What's with all the molds for sale

[McDog]

Neither have plans for new designs. Our community is too small to turn much profit on small scale hull builds when there is mass market competition now from krash and rickter. I expect Tigercraft is still in it only because it is a side business in a already profitable fiberglass shop.

 

[Storbeck]

I have always suspected that the reason so many hull builders are so controversial is because it's way harder than it looks, and making molds is something that requires relatively small investment in money (relatively) but HUGE amount of work so somebody gets ambitious and pours thier life into it for a while then eventually realizes they're working their ass off but not making any money.

I wouldn't know because I've never done it or known anybody who's doing it, but it sure looks that way.

 

[McDog]

I've made hulls. It's a ton of work. Especially the finishing and insert alignment.

 

[Big Kahuna]

Damn you take it so personal. First of all don’t use quotes on something I didn’t say. I said I’d do it for personal use, this is a hobby and it would be a good project. Forget I mentioned any prices or how much it should cost or whatever. The only reason I mentioned it was because selling few hulls was brought up. And I said it’s probably because of the price of the hobby overall. I think that can definitely be agreed upon as a factor.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Dont worry about mthomps, he pretty much is always a Jackass............ There is absolutely nothing wrong with any of your post, ideas, speculation. This is a forum to debate things, share ideas, dream................... mthomps does not seem to get that................

 

[G-Body]

I just hope that the superfreak badass and circus molds end up together in a good home. I love my full length badass, still building the circus so I can't comment on the ride. I almost thought about buying the badass mold just cause I would like another badass or 2, but it's not the swoopy side mold like mine.

 

[Kaylee.S]

And just like that, it's winter...

 

[Jhucke]

I have always suspected that the reason so many hull builders are so controversial is because it's way harder than it looks, and making molds is something that requires relatively small investment in money (relatively) but HUGE amount of work so somebody gets ambitious and pours thier life into it for a while then eventually realizes they're working their ass off but not making any money.

I wouldn't know because I've never done it or known anybody who's doing it, but it sure looks that way.

Exactly this. Not to mention that people assume that building jetski hulls is all they do and get upset when delivery gets pushed back a couple weeks. They are building your hulls in a garage after their day job is done. Look back 3-4 years ago when everyone and their mother had a solution to the $3500 or insert other lower price hull. How many survived that? Tons of work for very low ROI -> sell your molds to twangled.

To me it seems like this forum has gotten lower traffic over just the short term, but maybe that's just me.

 

[Big Kahuna]

Exactly this. Not to mention that people assume that building jetski hulls is all they do and get upset when delivery gets pushed back a couple weeks. They are building your hulls in a garage after their day job is done. Look back 3-4 years ago when everyone and their mother had a solution to the $3500 or insert other lower price hull. How many survived that? Tons of work for very low ROI -> sell your molds to twangled.

To me it seems like this forum has gotten lower traffic over just the short term, but maybe that's just me.

Not you. So many just hit Facebook now. The place where there is no database to search back for answers. And tons of bad advice........... Dont get me wrong, I like it also, keeping up with old friends and such..........

 

[KMN]

I would love to build my own hull someday, just to experience the project. It would be great to do it with some friends but let's be real. We have lives, jobs, kids, skis to ride, and I just don't have the time I really want. I can't even get all my skis built that I have parts for.

I have the utmost respect for those that do build them and build them for me.

 

[TheBuzzard]

most every hull builder uses the cheapest materials they can buy which is one reason most hulls are junk. its only $200 more in materials to use quality carbon over glass and its between $1200 and 1500 total to build a hull.2k maybe max with nothing but the best. if you don't put more matt in the crown and other high stress areas, the hull is junk. most hull builders don't have previous experience in composit, body and fender, or just using your head, so they turn out like crap. its not that difficult to build a hull if you know what you're doing. I saw the whole process at trendsetters, know costs and everything. steve could do body and paint but his junk didn't stay together. hurricane ind aint no body and paint guys which is why the finished product was rough. I imagine superfreak was the same cause they were rough.
senor /marc with the FIXX hull, makes quality cause he did his homework on the materials that were compatible with each other and for strength.
the molds have to be cherry and waxed or a lot of work is needed after its popped out.

 

[Big Kahuna]

most every hull builder uses the cheapest materials they can buy which is one reason most hulls are junk. its only $200 more in materials to use quality carbon over glass and its between $1200 and 1500 total to build a hull.2k maybe max with nothing but the best. if you don't put more matt in the crown and other high stress areas, the hull is junk. most hull builders don't have previous experience in composit, body and fender, or just using your head, so they turn out like crap. its not that difficult to build a hull if you know what you're doing. I saw the whole process at trendsetters, know costs and everything. steve could do body and paint but his junk didn't stay together. hurricane ind aint no body and paint guys which is why the finished product was rough. I imagine superfreak was the same cause they were rough.
senor /marc with the FIXX hull, makes quality cause he did his homework on the materials that were compatible with each other and for strength.
the molds have to be cherry and waxed or a lot of work is needed after its popped out.

Tem was very open about he was not "a finish guy"......... He can do it, It is just very time consuming doing all the final trimming and sanding.

 

[Storbeck]

In my area. just about every Trade charges about $100+ per Hour Labor. That's Jetski Shops, Plumbers, AC Techs and so forth.

Tally the hours Labor, multiply by $100; then add the Materials plus Mark-up and it's easy to see why these Custom Made Hulls are so expensive. This rough estimate doesn't even include Overhead costs...

Your math is a little fuzzy, the $100 an hour would include expenses, otherwise they would have to charge more than $100 an hour to cover the expenses.

 

[Sanoman]

Awful to say,but time has hurt hurricane and superfreak hulls.The processes being used now is far better and precise than it was when @McDog and l built our first hull.Look at DJR Ltd. it is a good example.Tons of R&D done with computer aided assistance.
As much as l would LOVE to buy the SF molds,the time and money for me is just not there.You cannot imagine how many hours l spent putting hulls together.Not much profit for your effort.Along with correcting problems of fit and finish.
Ask @TOBY how many hours he has in a build.l don’t know myself,but no doubt it’s a bunch.

Time to move on.....

 

[Half flip95]

Riders Ride... Are you ready to ride? way too much time and effort is spent "building" skis that barely end up with any ride time until they get parted out and rebuilt. just grip it and rip it

 

[McDog]

Thi

Riders Ride... Are you ready to ride? way too much time and effort is spent "building" skis that barely end up with any ride time until they get parted out and rebuilt. just grip it and rip it

Has become my new focus as well. I spent too much time building and wrenching and not enough riding over the years. Trying to only do wrenching to keep my stuff going now. I learned a lot of build skills over the years but that doesnt translate to awesome impressive ride shots.

 

[smoofers]

Not you. So many just hit Facebook now. The place where there is no database to search back for answers. And tons of bad advice........... Dont get me wrong, I like it also, keeping up with old friends and such..........

BK, you know my opinion on this, but I'll state it again. The Facebook jetski groups are absolute effing GARBAGE. Yes, there are knowledgeable people on FB, but they are quickly drowned out by 50 other idiots with no clue as to what they are talking about. I've realized it is a wasted effort to ever give a useful opinion (however well informed) to questions on the FB groups. Without moderation and rules, the posts turn in to drama filled hot garbage that's not useful to anyone. Long live the X. Thanks BK and the rest of the mods for keeping this site what it is.

 

[TheBuzzard]

the reason krash and rickter have their skis built in some third world country is because the workers make pennies a day as wages.
I was just in cancun a month or so ago, and the word was basic labor pay is $7 a day. skilled construction workers made $20 a day building the resorts.
i'm sure the pay doesn't vary that much where krash and rickter are built.
you just cant compete with that kind of price difference.

 

[McDog]

True

 

[JetManiac]

@Carrera911
A lot more time is involved then you think.

And alot more $$$ in materials than you think especially for high end materials like SuperFreak skis used. High quality carbon and epoxies are very pricey.

There are also tons of costs that go into hull building that are maybe not obvious. I was involved enough behind the scenes at SuperFreak beginnings to see how hard and how much work it is.

You have to shape, build and test a first hull design, repeat until it is right. Then pull a plug off of it to make first molds of top deck, bottom deck, bulkhead, hood top, hood bottom, footholds. Etc., etc.

Each layup has trimming, waste, mistakes. Lots of work after all layups are done with rigging- plumbing, inserts, etc.

After you make some quantity of skis the molds will wear out (according to Tem who started SuperFreak) and you have make new ones again.

IMO all hull builders that are US made are doing us a big service. Crazy hours of work, lots of it really poopty, lots of hazardous materials and dust, etc. Although these hulls may seem expensive, I know many of these hull builders personally, and can tell you they may make a living but they are not getting rich.

 

[Storbeck]

"JetManiac now has Superfreak hulls in stock"

The only hull you can order and receive in the mail two days later.

(kidding, but you know people were thinking it)