SX/SXi/SXi Pro Crack in hull, tell me what you think...

[sxi steve]

Is this normal wear for a 99 Kawi? It shows through to the inside as a faint hairline just barely can be felt with finger. It's 3 inches long use to be aprox an inch before this season, other side is small 1/2-3/4 inch.

Have this happened to you and what is needed to repair, if any repair is needed at all? I'm thinkin just slap a decal on it, to cover up this unsightly crack and call it a day, or has it been know for handle pole bracket or the nose or other ripping apart?

:crazy:

 

[whitca]

I've seen a few 750s all crack in the same spot. Best to fix it before it gets worse. I reinforced mine from the inside and out when I glassed/foamed over the stock fuel fill and my paint is beginning to show hairlines there after one season.

Sent from my DROIDX

 

[gragg bro]

I have same cracks I think from ocean riding

 

[rizk828]

classic 750 crack. i have owned two 750 in the past and by the time i sold them they both had the same crack in the same place.

 

[sxipro02]

Me too, Every ride it gets a bit worse lol. I was always told with fiberglass that you need to drill a small hole at the end of the crack and then repair it, if you dont drill a hole to make a stop point I think it will come back.

 

[sxi steve]

Any of you try to repair/reinforce the crack from traveling further. I was going to add fiberglass to the underside over the winter. Any advise, suggestions...

 

[Dustin Mustangs]

I would go at it with a grinder first (from the inside). Get rid of as much of the damaged material as you can with out going all the way through. The thin layer that is left will act as a form for the new material to be applied to. It will also keep what is left of the gel coat intact to minimize any cosmetic work. Once you start grinding it will be obvious where the damage is as it will be a lighter color than the glass that is good. The damaged area will surely be bigger than you expect. Shine a bright light through the glass to judge its (relative) thickness. Drill holes at the end of any cracks you can't grind off once you are done. Invert the ski when you lay the glass so the repair area is as flat as possible so gravity will work with you instead of against you.

 

[sxi steve]

Ok, good input!

 

[Dustin Mustangs]

If there is one thing I am good at, it is breaking fiberglass! Repairing it has become my off-season hobby and I actually think it is pretty fun to do. Good luck!

 

[haromang14]

SXI STEVE! i just bought a 750 after your inspirational science of brapology video, you have the sweetest 750 i have ever seen. anyway i have the same crack in my hull on both sides, one is a hairline, the other is about 4" long and chipping, how did you fix it without major cosmetic work? any help would be great thanks!

 

[chadman154]

SXI STEVE! i just bought a 750 after your inspirational science of brapology video, you have the sweetest 750 i have ever seen. anyway i have the same crack in my hull on both sides, one is a hairline, the other is about 4" long and chipping, how did you fix it without major cosmetic work? any help would be great thanks!

Read post #7. Pretty much sums it up.

 

[sxi steve]

SXI STEVE! i just bought a 750 after your inspirational science of brapology video, you have the sweetest 750 i have ever seen. anyway i have the same crack in my hull on both sides, one is a hairline, the other is about 4" long and chipping, how did you fix it without major cosmetic work? any help would be great thanks!

Hey, thanks for the kind words!

Those cracks are in a bad area, for sure! The best process would be as stated above (post 7). It's a very tight area. Really, the engine needs to be removed, the gas tank needs to be slid rearward and removed, the ski needs to be flipped upside down and still have enough room for you to get in there and fiberglass the crack as stated above.

I didn't wanna go through all that horsecrap for a crack that was not that bad or leaking water. I used a small hand mirror to look up at the crack and roughed it up with heavy grit sandpaper, then layed some strips of fiberglass up in there, as best I can. With my arm jammed in the hull, with wet fiberglass in my fingers was a PITA, although I did manage to get some pieces up there. Hopefully it was enough to strengthen/support the area. It was basically a 'Jerry Rigged' job on my part.

The left side crack was small and not all the way through, just the gelcoat although the right side is a definite crack. I focused on that side.

Then to top it all off I put a nice Fox decal over it. Hahaha.

With jetskiing, strategic placement of decals is key. LOL.

 

[jeremy chambon]

It's very common to drill a hole at the ends of the crack to remove a weak stop