This issue has been bothering me all season. I encourage rec riders as well as racers to give their points of view.

What I'm talking about is the issue of top rec. (smooth water) speeds vs organized racing conition speeds. There is a tremendous difference.

Consider the top speeds of 3 well tuned STOCK boats, and of course, everything is done is smooth water for comparison's sake. Of course some are going to say that their stockers go a little bit faster, but you get the point.

Yamaha GPR about 63-64 mph
Sea Doo XPL about 61-62 mph
Kawasaki STX-R about 62-63 mph

Put these same boats in two foot chop (mild race conditions) and it will become obvious to everyone that the Doo and Kawi were set up for these types of conditions. The fact of the matter is that they hook up out of the box much more effectively than the GPR. Go to rough(er) race conditions (3-4+ foot chop) and matters just get worse for the GPR. I guess what I am trying to say is that the Doos and Kawis have a tendency to hold onto their top smooth water speeds better than the Yamahas in rougher conditions. Not only that, but with minor mods, they can overcome a stock GPR very easily.

We can throw a lot of money at the motors and make it go faster (in smooth water), but how much of that extra power is translated into useable speed in rough water? How many post have been made about someone putting major bucks into a GPR and then have a stock boat or one with just minor mods running within two boat lengths of them? Maybe even ahead of them in certain conditions! I have no doubt that the GPR was in less than ideal (smooth) racing conditions.

I just wanted some of the newer guys to consider that when they are building their boats AND intend to race a bit with their buds that hook up is just as important (in racing) as top speed. Some top speed components (ex. 5 degree angle up nozzle)can actually make your life miserable in rough water. Your boat can only make power when it is in the water, and not in the air.

Most hook up components will actually slow you down in smooth water, but make a tremendous difference in the rough. Intake grates, ride plates, mag pumps and the 3 degree angle exit nozzles will all increase your speed in rougher water.

How much top speed you are willing to sacrifice for hook up may determine where you end up at the end of a race.

For example, a modified 70+ mph GPR in smooth water is going to go A LOT slower than 70 mph in 3 foot chop. What use is a 70 mph boat that only does 62 (for example) in 3 foot chop, especially if the average running speed in this particular race is 64 mph? How much money are you going to be willing to invest (in hookup compontents) to recover some of that useable race speed? It is a balancing act between how fast you want to go in "real world" conditions versus in just smooth water. My real world race conditions are different from others, so it is not for me to say. It is up to each one of us to determine our own conditions. Where and how we ride should determine what the right top end/hook up component combonation we need to get all of the useable speed we can.

For me, that is the beauty behind the GPR. If you want top end, handling, hookup, towing, travel distance, stability, raceability or turning ability, you can get it. Some boats cannot make those claims. If you want all of these things, well, you better have deep pockets.

I would really like to see some comments/ testimonies about this issue, because it really bothers me to read about how some one got beat badly in a race because they believed that their top end speed would completely translate into useable speed in race conditions.

Bottom line:

Top end speeds, although accurate, may also be misleading. Find your top speed in smooth water. Then find your normal riding conditions, and set up your boat to run as close to your top speed as possible. That speed is your useable race speed. If your useable race speed is still not enough to win some of the races you get yourself into, THEN work on motor upgrades.

Salty

this thing is killing me!!!

it's like ive been saying all along peak water speed in glass water is nothing but B.S. ! anyone is capable of doing it , but why ? the xp in rough water is good but it does have a tendancy to want to "dart " around in rough water, the gpr will track better imo . the stxr is a great all around boat but its far from perfect and it needs some help in the tracking dept as well . the gpr will be faster mod for mod so if your building something, make sure its done with the right parts, dont just throw money into it and expect a miracle to happen. i think for racing applications a person should choose a boat for what type of event they wat to run in . the bigger hull in big water is a plus , but the xp seat and hook up are a big plus as well . i guess what im trying to say , is that there is no perfect boat out there so choose with thought not with your eyes when it comes to purchacing or modding a boat .

Salty,

GREAT post man!!

Wish someone would have laid it out for me like that, two years ago. I've been trying to work that concept into my last few posts, but it didn't come across quite as well as you just did.

For anyone out there thinking about a new ski, reread Salty's post about 10 times and let it sink in. And racing doesn't mean just sanctioned closed course or endurance events; it could also mean drag racing your buddy across a choppy lake or surf as well. Which is very common event for most rec riders.

Salty, interesting post.I just spent $3K in the last month just to watch a 2002 RX-DI stay up with me.NOT GOOD! Yamaha has always been my choice in motocross, pwc etc...I would not trade my 01 GPR for nothing.Carbon fiber seat and hood are crazy$$$.They will take weight off though.Its really hard for me because most of you guys ride at sea level.Despite that, everyone tries to help and thats cool!Im spinning a 13/19 at 6910 @65.4mph at 4200'.I frowned on that this weekend so im going to call Ike at Advent and see about my timing. I think its off.

Have a great day all...........

Salty, that is precisely what I posted in the Texas Aqua Motto Fun post. I disclosed the things on my ski and what results are achieved. Less top end but better hookup. Now its just a matter of some more tinkering for the best combinations. rp

I could not have said it better myself. The whole concept is based on the rider and the ski. I am GPR loyal..... one of my friends prefers the Pro785. But....... What is all comes down to is getting the ski in the water and making sure it is good to go. Tuning is too important to ignore. Less than $1500 in mine and it will run!!! I saw ALOT of them blow this season and it was not pretty!! Thank God none of them belonged to me.

But Salty I disagree on one point... have you ever seen Scott Johnson on his stock GPR in the surf?? It is amazing!

[ 08-04-2002: Message edited by: SuzanGPR ]

Yeah, I've seen scott ride. If I removed his 5 degree nozzle and replaced it with a 3 degree, I guarantee you, he would NEVER go back. That simple mod that would slow him down in smooth water would help in all of his racing.

Salty

this thing is killing me!!!