New to stand ups, 88 js 550.

[davy87nj]

Hey, first post on the site. Im from Barnegat, Nj. I just bought an 88 550sx. I was wondering what mods will be good for surf riding? It might take me a while to get out there since im kinda rusty on the standups but i was just wondering in advance. I heard the 550 isnt the best freestyle surf ski but i seen a few videos of guys useing them, i figure they are heavly modded though. also i have the lanyard conversion on my ski, but everytime i tip it to the right it doesnt want to run well till i pull it out of the water. anyone else have that issue? I hear they were designed to run after you fall but i also see alot of people useing lanyards, is there a mod to do to make this work better? thanks.

 

[btmboards]

as for the lanyard... get rid of it. In the short time I have been riding surf I have seen people get hit hard because of it. Seen some very expensive ski tumble through the surf and against the beach because of it. Cut the leash off, zip tie the key in place and turn your trottle down so it dies when you let go of the throttle.

 

[JamesG]

I'm going to have to strongly disagree with cutting the leash off. Unless you have a buddy watching you 24/7. The leash is the only thing keeping your ski from riding off into the sunset or another wave.

 

[Conquistador]

I ride a 550 in surf often and definitely agree with James

 

[Charlie_Hustle]

I would make sure your boat runs with no problems before taking it out. Having your boat 100% reliable is key in the surf

 

[btmboards]

Well said Charlie that I also know first hand. Your ski doesn't run off because it dies the second typical let go. Same as a leash only you don't have to fumble with it to get it started again. You just hit the button.

 

[davy87nj]

Im for sure going to feel out the ski and make sure everything is working well before i take it out to the surf, tell you the truth im not good enough to go out there yet either. everything is pretty good except when i fall and it tips to the right, then it doesnt want to run well, no power and no idle. just barley makes it to my dock pull it out and it runs fine. if its designed to run after you fall so no water can get into the exhaust then both having a lanyard or turning the idle down are not going to work right?. i will mess with it this weekend. could it be a bad water box causing water to rush into the engine? Is there a certian way that i should turn it after tipping it far to the right?

 

[btmboards]

I have a 650sx that started doing the same thing and it seemed to be from tipping to the right but it kept getting worse and now it doesnt matter the position. The problem is electrical and seems to possibly somthing to do with the stater/ ignition system. I will update when I figure it out. I plan to tear it all apart and test everything soon.

 

[davy87nj]

cool thanks. appreciate it.

 

[kcmasterpiece]

Well said Charlie that I also know first hand. Your ski doesn't run off because it dies the second typical let go. Same as a leash only you don't have to fumble with it to get it started again. You just hit the button.

I ride surf almost 100% of the time. a lanyard is a must imo. yes, if you fall and the lanyard pulls, it takes a few extra seconds to get the ski going. but in the surf, there is only a few occasions where i will let go of the ski, (very few). so, the lanyard pulling is rarely a problem. the biggest reason i use a lanyard is just incase my throttle sticks. in that case, turning down the idle wont do anything.

just the other week my ski was running all day no problems. out of nowhere, all of a sudden my throttle wouldnt go all the way back to idle. it would stick around 1/4 throttle. so it does happen and there isnt always a sign it may start to stick. it just stated sticking literally out of nowhere. i bought a new cable and its all good. now i make sure to keep the throttle cable well lubed after each ride.

i know im on the east coast and we dont have the killer surf like the west coasters do, so getting caught up in the waves isnt life threatening, but IMO still nice to use a lanyard for peace of mind.

 

[ntrsspray]

I am also a south jersey rider...keep the lanyard in the surf, the key is to never let go lol but on the occassion that you have to its a great thing. as for the leaning issue i ditched my kawi years ago...sorry

 

[davy87nj]

the 550 is just a start for me, see how it is this summer then maybe in the winter i can get a good deal on a yamaha. just gotta figure out this problem with it having issues after tipping, because if i do go to the surf lanyard or not im gonna be screwed with no power after i fall. thanks for all the replys.