So after years of searching and loosing bid wars or just not wanting to pay asking price for a vertical air, i decided to cut one out of a Ho TNT. I know a few guys who swear if done right these things are better than the real thing.
Anyways I started with a $40 72" HO TNT that i found on Ski it again. The bottom had some surface scratches, but over all the ski was in great shape with HO Bindings in perfect shape, not a single tear in them. I do not have a pic of my actual ski (because i didn't think to take any), but the ski was the same as the one pictured here, with double boots.
First thing I did was strip everything from the ski, boots & Fin. I filled all the holes with fiberglass, and sanded smooth. I then flipped over the ski and brushed clear acrylic over all the small scratches and sanded them smooth (not pictured) They are still visible, but at least they are filled. I may paint the bottom eventually but i figured its going to take a beating anyways.
Next I cut the ski to 63" and rounded out the corners. I than started the fin cut 1 inch from the tail. Getting this thing straight was a bitch. I had my buddy who does custom Ferrari bodies line it all up on his machine and get it all straight for me.
Once I had the ski cut i painted the foam that was exposed on the tail black and brushed a few layers of epoxy on it. (again probably doesn't look the best) But it should work.
I than covered the ski deck in carbon fiber vinyl, dropped the fin in and put the boots back on (back of front binding is 29" from tail)
FINISHED
I know this wasn't the most professionally finished ski but i am stoked on it. I only hope it works, i may use this as a test to adjust binding placement ect... and if i can find another TNT i would most definitely look into having some more body work done, refinish the bottom, paint, fiber glass the tail maybe newer style bindings... But for now I am just looking forward to 4 days at discovery bay this labor day playing with my new toy.
Anyways I started with a $40 72" HO TNT that i found on Ski it again. The bottom had some surface scratches, but over all the ski was in great shape with HO Bindings in perfect shape, not a single tear in them. I do not have a pic of my actual ski (because i didn't think to take any), but the ski was the same as the one pictured here, with double boots.
First thing I did was strip everything from the ski, boots & Fin. I filled all the holes with fiberglass, and sanded smooth. I then flipped over the ski and brushed clear acrylic over all the small scratches and sanded them smooth (not pictured) They are still visible, but at least they are filled. I may paint the bottom eventually but i figured its going to take a beating anyways.
Next I cut the ski to 63" and rounded out the corners. I than started the fin cut 1 inch from the tail. Getting this thing straight was a bitch. I had my buddy who does custom Ferrari bodies line it all up on his machine and get it all straight for me.
Once I had the ski cut i painted the foam that was exposed on the tail black and brushed a few layers of epoxy on it. (again probably doesn't look the best) But it should work.
I than covered the ski deck in carbon fiber vinyl, dropped the fin in and put the boots back on (back of front binding is 29" from tail)
FINISHED
I know this wasn't the most professionally finished ski but i am stoked on it. I only hope it works, i may use this as a test to adjust binding placement ect... and if i can find another TNT i would most definitely look into having some more body work done, refinish the bottom, paint, fiber glass the tail maybe newer style bindings... But for now I am just looking forward to 4 days at discovery bay this labor day playing with my new toy.