RiverRat's 927cc WDK ENVY

[RiverRat]

This is truly a divide and concor build. Hull is in the process of being made by Waterdawgs. Motor is in the process of being made by myself. 145mm Kawi mag pump is being made by skat-trak of course.


More specific info will follow soon............

 

[Idok]

so what of the xjet?


starting an F1 build myself here pretty soon!

 

[RiverRat]

so what of the xjet?


starting an F1 build myself here pretty soon!

The X-jet proved to be a excelent hull throughout last season. I pounded on that thing pretty good and all is well. However, when I ordered the hull I ordered a 1/2 prepreg version that should have been lighter than a wetlaid hull. There were a couple aspects of the build that I was not overly pleased with. For example, 4lb foam was used instead of 2lb foam and that added some extra weight (maybe 6-8lbs). A high temp prepreg mold had not yet been made for the x-jet hood so instead of a feather light 6lb hood the wetlaid hood weighed 13.4lbs. Although the hull was light compared to stock, it was not as light as it should have been to justify paying an extra $2300 for the prepreg top deck and hood.

So, Waterdawgs adknowledged the issue, stood behind their work and we worked out a deal on a ENVY hull to replace the X-jet. That way I did not have to defoam the hull, refoam w/ 2lb foam and Jeff did not have to drop the coin to build a hight temp prepreg X-jet hood mold that he might only use once.

 

[Idok]

nice, so..are you selling the Xjet or...."trading" back to Jeff???


either way, it will be SAWEET! I loved the look of the ENVY in daytona....

 

[RiverRat]

Here are some specs on the boat

Hull
ENVY prepreg top deck and hood
Modified SXR style bottom deck (-4in w/ bolt on extensions)
WDK rideplate
REV footholds
WDK REV billet handlepole
XFT steering system

Engine

BigBore 66v cylinders
GroupK custom BB pistons
Riva gas operated PV's
WDK Billet Girdled Head (185-190psi)
ADA billet kawi style couplers (one kawi thread one yamaha thread)
WDK Vertical mount kit
WDK tuned dry pipe exhaust (in develpoment)
WDK billet intake manifold
Dual 49mm Full Spectrum Carbs
Prok flame arresters
MSD TL ignition
Stock reed valves
Boyesen Reed stuffers

Pump

Thrust Innovatons Trim System
Skat-trak 145mm, 12 vein, set back, magnum pump
Short tail cone and Skat-trak Venturi Nozzle
TBM Intake grate

 

[Idok]

sounds like a MONSTER




I put my GP800 project to the side for a bit....Going to swap the guts of my REV into the F1pro on jeff's recommendation..

 

[RiverRat]

nice, so..are you selling the Xjet or...."trading" back to Jeff???


either way, it will be SAWEET! I loved the look of the ENVY in daytona....

It will go back to waterdawgs, though I am not opposed to buying him out of it. The X-jet is still my all time favorite hull design. Simple but 100% functional design. I am shocked that that hull never really took off :thinking:. Almost all grips you have about a stock SJ hull is addressed with the x-jet design. Excelent boat!! :fing02:

 

[sjetrider]

sounds like a MONSTER




I put my GP800 project to the side for a bit....Going to swap the guts of my REV into the F1pro on jeff's recommendation..

U get the F1Pro hull yet Scott?

 

[Idok]

yessir!

 

[RiverRat]

Oh.......and for those that were wondering, the x-jet handles more like a SJ with the extra weight of a 66e motor or WDK 1200. With my standard stroke lamey in there the boat felt really light and nimble. The extra weight in the center of the ski seems to help the shorter strakes bite in the water and the boat calms down a little. Still feels light and loose when you want it too but acts a little more civilized with that power plant

 

[Proformance1]

Hey congrats on the new Envy, I really like that design.

 

[MADMAT]

sounds like a MONSTER

x2!!! Damn!!

 

[thegoldenboy]

I am shocked that that hull never really took off :thinking:. :fing02:

I think the reason why the X-jet never took off was because Jeff introduced the REV shortly after, and began to push them at better prices.

The REV is a compeltly different (visually), and the pricing he offered for it would have made me by one over the X-Jet at that point in time.

He basically priced his X-Jet out of range when it was sized up against the Rev.

Its a good way for a builder to discontinue a hull design, without publically saying "I've replaced it with something better".

Hard to understand for some, but I think its a very smart move. He will always have the molds, and should someone want an X-Jet in the future I'm sure he'd be happy to price the job on an individual basis and rebuild the X-Jet.

Personally I loved the look of the X-Jet.

 

[thegoldenboy]

Also, That new ENVY looks crazy. You're going to have the best ski in KY.
I wonder how it will be for flatwater though. I always seemed to think smaller was better, but what do I know.

 

[SuperJETT]

 

[RiverRat]

I was waiting for a negative post from you. Just like clockwork :haha:

 

[RiverRat]

I think the reason why the X-jet never took off was because Jeff introduced the REV shortly after, and began to push them at better prices.

The first X-jets were developed back in 2003 or 2004. It was out years ahead of the REV. I think the REV has gorgeous body lines and would ride one in the surf any day of the week. But for flat water the X-jet just flat out works. It is lower than a SJ, rotates easily, beefed up where the SJ was weak and the non essentails like the nose peice were completly removed. Not to mention that the X-jet has handholds where the REV does not.

From all the pics of the ENVY that I have seen I am pleased with the work he has done to the platform. For example, the hood sealing system on the ENVY is much better than a SJ. B/c the top deck achaully sits up into the hood you don't have to fiddle with hood straps. That hood will not move side to side (unless it totally poped off). Kawasaki did a nice job in making that improvement over the SJ. The fugly nose of the SXR has been removed and reshaped so the profile is much sleaker. The handlepole area is modified as well as the hood latching system. Once again more functional for freestyle and improved upon. Then there is the bottom deck. The SXR handles like it is on rails and is 2in wider than a SJ. IMO, the SXR bottom deck is the only way to go with a big motor combo. I think b/c it handles so well and the bottom deck is so aggressive it plants the power better than the SJ platform ever could. I think the boat will handle tricks like flares better b/c once you land you are hooked back up...........the hull bites and stops that rotation b/c the strakes dig so hard. It will be good for some tricks but a big burden for others. Big power and arial tricks I don't think you could beat a chopped SXR bottom deck.......However, for a well rounded flatwater routine, I think the SJ will still be the best choice.

 

[MADMAT]

That write up makes me kick my self again (have been kicking myself for MONTHS!!!!!) for not buying that used 06 XFT hull that went up for sale in here. It was SXR bottom and roundnose top. I wanted it SOOOOO BAD!!!!! And it went CHEAP!!!

 

[RiverRat]

That write up makes me kick my self again (have been kicking myself for MONTHS!!!!!) for not buying that used 06 XFT hull that went up for sale in here. It was SXR bottom and roundnose top. I wanted it SOOOOO BAD!!!!! And it went CHEAP!!!

Was it a true SXR bottom or "like" a SXR bottom? The SXR also has a redesigned intake area that I suspect also plays a big role in its hook up charcteristics.............I think the whole set up is more efficient.

 

[thegoldenboy]

The first X-jets were developed back in 2003 or 2004. It was out years ahead of the REV. I think the REV has gorgeous body lines and would ride one in the surf any day of the week. But for flat water the X-jet just flat out works. It is lower than a SJ, rotates easily, beefed up where the SJ was weak and the non essentails like the nose peice were completly removed. Not to mention that the X-jet has handholds where the REV does not.

So no more than 3 years.... Thats not a lot of time for a "new" company (not sure exactly of WDK establishment) to market and sell a hull before switching to a different design.

Thats why I suggested it never "took off". Nothing to do with the design, just the timeframe it was readily avaliable and marketed for.


I want to see more pics of an ENVY. I also want to see it beside a REV or X-Jet to compare the size.



Either way, I like WDK and the innovation he is bringing to the sport. :arms:


Matt - I remember that too. Solar Yellow or Orange, SXR "style" bottom, think it went for $1600 or so... What a steal. Would make a crazy big air boat.