Super Jet Time for an AM hull?

[mightymighty2stroke]

I realize this has topic has been beat to death but I am specifically looking to hear from people who went from RN's to AM hulls. I love my 03 RN, it has just about everything you can bolt on to it (bars, pole, holds, pipe, ride plate, head, reeds, flywheel, etc etc) but it's not enough power any more. I'm looking at doing either one of two things -

a) go all out with SJ. Reinforce hull, lower hood, bigger motor (maybe 760 or 800 something?). By the time I do all this, and add trim, probably in $3k-$4k realistically.

b) take what I have out of SJ and insert into AM hull that handles better, hopefully is lighter. Cost, anywhere from $3k-$6k+

I ride on the lake 80% of the time and hit the surf also. What I like about my SJ is that it's versatile; I can free style (well, my version lol), I can run buoys with friends, I can trek across the lake 40 mins in chop, I can take it to the ocean, etc. I'm afraid I would lose a little versatility going with an AM hull. Being shorter/wider they handle a lot better free style wise, but what do you give up for that elsewhere? Everything is a trade off I'm sure.

I've ridden several AM hulls, but never for more than 20 minutes or so as not to wear out my welcome. I love the way they handle as far as being so easy to toss around; they make me feel like I'm kind of a bad ass. My SJ feels pretty heavy to me, but I'm not a very big/strong person so I have a lot harder time than others.

So...what's your take on this. Anyone go from SJ to AM hull and want to go back? I realize I'm not going to be the pro world champ gold medalist anytime soon but I would like to fully enjoy the sport to the best of my bank account's ability while my body is still halfway decent at repairing itself.

 

[swapmeet]

Honestly, either a Rickter FS1 (maybe a FS2) or maybe a Carbon Wamiltons SJ would be my suggestion. Keep the versatility of a longer hull while cutting weight.

 

[icecoled007]

Ya, get an FS2.... itl ride similar to a superjet, you can use all your parts, and I think it will bouy better than any SJ, plus it just feels lighter when it rides in the water.

Then again I dont have an am hull.... so what do I know

 

[clouse22]

my vote is for AM hull....ive had the pleasure of owning two different aftermarket hulls with "stockish" engines. I first had an EME Q8 with a SXR Drivetrain in it. Now I have a Superfreak Badass with a 701 in it. I would never want to go back to a stock hull...aftermarket hulls provide so much more fun IMO, plus they make your motor feel like it has a couple more hundred cc's, handling characteristics range from hull to hull but are greatly improved over stock.

Im not one to say that there is a specific hull out there that is perfect for you. My advice (and it has been said on these forums often) is to go out and ride as many different hulls as you can. Find a setup that you feel comfortable on, something that jumps out to you. You don't want to make a decision reading a bunch of posts on the internet. I don't think too many people will come on here and say "i hate my setup, don't buy something like this..etc"

Just my .02

-Bobby

 

[nbatch95]

I went from a sn to a fs2 and would say out of all the other am hulls I've ridden the FS/r hulls are the best all around hulls out. I would not say they buoy better than a sj but they are def lighter. The length makes them a little unstable at speed. Don't get if wrong ill hold mine wfo all day long it's just a little scratchy compared to a sj. They are good for covering distance if its smooth if its rough its just a lot more work. I would recommend a FS/r to anyone as a rec ski. IMO they are the best thing out for all around riding.

 

[Billybo455]

short skis are where it's at on the east coast. the -10 badass clouse has is an awesome hull to play on. if you ride mostly lake. stay away from a fs/r2. they are just too big and heavy. once you learn to ride a small ski you'll never go back.

 

[Hollywood Hood]

Am hull all the way! My chan flips like a dream, I was doing nose stabs and accidently ended up just doing barrel rolls lol it's super flickable! I have my wife's roach 650 for if I wanna rip across the lake but its rare that I do usually only if my boat is broken lol! I missed my rn for a second then rode one after I had been riding my chan and didnt miss it anymore lol

 

[jo5hi3]

i agree with all the post above....moving from my sn to my rickter was a huge improvment....handles chop ok but not as good as the superjet....but its alot more fun to ride...

 

[alberta guy]

I'm in the same boat as you. Coming from a 550 going to a 91 SN with a 701 that im waiting on parts for. I know I'm gonna want more power but I still want a ski that can go across the lake wide open for drinks with friends in the other campground. Im not a freestyler if i had a capable sure I'd try but I still have the most fun playing around. And to go the aftermarket route I can't afford to keep the SN as a lake cruiser.

 

[DAG]

AM hull and modest power plant, I really f'd up when I did the stock hull big motor... really really really regret it.

 

[jeastes1]

I went from a fully equiped RN, to a -4 rockerd SN then to my -4.3 superfreak, last season. I ride mainly small lakes. I would say that the benefits of my current hull far out weight any negatives. You do have to work a bit more in choppy water if you want to go long distances. Like others said it is hard to go back to a stock hull! You get comfortable, or use to your own ski. Just remember, there isn't a hull or motor out there that is gonna do the work for you. I would definately reccomend a light rockerd shorter hull over any motor! I had never ridden a freak before and I bought it used, site unseen. Maybe I got lucky, but I have spent time on both rickter xfs and fs2. The fs2 seems too long for freestyle, but is a very nice riding boat. The xfs is alot of fun, seems light although it isn't, but is unstable and much more work to ust ride, but that is also not my ski, sure I would get used to that. Anyway that is my opinion, I havent't ridden every boat out there obviously, but I hope to!

 

[tipafew]

My freak was some of the best money I could ever have spent. You can run a basic motor package and have something really impressive. I went with a longer -1.25" because I wanted something versitile for surf and flat water. If I were to do it again I would probably go -4.3 because even those are still really versitile.

 

[XJCrawler]

My buddy has a carbon matrix with a stock 61X in it and it rips so much harder then a superet with a big motor