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Any problems with "wave riding"?

21895 Views 24 Replies 15 Participants Last post by  xdrian
Has anyone had any problems with wave or wake jumping with the sparks?
I know the hull is a hard plastic material but i was riding out to block island and jumping my ski 4-6 feet out of the water and it would slam down on the wter pretty hard. Anyone have any problems with cracks or anything?
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I jump wakes all the time some times getting up to 4 feet of air. I have no issues so far. One thing to help cushion it is to lean back in the air so you land tail first. It helps to cushion the impact quite a bit.
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You need to land on the tail of the ski.

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thanks for the advice guys. glad to hear so far no one has done any damage to their skis which was my biggest concern but i will lean back more when i do more jumping. Thanks again.
If you have VTS put the bow up.

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oh man i wish i had the VTS system but i have the basic model of the ski. Still absolutely love it but it is what it is. My friend has that system so ill be sure to let him know.
i didn't think i would need VTS, until i installed it!
Wave jumping is now much more fun !
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i didn't think i would need VTS, until i installed it!
Wave jumping is now much more fun !
Do you get any more speed from the VTS? Thinking about installing it.
I've noticed a small amount of speed from my VTS install about 1-2mph at top speed. Wave jumping and wheelies though wow.
Only problem I've had so far is doing a couple "wheelies" from wave jumping and tipping back twice. After the second time falling back my machine said low oil then the check engine light came on. I was put in limp mode so I let it sit for 5 mins. After letting it sit I took it for a ride and after 2mins of riding I regained RPMs and check engine light went off. From what I've read its not too uncomon when flipping the ski
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Me and my brother were out in lake huron yesterday smashing some 2-3 ft waves, It was so awesome. But yeah I've noticed if you land it on the ride plate it ploughs the water out of the way rather than smashing down on the surface. I would imagine the engine mounts take a pounding if you were to continuously hit them for days. I'd just give them a once over next time you service it.
I've noticed a small amount of speed from my VTS install about 1-2mph at top speed. Wave jumping and wheelies though wow.
Only problem I've had so far is doing a couple "wheelies" from wave jumping and tipping back twice. After the second time falling back my machine said low oil then the check engine light came on. I was put in limp mode so I let it sit for 5 mins. After letting it sit I took it for a ride and after 2mins of riding I regained RPMs and check engine light went off. From what I've read its not too uncomon when flipping the ski
It was probably because all of the oil was up in the valve cover, When you flip it, give it a few minutes to flow back to the crankcase... Unless of course its an emergency
those youtube videos look sick. After reading these couple comments about the VTS, it sounds like something to invest in. Would I be able to install the trim system? or does that come system only come on a higher model up? Me and my buddies took a video wiht our go pro but check it out.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jyAKGQB3iss

2 other of my buddies have sparks, keep a look out for the licorice spark..thats me trying to get some air off mine. Keep in mine this was our first time out in the ocean with these sparks. Nothing crazy just having a little fun
those youtube videos look sick. After reading these couple comments about the VTS, it sounds like something to invest in. Would I be able to install the trim system? or does that come system only come on a higher model up? Me and my buddies took a video wiht our go pro but check it out.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jyAKGQB3iss
Good edits. Good music. Good subject matter. Good video!
I do this pretty much every weekend:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-yAuAlnhZH4

And this:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7v8mmFlEVLs

I have 98 hrs and Adrian has 160+.
That video made my own 'Epic Jump' look lame! Thanks! Stupid forum! :)
Do you get any more speed from the VTS? Thinking about installing it.
Yes you will gain some top speed, i got abount 2mph or 3kmt that i messure in when i tilt it to the top or close to top : )

i would recomend installing it to everyone that can.. Its cheap for what you get and its an easy install..
Has anyone had any problems with wave or wake jumping with the sparks?
I know the hull is a hard plastic material but i was riding out to block island and jumping my ski 4-6 feet out of the water and it would slam down on the wter pretty hard. Anyone have any problems with cracks or anything?

The only time I had a problem jumping with my Spark was kind of shallow of water. Thank goodness it wasn't too shallow (maybe 4.5ft deep) to where I could have cracked my hull, but just enough to barely touch the jet nozzle, damaging it. Learn from my mistake.

But if you do wave jump, try to land as vertical as possible. Dig your heels into the ski, and pull back on the handle bars. Otherwise it stresses and cracks the top deck underneath your feet.
Couple questions, are any of you guys running tunes? And is VTS only available with skis with IBR? Thanks
Couple questions, are any of you guys running tunes? And is VTS only available with skis with IBR? Thanks
I am not running any tunes nor ibr, just plain stock 90hp does the job, wave jump is fun a little scary couple times but then you get the hang of it
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