Super Jet Let the modding begin! (2014 SJ)

[khaos]

So I started hacking on my new 2014 SJ.

• Now
  • cut the factory plate flush. No D cut. -Done
    
  • New pole spring -Done
  • shortening the pole 4" (went 6"). After riding this I'll see about the D cut. -Done
  • pole limit strap -Done
  • hood ratchet straps -Done
  • Rear footholds -Done
  • Front footholds -Done
  • new turf (factory turf is ... very ... replaceable. ) -Done
    • All the 5m turf is off with only two small tears. they are templates now.
    • The side caps are on with nuclear powered epoxy what a PITA.
    • I am going to turf the tray, sides, front, chin guard, hood ratchet, and the rail
    • 25 mike-mike cushy in the tray and on the very top of the sides.
  • Internally reinforcing the hull and the hood. -As soon as I feel like ripping the guts out.

And while not really a mod I have a new tow rope.
Are bow eyes better than the alternatives?

Later controlled by cash Grate, pipe, head,

 

[CameronPerdue]

My 13' superjet has also been getting lots of mods since purchased, next is b pipe

 

[speedysprocket]

That's a lot of work if you plan to ride this weekend in Carolina...

 

[khaos]

I know right. I better keep at it. Those damn rubber caps SUCK. Taking a wire wheel to them today after work.

 

[khaos]

About that bow eye question. Are folks adding an actual bow eye to the front of he hull or just adding a loop to the factory eye?

 

[Lighthouse13]

I have both a billet bow eye and a cable loop even though the trailer we use doesnt need it. It came in handy when needing to be towed!

Re-turfing is going to be fun for you, good luck with that!

 

[khaos]

My turf progress today was less than optimal. I did bring out the wire wheel on the die grinder and it does seem to be a good solution its just slow going and you have to mind the hull. The glue is 10X as hard as the glass. Again all of this is just the rubber caps. One is fully removed and the other is about 90%. The rest of the turf is removed already.

 

[speedysprocket]

Just use some ratchet strap material to make a loop through the stock bow eye. The u-bolt still eyes are more for after market hulls where the bond line/rail doesn't wrap around the nose of the ski.

 

[iangdesign]

I have a billet bow eye and a tow loop. Both have come in handy several times.

 

[Bryan.wells]

for the rubber tops, as you pull them back keep slicing it with a razor blade and you will eventually peel it all back and off.

How is riding with the new pole spring? is it "weightless" i was thinking of getting one

 

[khaos]

@Bryan the pole spring is the shiat! My back would hurt after an hour before. Now its cool after 3 hours!! It mostly just stays where I put it on the trailer. For the 2014 I had to take nearly 1.5 inches off the long side before it would seat properly. I will post pics of that tomorrow.

 

[khaos]

more done today. One handed is getting better. Looking good for the weekend. I might be turfing on the damn beach.


Clean start


The sob is on there...


Dash off and the factory 5mil pads off. This sucked one handed but meh. Not too awful.


Getting ready to play hell.


Slow going but the damn rubber caps are mostly off. This was almost a breaking point. Trying to figure out how to hold the rubber back and cut it at the same time. My wrist can get better any damn time at this point.


Wire brush on a die grinder was the trick Long enough bristle to be able to glaze over the gel coat and grip on the rubber and space age polymer epoxy used to hold it on. There we some hard parts that did penetrate the gel coat but only a few.


Started with the ol acetone-gas trick that was a slow go then I thought "I have something that might be the qizat shateraky


Enter HOK RU311 just one more reason you are one of my favorite chemicals!! Just look at that glue all gone. Shiny and non tacky!!! Sides will be a breeze. I am sure I could have put some old canvas on it poured the RU on it pressed it all down good and in a half hour ripped the canvas up with all the glue. But the sun was down and it only took maybe 5 minutes.


More pics tomorrow. Thank god I can use my left hand more now. To all those one handers out there I salute you.

 

[Bryan.wells]

Yes please post pics of the pole spring process

 

[speedysprocket]

So you're going to install foot holds and turf tonight and then drive 4 1/2 hours to Carolina Beach tomorrow...? Best of luck!

 

[khaos]

The real issue is the epoxy cure time. Going to have to get the heat lamps out.

 

[khaos]

@Bryan.wells


Here you can see how much I cut off of the new spring. The spring shown is the 2014 OEM part. I tried to show spacing for the cutting wheel kerf. I cut a little at a time to get the fit.


Here is the new installed part. I lifted the pole to snap this pic and as you can see the lock is not engaged and I am not holdin it up.
Freakin sweet.

 

[Bryan.wells]

Love it!. Blowsion spring right?

 

[khaos]

Love it!. Blowsion spring right?

Yes!!

 

[khaos]

So I started looking closely at the footholds My sneakered foot is a tight fit. The glass in the foothold flexes 3/8" when I stick my foot in there. I cant imagine how my foot will fit in there with padding top and bottom. I also found in the corners there are a few holes. I didn't care too much as I am going to glass the backs with 4oz layer of mat for strength. However, once I do that I will lose any flex. Which seems like a good thing. Except now my foot would not fit at all. (its always something)


I think I am just going to cut the bottom off the foothold. And recreate the bottom in the gunnel. Sound reasonable?

 

[Roseand]

Yep, cut em up to add some more padding. Make sure you're using epoxy resin.
This is not something you want to rush either dude. Getting it done by tomorrow is gonna be tight.