Rickter FR2 vs. Trinity Matrix a practical freeride review.

[yamanube]

Not sure who might care about this but I figured I would document my findings.
I have been riding my Rickter FR2 for about 3 years now and have been pretty confident that I have found the best freeride hull for my particular riding style and needs.
Recently a Trinity Matrix Pro in -2" length came up for sale and I had to scoop it up to try it. Having ridden a couple of these previously I was feeling confident it would be a great freeride hull and even possibly a replacement for my Rickter. Again, there are almost no shortcomings to my FR2 other than it is a bit heavy and a bit dated looking (mostly due to the graphics).
The hulls are, generally speaking, very similar to each other in size and basic design, there are some minor design nuances that attribute to a pretty different ride from hull to hull.
My Rickter is: Glass hull, OEM 144 pump, ported 760cc frankenstein (64x cylinder, 61x cases, 46sbn), lim B pipe, zeel.
The Matrix is: Carbon hull, Solas 144 mag, Xscream 865 (XS 46s), mod B pipe, ATP ignition?
Both hulls are within an inch or so of each other in overall length, the Matrix is overall about 2" wider (both in hull and bondline), the FR2 has a wider tray and the overall mass of the driveline is set a couple inches back in the FR2 (even though hull length is the same, the FR2 pump ends up a couple inches further out of the rear of the hull than the matrix).
The FR2 has a very slight rear end rocker and a more gradual front rocker that starts near engine centerline or front motor mounts, it has slight scallops in the rear end (outside edge) and has wide, vertical rails and a front bondline.
The Matrix has a flat rear hull design, similar to a superjet and a slightly less gradual front rocker that starts more around the fuel tank area. The bottom deck is about 2" wider front to back than the Rickter, it has a similar scallop in the rear plus another one further forward sort of simulating an extra large front sponson. It has extra wide 45 degree rails and a small front splashguard under the nose.

 

[yamanube]

I will include the caveat to my ride review with the acknowledgment that these two drivelines are wildly different, I think it plays a large part in the difference of the way they both ride. I consider the 865 to be a little too much power, or at least not quite smooth enough for my type of surf riding and it negatively impacts how smooth I am on a wave, how confident I am getting into a wave late and how the ski handles when things get tricky. I am considering swapping the entire driveline into my FR2, for science but we will see.

The ride:
The FR2 has a really slidey, slippery feel to it. The hull pivots well around the midline (feels like it is pivoting on the engine) and responds well to forward/back weight transfer to adjust how quickly it turns, how it turns and how much slide you get versus how much pivot. I can predictively slide it into a wave, back it into a closeout section and easily one handed ride on the face of a wave without it doing anything unexpected. I partially attribute this to time on the ski which skews my review a bit. It really feels like a shortboard or twin fish kind of ride, very responsive to my input both weight transfer and steering and predictable. The front and rear rocker combined really attribute to the centered steering feel of the hull (IMO). The front rocker is enough to keep it up out of the water in most conditions even in a steep wave but not so dramatic that it causes the hull to bounce out of the water or jump hard when pushed. Even when laid over hard and the rail is engaged, it struggles to stay hooked up and is not great at high speed cornering but the slide is easily executed and very predictable.
The Matrix has a much more planted feel, it doesn't lay over quite as easily and really does not want to slide until pushed much further and a bit more unpredictably. It holds hard on a rail all the way up till it releases then it just slides out and wants to lay over, the pump almost requires it be unhooked to slide. The front rocker feels good, and does a good job keeping the rails and nose out of the water when the wave picks up but the wide flat hull section feels like it really keeps the hull planted and gives me a bit less confidence that I can really dig the rear, lift the nose and keep from pearling a steep section. The wide hull wants to lay flat and stay engaged and it steers a bit more with hull input than it does with steering input. It is also slightly less responsive to steering input where there is a slight lag between bar turn and when the hull really wants to come around.

Overall, I think they are both excellent freeride hulls but two very different riding styles. I feel like the Matrix is a bit more inline with a tigercraft SV or even a Predator in its ride style and the FR2 feels a bit more like an Edge (for obvious reasons) that is less "hooked up". The aggressive, punchy nature of the driveline and solid hookup of the pump I think contribute to this too and no matter what way the ski is pointed, it immediately darts in that direction when you get on the throttle. The Rickter being a looser ride and having a less substantial pump hookup and less snap wants to slide around and you end up working to keep it engaged in a turn, this is almost opposite to the Matrix.

I am still working through some control layout changes on the Matrix, shortening the pole, shortening the rideplate and swapping intake grates to see how that effects the overall ride, I will post an update once I test these items. For now, I am leaning towards the Rickter still fitting my ride style better BUT I may be convinced to change it up just to see how things might progress with a more turney, hooked up hull and big power. My skis rarely leave the water unless I am doubling a wave or doing a re-entry so backflips and aerial tricks are not a factor but the power of the XS engine is pretty addictive and definitely puts a smile on my face however my general approach is KISS and inexpensive parts to keep me on the water and riding as much as possible.

Here is a bad example of the difference, I tend to slide my ski into waves, as I approach the shoulder I use the throttle to get the ski to change directions and power back into the section. When attempting this with the matrix I really have to get in late, get it to carve around and make the top turn/entry into the wave one fluid motion, the ski always drives where the nose is pointing.

 

[yamanube]

Had an interesting development today. An impromptu group ride at the spot popped up so I put the pole back together after removing 2" and rebuilding the steering. I also did a quick cut on the rideplate to remove 1.5" or so. The ski really responded well to these changes and closer to the way I would like it to handle. More to come.

 

[yamanube]

The rideplate cut and shortened pole really where a nice adjustment in how the ski handles. I am a tall guy so long pole tend to put me pretty far back in the tray and I hate having the steering near my knees. The shorter pole allowed me to move up more in the tray, getting my weight more centered on the hull and gave it a good bit more of that on-center steering feel. I felt like I had a bit more control over the nose to tail attitude of it as well. The rideplate adjustment further reinforced this as well as allowing the rear of the hull to loosen up slightly and get more predictable slides out of it.
The waves we had for our last session where inlet waves, building up a little deeper, less walled up and a bit more mellow overall allowing for me to get into a ride and really feel the hull out. Moving up and down the wave and through sections felt much more natural and overall I had a really great time riding it. The previous ride was Daytona shore break and was standing up hard on the sandbar, allowing less actual wave riding and more in and out slashing.
The extra power and the lighter weight hull really shined during re-entries and little airs off the lip. I really liked that I could be riding a face and with a quick turn and a blip could air it over a small closeout section or just jump it to flat when the wave was about to close.
All in all, these hulls are both excellent, but one has to go. I am losing sleep trying to decide which one that is and every time I take the Matrix out, it gets closer to being a keeper. Might just put them both up and let the buyer decide which I keep.

 

[800750]

Dose one really have to go? They both look awesome.

 

[yamanube]

Dose one really have to go? They both look awesome.

Well.....the wife says yes. There is also no legitimate reason I would need to have two skis. They are both awesome, like really awesome. I will keep riding them both and tweaking on them for now. I may completely swap the drivelines if one doesn't sell in the near future. I think the carbon Matrix would be excellent with a 760 and really take advantage of power to weight and the FR2 with the 865....sheesh.

 

[fastgtfairlane]

Personally I'd probably keep the matrix just because they're not common and they look awesome. A buddy had a glass matrix -4 I believe with a xs900ss. That was a fun ski on the lake and in the surf.

 

[yamanube]

Personally I'd probably keep the matrix just because they're not common and they look awesome. A buddy had a glass matrix -4 I believe with a xs900ss. That was a fun ski on the lake and in the surf.

This is exactly the argument going on in my head. It really is on another level of build quality over the Rickter as well (probably over most hulls out there, especially most built more than 8 years ago). The Rickter is a Toyota Supra and the Matrix is a Ferrari 458. Just typing this is messing with the ability to make a decision.
Here's a cool shot of the nose reinforcement piece that Bobby builds into these hulls to further strengthen the bond between top and bottom deck up front. The red/black paint combo is a bit dated, if it stays it will be repainted to a solid color topdeck.

 

[fastgtfairlane]

Yeah my buddies matrix build quality was super nice. Was an easy ski to put together. Everything went together super smooth, like a superjet. I wanted to slap him for selling it.

 

[800750]

One way to look at it is you could probably find another fr2 or edge if you sell the rickter but a matrix might be harder to come by. But as someone who went through hulls at a rapid fire rate just as you did for a while, we both seemed to be pretty damn happy with our rickters, I’ve never had a ski for as long as I have had my current one and I’d be willing to bet the farm you haven’t either…..tough choices

 

[badvinny]

I bought that silver matrix, put a Xscream 865 kit in it with a carbon wrap on the silver, it ran and looked great.
Then I became a Canadian Rickter dealer, as pretty as the Matrix was I like my FR2's and Edges so much better.

 

[KMN]

Both good hulls, and fit your riding style. It's a toss up.

 

[Sparkplug]

Good luck finding a fr2 for a good price. Pretty well regarded as the best surf hull. Rickter build quality is above all others. I still have not seen a broken fr rickter. My personal fr2 has been 20ft in the air upside down with no rider on it. It's spidered the entire left side of it in the gel coat. No internal damage. I dunno about matrix. Is that trinity? If so I saw a few of those. Good build quality. But not rickter imo. The rickter will hold more resale value also.

Both. He who dies with the most toys wins

 

[yamanube]

I do feel like either would be pretty damn hard to replace if I wanted to but after a great session this past weekend on the FR2 I have decided that it is the best fit for my riding style. The Matrix is an excellent hull and if it was my only ski, I would be more than happy with it but right now having the luxury of riding them back to back, I prefer the extra slippery ride of the FR2.
As far as build quality, the Rickter is quite nice, everything fits well and it looks great for its age BUT the Trinity is of higher overall quality. The materials and finish work are superior over the fiberglass Rickter, for a carbon hull, it is quite beefy. I think if the paint wasn't so dated, people wouldn't be sleeping on it.
I don't have the space, money or really desire to own two skis at this point. Hopefully I can find someone to appreciate the Matrix and it can move on to a new home. Compared to what is out there for sale now, I think it is a crazy amount of ski for the money.
A strong, well built, carbon freeride ski with a billet PV cylinder and mag pump for under $10k....

 

[OCD Solutions]

Crazy re-sale price on that ski. The original build was around $32k. That carbon hull alone was $10K from Bobby.
I keep talking about buying it back for that price but if I wasn't riding it before we moved, I know I wouldn't ride it now.

 

[Big Kahuna]

Crazy re-sale price on that ski. The original build was around $32k. That carbon hull alone was $10K from Bobby.
I keep talking about buying it back for that price but if I wasn't riding it before we moved, I know I wouldn't ride it now.

I am having same internal argument about my Edge now....... Just not riding. Got nobody to ride with. Thinking just finding a newer SJ or maybe even give the 4S a shot.

 

[KMN]

I am having same internal argument about my Edge now....... Just not riding. Got nobody to ride with. Thinking just finding a newer SJ or maybe even give the 4S a shot.

Hold onto that Edge. 4S you'll be bored quick, new SJ's are good, but not special like the Edge.

 

[Big Kahuna]

Hold onto that Edge. 4S you'll be bored quick, new SJ's are good, but not special like the Edge.

Bored quick on the Edge!!!!!!!!! Riding alone is boring as hell. Most likely go with a 17-20 SJ. This way best of all worlds.

 

[Aquaholic]

I am having same internal argument about my Edge now....... Just not riding. Got nobody to ride with. Thinking just finding a newer SJ or maybe even give the 4S a shot.