SX/SXi/SXi Pro What should I Modify?

[crfrider756]

I am planing on modifying my sxi hull and i don't know which mods to do. So far i know that i am for sure going to flat deck it, but I am not sure if i should do rocker in the nose and shorten the hull as well. Does anyone know what other mods i should do?

 

[Cannibal]

Probably tell us what you want to do with it. I see some waves in your picture, so I assume some freeride?

Have you ever ridden a flat deck ski? Nowhere to put your elbows to board. If you have ridden one and like it, go for it. If not, just stick with what you have and toss in some footholds.

You could rocker yours like my SXR in my sig, but it's a ton of work. If you want to keep it some what simple, I'd do the following (assuming freeride)

Take 2-3" out of the back.

Some tubbies. Either Blowsion, Tom21, or WCF (have some for $175)

Widen the bond rail like an SXR or most of the AM hulls. About 2.5" from the hull to the edge of the bond rail is about right. In the rear, add an extra inch of depth to the down vertical part, this acts like a rear turning sponson. Do a search for ScottS on here, and there are some others that have copied that.

You will probably need to reinforce that ski too. I've seen plenty of cracks and full on breaks happen on those hulls when ridden hard.


That stuff you could have done in a couple weeks, a big ol rocker project is months of work, so unless you are not riding until April (or probably May), keep it simple.

 

[crfrider756]

Yeah your right, I ride the surf. I haven't rode a flat deck before but I want to do it because i don't like traditional footholds. I ride some occasional flatwater but i am not a flatwater enthusiast. Even though it might take some time i want to do nose rocker, but i am not sure the pros of rocker. I have read that it helps in the surf but what are the cons (besides being time consuming).

 

[Cannibal]

About the only con I've heard from rocker is the extra "plowing" effect you get from it. Let off the throttle, and the ski will slow down faster. It will also produce more spray out the front of the ski under certain circumstances and that can blow back in your face.

Pros are that by adding rocker, you effectively shorten the hull's planing surface making it act like a shorter ski (which can be a negative too). It primarily helps to keep the ski from pearling, which shortening the rear helps too as does some of the "rear rocker" additions that have been built into a lot of the aftermarket hulls (see recent topic about rear rocker).

I say go for it if you have the time, energy, and skills to pull it off.

 

[crfrider756]

Thanks for the info. I am not sure what "Pearling" is? After looking at your "Project Snowball", I think I am just going to stick with flatdecking it and shortening it 2-3 inches. I do not have any fiberglass experience so i will put off nose rocker until I gain experience with glass.

 

[Cannibal]

Good idea. Get your fiberglass experience from the back end, maybe plan to rocker the front if you still want to do that later.

Make sure you use epoxy resin.

Perling is when you are heading down the face of a wave, the back end is being lifted so the front is angled into the water.

 

[JETSKIHORDER18]

Definitely reinforce the engine bay, nose, tray, and hood, if you plan to do a lot of surf riding. Although it will make your ski slightly heavier, it will save you from fiberglassing your ski back together.