Polystyrene,Carbon,FFH and special SJ drain system idea

[Freakrider]

super-ski and myself are using some of Matt_E's rebuild thread ideas plus we have the motor compartment draining out only to the very back of the ski. This drain on the bulkhead goes through a flex hose under the tray and is hooked up to a drain plug. The foam will therefore not come in contact with any potential gas or oil residue from the motor area.The idea is if your bilge pumps goes out or quit working it would not totally end your day rather you can pull the drain plug and at least have a mini drain system. The other side has a drain plug for any water leaks under the tray. I will add more pics later...we are also adding Pancake Pete's front foothold, padded gunwale tops and 25mm pad and new turf...reinforcement of hull and tray is with carbon fiber with decent prices from U.S Composites..... we both had some wet foam from leaks and super-ski discovered his tray was cracked. He gets credit for most of the labor on this buildup....again more pics later...

 

[Freakrider]

tray is cut out in one big piece after footholds areas are cut....used a rotozip with a bit made to cut fiberglass...

 

[Freakrider]

extruded polystyrene foam used for insulation in construction can be bought at lots of places....foam has been used with water docks for years...

 

[Freakrider]

special drain idea: a fitting attaches a flex hose and runs to the motor compartment fitting which is mounted on the bulkhead.

 

[Freakrider]

pic shows flex hose mounted to the bulkhead...it will be surrounded with foam...

 

[Freakrider]

seal all areas up good to reduce any water leaks....

 

[Freakrider]

shows hole drilled on left side of bulkhead for flexhose fitting...

 

[Freakrider]

extruded polystyrene foam can only hold water if it is subjected to hydrostatic pressure great enough to push the water between the closed cells. That info was obtained from Diversifoam, Inc. Also notice carbon fiber was placed over the pump bolt inserts after it was sealed with a bit with epoxy...small squares of duct tape on top of the pump bolts prevent adhesion....

 

[Freakrider]

drain plug under exhaust outlet...the exhaust flange was altered a bit to make it fit underneath....this side drains only under the tray compartment.

 

[orangefinger]

please explain, you are draining the inside of the hull ( under tray ) right ? How do you prevent water going in ? What if it clogs up inside ? Is there a lid that you can access ??

 

[Freakrider]

please explain, you are draining the inside of the hull ( under tray ) right ? How do you prevent water going in ? What if it clogs up inside ? Is there a lid that you can access ??

two drain plugs (just like on a couch) mounted in the back of the ski....one drains the area under the tray if it is not sealed up perfectly...the other drain plug is connected very well with a fitting to a flex hose that runs under the tray and foam to the motor compartment so it will drain that area....if a clog occurs you could send high pressure water through it but it should not be a problem...does that clear it up some for ya ?

 

[Freakrider]

please explain, you are draining the inside of the hull ( under tray ) right ? How do you prevent water going in ? What if it clogs up inside ? Is there a lid that you can access ??

also the drain plugs are removed only after riding....unless say your bilge pumps quit then you could remove the one connected to the motor area..

 

[ryan]

i did the same thing (with a@b foam) like 7 years ago. i just used a pvc tube and cut it through the foam. i have a duck bill on the back let the water out all the time. nice job on yours. i only did 1 side of my ski. the nexy one will be both like your. and have no foam at all.

 

[orangefinger]

Get it smart idea. !! Great build..i used to turn a screw out of my rideplate and it drained out there...loool :aargh4:

 

[Freakrider]

i did the same thing (with a@b foam) like 7 years ago. i just used a pvc tube and cut it through the foam. i have a duck bill on the back let the water out all the time. nice job on yours. i only did 1 side of my ski. the nexy one will be both like your. and have no foam at all.

we decided to use a flex hose so it would absorb shock well when getting air...you plan on still not running any foam ?

 

[OCD Solutions]

Walmart has ping pong balls on sale right now. $0.99 for 50. jk

 

[Freakrider]

Walmart has ping pong balls on sale right now. $0.99 for 50. jk

I looked at those ping pong balls but it said on the package" not saltwater approved". :nana:

 

[Boris]

Since the tray is opened up, why not add a one-way valve in that drain tube ?
You could still leave the cap on but when you uncork it the valve will be there for you.

P.S. I despise bilge pumps.

 

[Freakrider]

Since the tray is opened up, why not add a one-way valve in that drain tube ?
You could still leave the cap on but when you uncork it the valve will be there for you.

P.S. I despise bilge pumps.

valve not a bad idea...it would have to be for 3/4 inch size tube...

 

[tom21]

these will work great until you land tail first in a shallow area and break off that plug. keep that in mind- its Florida- its all shallow.