Trial by fire (or maybe sunken in water?) Newbie JS550 build

[markopollo]

SUp!

Totally new to the jetski thing, but I COULD NOT RESIST the chance to get into this new (and probably expensive) hobby.

I'm not new to the world of two strokes (ive got a snowmobile n stuff, ported and Hot-rodded mopeds and scooters)

BUT, jetskis never had one till now, so I decided to get myself the cheapest stand-up on marketplace.

Here we are!

The jet propulsion thingy is on, next steps are:

Rebuild the motor and figure out electronics (ordered a rebuild kit from Bill Bune)

Install new fuel lines (old ones are REALLY crusty)

Figure out gas tank solution that isn't well, that | (mine didn't come with one if you got a cheapie you want to sell to the man living in the Land of 10,000 lakes let me know!)
\/

figure out cooling lines

Some stuff I wanna do down the road if this thing runs and drives:

HydroTurf

install foot holds (cause rad tricks yo)

bilge pump

Barz

kwik steering

and last but not least:

fire extinguisher

killswitch with a tether

registration probably

 

[Sanoman]

Great to see you come into the watercraft world! Lots of good builds and advise out there for these builds.

 

[Big Kahuna]

https://fly-n-ty.com/collections/jet-ski-fuel-tanks Replacement gas tanks!

 

[kevbo]

Just undoing all the previous owners shenanigans will keep you busy for a while.

 

[markopollo]

Welp, Update!

Got the hull cleaned up and the new fuel lines ran, the old ones would snap in the hand, but not bad for 40-something years old lol. ill have to finish them up once I get the motor mounted + cooling lines.

also did my first hull repair!
Used some fiberglass Bondo on the hairline crank across the hood area, seems to hold pretty good!

 

[Sanoman]

How did you prep it and did you use any fiberglass cloth?

 

[bird]

Read up on SMC and how to fiberglass or repair it. More less you need bare SMC and Epoxy resin, polyester resin won't stick.

I'd drill a hole at the end of that crack to stop it.

 

[bird]

I found this manual to be a great history lesson on 550s, when I got mine back in 2004. It goes over everything you can do to a 550. Performance Jet Ski Manual

I have a 550 gas tank sitting here with metal pickups. You can have it if you pay the shipping costs. I'm across the river.

 

[markopollo]

How did you prep it and did you use any fiberglass cloth?

Basically sanded it and added the resin
Thanks for the heads up bird! I'll have to redue it once I get the chance, also sent you a PM about that gas tank.

 

[markopollo]

I found this manual to be a great history lesson on 550s, when I got mine back in 2004. It goes over everything you can do to a 550. Performance Jet Ski Manual

I have a 550 gas tank sitting here with metal pickups. You can have it if you pay the shipping costs. I'm across the river.

I lied, for some reason I can't sent you a PM. But I'd love to take your offer for that tank!

 

[bird]

reply to forum posts a few more times and then you can send messages

 

[markopollo]

Sounds good,
Admins, whats the post count requirement for messages?

 

[bird]

You should be able to send me a message now. You've posted 5 times in this thread, and the "Task" ran overnight

 

[GRiN]

Definitely get yourself some 5:1 epoxy and cloth and read up on repairing hull cracks on SMC (sheet molded composite)... that crack will return the first time its under stress and you'll be repairing it again in no time.

Welcome to the sport!! I started here about a year and 5-figures ago hahaha Stick around this place and you might as well say goodbye to your money lol

 

[WFO Speedracer]

Yep you are going to need to vee that crack out by a lot and fill it back in from both sides with quite a bit of overlap, I would also consider spanning it on the bottom with a piece of aluminum plate and screws or rivets.

The best analogy I can give you for crack repair like this is it's a lot like butt welding steel together, you don't just butt the two pieces together and weld them , you cut a vee into the material making the repair area much larger but also getting into fresh undamaged material and spreading out the load so it doesn't break again.