How To: Shorten your stock pole -PICS-

nickt916

nickt916

i really like the shortenened pole, i got 3.5 off on my blue SJ and 0 degree bars and i love how i got more room to move around and not felling like im hanging off the back of the jet. On my while one (black pole) that i just finished i decided to go with 3" because i got a shortened turn plate and also 0 degree bars. So in overall ill be .5" shorter than on my blue.

Shorter pole does make subs super easy, sometimes i feel like im going straight down into the water, scary feeling if you are not sure if there is a little mountain under there lol
 
Danny Kay

Danny Kay

SJ + M3 = awesomeness :)
Location
Atlanta
yamaslut said:
if you say so... I was just speaking from what I have seen people do w/ good results... your method definitely sounds good, just a bit more work.
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yea its 6:1, a half dozen the other.

I honeslty dont think my way takes any more time. Rivets are hella easier than bolts, especially with the pole attached.. either way, doesnt matter... all methods in here seem pretty decent for me :arms:

also, what ur opinion on: i assume when people use bolts, they must cut the foam out behind the bolts. Doesnt this weaken the joint a little. I was just impresed how much more stregth the foam added to the pole. any opinions on that? I guess the loss of foam is minimal, but its still a thought that passed through my head. (not trying to make such a simple project, sooo complicated, just for sake of conversation)
 
S

SMP

Location
Denton, TX
DEAD THREAD WALKING!

I found this thread through the Tech FAQ section - the Bondo Epoxy pics in the original post have a red "X" through them but there is no mention as to why, or what to use instead. I used to use West System Epoxies myself, but I've heard there are better (and cheaper) alternatives.
-TIA
 
F

FL-cracker

X-H2O
Location
old exit 72 Melbourne
My stock pole is at -5" now, and feels almost perfect! My footholds are a little more forward then most.... with the X-metal steering I am at -7.5" overall now.

I used Gorrila Glue rather then epoxy... gorrilla glue expands, kinda like foam, and is very strong! I just squirted it right thru the rivet holes, untill it came out through the top of the bracket... just tape ooff the fiberglass, so its easy to clean up.

I too trrough bolted two 1/4 20 bolts for front of bracket, and some stainless scews in the remaining rivet holes.... it is very solid.
 
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jbrad1

jbrad1

perhaps an unsavvy Question: What needs to be done to the steering cable (if anything) after shortening the pole?
 
C

CarFanatic

Fiberglassing Newb
Location
Cincinnati, OH
If anyone knows the trick to adjusting the cable ends, can they tell me! I have xmetal stearing plate and would like to use the middle hole, but I cant seem to adjust the ends to straighten up the stearing. Is ther a trick. I moved it a little, do I have to do something with the colar and spring that slides?
 
SurferSmurf

SurferSmurf

Location
savannah/hilton head
i just shortened my handpole using 1/4-20 stainless screws and nylock nuts with good ol' JB weld. the only issue i had was the aluminium plates inside where not there. i was just wondering if anyone else had the same issue, this pole was never taken appart before either. just thought i would ask.
 
OptimaRacing

OptimaRacing

Jet zoomers
I just did mine -4 and I think It's too short. Have only garage ridden it, but seems like it's going to make rolls harder and it's gonna kill my back. Sheet.
 
OptimaRacing

OptimaRacing

Jet zoomers
I wonder if my holds are too far back? Just seemed weird and painful, maybe I need to give it a shot on the water, before I make like Swinkowsky and "jump to conclusions".
 
S

StandupKidd

surfer-rc51 said:
i just shortened my handpole using 1/4-20 stainless screws and nylock nuts with good ol' JB weld. the only issue i had was the aluminium plates inside where not there. i was just wondering if anyone else had the same issue, this pole was never taken appart before either. just thought i would ask.
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It seems that the older poles don't have the plates...I have a 96 pole here and an 05 pole and the 05 pole has plates but the 96 doesnt.
I also found a much easier way to get the piece out.

Just do ONE cut. Then drill the rivets out after it is seperated. Now I viced the bottom fiberglass part and wiggled and then i used a screw drive to pry it out from inside the black fitting and it came out in 2 minutes as one whole piece.
 
F

FL-cracker

X-H2O
Location
old exit 72 Melbourne
mxrace200 said:
I just did mine -4 and I think It's too short. Have only garage ridden it, but seems like it's going to make rolls harder and it's gonna kill my back. Sheet.
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Garage doesnt count..... when you in the water it will be totaly different..... I am now at -8.5" overall and my roles are better then ever, and the postion realy isnt bad for me..... it may just be becuase I have more time on the ski now. :barrel:BTW my ski is realy nose light, that plays a huge role!
 
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