Super Jet Rocker RN Superjet build

[FreestyleBro]

So i figure there is a first time for everything, so after having some start/stop issues with the switch i decided to tear out the entire engine comparment (completely unnecessary and irrelevant to the problem) but i was frustrated and wanted to clean-up the engine bay. Besides the point i always liked the rocker nose look of jetskis, i think it looks sexy so i decided after doing some research and hard thinking i would "experiment" with my ski and try and rocker it. Let me tell you, cutting up a 5k toy was definetly nerve racking for me but i got it done before i had second thoughts. I think so far so good, tomorrow i will start the foaming and shaping. Just one question, should i use the stock styrofoam that was in the nose of the superjet to shape the nose or use great stuff foam to shape it or does it not matter? OK one more. How many layers of fiberglass should i lay on the nose inside and out before it is strong enough to withstand hard riding? I heard if you put too many layers the ski rides funny because of the weight up front and obviously if you lay too little it cracks or breaks. Here are some pics of before and after, i know i take alot, more will be uploaded as i progress through my journey! P.S. If anyone has any tips, tricks, advice, hints, 0.2 cents, by all means feel free to chime in any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[swapmeet]

Lmao.... I couldn't help myself lol.... I'm sorry...


On your rocker....
To start, there is a member (CarterB) who sells sexy rocker kits for your SJ. Saves you a bunch of guess work.

Great stuff? :no:

If you DIY you'll want two part foam from US composites or similar.
Not sure on number of layers. Depends on what cloth you're using.

Where in TX are you from?

 

[FreestyleBro]

Hey i like to give a little background info building up suspense to what i need to get across lol! I am aware that CarterB makes them because i looked into them and holy sht they are out of my price range ha! I will look into this two part foam you speak of as i am accustumped to using great stuff from the hardware store. As for the cloth i will have to look tomorrow as it is sitting in my garage, but i got it from lowes if that helps, you big baller lol!

 

[FreestyleBro]

I am currently located in the San Antonio area of Tejas!

 

[shaunsteezy]

buy the kit carter makes and save yourself the headache. you said it yourself its a 5k toy, dont skimp out. you need to use good quality epoxy and cloth.

 

[FreestyleBro]

I completly understand where your coming from, but it's hard for me to pony up the money and spend that much on a rocker kit and i kind of want to do it myself for the experience and learning involed with all the steps to complete it. If you were to use epoxy and cloth what brand would you use? West systems?

buy the kit carter makes and save yourself the headache. you said it yourself its a 5k toy, dont skimp out. you need to use good quality epoxy and cloth.

 

[shaunsteezy]

west systems worked great for me. be sure to buy the pump kit. there is better stuff out there but ill let the gurus get into that...
sometimes you have to just do things right, especially when it comes to glassing your hull. there is no cheap way around it.

 

[FreestyleBro]

Yeah i think im going to do it myself, i will for sure look into west systems as i have read many people like the products. I want to do it right so the rocker part will outlast the rest of the jetski

 

[txsuperjetfreak96]

i put 3 layers of 12oz biax inside and out on my rocker,dnt seem any heavier than stock

 

[ProSouth]

Pm carterb. He may give you good pricing. Doesn't hurt to ask. He may have a batch he wants to get rid of. Super easy guy to work with. Good luck with the build.

 

[yldsix]

I say go for it! Do it yourself learn from the experience, make sure you prep all areas well and take your time dont rush. Then when your finished you will definately do the rear of the ski as well further down the track, cause its not that hard. We pick up round nose hulls here for around 500 to 1000 so id have no reservations doing it my self on a rn. 300 in glass and resin was enough to redo the entire ski for my square.

 

[FreestyleBro]

Thanks for all the advice! Now how do i go about prepping the hull for fiberglass? i know the hull needs to be roughed up, is sanding the best method of doing it?

 

[Hollywood Hood]

Omg my old roundie all cut up lol Na it should turn out sweet! Hope u enjoy the ski man! I miss her and that start stop switch was new hmmm sorry u had issues with it worked great for me but hey electrical gremlins are a futhermucker! Good luck with the rocker!

 

[FreestyleBro]

Ah I had a feeling you would see this lol! Yeah i believe i know what the problem is, loose connection in e-box, nothing big but it seems maintence on these skis are never ending. I LOVE this ski and should have back out rippin' in about a month!

Omg my old roundie all cut up lol Na it should turn out sweet! Hope u enjoy the ski man! I miss her and that start stop switch was new hmmm sorry u had issues with it worked great for me but hey electrical gremlins are a futhermucker! Good luck with the rocker!

 

[FreestyleBro]

Got up early this morning to start the foaming and hopefully shaping depending on how fast the foam dries! Any advice on the most efficient way of shaping foam? Anyway more pics to come later...

 

[txsuperjetfreak96]

I used a da sander to get my basic shape then had to do some sanding by hand, just use the roughest sand paper u can find 36 grit or 24, on the top deck side sand all the paint off to factory glass, you'll wanna glass 6" beyond your cut

 

[swapmeet]

Got up early this morning to start the foaming and hopefully shaping depending on how fast the foam dries! Any advice on the most efficient way of shaping foam? Anyway more pics to come later...

What foam?

Also, that glass from the big box stores isn't strong enough. It would take 10-15 layers depending on weight.
Ive been where you are. I would listen to the people who've done this before, tons of good info and resources on here.

For the best bond, I would grind down to glass, the gel coat doesn't hold the resin well.

A good materials list if you're going to DIY would be.
quart of 4lb/ two part foam. (Two 1qt containers)
4(?) yards of 12oz Biax cloth
Half gallon to a gallon of thin epoxy resin.

All can be purchased from US composites.

Optional items would be:
cabosil to thicken the epoxy
3m phenolic balloons to use as filler (regular bondo absorbs water)

Look around at build threads. Lawnmaster did a rocker job on his ski, txsuperjetfreak did his as well.

Great stuff, and Fiberglass supplies from basically any retail/ non-boat related outlets won't work out well in the long run.
Great stuff absorbs water and isn't meant to be structural.

You could get a sheet of purple house foam from the hardware store, glue it together with some weldwood or other contact cement, and shape that. Its very buoyant and won't melt when using epoxy resin.

 

[yldsix]

Yep use good materials and i sanded area back with rubber backed sanding disk about 80 grit on a 5 inch grinder and took it back to the base material top and bottom, but just for the area needed to be glassed. Make sure you have good overlap onto the original hull. Take your time with that foam shaping, get it right and get it as smooth as you can it will save lots of time later on when you need to prep for paint.

 

[FreestyleBro]

Ok, have decided to use the stock styrofoam since it is still in good conditon and i am currently working on shaping that

 

[FreestyleBro]

Well first layer of glass is layed...