superjet unstable on smooth

[Efitzgerald514]

Got a 00 superjet, mainly riding rivers and smooth lakes. It corners well to a point until it doesnt, but on the recommendation of other rides I am correcting that with a new intake grate. The issue I am having is the ski at high speeds feels unstable. it wants to wobble and track off. I rode a 21 SJ and no such issues. totally different ski, VERY beginner friendly. It was suggested I look into rear sponsons for the ski because I am 5'10 200# carrying the weight up top lol. I have done a ton of reading on the issue but its easier to just get straight answers. Will rear sponsons actually help with this? The ski rides well when we get the lake choppy, its just the glass where it feels like crap.
The ski carves pretty well **to me as a noob* until it pushes/slides out of the corner. I dont want to lose that ability but I need to to stop feeling like it wonts to bob and high side in the straights.

Currently the ski is bone stock. talking to a member here about getting the parts so i might as well pay shipping once.

 

[Big Kahuna]

1. You cannot compare a 2000 model SJ with a 21 Model. Not even in the same ballpark.
2. Intake grate will help, You also need a longer ride plate. Riva Groovy, R&D, Work (Not Dominator Race plate unless you cut a few inches off). This will help with the tracking. All Superjets Chine Walk, The SN's are even worse, you get up to speed and they start tipping from side to side. They will not toss you off, but it feels that way. You just need more tray time.
3. The SJ does not carve corners. It turns more of a flat turn. You can only lean it in to a turn so much then it starts sliding. They like to do a snap turn, If you want to turn sharply, Set yourself of for the turn, start turning the which ever direction and then literally let your body slide off center to that direction, the ski will turn and then grab, return your center of gravity back into the tray. This is kinda hard to explain. Its like you let the ski turn while you hang off it and then get back into position. You are letting the ski kinda pivot around your body to make the turn. Installing Tubbies (Front sponsons) can help you carve a turn instead of flat turning. But they also create alot of chine walking that can be a pain.

 

[Efitzgerald514]

1. You cannot compare a 2000 model SJ with a 21 Model. Not even in the same ballpark.
2. Intake grate will help, You also need a longer ride plate. Riva Groovy, R&D, Work (Not Dominator Race plate unless you cut a few inches off). This will help with the tracking. All Superjets Chine Walk, The SN's are even worse, you get up to speed and they start tipping from side to side. They will not toss you off, but it feels that way. You just need more tray time.
3. The SJ does not carve corners. It turns more of a flat turn. You can only lean it in to a turn so much then it starts sliding. They like to do a snap turn, If you want to turn sharply, Set yourself of for the turn, start turning the which ever direction and then literally let your body slide off center to that direction, the ski will turn and then grab, return your center of gravity back into the tray. This is kinda hard to explain. Its like you let the ski turn while you hang off it and then get back into position. You are letting the ski kinda pivot around your body to make the turn. Installing Tubbies (Front sponsons) can help you carve a turn instead of flat turning. But they also create alot of chine walking that can be a pain.

I kinda get what you are saying, I do hang off this ski a bit more than the new SJ or a kawi. I just ordered from a member a new grate, shorter turn plate bars and grips. I will look for a longer ride plate next.
I do need more time on it for sure. I hate to say but I only have 3 rides on it so far, hooked and enjoying it but just noticing the differences in my ski vs others.

 

[Big Kahuna]

I kinda get what you are saying, I do hang off this ski a bit more than the new SJ or a kawi. I just ordered from a member a new grate, shorter turn plate bars and grips. I will look for a longer ride plate next.
I do need more time on it for sure. I hate to say but I only have 3 rides on it so far, hooked and enjoying it but just noticing the differences in my ski vs others.

hit up Toby, He has a good Carbon plate that works really well. I use to run one on my SJ. Plates are like Tennis Shoes. One may work for me and not for you.

 

[wydopen]

Tubbie sponsons (tubbie 2’s if you don’t like the chine walk) and you have to ride them aggressively.

 

[Efitzgerald514]

Tubbie sponsons (tubbie 2’s if you don’t like the chine walk) and you have to ride them aggressively.

what do you mean by you have to ride them aggressive? No casual cruise down the river, always carving and hauling?

 

[wydopen]

what do you mean by you have to ride them aggressive? No casual cruise down the river, always carving and hauling?

You can but they work better when you are on an edge on the gas. When I’m cruising a constant speed trying to get somewhere or rest I usually stand both feet pointed towards the nose with the bars around my waist up as far as possible. Makes it pretty stable

 

[Efitzgerald514]

Gotcha that makes sense. I pretty much do that no when going point a to b. I will look into the tubbie 2 do alil homework and c after installing these other parts and getting my longer ride plate. Just dropped $420 skis are more $$$ than any of my motorcycles

 

[wydopen]

Gotcha that makes sense. I pretty much do that no when going point a to b. I will look into the tubbie 2 do alil homework and c after installing these other parts and getting my longer ride plate. Just dropped $420 skis are more $$$ than any of my motorcycles

Intake grate and tubbies are necessary imo. I couldn’t ride without tubbies even on flat water

 

[kevbo]

Tubbies can be a real pain for cruising around depending on your weight and how low they are mounted. Always great for turning fast though.

 

[wydopen]

Tubbies can be a real pain for cruising around depending on your weight and how low they are mounted. Always great for turning fast though.

I think you get used to them..I remember feeling the chine walk when I first put them on but after you ride them awhile you just adapt. Positives outweigh the one negative by allot imo. Especially for a bigger guy

 

[Efitzgerald514]

I think you get used to them..I remember feeling the chine walk when I first put them on but after you ride them awhile you just adapt. Positives outweigh the one negative by allot imo. Especially for a bigger guy

Do they "grab" more in the straight line chop? Was skimming where sone said it felt like the front was being "tugged" others had the opposite.

 

[Big Kahuna]

Do they "grab" more in the straight line chop? Was skimming where sone said it felt like the front was being "tugged" others had the opposite.

As you hit chop or even in smooth water, as the bottom side of the sponson comes in contact with the water it "pushes" up on one side or both causing the ski to rock side to side. Deflecting, that why it was said to ride more aggressive and you dont notice it.

 

[flyHigh]

For going fast around corner I found two ways that work for me. For both you need a fair amount of tray time and calm water is advisable for practice. 1) Legdrag while doing it you can put a lot of pressure on the rear end to keep the pump loaded and not slide out. At the same time you need to twist/push down on the nose to keep it parallel in the water if that makes sense. Works pretty good and it looks way harder than it is. 2) Highspeed ass drag its easier with speed 3/4 throttle+ the water needs be hard. Get low put both heels on one side of the tray an hang your ass out once the ski falls over use you ass for buoyancy then go wot the ski will lift you out of the corner. Speed is your friend in this case and also power. Impeller and pipe help a lot and again more speed. If you do it right you can put the steering bar in the water, have almost no bend in your knees and enjoy the g force while sitting on the water. More speed + more angle = more water in your pump and more stability from harder water surface. Also if there are waves you might suck in air and have to counteract the slid outs. Get used to sliding by learning how to "drift" the ski. I have no sponsons and a stock ride plate for oldschool freestyle. Can be done with stock power but its so much easier if you have a little more to lift you out of turns.

 

[Efitzgerald514]

Ive done the leg out just trying.....i got ripped off the ski

 

[wydopen]

Do they "grab" more in the straight line chop? Was skimming where sone said it felt like the front was being "tugged" others had the opposite.

To me they make the front end feel more predictable and forgiving but it’s been a long time since I rode without..also when you lean over you have a round edge to lean against..stock it’s either vertical or horizontal..makes it way easier to lean the ski over and in a turn and come back up..if it’s super glassy and you arnt riding hard the front end can wander a bit but after the first few rides I didn’t notice it

 

[flyHigh]

Ive done the leg out just trying.....i got ripped off the ski

Keep practicing. You will get the hang of the right balance soon. Vary the position of your foot on the tray. You always stand right next to the side wall but there is a sweet spot on how far forward or backward you position your foot. To give you a rough reference I would say the heel is 3-7 inches away from the backend of the tray.

 

[Efitzgerald514]

Keep practicing. You will get the hang of the right balance soon. Vary the position of your foot on the tray. You always stand right next to the side wall but there is a sweet spot on how far forward or backward you position your foot. To give you a rough reference I would say the heel is 3-7 inches away from the backend of the tray.

that far back, ok i will need to try that i dont have my heel that close to the edge.

 

[Gcummings20]

I have an 02 completely stock! I weigh more than you do. I cut my pole 4 inches. Pretty easy to do and free. Really helped me “set” the nose
To corner. I love carving 180’s left then right. After a season I could consistently pick and maintain a line in the corner. May start with upgrades this season but I think fuel will do more than any bolt on.
I ride with a couple guys way faster and on modded skis. I find they go barreling into corners and fall. I’m not as quick and WAY fatter but my consistency always keeps me in the fight.

G


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Efitzgerald514]

I have an 02 completely stock! I weigh more than you do. I cut my pole 4 inches. Pretty easy to do and free. Really helped me “set” the nose
To corner. I love carving 180’s left then right. After a season I could consistently pick and maintain a line in the corner. May start with upgrades this season but I think fuel will do more than any bolt on.
I ride with a couple guys way faster and on modded skis. I find they go barreling into corners and fall. I’m not as quick and WAY fatter but my consistency always keeps me in the fight.

G


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I will be cutting the pole when winter comes back. I am trying to wait till i gotta take it apart for the wife to spectrachrome it anyway