Custom/Hybrid Questions on building a Rickter

[wheelman1976]

After seeing a trio of Rickters out on Lake Michigan this weekend I started looking into what is involved with building one. My goal is to build something reliable with a decent size gas tank to minimize heading in to refuel. I understand this goes against the power and lightness that may be wanted but I am in my early 40's and just want something a bit more fun out on lake michigan when the waves are nice.

The mechanic I was talking to sounded like he knew what he was talking about with engines and suggested I would want to go the superjet engine route vs a dasa for reliability reasons. He noted that I wouldn't necessarily be able to to flat water flips, but out on lake michigan I would be able to have some fun. Hopefully someone can tell me if this is true or not but he said the Dasa's need rebuilding after 10 hours of use or so, is that a fact? Basically b/c they're race engines set up for high performance.

So I guess my quesiton is can a Rickter Edge set up with a superjet guts be a good set up for solid reliable fun or am I throwing money down the drain that I'll never get back?

 

[Bobert540]

What part of Michigan do you ride? Will it be used strictly for surf riding?

Dasa's and many aftermarket motors don't need to be rebuilt after 10 hours. You can make a 701 a great linear motor. You can always do a big bore or 4mil stroker for extra power. It's all about the setup from engine to carbs to pipe to pump.

You will get a lot of opinions but we are all here to help. Best thing to do is narrow down what type of riding you will be doing 80% of the time and go from there

 

[wheelman1976]

I live in Hudsonville and only ride out of Port sheldon (I'm sure you know it). My nephew just learned this summer to ride so I finally have a partner to go with and this past weekend we realized we just loved the surf, riding on pigeon lake pales in comparison to going out on 4-6 foot rollers on the big lake. Currently I have a 98 stock superjet and a 99 sxi pro that I put him on. Never really got into the mod bug on the skis mainly because years prior they weren't used hardly at all. Not sure I want to part out the superjet and move all the parts over to a rickter but I am totally new to this hybrid ski thing. I just want reliable with enough power to skoot around the waves and not have to run back in to port to refuel like I saw the other guys doing this past weekend. Also, I really don't want to break the bank...

 

[boostedegos]

I built a Rickter for strictly riding Lake Michigan down on the Indiana side. It flipped and did everthing could have hoped for with only a 701. You can always throw a bigger motor in there down the road.

 

[Big Kahuna]

Sounds like you already have a ski that will do what you need. Throw a bpipe, head, enhancer and a prop on it and you will swear you have a new hull.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G930A using Tapatalk

 

[Bobert540]

Sounds like you already have a ski that will do what you need. Throw a bpipe, head, enhancer and a prop on it and you will swear you have a new hull.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G930A using Tapatalk

Very true statement. I would throw on a set of tubbies too. I miss riding my SJ in the surf but I do enjoy my A/M hull more. Just a matter of how much you want to spend. The surf is fun on any hull. We ride or of Port Sheldon as well.

 

[wheelman1976]

I am not opposed to going down the road of modding my superjet. I wish I would have gotten more active on here this summer and see if someone would allow me to just take a quick spin on their rickter, I'd like to see what one feels like and how much you notice the weight difference. I certainly have some time now that the season is winding down to do research though. If we get some high temps in the next couple weeks and someone is going to be going out of port sheldon and would let me take a couple circles around pigeon lake I would meet you out there.

 

[Bobert540]

I am not opposed to going down the road of modding my superjet. I wish I would have gotten more active on here this summer and see if someone would allow me to just take a quick spin on their rickter, I'd like to see what one feels like and how much you notice the weight difference. I certainly have some time now that the season is winding down to do research though. If we get some high temps in the next couple weeks and someone is going to be going out of port sheldon and would let me take a couple circles around pigeon lake I would meet you out there.

The weight difference is only going to marginal glass a/m hull vs superjet. Carbon will be much lighter but also rides a lot different, meaning rides higher up and will get pushed around more in the surf.

There are a lot of fun surf hills out there. I truly recommend getting on as many hulls as possible. I have an aquabot v2 you are welcome to ride anytime. I know of a sv1 you can ride as well. If the surf kicks up again soon we will be out. I won't be done until end of November.

 

[wheelman1976]

When the water starts cooling, what are you doing for wetsuits? 3mm doesn't seem to cut it once fall hits...

 

[tacko834]

Following!

 

[badvinny]

I am not opposed to going down the road of modding my superjet. I wish I would have gotten more active on here this summer and see if someone would allow me to just take a quick spin on their rickter, I'd like to see what one feels like and how much you notice the weight difference. I certainly have some time now that the season is winding down to do research though. If we get some high temps in the next couple weeks and someone is going to be going out of port sheldon and would let me take a couple circles around pigeon lake I would meet you out there.

Find one, a Evo or Edge, or XFR last choice, rides nothing like a SJ

 

[Big Kahuna]

Edge is fun, just be sure to have the right length ride plate!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Bobert540]

When the water starts cooling, what are you doing for wetsuits? 3mm doesn't seem to cut it once fall hits...

I have a 4/3 and wear gloves and booties. A good 4/3 with tour coat will keep you plenty warm through November. Water can't be that cold yet.

 

[JRock637]

Love my Edge! Had it since new ( march 2015 ) it's a FS lay up, little bit lighter. It's awesome to rip turns, chase boats and surf ride. It's held up great no issues and has lots of hours on it. Run a 735, bpipe, oem electrionics not even a msd to keep it extremely reliable! And 155 pump. The thing can haul ass in choppy water too. I may list the hull for sale after Daytona, like to buy a 2018 Edge in the new colors.

 

[wheelman1976]

View attachment 342368View attachment 342369View attachment 342370
Love my Edge! Had it since new ( march 2015 ) it's a FS lay up, little bit lighter. It's awesome to rip turns, chase boats and surf ride. It's held up great no issues and has lots of hours on it. Run a 735, bpipe, oem electrionics not even a msd to keep it extremely reliable! And 155 pump. The thing can haul ass in choppy water too. I may list the hull for sale after Daytona, like to buy a 2018 Edge in the new colors.

What will you be asking for it? Would you see complete?

 

[JRock637]

What will you be asking for it? Would you see complete?

That I'm not too sure of haven't began to think on selling it complete yet.

 

[wheelman1976]

Boy, after looking around a bit, used Rickter's are not easy to come by are they? Anyone know where some may be for sale?

 

[Lumberjack]

I was in your boots at the start of the season and ended up with vinnys old fs2 evo and my superjet has been collecting dust ever since.
I had a chance to ride a few am skis and getting back on my superjet was brutal! Ended up going AM 2 weeks later.

My fs2 evo just has a piped 701 and it's 10x the fun my superjet ever was. Wish I would of skipped the SJ stage and went right to an AM hull. If you are able to test ride one it's going to be an expensive test ride because you'll hate the SJ after.

I suggest buying one ready to ride!

 

[wheelman1976]

I was in your boots at the start of the season and ended up with vinnys old fs2 evo and my superjet has been collecting dust ever since.
I had a chance to ride a few am skis and getting back on my superjet was brutal! Unfortunately I'm thousands of miles from the surf.

My fs2 evo just has a piped 701 and it's 10x the fun my superjet ever was. Wish I would of skipped the SJ stage and went right to an AM hull. If you are able to test ride one it's going to be an expensive test ride because you'll hate the SJ after.

My biggest mistake was letting my gf ride the rickter because she likes it more than the SJ now!

So your evo just has a superjet motor in it with a pipe and that's it? Do you feel that's enough to get up and go?

 

[Lumberjack]

Boy, after looking around a bit, used Rickter's are not easy to come by are they? Anyone know where some may be for sale?

Check the marketplace on xh20