SuperJETT's squarenose topdeck conversion - COMPLETE

Ok I have a few questions and I wanted to post so that I can come back to this thread easily.

Couldn't you put your ski on a FLcracker diet and save the same 20# with a TON less labor. I know that the looks would be "stock" but if its all about weight.

Also I know that your labor is free but it has to cost something to do a conversion, parts, supplys, heat for the garage while you are working all winter top deck shipping.... vs. buying a use light weight hull (I konw super hard to find) but an option.

Just asking questions to see which way I am going with my super heavy monster. My ski needs to go on a diet BADLY and you know that.
 

SuperJETT

So long and thanks for all the fish
Location
none
Ok I have a few questions and I wanted to post so that I can come back to this thread easily.

Couldn't you put your ski on a FLcracker diet and save the same 20# with a TON less labor. I know that the looks would be "stock" but if its all about weight.

Also I know that your labor is free but it has to cost something to do a conversion, parts, supplys, heat for the garage while you are working all winter top deck shipping.... vs. buying a use light weight hull (I konw super hard to find) but an option.

Just asking questions to see which way I am going with my super heavy monster. My ski needs to go on a diet BADLY and you know that.

I had already put it on a diet, light battery saved 10lbs+, Jetcraft silencer saved 3lbs, and those were noticeable. This conversion will save another 30+.

You might be surprised at what I end up having for a topdeck too, it's going to be sweet! Also the total cost after I sell my hull will only be a few hundred $$ probably.
 

SuperJETT

So long and thanks for all the fish
Location
none
I'm planning on putting the trim tube at the top left of the pump cavity like on my current ski, and probably moving both waterlines to the left as well so they're easier to get to and cleaner.

I'm also toying with mounting a small battery box for my 4LBS battery in the right rear of the engine compartment so I can shorten and clean up those cables too.
 
That sound like some decent weight savings for just a bit of cost. I might look into a conversion.

I have some ideas also. remove the bond lip on the rear of the ski to save even more weight and cut it a couple inches to shorten it. Side rear exhaust only since you have it apart that far. Battery in the bulk is a easy mod and I would do pump mounted scuppers with center mounted drain tubes. Like your old center mounted tube idea.
 

SuperJETT

So long and thanks for all the fish
Location
none
I've been thinking about this the whole time I was defoaming today, I think I'm going to pull the bulkhead out and reattach it. The bondline, exhaust tube, etc end up leaking and they are sealed with the green adhesive.

Well, the bulkhead is too, and it sees a lot of water after subs/etc, so why not pull it out and reattach properly?
 

snowxr

V watch your daughters V
Location
Waterford, MI
You're going to have to re-shape the top of the bulkhead for the new deck to fit. Maybe you will want to wait untill you get the deck before bonding it back in.
 

SuperJETT

So long and thanks for all the fish
Location
none
You're going to have to re-shape the top of the bulkhead for the new deck to fit. Maybe you will want to wait untill you get the deck before bonding it back in.

I could just put it back where it is and chop it down later, but I'm also going to relocate the steering cable so I have that to work on right now.

freestylegeek and I have been talking a lot (we do anyway) about what he'd do differently if he did one again, so I've got a lot of ideas.

I did find the very front right of the bondline had been hit at some point so gotta fix that up, though luckily most of it will be chopped off to match up to the new top, plus going to reinforce the lower rear corners as I cracked one of mine on my current hull.
 

SuperJETT

So long and thanks for all the fish
Location
none
Any thoughts of shortening the hull or notching the tray for trim clearance?

I don't have enough trim throw to worry about notching really, and I'm still pondering shortening it or not. It's a lot more work, but if I'm going to I might as well do it now eh?
 
G

Goose

Guest
their is alot of weight you can shave off the bulkhead i think i cut 3-4 lbs off mine.if i were gonna do it again id build one.stock ones are like 12lbs i think cant remember.the one i just built for a hull was much lighter,
just a suggestion
 

SuperJETT

So long and thanks for all the fish
Location
none
how hard was it to seperate decks? im gonna tackle this over the winter... what did you use/tools ?

Jigsaw, hand saw, hammer, short flat wide pry bar, flat head screwdrivers, that's about it.

It wasn't that hard really. I cut off quite a bit with the jigsaw, then would use the screwdrivers to get a section to release, then make a cut down through the outer bond line and use the hammer to start banging to get it to release a long section. Worked very well.
 

freestylegeek

waiting...
Location
Grand Rapids, MI
I don't have enough trim throw to worry about notching really, and I'm still pondering shortening it or not. It's a lot more work, but if I'm going to I might as well do it now eh?

Your mind will come up with some great ideas now that you have it in this condition.
If you're going to shorten it, you should consider mounting the battery in front of the waterbox (to get your balance point back). Especially since you can run that tiny little 4-LBS battery.
 
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