at hulls and they are like "I am just going for looks) Big mistake IMO unless you keep your SJ as well.
Maybe WDK can work some magic, dont count the boy out now, while Bobby and Tem have stepped the game up, Jeff has mad skilz as well and I think he can hang rite with em.
I like the REV but could NOT have it as my only ski.
Cant wait to see what WDK pushes out next.
I am not sure it is possible to have the BEST of both worlds. Some peeps just want an aftermarket hull and once the get it realise it is great for one thing and sucks for another (same prob. an OEM SJ hull has). I have a few friends that are looking at hulls and they are like "I am just going for looks) Big mistake IMO unless you keep your SJ as well.
Maybe WDK can work some magic, dont count the boy out now, while Bobby and Tem have stepped the game up, Jeff has mad skilz as well and I think he can hang rite with em.
I like the REV but could NOT have it as my only ski.
Cant wait to see what WDK pushes out next.
feartheride
feartheride
- Location
- St.Catharines,On.Canada
sjetrider
615 Freeriders are addicted to T1 madness.
- Location
- in the 615 (Nashville)
Lindzie has a new hull out (really short simular to a smaller Q8) , I think he ran it at world finals????
Tem (Superfreak) is building the carbon/ epoxy vaccum bagged AKA X-metal hulls.
Big Kahuna
Administrator
- Location
- Tuscaloosa, AL
Lenzi.
:shocked:
i have not ridden the lenzi but to me it looks like a COMP boat only!
kind of like a 350 on a skateboard. slam jerk roll, slam jerk flip
just my .02
sjetrider
615 Freeriders are addicted to T1 madness.
- Location
- in the 615 (Nashville)
My thoughts exactly about the Lenzi and the Q8. Flatwater freestyle only. If I lived on a lake or river where I could just cart the ski to the water behind the house I would love to own one in addition to a freeride ski.
- Location
- mississippi
i want trinity matrix heard nothing but good things on the quality of craftsmanship
