Flat decking 440/550

[Beef stew]

Have just been wondering if anyone has flat decked there 440/550?? I know slowx2 has done one but has anyone else? If u can send me some pics of urs or get me a link that wud b awesome.

 

[Big Kahuna]

Yes, Been done. But I have to ask WHY?

 

[Beef stew]

Well if ur askn me y I take it the is no benefits from it I take it.

 

[Big Kahuna]

Only benefit is a wider stance. But in all honesty, and I love 550's . But The motor does not have enough power for most of us. I have ridden flat decked SN SJ's. They are an interesting ride...... but just no true benefit....... Best Advice. Leave the 550 like it is. Pep it up some with a prop and pipe if not done so. Find a SJ

If just wanting to do a project, please do not do it if your 550 is in excellent condition. do so if it is a beater!

 

[Beef stew]

It has a 650 swap with bolt on performance parts/44 sbn west coast pipe and manifold and waterbox. The hull isn’t in that great of shape and has really crude foot holds cut out of the side walls. If I can I’ll find a pic of it. Instead of fixing those foot holds was thinkn just cut em off since everyone widens these trays.

 

[nucleus_coolins]

Its bad idea

 

[Tyler Zane]

I hate flat decks. I was in a corner on a flat decks, slipped off the side and got a nasty knot on my shin. I would just widen the tray.

 

[Beef stew]

As u can see the footholds r kinda crude and was looking for a quick fix and I’ve seen people flat deck there ski. Was just getting other people’s input on this idea.

 

[ProSouth]

Flat decks are a terrible ride. The wide stance is nice but you also give yourself more leverage to rock the ski, and when water starts coming over the top of the deck it'll high side you. I had a flat deck sn and for a cheap backup hull. It was an alright ride. But I wouldn't do it again.

 

[Slowx2]

View attachment 342075 View attachment 342076
As u can see the footholds r kinda crude and was looking for a quick fix and I’ve seen people flat deck there ski. Was just getting other people’s input on this idea.

Pretty sure that is my old 550. The guy who had the ski before me did not do the best work.

 

[Beef stew]

Yep u r right slow. It is ur old ski and have been tryn to make a plan up on what to do with that crude work. Apparently flat decking isnt something most people do or have anything good to say about it either. Guess just fix the tray.

 

[nucleus_coolins]

If youre set on repairing those holds and widen the tray more, you could always saw off the holds but keep the side walls so you just have a flat surface on each side of the tray. Then instead of those glassed in holds, you could run bob holds or straps after some reinforcement.

Just dont get rid of the sidewall completely, like the others said, those sides actually protect your feet from getting swept off the tray in surf or when youre in a hard corner.

 

[Beef stew]

Those foot holds r basically a foot traced on the side wall and cut out the shape of a foot lol!! So how much do people usually cut off the inside of the tray?? Just depends on a persons preference I wud assume??