I could write a short book on how stoked / impressed I am with Zach, Powerhouse Performance and his products. But I'll try to keep it to cliff notes below:
I have been shopping for a backup motor / setup. I am currently on a 1200 motor setup with a different builder (NOT PHP... PHP DOES NOT DO 1200's). Affording to put a second 1200 on the shelf as a backup is not cheap nor really that practical financially speaking right now. My riding season is VERY short, so I don't want any down time... being down for any part of the riding season makes me go nutz mentally and obsess over the sport even more.
I was invited out by Luke (Spacecowboy) to join everyone for the PHP test n' tune day a couple weeks before it was to take place. I called Zach @ PowerHouse to talk to him about coming out and feel him out about his setup/company and what he had to offer. Coolest dude ever to talk to, could hear the passion he had for the sport, his products, etc. He was honest and flat out said "Roo, I don't know what your looking for or hoping to expect being that you've been on a 1200 for awhile now, but you'll be able to rip my machine and tell me what you think".
I told him if I went with his motor for a backup route, I would want to easily move my carbs, ignition and exhaust over, and still have it drive the big 160mm pump that the 1200 motor uses, to keep costs down, so I would only need the motor / shortblock (these PHP 898 motors can be had for damn near half the cost of the 1200). He prefers Novi's over Full Specs (which I have now) but he said no problem, he would do all he can to get the most out of the setup, as well as help me find the correct prop / reduction nozzle combination. What was also appealing, is he is only a 6 hour drive from me, so I could drive to him for a test 'n tune session.
Fast forward to this past weekend, I drove out to Corey's place where PHP had setup shop. Zach brought a few ski's to demo but I only had one interest - riding his Superfreak Circus w/PHP 898 in it. Getting used to how the Circus rode was a bit of challenge, having come off a hull that rode completely different, but instantly I fell in love with the power of the ski. I couldn't believe it was a 898. I was blown away and it far exceeded my expectations. I am not going to write up every little difference between the 898 and 1200, because at the end of the day they are completely different motors and setups, but in a nutshell I was blown away at the power this 898 put out, how snappy it was, and could see myself going from a 1200 to a PHP 898 setup with little adjustment period. Sure, there is no replacement for displacement, but staying on the water for a whole season is worth it to me, if I have to sacrifice a little bit of power to do so. The type of riding I personally do which I admit these days is pretty much barrol rolls and backflips, I feel I could step down from a 1200 to a PHP 898 and be totally happy with (paired to the right hull of course). Don't get me wrong, I like my old skool hood tricks from time to time to though, but I have my fiances roundnose superjet for that
The best part about the whole day was hanging out with everyone and partying. I can't speak anymore highly of Zach
@powerhouseperformance - he is flat out a badass in my book and I encourage anyone motor shopping to call up Zach and work with him - you won't regret it! Not only is Zach an awesome builder, but he is also an awesome rider to which is my opinion is very important for tuning and dialing stuff in. I asked Zach what I felt like was a 1000 questions, and received 2000 answers back.
Anyway, I could go on and on, but I'll stop here. Thinking PHP? Stop thinking and DO IT!
I didn't ride the Circus hull long enough to feel confident to try to barrel roll or do any combo's, but there were a few videos captured of me hitting backflips (1 video below).
