Yamaha Lightweight X-2 Version 2.0 - ***TOPDECK MOLD POPPED!!

shawn_NJ

shawn_NJ

Chasing waves.
Location
Daytona Beach
So a few months back, I came to the revilation that my lightweight hull I bought last year is a piece of ****. Namely because 24/7 built it. The bottom deck was laid up way too thin, the rear underseat area leaks, missing rideplate mounting studs, ect, ect, ect. It was built with cheap polyester resin and CSM, that was reinforced with hopes and dreams. The sad reality is that I know this hull will not last me next season.

It must be replaced.... I could never go back to riding a stock hull....ever. I LOVE the old school X2 with a superjet power plant. All of a sudden the problem becomes apparent. NO ONE MAKES LIGHTWEIGHT OLD SCHOOL X-2's!!! CRAP! All I want, is what I have, but built correctly. Guess I have to build it myself. Oh boy.

I want it built out of QUALITY materials.... CF, KEVLAR, S-Glass, Biax, using WEST SYSTEMS EPOXY resin. I also want it vacuum bagged to remove excess resin (and weight) and eliminate air pockets.

So let the sanding begin........

I started work back in October. Found an 86 hull (rumored to be the best?). Started by hosing it down and foaming the voids.

LW1.JPG



Just filling in everything...bondo,sand, bondo, sand, bondo, sand, and so on.... Ignore fugly bottom deck. More on that soon.

LW2.JPG


ALSO I shortened the hull 1.5". I figured I would leave it longish, enough incase I ever decide to make a bouy chaser... or something.

LW3.JPG



Pretty much the same as last pic. I added some bondo since, but its slowly getting there. This topdeck was in pretty rough shape, so it took alot of TLC to get it nice.

LW4.JPG



More body work pics.

LW5.JPG


Built a trick stand (in about 30mins...lol) so I could take my beach cart to daytona.

LW6.JPG


That was all done before daytona.
 
shawn_NJ

shawn_NJ

Chasing waves.
Location
Daytona Beach
Now the hard part. Building a parting flange for the vacuum bag use. This took ALOT longer then I would have ever thought.


LW7.JPG





More parting flange construction. Also closed off the motor bay.

LW8.JPG





The most time consuming part of the flange was the rear. X-2 have crazy angles and crap to deal with. Here 2part foam is your friend. I spent 4 hours foaming and shaping this with slow pours.


LW9.JPG




We have foam.


LW10.JPG






Finally starting to look like something. Of course with my luck I did a test spray of the Duratec surface primer and it came out great. Then for some stupid *** reason I installed an inline moisture catcher on the air line. I did not read that it had a maximum of 3.5cfm. My cup gun needs 5.8!!!! I ended up with spots with orange peel on the duratec layer. Just means more sanding to do then reapply another coat.


LW11.JPG






Rear pic.


LW13.JPG



Off to sand more, would have gotten more done but got too drunk and Pancaker's last night and slept late.....LOL. Gordon (Flash-FX) saved the day and got me more Duratec yesterday, so I can get another coat of primer on before the superbowl!!! SWEET! Thanks again Gordon.
 
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FL-cracker

X-H2O
Location
old exit 72 Melbourne
I picked up my X2 yesterday.... got alot of work ahead of me!

Just asking what you know because I could see myself wanting a lightweight hull.

I am hoping to have my oem at 260lbs. dry. I think with keeping the little 650 in there it is more then possible even with tubbies and reinforcing. we will see.

I will start a tread once I get some work done.
 
shawn_NJ

shawn_NJ

Chasing waves.
Location
Daytona Beach
FL-cracker said:
Do you have any experience with the materials you want to use, and Vac bagging?

Its to bad Mark did not know a Fucn thing!
Click to expand...

I have vac bagged ride plates, all my reinforcements, and made a bunch test layup panels....have I done a hull...no.

Am I in slightly over my head?....yes. But only way you can really learn something is by doing it. I have done alot of homework, and I am pretty sure I can pull off a ski that my riding style will not break. And if it does, I will have the molds to make another one...LOL!! I dont plan on selling anthing, so worse case my own boat breaks...no big deal. I'll just have to keep pancaker off of it....:splatt:

rp2.JPG


rp3.JPG


vac1.JPG


vac5.JPG


pump_done.JPG
 
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FL-cracker

X-H2O
Location
old exit 72 Melbourne
Looks like you will be able to pull off something alot better then Marks shiet! How much did the Hull weigh that Mark built you?

How much are you hoping for with your new hull?

Are you gonna use Vinylester or epoxy resin?
 
shawn_NJ

shawn_NJ

Chasing waves.
Location
Daytona Beach
FL-cracker said:
Looks like you will be able to pull off something alot better then Marks shiet! How much did the Hull weigh that Mark built you?

How much are you hoping for with your new hull?

Are you gonna use Vinylester or epoxy resin?
Click to expand...

Marks hull was 79lbs. But it was thin chop mat... I doubt the bottom weighted 30lbs. Its REALLY REALLY thin near the pump and I had to add glass later to stop the cracking....LOL

Target weight is under 80 for the new one.

For resin, I picked up a few of these to build it with.

west.JPG
 
P

PancakePete

Guest
awesome work Shawn ! You are a guru of composites:friday:
 
tom21

tom21

havin fun
Location
clearwater FL
Since you only just touched on the subject and the way the pics move so fast from one stage to the next. I just want to stress for the novice- this is a MASSIVE undertaking. it takes forever to make things smooth and perfect and it has to be to make a good mold.

Very nice work and quality materials. It takes a lot of courage to drop that kind of money on a project like this without the benefit of knowing it will come out right.

If you are not a bodyman- you may want to find one to help you with the final block sanding to make sure its right.

Don't be so sure you won't be making these, there are alot of x-2 junkies who may twist your arm.

keep up the good work.
 
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