Superjet - Project RS *Build Complete (for now)*

[Mud-Nut]

**EDIT** Been trying to think of a "name" for my build thread.... Decided to call it Project RS (which stands for Rockered & Shortened).

I picked up a 650SX a few years ago and got hooked to the sport! So this past summer, I gave the Kawi to the wife and I upgraded to a RN Superjet!

I got a new battery (Deca ETX-16) and threw new spark plugs in it, and ran it like that for the entire summer. The ski rides a little nose high, but I had a blast on it!

Now that the riding season is over in Canada, it's time for my build thread. The kid I bought the ski from didn't know much about it (he didn't build it, so I did some measuring and figured things out myself). But here are the basic specs for the hull;

-Shortened 7" in the rear bottom deck
-Tray was also shortened
-Handpole was shortened approximately 8.5"
-Defoamed (with drain plugs)
-Footholds
-Homemade scupper (dumping into pump area)

Keep in mind that these specs may change as I work through the build.... These just describe my starting point.

The hood was also lowered, but it's falling apart.

It's in rough shape, a few cracks in the hull.

Basically, it's a stock 61X 701 with an aftermarket waterbox and an annoying side exhaust.

First step.... Teardown!

There's some awesome stuff going on with this thing! This was holding on the ride plate.

Decided to start with the rocker. Taking a sawzall to your hull is always fun!

 

[Mud-Nut]

I'm doing my rocker just a bit different than how I typically see it done because I wanted the bond rails to curve upwards with the rocker.

Keep in mind that my fiberglassing experience extends back to installing footholds on the 650SX... And that's it! So I'm using this project to learn. Considering the condition of the ski, there's not much at risk here. So why not?!

So I left the shims in place and put 1 layer of 1708 on the inside, and then filled the gaps with the "peanut butter" cabosil mix.

Then I filled the bond line with epoxy/cabosil and then reinforced the entire right side (all the way to the front).

I've already learnt a bunch with this project, and I'm just getting started. I'm not entirely sure of my exact build plan, I'm just going with it. So we'll just have to see how things go from here.

Next step is to reinforce the left side (which is a little more tricky, there's 3 cracks in the hull on that side). More pics to come soon.

 

[pablo vwgolf]

exelente

 

[N3vrSat1sfied]

Sub'd. That should be a very fun hull, if the weight is kept down.

 

[Mud-Nut]

I'm doing my best to be conscious about weight, but this is also my first build and I'm learning as I go (and someone got a hold of this hull well before I did).

 

[N3vrSat1sfied]

I'm doing my best to be conscious about weight, but this is also my first build and I'm learning as I go (and someone got a hold of this hull well before I did).

Well better to have weight than a broken hull at the bottom of the lake!

 

[Mud-Nut]

Made a little progress, nothing too earth shattering. I cut around the cracks and reinforced the inside (left side). Then filled more gaps with epoxy resin/cabosil.

 

[BruceSki]

Nice. Not too many people documenting builds here anymore.

Tons of new aftermarket hull assembly instead.

Good luck! Looks like a nice project.

 

[tnt01]

coming together nice...wow that a hugh crack..i don't know if want try this,what i have done with crack that hugh i used chop fiberglass with epoxy resin and mix like cabosil fill sand then sandwich with fiberglass...so far it has work for me..

 

[yamanube]

Looks good so far.

 

[Mud-Nut]

coming together nice...wow that a hugh crack..i don't know if want try this,what i have done with crack that hugh i used chop fiberglass with epoxy resin and mix like cabosil fill sand then sandwich with fiberglass...so far it has work for me..

That's basically what I was planning, with the exception of mixing chop with the resin/cabosil. Thanks for the advice!

 

[MikeyB]

Nice looking good! Whats your plan for the bond rail up front?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Mud-Nut]

@MikeyB Thanks! I've seen your build, and I definitely can't say mine is up to par with yours though. You've done some very clean work!

As for the front, where the bottom deck meets the top.... I haven't quite decided yet. Right now, it has an underbite look to it. But I honestly stared at the ski for awhile last night trying to decide how I'm going to finish off the front. I like that the bond rails on the side of the ski curve upwards a little to match the rocker, but I have them cut off as they near the front. Maybe I'll figure out a plan tonight?! I'm also open to suggestions.

 

[Marcgraham27]

looks awesome, that ski started life in my neck of the woods, good to see it going strong

 

[Mud-Nut]

looks awesome, that ski started life in my neck of the woods, good to see it going strong

@Marcgraham27 Yup, the ski came from Hamilton. My brother actually bought the ski, and then I took it off it hands shortly after because he decided to get a Rickter. The kid we got the ski from didn't know much about it. Do you know the guy who originally put this ski together? Just curious.


Quick update.... The other night, I filled the cracks (mixed in chop with my the cabosil mix, it worked well).

Today, I spent all afternoon sanding. Lots of fun!

 

[550klunker]

Sub'd. Looking forward to seeing how this takes shape!

 

[Nate_D]

Looking good Mud. I kind of glanced through the pictures… are you going to do anything with the tray/gunwales?

 

[Mud-Nut]

@Nate_D Thanks! I'm actually going to start cutting into the tray today. I haven't quite decided the shape of the gunwales yet, but I'm definitely not leaving them as is. Also, I love your SNX build thread! I've read through your ride plate section multiple times and I think I want to try making my own ride plate as well.

 

[Marcgraham27]

There was a few skis very similar built, @BoostedBseries may have originally done this one, i dont know if hes on here much. keep the pics coming!

 

[Mud-Nut]

Just a small update.

Decided it was time to cut into the tray. Glad it was defoamed already, made my life a little easier.

I actually like the footholds. They were a little loose, but they only had straight turf on them, no padding. With padding, I think they'll be perfect. I ended up removing the footholds for access to the bottom of the hull. I'm also thinking I want the footholds outwards slightly for a wider stance.