Freestylegeek's squarenose conversion

[freestylegeek]

updates:

The gunwales and tray were fitted with as much polystyrene as I could fit in there. The areas that contacted the gunwales and tray were filled with 2 part Fiberlay foam (2.5 lb). The seams have been/will be glassed over, and I'll be laying two (2) layers of 9 oz twill across the tray (into the footholds as well). I'll be laying the glass tonight, then the tray will be DONE!!! I'll be installing a drain plug on the exhaust side (after hearing how happy Matt_E was).

I still need to reinforce the inside of the nose, so I'm not out of the fiberglass forest quite yet.

 

[Big Kahuna]

But, uh, you just build this last year, what happened, why the refoam.

 

[Big Kahuna]

Well after two years, I found that EVERYONE was right - don't use PVC for your exhaust tube. There was 23 lbs worth of wet foam in the back. I'm ordering my Xmetal side rear exhaust tube next week. Let's see if that extra 23 lbs was keeping me from nosing in my flat water backies...

nevermind, went back and read...........


remind me to bonk you on the head.

 

[freestylegeek]

nevermind, went back and read...........


remind me to bonk you on the head.

Bonk yourself on the head for me.
I've got an Xmetal aluminum pipe in there now - it's all good.

 

[freestylegeek]

A little more progress today. The tray is completely glassed, the nose has been re-reinforced (yeah) on the inside and outside. Turf is next, then reassembly and weighing (I need to see how close I can get to SuperJETT's weight). As of today, hull with no motor, battery, tank, or waterbox came in at 142 lbs.

 

[Shonuff]

That looks nose-stab-into-the-sand tough. Good work.

 

[freestylegeek]

Sides are turfed now.
Gigantic thanks to Pranceswithsuperjet!!! Only because of his stretching and forming were we able to do them in ONE sheet. I totally doubted him until I saw it happen.

I've got the bottom foam in now and sanded the taper. These are the most comfortable footholds I've done yet. I've got 25mm foam on the top side of the rickters, and 25mm under my heal. It angles my foot forward a little. I'm hoping to have it all finished tomorrow night, and start putting the engine back in.

 

[D-Roc]

holy crap your footholds are forward. i like, i wish my xft holds could be moved ahead 2"

 

[freestylegeek]

holy crap your footholds are forward...

That is a most necessary mod when you do a shortened hull. I couldn't imagine trying to roll this thing with footholds way in the back.

 

[D-Roc]

you get used to whatever setup you ride, but i would really like to have been able to move mine ahead, it would probably help me out alot in waves, not that lake erie has had wave in the past 3 years.
have you talked to smitty lately, i haven't seen him in a long time and i know you guys are pals, whats he been upto. i think i will try and make it to ipperwash for freestylefest this year and pay him a visit. i miss jetski smitty. lol

 

[freestylegeek]

Turf is finally done! I just siliconed the outer edge last night (but didn't get any pictures). The footholds are insanely comfortable! The support under the arch of my foot is super nice. The 25mm padding on the top of the foothold fits the top of my foot just right. I did rail extensions again for the front 2/3's of the ski, and I'm glad I did. There's something about the ski looking wider that makes me think it's more stable.

Motor and whatnot starts going in tonight. Maybe I'll get in the water this weekend.

 

[freestylegeek]

It's DONE!!!
Engine is back in and it fired up right away. I love the sound of a stroker in the afternoon.

Took my first ride of the year for about 15 minutes last evening, and it feels lighter. I think the boat has what it takes to hit a flatwater backflip. I just need to get my technique right. I'll have video in the next post.

 

[freestylegeek]

Here's the video. I think I need to try to spot the landing right away. I'm not really 'arching' backwards enough.

 

[SuperJETT]

Looking good Matt, really nice.

 

[freestylegeek]

Looking good Matt, really nice.

Thanks!
I'm hoping that when I ride for more than 15 minutes next time, I'll be able to get a little further around. Maybe I'll have to swing down to Louisville and have you give me some pointers.

 

[SMP]

Nice turf job there! I turfed my footholds this weekend and WAS pleased with the results . . . until now.

 

[freestylegeek]

Nice turf job there! I turfed my footholds this weekend and WAS pleased with the results . . . until now.

Thank you sir, but I can't take the credit for the sides of the footholds - that was all pranceswithsuperjet's work. I did hold the heat gun for him while he was stretching the turf!

 

[tipafew]

Every time I see my screen name in print I remember that I need to change it.......or at least change it back to what it was.

Flips look good. Def. need to look back and spot your landing more. When you leave the water your legs are fairly straight. Then it looks like you bend them once you're in the air and actually absorb some of the rotation.........then you kick them straight and try to get the rotation going again. I'm by no means and expert, but that's just an observation. I will stick with surf backies.

 

[snowxr]

Every time I see my screen name in print I remember that I need to change it.......or at least change it back to what it was.

.

SquaredanceswithSuperJETT ??? It's got a nice ring to it!

Anyway, glad to see you back on the water Matt. Just in time for Wave Rave..

 

[tipafew]

Matt, we should hit up wave rave if the weather/waves are decent.