The Basics of RIDE PLATE Design & Why It's So Important: The Watercraft Journal IRL

How your watercraft handles chop, tracks through open seas and even approaches a high speed turn all depends on one key piece of equipment: the ride plate. We cannot over sell it, the ride plate can make or break a PWC. (We'll give examples.) We'll go over the basics of how it works, how it can positively/negatively impact how your ski operates, and whether swapping yours with an aftermarket piece is right for you.
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#pwcjournal #rideplate #handling

[@seancaron3323]

By far the most passion about ride plates I’ve ever seen or heard of 😂 love it

[@snoochieboochiess]

One of the best and most informative lives! Good work! 👍

[@watercraftjournal]

Thanks! Glad you enjoyed it!

[@ribasg3]

Best freacking episode ever!

[@watercraftjournal]

Wow! Thanks!

[@jasonmekush5280]

great sunday live stream cant wait to gt your new jersey red color my daughter wants one while shes riding the gp. sunday the surf was up her first ime jumping 4 foot faces on and off in the shallows. severly modded gp still going strong no issues 8500 rpm skii

[@watercraftjournal]

That's awesome!

[@jasonbailey8960]

I would like too design something for my 19 -20 Hawaiian bbc was just gunna buy a generic aluminum plate ... looks like a waste of money for a flat plate of aluminum

[@MarkCamo69]

Hey big Kev, thanks for all the info and entertainment do date & your little rants puts a smile on my dial,:) anyways mate, yes Australian :) I have a FX 22 SVHO and I took out for first run, and I was disappointed on the cavitation it has on take off with hard throttle, just wondering if you know, can I fit a Riva intake grate with seals to my stock ride plate and will it resolve the cavitation or do I need both Riva intake grate & ride plate?

[@watercraftjournal]

Yamaha cavitation is an ongoing battle. It's less to do with the ride plate and more with the intake grate and pump efficiency itself. You need to start looking at impeller pitch.

[@charlestaylor3434]

While the Yamaha OEM sealant on the transom may be poor, I went through the trouble of disassembling the transom and resealing per all the advice out there on Green Hulk and I still have a few cups of water in the hull after every ride. So there's that. I just live with it

[@watercraftjournal]

You might need to reseal the ride plate and around the inside of the pump too.

[@SME5724]

Dang I have like maybe 1/4 inch if that under where the battery sits in my 22 GP but saw nothing under the motor at all …

[@grandbaycustoms1472]

You guys do great work and have great content. Thank you for all you do. I can never catch you on the live session. I have a 21 and 22 gp1800 been wanting to change the ride plate on them for the riva one. If I do, would I have the problem where it bounces off the limiter? My skis are factory, not really interested in been the fastest, just tires of the drag and nose down ride. Thank you

[@watercraftjournal]

Only if you're supercharged will you start to run into the rev limiter. Naturally aspirated won't.

[@grandbaycustoms1472]

@@watercraftjournal thank you!

[@tylerscanny5126]

I have a KSpeed ride plate coming for my ‘21 STX 160X. This will be my first season with the ski. Planning on riding it stock for a while before changing the ride plate. Any tips on swapping them out? Best sealant to use etc? I’ve heard good things about KSpeed but have zero experience modifying my ski; still have my ‘04 Aquatrax F-12X. Thanks! Side note: if you’re ever in southern NJ I will get a crew together to ride!

[@watercraftjournal]

Nothing really special, no. Make sure to ask Kspeed for detailed instructions so you’re covered.

[@patan77]

I have that same set up, on my stx 160 lx, kspeed kit level 1 sponsoons ride plate and 2 degree angle plate. Love that little ski. How does it compare to your aquatrax f12? I managed to get 62 mph out the stx with that. just need to put the sealant back between the hill and plate and see if it helps but it's a very nice ski love it.

[@tylerscanny5126]

@@watercraftjournal got the plate installed back when I first commented. makes big difference! also installed Riva power filter and KSpeed exhaust tip

[@tylerscanny5126]

@@patan77 it's definitely better in rougher water but still doesn't ride like an Ultra or equivalent SeaDoo or Yamaha. The Honda was faster steering response but the STX hooks up much better.

[@patan77]

@@tylerscanny5126 awesome brother are you seeing any reaction and speed gains with the air intake?

[@jameswells9864]

Hi Kevin. Are you familiar with a part that Worx racing does, it’s called a Trim extension arm. It basically attaches to the OEM trim arm and extends trim range🤷‍♂️I guess it was designed to address the trim issues on the Yamahas. Thankyou. 👍🏻🇦🇺

[@watercraftjournal]

What trim issues are there with Yamahas? Sounds bogus.

[@jameswells9864]

@@watercraftjournal I think the general consensus is that the trim range is not all that good . I must be honest,that my gtr 230 2021 had a more noticeable effect when I trimmed up or down . I now own a fxho 2021 and when I use the trim . It really doesn’t seem to have a noticeable difference 🤷‍♂️

[@watercraftjournal]

Because of your stock ride plate. See Kevin's live session on ride plate design. (Skip ahead 18-20 minutes to get to the good stuff.)

[@jameswells9864]

@@watercraftjournal actually I have a riva ride plate installed.

[@jameswells9864]

@@watercraftjournal so do I get an answer on the worx trim ext arm 🤷‍♂️

[@jeffbryner5355]

But does it corner like Chris macclugage on his 30k dollar waveblaster? The gray one? Does ot corner that good?

[@watercraftjournal]

But can YOU ride like Macc? (Few can)

[@jeffbryner5355]

@watercraftjournal I don't think anyone who watches your videos can but with that said a better machine can make it a hell of alot easier to ride like Mac then a poorly built one and I promise you if I had that blaster it would be more achievable then doing it on a cheap one I found off marketplace. In my experience it's 25 percent rider 75 percent machine.

[@Skipp28TN]

Why is the intake not better designed. To help w sucking up debris. Seems simple enough

[@ericcampbell6078]

Hey Kevin, I've got 2 riva plates ready to go on a pair of vx's if you want to come to baltimore to do a shoot. I will lend you me bullet proof vest.

[@watercraftjournal]

LOL! That sounds fun!

[@ericcampbell6078]

@@watercraftjournal if you want to make it happen let me know.

[@JimmieJohn]

Hey Kev, any change you'll be adding a long hauler fuel system for the newer Seadoos?

[@watercraftjournal]

Jimmie, IT WILL NOT PHYSICALLY WORK ON SEA-DOOS. It is NOT a matter of not wanting to offer it, IT WON'T WORK. -K

[@JimmieJohn]

@@watercraftjournal Ah, yeah, I was thinking you might be developing a design that would, but I guess it's not doable. Thanks for the response! I'll keep watching and reading!

[@rcarie1]

Hey Kevin, is there a link you can add for this ride plate? I have the Fx Cruiser HO, would like to add some juice!

[@rcarie1]

Nevermind... Found it. 😃

[@watercraftjournal]

Don't make me google that for you! :P

[@hdemark5825]

Hi Kevin! Can the 22’ Riva ride plate go a ‘20 GP? If so, are other mods required and what results will I see? Thanks!

[@watercraftjournal]

Yes, absolutely - they have the same hull. Just go to RIVA's website and plug in your PWC's year, make and model. You'll get everything you need answered.

[@hdemark5825]

Thank you for the response. You guys are the best!

[@corymacdonald4430]

How did it take 1h45m to say that..

[@puscifer03dude52]

Very funny

[@peterjohnson4006]

10.25 truth ....

[@watercraftjournal]

LOL RIGHT? Bring THAT back to schools!

[@chrisc9611]

Skip to 54 min mark to listen to what was advertised

[@watercraftjournal]

NO. Then you're missing out on 80% of the information provided.

[@leonmccalla7962]

More ppl would watch you videos if they weren't as long.

[@watercraftjournal]

You mean like the FIVE DAILY VIDEOS we put out each week that are no longer than 3-4 minutes?

[@costasgeorgiou5015]

Hahaha thanks my A. D. D. is a bitch! 😝

[@watercraftjournal]

LOL!