Just picked up a 1994 SP, It runs great, but rides really rough. Within seconds of getting it to plane off, it begins to hop like crazy. The only way I can reduce the hopping is sitting uncomfortably high on the seat. I am assuming if I could adjust the jet downward I could potentially help or eliminate the problem. Has anyone done anything to fix this before? I know, "buy something with VTS" but for what I paid for this, I rather use it and enjoy it. Thanks!
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1994 SP trim help/idea?
- Thread starter Zeus88
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They make a ride plate extension for those and it bolts on easy. Check flea bay.
Dr Honda
Well-Known Member
Yep. The short hulls bounce depending on rider weight, and riding style.
The ride plate extension helps... but it kills the turning performance. You can also add trim tabs to the rear of those hulls. Look under, and see if there is a section on the rear that is slightly recessed, and flat. If there is... you can add them. (I can't remember if it was on the 94 or not)
The ride plate extension helps... but it kills the turning performance. You can also add trim tabs to the rear of those hulls. Look under, and see if there is a section on the rear that is slightly recessed, and flat. If there is... you can add them. (I can't remember if it was on the 94 or not)
Thanks for the responses. I see a bunch of different ride plates, might it be possible to send me a link to one that you would suggest on Ebay? Also, what about adding a hole to the nozzle? I see it has two from the factory, and if i added a third maybe a half inch back, it would aid in pointing the nozzle down. What do you think?
Spimothy Leary
Well-Known Member
my opinion only...
ride plate, a waste unless your existing one is bad for some reason.
intake grate, will help a little, (some say a little, some say a LOT)
extended tab's yes will help (i've been told, and i agree)
experience, helps a LOT.
i've only been riding the x4 hull since 12/10, so i've got about 18 months and i'm guessing about 180 hours on this hull, the first 20 hours this thing porpoised like crazy drove me a little bonkers, then I learned how to ride it, and it doesn't porpoise on me at all, at least nothing my knees's can't absorb, because I make adjustments constantly on how I ride.
try adjusting your speed and approach to the waves, 3-4 mph in one direction in the other will help how your ski handles the chop/waves, at some speeds you'll hop each wave, at other speeds it will skip over the top, also sometimes just adjusting your angle just a few degrees (not going in a str8 line at the waves but at a slight angle, and the hopping turns into skipping)
skipping over the top is what your looking for.
lastly adjusting your body weight forward/back makes a difference. staying off the bottom of the hull, (long slow s turns) helps too.
A combination of ALL those "ride style" factors IMO will reduce porpoising by 75%, the rest is hull mods. you will never completely reduce the problem because the ski is designed to jump !!! you can't make a dirt bike ride like a gold wing, but you can meet it half way with a grate, tabs, (maybe trim adjustment) and improved riding style.
I have a good friend that I helped build an x4 from the ground up, he's just about hitting 20-25 hours on his new x4, and yesterday he actually looked to be finally handling the chop correctly, but he doesn't just sit down in the middle of the seat and run straight into the chop anymore, he's learned to ride the x4 and he now has a ride that he likes.
ride plate, a waste unless your existing one is bad for some reason.
intake grate, will help a little, (some say a little, some say a LOT)
extended tab's yes will help (i've been told, and i agree)
experience, helps a LOT.
i've only been riding the x4 hull since 12/10, so i've got about 18 months and i'm guessing about 180 hours on this hull, the first 20 hours this thing porpoised like crazy drove me a little bonkers, then I learned how to ride it, and it doesn't porpoise on me at all, at least nothing my knees's can't absorb, because I make adjustments constantly on how I ride.
try adjusting your speed and approach to the waves, 3-4 mph in one direction in the other will help how your ski handles the chop/waves, at some speeds you'll hop each wave, at other speeds it will skip over the top, also sometimes just adjusting your angle just a few degrees (not going in a str8 line at the waves but at a slight angle, and the hopping turns into skipping)
skipping over the top is what your looking for.
lastly adjusting your body weight forward/back makes a difference. staying off the bottom of the hull, (long slow s turns) helps too.
A combination of ALL those "ride style" factors IMO will reduce porpoising by 75%, the rest is hull mods. you will never completely reduce the problem because the ski is designed to jump !!! you can't make a dirt bike ride like a gold wing, but you can meet it half way with a grate, tabs, (maybe trim adjustment) and improved riding style.
I have a good friend that I helped build an x4 from the ground up, he's just about hitting 20-25 hours on his new x4, and yesterday he actually looked to be finally handling the chop correctly, but he doesn't just sit down in the middle of the seat and run straight into the chop anymore, he's learned to ride the x4 and he now has a ride that he likes.
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Well unfortunately it doesn't have VTS or pre existing tabs... I am not sure where you are talking about in terms of recessing in the hull, but mounting tabs would invlove drilling the fiberglass which I would like to avoid. Thanks for your suggestions, I think I am going to drill another hole in the nozzle and see what happens.
Your 94SP is not an X4 and does not have replaceable tabs. You have to choose a ride plate extension, not a ride plate. Pick the cheapest on with two bolt holes. It bolts in where you see the two bottom bolts holding on the nozzle. Like the Dr. said some will change your steering. They used to make ones with a fin or two on the bottom and those would actually help steering. All of them will make your hull longer and help your issue.
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