Hey im pretty new to the sport and have an sxr with a few mods but am looking at getting a freestyle ski to start learning on as well, im looking for something that iif my gf comes out and wants to ride my sxr around the lake that i can cruise around on the freestyle ski with her. What would you say would be the best freestyle hull that is still able to ride normally, if any? the two main ski's i was thinking of was a bob or a rikter. any input is appreciated, thanks!
best freestyle hull for rec use as well
- Thread starter wispy
- Start date
- Location
- Midland, Ontario, Canada
The bob is pretty purpose built for backflips and flatwater freestyle, will definitely take some getting use too as it is quite small. The ricktet I would think would be a better all around ski especially something like the fr2.
If your going to spend the coin on a ricktet also check out the super freak, eme q8, and trinity hulls. You need to know what all your options are, there certainly are alot of them these days.
If your going to spend the coin on a ricktet also check out the super freak, eme q8, and trinity hulls. You need to know what all your options are, there certainly are alot of them these days.
I would go BOB before Rickter, cheaper and from what I understand, Rickter has a lot of weak areas in the design (though maybe it got improved, idk). BOB is the cheapest AM hull from what I understand, though the Q8 is supposed to be very good along with the Freak. For all around use, the Freak sounds the best I think, though also pretty pricey. I have heard the Trinity hulls are the best on the market, though there was a story on here awhile back about a guy who had the worse experience possible with Trinity, so personally I would go with some other hull from that story.
Do note, this is just what I've read, I've never ridden anything other than a 650sx lol
Do note, this is just what I've read, I've never ridden anything other than a 650sx lol
- Location
- Saskatoon,SK
"though there was a story on here awhile back about a guy who had the worse experience possible with Trinity, so personally I would go with some other hull from that story."
His issue wasnt with quality but with the delivery, the Trinity is a good choice for what you are looking for!....plus I am in Canada also and happen to have one for sale "shameless plug"!
His issue wasnt with quality but with the delivery, the Trinity is a good choice for what you are looking for!....plus I am in Canada also and happen to have one for sale "shameless plug"!
Last edited:
- Location
- St.catharines, Ontario
Pricey compared to what?[/QUOTE]
everything really.
You must decide your budget first. Superfreak is a sweet ski but after getting it to the same fit and finish quality as a new
Rickter your going to spend 10k. Ride them first before you decide, the bob may be cheap but you get what you pay for.
everything really.
You must decide your budget first. Superfreak is a sweet ski but after getting it to the same fit and finish quality as a new
Rickter your going to spend 10k. Ride them first before you decide, the bob may be cheap but you get what you pay for.
raytherace
Canadian Brapp Dealer
- Location
- St-Ray Beach, QC
where are u in Canada ???
I don't know if waterdawgkustomz is still making the Envy hull or not but if so I feel it is a GGRREEAATT all around light SXR hull.....mine has a Yamaha motor/pump set up.
I can not find one single thing bad to say about it....after riding a lot of hulls....I decided that big and light was better than small and light....at least for us here on Erie...just my .02....
I can not find one single thing bad to say about it....after riding a lot of hulls....I decided that big and light was better than small and light....at least for us here on Erie...just my .02....
The super freak is an awesome hull for all around use, Tem (Berky on here) is a great guy, and you can put a 701 or 1000+ and still enjoy it. I've painted a new superfreak and didn't see a single problem with the fit and finish on it. The BOB is cheaper and it's good quality, but it is NOT a rec hull by any stretch of the imagination. I've only ridden the ROK once and it was in the surf so I don't know how it would do on a lake but I would have to say it feels like a good all around ski as well. However, it'd be a cold day in hell before I buy anything new from Waterdawg Kustomz. I didn't enjoy the original Rickter and I don't like the footholds but haven't ridden any of the new styles yet.
There are lots of options out for aftermarket hulls. It's like buying a car, you need to do lots of research. Price and looks are not everything.
There are lots of options out for aftermarket hulls. It's like buying a car, you need to do lots of research. Price and looks are not everything.
All the aftermarkets have their upsides and some downs. I'd keep my options wide open. Personally, if I were in the market, I'd make it my mission to ride as many versions of all the hulls I was interested in for 6 months to a year. Every setup is different and typically rider setup specific. Additionally, many engine setups/tuning can be far off thereby skewing your perception of that hull.
AM hulls are great, but only as good as the rider can perform on them. I've never seen a hull that allows a "weekend hack" go from pleasure rider to a comp rider. Pretty much for all of us the SJ hulls are plenty for what we're gonna do. You're not gonna go wrong with a Rok, Freak, AM SJ replica, Stunt (well setup/dialed), Rickter, or BOB gen2. Budget is a big factor and the amount of elbow grease required to set up is too. It's no fun to have to fabricate parts when others are riding. Stunts are lots of work, but ones that have been smoothed out are fun to ride and can get up out of the water. Waternuts is light and very flickable. His has more than enough power with a ported 760 BB. He can nearly get around on FW BF's.
AM hulls are great, but only as good as the rider can perform on them. I've never seen a hull that allows a "weekend hack" go from pleasure rider to a comp rider. Pretty much for all of us the SJ hulls are plenty for what we're gonna do. You're not gonna go wrong with a Rok, Freak, AM SJ replica, Stunt (well setup/dialed), Rickter, or BOB gen2. Budget is a big factor and the amount of elbow grease required to set up is too. It's no fun to have to fabricate parts when others are riding. Stunts are lots of work, but ones that have been smoothed out are fun to ride and can get up out of the water. Waternuts is light and very flickable. His has more than enough power with a ported 760 BB. He can nearly get around on FW BF's.
- Location
- CT
You may want to stick to the 650sx then. Think about a foot cut off the back of your sx and you have a BOB
This guy is asking about a Freestyle and rec hull. The BOB is very short, the only way it could be a rec hull is if you were a 13 year old 90lbs kid.
That being said its a great priced boat and if you want to ride out, backflip and ride back to the beach thats your ski.
Now for normal people who want to ride around the lake, up a river, jump boat wakes, ride surf every now and then and have a ski that does all of this. Look at the Superfreak (#1 from anyone who has been on one) Rickter FS1 or FS2, EME. Trinitys, and just about ever other ski.
If you want to roll out and just flip and not ride, the bob is right there, same with the Rickter Xfs.
icecoled007
Captain of this ship
- Location
- Colorado
If your just getting started you should get a Superjet. Much cheaper, decent freestyle and tons of aftermarket without having to make custom parts.
Plus your going to need the majority of parts for any aftermarket hull you get anyway.
Plus your going to need the majority of parts for any aftermarket hull you get anyway.
A glass Freak costs $4,800 and is lighter than a carbon Rickter ($6,500). And it'll probably outlast the Rickter.
A carbon Freak is still quite a bit cheaper than a carbon Rickter.
Both Bob and Rickter hulls come painted and turfed, so that's a big plus. As suggested, start with what your budget is and how much work you're willing to do yourself (i.e., paint & turf)
Last edited:
raytherace
Canadian Brapp Dealer
- Location
- St-Ray Beach, QC
Hey Matt a Carbon rickter is not 10000$
- Location
- St.catharines, Ontario
4800+ hood (1000) + paint job (800) + turf (300) =6900
Let's compare apples to apples here.
The glass Freak for $4,800 includes the hood (and the pole bracket and all hardware).
I think the $800 for paint is high if you do it yourself. I bought nothing but HOK paint (some of the most expensive paint you can buy, I wish I hadn't) and I spent less than $500.
Of course, if you have someone else do it then $800 is too low of a figure.
In any event, you're looking at maybe $5,500 for a painted & turfed glass Freak that will weigh in at 78lbs hull + 10lb hood and it won't need reinforcing or a specially reinforced model to ride surf.
In comparison, the glass Rickter costs $6,500 + import fees (includes adjustable holds, hood, hoodseal, pump shoe. Pole bracket?) and weighs at least 100lbs. The version that will take surf abuse weighs considerably more. And I got to be honest, I have yet to see a single Rickter hull that didn't have cracking issues within the first year of riding.
Conclusion for glass hulls:
$5,500 for a complete Glass Freak @ 88lbs that holds up very well (painted and turfed)
$6,500 (at least) for a 100+ lbs Rickter with cracking issues.
Now let's look at carbon. The Freak will set you back $8,000 for a 55lbs hull + 7lb hood. And it will not crack. Add paint and turf and you're at maybe $8,800.
The Rickter will set you back $9,500 plus import fees (how much is that?), it will weigh at least 75+ lbs, and it will crack.
$8,800 for a 65lb carbon Freak that has reputable quality
$9,500 for a 75+lb carbon Rickter that has issues.
For $9,500 you can buy a glass/composite Lightweight Revolution that will be just as light as the carbon Rickter and it will be lightyears ahead of the Rickter in quality (and the freak for fit & finish)
One more thing: The Rickter is mass-produced in SE Asia. The Superfreak is handbuilt by one expert in the US that stands behind his product. Can't say that for Rick's hulls.
Don't think I'm bitching though. I think the Rickter is very sharp looking and a very nice ride. It was number 2 on my short list of hulls when I was in the market.
I just came to the conclusion that it is one of the most expensive hulls in the market, the heaviest no matter which layup, and the one with the most questionable long term quality.
But it is turn-key, and there is something to be said for that.
IMHO, if you're on a budget, the BOB is the one to get. Either layup will be much cheaper AND lighter than the Rickter.
$4,500 for a complete painted & turfed (?) BOB
$6,000 for a complete painted & turfed BOB.
Last edited:
- Location
- St.catharines, Ontario
Totally agree with you Matt E. but you have to add all those countless hours for paint and turf work, for most that's a pain,
And most can't do so, they have pay some one else to do it, so that drives the cost up alot
And most can't do so, they have pay some one else to do it, so that drives the cost up alot
- Location
- St.catharines, Ontario
Totally agree with you Matt E. but you have to add all those countless hours for paint and turf work, for most that's a pain,
And most can't do so, they have pay some one else to do it, so that drives the cost up alot
And most can't do so, they have pay some one else to do it, so that drives the cost up alot