May be a dumb question. Call me noob

[Lival]

Just picked up a 2010 superjet leftover. Adding various mods. bought it originally for the freeriding and having fun in the long island sound up here.. however, was thinking getting into surf riding sounded more fun. Grew up surfing and wind surfing in Florida so it seemed like a natural progression. Assumed I would get comfortable in the sound and then move on to the waves. What reinforcements do I need to make on the SJ for this? or.. should I pick up something else as a second ski to learn the surf on. Like a fisher price my first surf ski

 

[5810]

Add footholds first.....from what i read, u need to reinforce the sides of the engine bay and under the rails. braapp, ski should be fine for surf. also do a steering mod, cause steering 08+ blows .... braappp

 

[227]

You really don't need any reinforcements until you start jumping and getting inverted. Are you doing any of that yet? What you should do right away is get/make yourself a pole limiter.

 

[snowxr]

Stick with the SJ, and just hone your riding skills. Sure, there are a few custom (and more expensive) options out there. No need to spend your summer building a custom ski, when you can dial in the SJ and enjoy riding.

Here's the basic list of normal mods:
Reinforce hull sides
Front sponsons
Aftermarket pole mount
Footholds + turf
Factory B pipe
Intake grate

 

[tightithrash]

take care of your steering issue on the 08. get it quicker. that way you can do quick slashes. your pole is already 2 inchs shorter than a pre 08 pole but it really could be shorter. replace that garbage slippery stock turf on the ski. you WILL get hurt with that. i was riding one last year, did a leg drag turn, other foot slipped out and i smashed my kneecap into the side rail...... PAIN!.

its up to you if you want to put in foot holds. seeing how you came from a surfing and windsurfing back ground and with wind surfing your used to straps so either way, put in some Hydro-Turf (Hydro-Turf.com) and get your self some good under padding to save your heels when you start jumping. you need to put in inserts when your tray is bare for your straps and if you do decide on footholds, that is the time to do it aswell.

also duct tape your front holes on your hood. they are un necesarry and will let in a ton of water. some people use a dremel to open the breathers on the back of the hood but your pretty much fine. also install a bilge pump. 500 GPH. and like 227 said. make a limiting rope so your pole doesnt over extend and break.

 

[tightithrash]

also alot of people are going to tell you you need this and this and this and this. look at this thread of me riding the same exact ski you have with just straps. granted, it should be re-enforced for what i was doing but im just giving you this so you dont become one of the many people on here that get so wrapped up in modding there skis that they dont ride and they dont have any money.

http://www.x-h2o.com/threads/89139-Zack-Bright-killing-it-on-a-stock-SJ-in-Peru&highlight=

 

[Lival]

Thanks man. Much appreciated and awesome riding. I ordered footholds and some new turf. I'll grab a limiter today online. Many thanks!!!

 

[227]

Lival I think this may help you out. What you need is to prioritize in what order to do your surf mods. Any ski can be ridden in the surf but if you follow this order you may very well minimize damage or unnecessary expensive repairs.

1. Pole limiter strap and a aftermarket bilge pump. You can tweek your pole or even sink your ski on your first time out. These are #1

2. Handling mods. A good handling ski is one of the most important things when it comes to surf (HP is last) In the surf you will find that the majority of your maneuvers will be dictated by the wave your riding. You will need to turn quicker and in places that you’ve never had to before. Handling mods would include; Steering (08+ steering mods) pre 08 quick turn, extra nozel throw mod, Front sponsons such as Tubbie Destroyers or Tom21’s, and the “D” cut ride plate

3. As your riding progresses you’ll most likely be ready to start jumping and stabbing and even trying the inverted tricks like B rolls and Backys. For these your going to want some kind of footholds or foot straps. You will also want some kind of hood fastening straps or bungees also. If you’re doing this stuff NOW is the time to think about hull re-inforceing also.

4. HP mods. HP is ALWAYS A GOOD THING, but it’s actually LEAST important in the surf. It’s EASY to get 10’ of air off a 4’ wave. Do the above mods FIRST before dropping the big bux on HP mods

Hope this helps

 

[wydopen]

if u have windsurfed and surfed before run footstraps..

it allows you to really lay the ski over when hitting the lip and when the wave is hollow you can turn in a much more critical part of the wave because u can use the front strap for leverage to keep the nose up..you have wayy more control and when u jump it wont look silly with your nose strait up in the air...

90% of the guys that are good at waveriding run footstraps the other 10% are old guys that have been riding for 20+ years and run no footstraps or footholds...float the tray!

i kitesurf and am 110% anti footstraps for kiting cause they offer no advantage except for the fact that u can do ugly airs where u hang from the kite like a pinyata...with jetskis i am 200% pro foot strap because the advantage is so huge..with straps u can literally do turns where you ski is upside down with the bottom on the lip and have the leverage to bring it back...

heres a vid of my buddies and i all running footstraps..both of my friends riding skills got sooo much better when they started running footstraps..

 

[ridethelip]

many people on here that get so wrapped up in modding there skis that they dont ride and they dont have any money.

For the record I never worked at Mcdonalds...... Ridethelip

 

[Tanman]

I must say the two things you must have to ride surf are a good limiter strap to save your pole and your nose in the event of hyperextention. and a good "BRAAPP" strap or extra hood strap to hold your hood on when you do a reallly hard side smack landing. with out these two simple things your pretty much gonna die... jk but your ski will be feeling it for sure

 

[Dmac80sc]

http://www.x-h2o.com/threads/68034-2008-2010-Steering-system-NEW****&highlight=shmity

here is the link to a guy who is making a bracket and cable to make the 08+ steering have more throw. I bought an 08 pole before I new it had that problem. But I got this bracket and cable and its good to go I think he even says it give a little more throw then pre 08 skis. It did take a bit of time to get mine but I guess it cause he makes them when you order soo order it up just dont be in a rush. I got addicted last yr to the skis so join the group.

 

[shank]

I am new to jet skis. I recently got a 2006 kawasaki sxr 800 all stock as far as i can tell and was jumping it off 1-2ft waves the third time I rode it and the hood came off and filled the engine with water.
I jumped it a few times since and the hood has moved around and looked dodgy so I have stopped doing it for now.

The first thing on my agenda now is hood straps.

After reading this thread i think i will also add a pole limiting rope and later down the track I will add foot holds.

A couple questions for a noob also

1) does the sxr 800 need any handling mods as have been suggested for the SJ or other mods specific for this model for handling surf

2) Say i had hood straps and rope limiting pole, how hard can ya throw around a stock sxr 800. Like how high would it be ok to jump it and say bail if ya stuffed up and not damage the hull

3) Is the stock ski meant to float if it fills with water. My experience with loosing the hood was it seamed to be close to sinking but i could stand up and held the ski up while using the bilge to empty it out.

 

[227]

The SXR was designed to ride level or nose down as a race ski, for this reason it has a slight handicap in the surf as its tendency is to dip the nose or pearl when coming off a wave. To counter this you'll need to Majorly D cut the ride plate. One of my main riding bros, Matt Smith rides an SXR exclusively in the surf and has his pretty dialed for surf conditions. Read this thread he wrote on how to keep the nose up and PM him with any set up questions (Hood straps, best pole, etc) Thats him in his avatar, he goes big and is pretty well qualified to answer any SXR surf set up questions.

http://www.x-h2o.com/threads/84858-I-cut-8-inches-off-my-sxr-rideplate!&

 

[surfjunkie]

also alot of people are going to tell you you need this and this and this and this. look at this thread of me riding the same exact ski you have with just straps. granted, it should be re-enforced for what i was doing but im just giving you this so you dont become one of the many people on here that get so wrapped up in modding there skis that they dont ride and they dont have any money.

that is some good advice right there.