Reinforcing sides of x2

X2freakX2 · 02-26-2010, 01:31 AM

Planning on reinforcing the sides of my ski, I'll probably grind down the ribs and use foam and get everything flush then lay glass down. Should I use mat or cloth and what thickness is everyone using?

phlipcyde · 02-26-2010, 02:02 AM

why do you feel the need to reinforce the sides? just out of curiousity

X2freakX2 · 02-26-2010, 02:42 AM

After reading around I saw a lot of people saying the hulls weakpoint are the sides up towards the footwells..so I guess I should have bee more specific..

milesinfront · 02-26-2010, 06:58 AM

This is why you reinforce...

Quik1 · 02-26-2010, 11:53 AM

Its a good idea. I was warned when I was building mine to do it and now I wish I wouldve listened cause on both sides where I put the batt under the seat I have cracks forming.

I'm not much of a fiberglass guy so I dont know what type of glass to use but if I had to guess I would say Mat.

shawn_NJ · 02-26-2010, 02:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by X2freakX2

Planning on reinforcing the sides of my ski, I'll probably grind down the ribs and use foam and get everything flush then lay glass down. Should I use mat or cloth and what thickness is everyone using?

There are a few small spots on the X2 that are prone to cracking, esp near hood seal area. Grinding down the ribs (which provide hull stiffness) is debatable from a gains perspective. I really do not think the entire sides needs reforcing....but if you are set on reinforcing (its not NEEDED unless you are trying to roll, or going big in surf) fiberglass chopmat does not belong on a jetski. It soaks up tons of resin (2x the mat weight) and is not very strong. Quality woven cloth is the only way to go. I personally only use carbon fiber when reinforcing, but that is only for the weight saving/stiffness. Fiberglass cloth is just fine. Depending on the contours required a 6oz - 12oz cloth will work great. 6oz for a area with complex curve, and heavier for flat areas. The lighter the cloth weight, the more layers you will need. If you dont mind the weight gain, a biaxial (roving/stichedmat) is very strong per ply, but not very light as it also soaks up a good amount of resin. Remember epoxy only when doing ANY fiberglass work on X2's. And also remember epoxy does not work with CHOP STRAND MAT (CSM). There is a chemical binder in CSM that needs the sterene in polyester resin to disolve it. Otherwise you end up with a stringy mess that will only lay flat.

X2freakX2 · 02-26-2010, 02:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shawn_NJ

There are a few small spots on the X2 that are prone to cracking, esp near hood seal area. Grinding down the ribs (which provide hull stiffness) is debatable from a gains perspective. I really do not think the entire sides needs reforcing....but if you are set on reinforcing (its not NEEDED unless you are trying to roll, or going big in surf) fiberglass chopmat does not belong on a jetski. It soaks up tons of resin (2x the mat weight) and is not very strong. Quality woven cloth is the only way to go. I personally only use carbon fiber when reinforcing, but that is only for the weight saving/stiffness. Fiberglass cloth is just fine. Depending on the contours required a 6oz - 12oz cloth will work great. 6oz for a area with complex curve, and heavier for flat areas. The lighter the cloth weight, the more layers you will need. If you dont mind the weight gain, a biaxial (roving/stichedmat) is very strong per ply, but not very light as it also soaks up a good amount of resin. Remember epoxy only when doing ANY fiberglass work on X2's. And also remember epoxy does not work with CHOP STRAND MAT (CSM). There is a chemical binder in CSM that needs the sterene in polyester resin to disolve it. Otherwise you end up with a stringy mess that will only lay flat.

Perfect, exactly what I needed to know. I appreciate the detailed reply.

I will also be doing tubbies and front fill, I have read enough to know how to install but should I go with cloth on these too?

shawn_NJ · 02-26-2010, 03:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by X2freakX2

Perfect, exactly what I needed to know. I appreciate the detailed reply.

I will also be doing tubbies and front fill, I have read enough to know how to install but should I go with cloth on these too?

Yes. The fairing around the tubbies always has a perimeter crack, where tubbie meets hull if you dont lay a glass down with/over the fairing compound. So a light 4oz cloth for the seaming worked well for me.
The front fill takes more abuse then you think. I would go on the side of caution and lay that up with a heavy weight glass, and however many layers you think you need....I'd add 2-3 more. When laying the front fill glass, pay careful attention to the weave direction of the glass. Try to lay the glass in a 0/45/90/135 deg pattern between plys. You will end up with a 10x stronger composite. This does mean you will go through more material as your trimouts can be wasteful.

X2freakX2 · 02-26-2010, 03:14 PM

Biaxialcloth for the tubbies and front fill also?

shawn_NJ · 02-26-2010, 03:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by X2freakX2

Biaxialcloth for the tubbies and front fill also?

I dont think it would work well for tubbies, unless you are using it under the tubbie to bond tubbie to the hull. If you want that seamless look of the tubbie blending into the hull, biax is way to thick of a cloth for that.