FootRocket build (FINALLY)

[96superjet]

I've been swamped with work and building a new garage and just life in general, but I actually spent a little bit of time getting ready to start work on my FootRocket. Used a tap and cleaned some of the epoxy/glass out of the inserts inside the hull so bolts can now be easily hand threaded. Fooled around with with footholds, which needed a little work to get them to bolt properly to the adjustable brackets. Then took a look at the scupper valve which is not installed. I believe it's a WORX scupper. I looked for threads addressing installation methods, but couldn't find anything.

I suspect I'll put some 3M 5200 around the scupper and drill it and just go with that for the install, unless anyone has any recommendations. BTW, what's everyone's thoughts on flapper straight down versus angled towards the back of the hull??

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[yamanube]

I'd put it straight down, the closer to horizontal it is, the better it will seal. That seal is most important when the ski is just floating neutral (not moving) so IMO straight down is your best bet.

 

[speedysprocket]

Make it level. Also will allow it to open as much as it can when the pump is installed.

 

[whitca]

My predator had screws in the outer ring as well as glue holding it in. Hasn't budged yet.

 

[96superjet]

@whitca thanks for the pic. I'll prolly drill mine in three spots (like a triangle) and screw it in. Deciding whether to use pan head or countersunk flat head screws. Not sure I could do a very good job of creating a countersunk hole on that thin narrow aluminum flange.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[speedysprocket]

Counter sunk is nicest, but you'll have a hard time finding a 90 degree counter sunk bit. If you use an SAE screw, they use 83 degrees, I think, which is more common at the hardware store for the bit.

 

[96superjet]

So little wins and little losses. Tie down U-bolt installed perfectly.

X-metal pole bracket exactly 9" wide, pole mounting area exactly 8.5" wide. We'll see how good I am at the bench grinder.

Also, M8 bolts wouldn't fit in the top part of the pole bracket (they did fit in the bottom plate though). A quick run through with a 5/16" drill bit fixed that situation.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Sanoman]

On the xmetal pole bracket,l did exactly what you are doing by grinding down the side till it fits.l don't believe l had to grind that much off,but then my footy was one of the last ones built in Australia.

 

[96superjet]

Started on a bench grinder but was getting no where fast. Threw the bracket into the vice and grabbed a 4" angle grinder and made quick work of the project. I had to take 1/4" of material off each side.

She fits like a champ now. Just have to line up the pole, drill some holes and move on to next item.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[brad95]

Looking good, surf or flat water build?

Just a thought, as the footrocket only takes air in through the breather tubes, could the xmetal bracket (smaller diameter tubes than atp/rrp etc) be a bit restrictive and not allow the engine to breath as we'll?

 

[96superjet]

Looking good, surf or flat water build?

Just a thought, as the footrocket only takes air in through the breather tubes, could the xmetal bracket (smaller diameter tubes than atp/rrp etc) be a bit restrictive and not allow the engine to breath as we'll?

I ride on Lake Erie. Which varies from flat to 6 foot washing machine waves. So... just freeride style I guess.

I'm not putting a monster flat water motor in it. Just a little 4mm PHP Powermouse with 46mm carbs. I do agree that the breather holes on the X-Metal pole are small. Anybody have an idea on how to get more air to the engine compartment without a tremendous amount of water intrusion?

 

[brad95]

Sounds good, you will love the footrocket, awesome all rounder hull IMO. I ran mine with a unported 61x with a bpipe/head and single 48, in the smaller hull it felt like a monster.

I now have a dasa 1100 and just comparing to my mates kdx hull which takes air in from the hood, he might have some performance benefit over my footrocket with my atp restrictive breather tubes, but the motor is still an absolute power house so I think I will live with the bit of restriction versus the water intrusion issues.

Just thought maybe the xmetal bracket might be a tad small but should be fine for you by the sounds, was just a thought

Look forward to the rest of your build.

 

[96superjet]

Pole bracket backing plate has way too much material. Grabbing the angle grinder and a cut off wheel.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Sanoman]

I ride on Lake Erie. Which varies from flat to 6 foot washing machine waves. So... just freeride style I guess.

I'm not putting a monster flat water motor in it. Just a little 4mm PHP Powermouse with 46mm carbs. I do agree that the breather holes on the X-Metal pole are small. Anybody have an idea on how to get more air to the engine compartment without a tremendous amount of water intrusion?

l ran a 735 PV in mine and never had any issues with not enough air.Maybe a larger engine would have an impact.Speedsprocket runs a larger cc engine,maybe he can chime in

 

[erik mx45]

i used marine apoxy for my scupper ! in my preditor

 

[whitca]

No air supply issues with my 900r and only pole breathers. I'm running an rrp pole however. Run your breather tubes to the bottom of the hull and you won't have to worry about water.

 

[speedysprocket]

Pole bracket backing plate has way too much material. Grabbing the angle grinder and a cut off wheel.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Start saving/looking for an RRP-like pole. You'll want the extra air. Don't know what you're missing till you make the switch. I could probably benefit from holes in the hood too, but that is not happening!

 

[96superjet]

This has been a slow weekend only project, so just minor updates. I've been trying to dry fit all the small stuff before I drop the motor in. I figure it will save me headaches in the future.

H2o Designs battery box went in fairly well. Holes were a little out of alignment, but no big deal. I have two layers of padding below the battery and a third with the center cut out that the battery sits in.

I found that M8x35mm socket heads fit best for the handle pole bracket.

You can see the bracket looks terribly out of alignment, but with the pole attached it points directly towards the center of the tray.

It's hard to see it but the bosses at the bottom of the pole are a bit off.

And then a bit of hydro-turf on the bottom of the H2o Designs water box.

The tank strap brackets have this funny 90 degree angle foot on the bottom of them that keeps them straight on a Superjet, but serve no purpose on a FootRocket. I'm gonna grind them off when I get back from riding this afternoon. It's way too nice to not be out on the water.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[96superjet]

Alright... the stock Superjet fuel tank is killing me. As you can see from the pics, the bottom of the tank rides up on the epoxied humps and doesn't really sit flush on the bottom of the hull.

Also the top of the tank is about an 1/8" from touching the hood seal area.

I've moved that tank around a million different ways to try to get it to fit right and nothing. I've put in original tank liner material, hydro-turf and even foam pad, which seemed to work the best, but I don't know how it would last in the hull.

Anybody have any suggestions for running a stock tank in a FootRocket?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[erik mx45]

on my predator i matted the whole area were tank fits and used the sj hooks with rubber to hold it in place ! that tank is just a little big i think! if i could find like a 3-4 gallon tank that would be sweet! also matt those little humps keep tank from rubbing on the glass mine was!