Custom/Hybrid Green WCF Vision (Carbon hood)

Location
Oregon
you'll be fine! there no way that the battery insert is coming out ! DMPUS has panckaked his from at least 25 feet up in the air :0

Haha! I believe you. I'm just a tad on the picky side :) I'll try it as is once I figure out the battery strap(s) and also figure a way to have the fuel tank strap hook to it.
 

steve-uk

Manners cost nothing
Location
Barrie - ontario
Probably overdue for an update, just trying to stay working on this thing as much as possible. Precious riding weather is passing me by. The pole/steering is just mocked up and sitting there, but getting closer. The ATP bars are 27" wide, I'm assuming you guys cut these down since the stock is like 4" narrower if I remember right?

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looking good man, leave the bars as they are, they are wider for a reason, you get more leverage and they are way more comfortable to ride with

if after you have ridden you dont like it you can cut them down for sure, its easier to cut off than cut on!!!
 
Location
Oregon
I use circumferential ratchet strap with the PSA backed industrial Velcro on the bottom of battery and inside of battery tray to keep it from sliding.

http://www.seattlesportsco.com/productcart/pc/catalog/03-Overthehull-New-01-General.jpg

Good ideas! I don't think I'll need the Velcro if I use my custom battery tray, I made it so you actually have to push the battery into it. I can hold it upside down by the battery tray and the battery doesn't even think about sliding out (without any straps). I think the strap you pictured would work nicely.


looking good man, leave the bars as they are, they are wider for a reason, you get more leverage and they are way more comfortable to ride with

if after you have ridden you dont like it you can cut them down for sure, its easier to cut off than cut on!!!

Thanks Steve, I'll give the full width bars a shot and see how I like it. Thanks for the advice and I agree, I'd have a hell of a time trying to cut on!!
 
Location
Oregon
I finished up the Vision on Saturday morning. Just had to drill holes for the pissers and run fuel lines. Unfortunately haven't had a chance to ride it yet since I did a Go Ruck in Omaha for 12 hours on Saturday night. Now I can't walk very good and I most certainly can't ride a ski at the moment. Here are some more mediocre cell phone pics of the set up.

I'm not running a fuel selector at the moment, so I just blocked off one of the pickups on the tank. The cold fusion tank is awesome, I think it is definitely worth the money, especially on a new build like this where it makes everything so much easier. It is so easy to get in and out of the ski. The vision hood opening makes it much easier to get to everything too. I'm running a limited chamber and I didn't really have to fight it at all to get it installed. Much easier than the SJ, which had me cussing every time I had to remove the fuel tank or chamber.
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The trailer was white with wood bunks for a couch so I modified it and added galvanized steel tubular bunks. I used Boyer's idea for the orange plastic tubing to cover the trailer bunks and I think it worked out pretty nicely. Thanks Boyer!
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On the trailer for the first time!
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Location
Oregon
So after my Go Ruck Challenge (google it) experience on Saturday/Sunday I have had a hell of a time walking. This fully impaired my ability to ride my ski until tonight, and I'm still hurting a bit. Nonetheless I finally got it on the water. Good news!! - It floats!

Sliding it off the trailer for the first time!
GOPR2805.jpg

So... I think it looks decent :) Just kidding Steve, it looks amazing. The carbon in the sun is just plain beautiful.
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So after throwing it around for a few hours I already felt at home in the surf stance, which never felt comfortable on a stock SJ tray for me. The stance is so much wider that balance is obviously greatly improved. I have only ridden my SJ once this year due to poor weather conditions and building this Vision, so I'm definitely rusty. I have to say though that I already feel more comfortable on the Vision than my SJ. I noticed at least 5 different times that I was able to save it in situations where I would have had no shot on keeping the SJ upright.

Keep in mind my skill level is low in my opinion, and I undoubtedly know that this hull is far better than me. I can't give a full ride report yet, since I was just at a friends private lake and haven't spent enough time on it yet. This weekend I plan on getting it out on a much bigger lake that makes some decent waves. I'll get a better feel for it as I get more tray time. That is the goal now, spend as much time in the tray as possible so I can do this hull some justice! Once I get to that point I want to start traveling with it and come meet some of you guys. I have a goal of putting it in both the Atlantic and the Pacific, but that might not come until next year...

P.S. I didn't even have to get my tools out of my vehicle on my first ride! I thought that was pretty awesome! Put it together and not only does it refrain from sinking, it even works correctly! WCF makes it pretty damn easy to build one of these.
 
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Location
Oregon
I decided it was time to switch impellers. I was running a skat-trak 10-18 that was installed by the previous owner of my SJ. It is awesome in the mid and top end, but I don't care about top end, so I ordered a Hooker 9/15. I have read horror stories of impeller removal so I was prepared, but I figured mine wouldn't be too bad since this is a freshwater ski. I was wrong.

After many failed attempts of removal (yes, I knew these were left hand threads) and application of heat via propane torch and eventually acetylene, I broke the drive shaft in two pieces. It sheared off right at the front of the impeller.

Broken Driveshaft.jpg
Oops.

Now I had to figure out how to get this impeller off so I could save my stock pump. I used a 3/4" carbide endmill to plunge straight through the prop and driveshaft. :( This worked and the prop fell off, so if anyone is interested in a Skat-Trak 10-18 with a 3/4" hole through it, I know where you can get one.

Salvaged pump.jpg

Now at least I can press out the shaft, seals, and bearings for replacement and have a functional stock pump again. I decided it was a good time to upgrade to the Solas (yes, I know I just saved my stock pump but what the hell) so I ordered one from Jetmaniac (of course) along with a new driveshaft for it. In the mean time I decided to work on my reduction nozzle a bit. Chris recommended an 85mm bore on the reduction nozzle, so I went ahead and did that. I filled the siphon fitting with two-part epoxy and set it up in the CNC mill and came up with this.

85mm bored reduction nozzle.jpg

The siphon fitting still protruding into the flow of water was bothering me, so I grabbed a mini belt sander and smoothed it out like this.

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Not perfect, but not too bad.

I'll post more when the Solas arrives. USPS tracking says it will be here tomorrow, so I have my fingers crossed. Props to Jetmaniac for getting these parts out quick to get me back on the water this weekend! (no pun intended) :)
 

waterfreak

I had a vision!
Site Supporter
Vendor Account
Location
s florida
get ready for some "hook up" that solas pump is a great improvement
BTW, feel free to call me if you need any technical help...I could of saved you a driveshaft :0
 
Location
Oregon
I used Mobil 1 synthetic grease for the bearings. I packed each bearing with grease before pressing them in, then filled the area between the bearings about 1/2 full of grease. The bearings are tight, but hopefully they will loosen up after some ride time. Don't forget the anti-seize!

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Location
Oregon
Nice build man! How did you like the mag pump with the 701? Have you changed pole length at all?

Thanks man!

The Solas wasn't a big improvement for my setup, however I'm not positive I don't have bearing problems. (Not sure if you've read about Solas eating bearings). So that may be robbing some power as it chews through my driveshaft. :( I plan on pulling it apart soon to take a look.

I'm guessing the pump would be more noticeable with a bigger engine. But with the 701 I would leave the pump stock if I had to do it over again.

I have not changed the pole length yet. If I do it will only be -1" or -2" because it is already at a nice length for long rides across the lake like I do.

I'm loving the fuel economy of the 701. I can ride all day on less than 15 gallons. Not looking forward to giving that up as I consider different engine options.
 
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