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The X4 Thread
- Thread starter purple_people_eater
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purple_people_eater
New Member
i have what look like marble "slabs" on mine i'll post a pic later. as well as type out what i've found out.
purple_people_eater
New Member
trim tab info links
here's a start, i've found some pros, cons and some qutoes from peeps around the net.
the three digree r&d tabs:
Pros:
keeps the nose down to help stop porpousing or "hopping"
"can" increse speed if the middle section is not used.
Cons:
renders vts "almost useless" can still life nose slightly but you lose about 1/2 of it function.
if middle section is used, will decrese speed by 3 mph.
"Anyways from what i understand you can shim the stock ones with a little over 1/8" (0.1312") of material behind the tab to get 3 degrees. Personally i haven't tried it yet, but i plan to for next season...hope this helps."
"I have the original R&D tabs Dean. They forced the hull down too much, and really loaded the engine at wot. The only thing they really improve is the ability for the hull to stay in the water when hole-shotting. I have learned to throw my weight over the bars at precisely the right time to do the same thing though. A Worx grate will keep the hull hooked just as well as with the grate and tabs in the chop.
X-4's really fly when you trim them all the way up, and use a pump wedge. Tabs and a grate defeat this whole purpose. So that's why I went away from them. But below 65 mph, and in the surf, the grate rules. "
here's a start, i've found some pros, cons and some qutoes from peeps around the net.
the three digree r&d tabs:
Pros:
keeps the nose down to help stop porpousing or "hopping"
"can" increse speed if the middle section is not used.
Cons:
renders vts "almost useless" can still life nose slightly but you lose about 1/2 of it function.
if middle section is used, will decrese speed by 3 mph.
"Anyways from what i understand you can shim the stock ones with a little over 1/8" (0.1312") of material behind the tab to get 3 degrees. Personally i haven't tried it yet, but i plan to for next season...hope this helps."
"I have the original R&D tabs Dean. They forced the hull down too much, and really loaded the engine at wot. The only thing they really improve is the ability for the hull to stay in the water when hole-shotting. I have learned to throw my weight over the bars at precisely the right time to do the same thing though. A Worx grate will keep the hull hooked just as well as with the grate and tabs in the chop.
X-4's really fly when you trim them all the way up, and use a pump wedge. Tabs and a grate defeat this whole purpose. So that's why I went away from them. But below 65 mph, and in the surf, the grate rules. "
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Dr Honda
Well-Known Member
Thanks for the info.
I should be free this weekend... so I'm going to try to shim up my tabs a little, to see how it goes. I'll report back.
As far as the comment on the "Making the VTS Less effective"... that realy doesn't bother me since the VTS is slow. I think they should have ditched the expensive VTS, and made a lever operated trim on the left hand grip. (instant trim)
I should be free this weekend... so I'm going to try to shim up my tabs a little, to see how it goes. I'll report back.
As far as the comment on the "Making the VTS Less effective"... that realy doesn't bother me since the VTS is slow. I think they should have ditched the expensive VTS, and made a lever operated trim on the left hand grip. (instant trim)
Dr Honda
Well-Known Member
Here's what my tabs look like. They are not like the pictures I found... but the PO said he didn't do any mods. BUT... maybe the dealer did a few things to it before it left the floor. (like these tabs, and the stepped seat)
Oh... and sorry... I had to add a pic of the X4 sitting next to it's new bunk mate.
Oh... and sorry... I had to add a pic of the X4 sitting next to it's new bunk mate.
DR...are those tabs plastic? I think they are beachhouse if they are.
Oh and on the manual trim...check out the left side of the bars in this pic:
Oh and on the manual trim...check out the left side of the bars in this pic:
purple_people_eater
New Member
DR...are those tabs plastic? I think they are beachhouse if they are.
Oh and on the manual trim...check out the left side of the bars in this pic:
my tabs look like the ones on your left ski. are those the stockers? i thought they where black?
anyway there is a set of r&d's on ebay right now for 35 bucks if anyone wants them.
Dr Honda
Well-Known Member
Nope... they are flat aluminum plate.
Back in the day... I rode an XP with the quick trim. I thought it was the coolest thing.
Nope... I saw the auction you are talking about, from an eBay search a couple days ago... that was a "sold" listing. If you have a link to an active listing... please PM me the item number. The only R&D tabs on there right now have the center plate, and they want $165.
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purple_people_eater
New Member
you are correct sir. i did not spend long enough to look at that. sorry for the mis-information.
KyleB
New Member
I remember reading about the X4 some years ago when I was into PWC's but since kinda got too old to ride. This past spring my kids were egging me on to get a PWC and frankly I was not much into it. I just wanted to stay with the big boat and enjoy cruising. To make a long story short a guy on the lake had a '96 XP for sale. He had 5 skis, 2 stand up and 2 three seaters and this one was just in the way. I picked it for a good price and all I can say is WHAT A BLAST TO RIDE! I'm still probably too old to ride for long but man oh man just getting that thing up to speed early in the morning when the lake is calm is a rush you won't soon forget. I'm in the process of cleaning her up and doing some maintenance for the kids. It still has the original graphics and I'm looking at taking those off and either leaving it plain yellow or going with some aftermarket graphics. What is the best way to get the old graphics off? Take care and enjoy reading everyones posts.
Kyle
Kyle
purple_people_eater
New Member
if i where you, i'd clean it up and leave it for a while, because the graphics really start to grow on you. when she's clean and shining and your screaming around the lake, it demands attention. if not they're easy to get off. just peel them off, and clean up and wax the space where they came off of. remember that if the hull is faded, under neeth the old decals will be a diffrent color than the rest and you'll have to buff the living crap out of it to make it all match.
when its bad mildew it doesnt usually come off...I use softscrub with bleach.
Can't figure out how to start a new thread, so...
My 96 XP has been in storage all winter. I purchased a new battery for it and installed it. The battery voltage is at 12.86 volts, however, when I try to start it, I don't even as much as get a click like it is trying to start. When the key is put on, the 4 LED's illuminate, then go out, except the low fuel indicator which has been on since I bought the thing.
At any rate, any help that anyone can offer as far as getting this thing running would be greatly appreciated...
Thanks,
Kenny
My 96 XP has been in storage all winter. I purchased a new battery for it and installed it. The battery voltage is at 12.86 volts, however, when I try to start it, I don't even as much as get a click like it is trying to start. When the key is put on, the 4 LED's illuminate, then go out, except the low fuel indicator which has been on since I bought the thing.
At any rate, any help that anyone can offer as far as getting this thing running would be greatly appreciated...
Thanks,
Kenny
brandon32689
New Member
brandon32689
New Member
Maybe a bad soliniod pull the back ebox and put something between the prongs
Stunnerable
Active Member
Use a heat gun when removing those graphics. My favorite look is to keep the Sea-Doo, XP and Bombardier stickers and remove all the pink ones. Takes time but the ski looks so cool afterwards. It's nice to have "XP" on there. Like a badge of honor. Yeah, I'm sick.
Joe
Dr Honda
Well-Known Member
Hi Guys,
This morning I took off the trim tabs, and put an 1/8" shim in them. Didn't do the math on the angle... but I'll try to give it a ride tomorrow.
Oh... and FYI... the tabs on my hull have to be home made. Once they were off... I can see that they were just 3/16 plate, and they were ground to shape. (There was rough tool marks on the front bevel, and bolt holes)
This morning I took off the trim tabs, and put an 1/8" shim in them. Didn't do the math on the angle... but I'll try to give it a ride tomorrow.
Oh... and FYI... the tabs on my hull have to be home made. Once they were off... I can see that they were just 3/16 plate, and they were ground to shape. (There was rough tool marks on the front bevel, and bolt holes)
Stunnerable
Active Member
If anything, cut the tabs like the old Westcoast tabs. Unless you're very heavy and/or ride 2 up that much tab back there gives waaaay too much lift. Al little bit goes a long way back there. Any angle will drop the nose and KILL speed. You also want the tabe a little sharp on the trailing edge. Hydrodynamics.. it makes a difference.
Dr Honda
Well-Known Member
Do you have a picture of the westcoast tabs? I lived up the street from them when they were closing up shop. I set up a JS440 with a pipe, rear exhaust, Waterbox, head w/domes, and flame arrestor... and I think I paid $100 for all of it.
I weigh about 240 right now... and I couldn't get it above 45 mph the other day because it was bouncing. (yes I was standing, with my weight forward) So... if I scrub 3 or 4 mph off the top... but I can run at top speed in control... then it is worth it. But I agree... I think I'm going to trim them down like the Works, and R&D tabs.
Stunnerable
Active Member
Yes.. but I didn't want to confuse the fact that R&D made 2 different tabs. Plus, I have a soft spot for old Westcoast gear.
Dr Honda
Well-Known Member
Stunnerable
Active Member
Nice 550!!
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