IJSBA is pleased to release the draft version of a new category of racing: Four Stroke Ski Lites.  This racing class is intended to ensure a strong division of Ski Racing where watercraft maintain a very strong nexus between what a consumer purchases on the showroom floor and that that same consumer would use in a competition environment.  Four Stroke Ski Lites is intended for Junior (10-12 and 13-15), Amateur, and Pro Am skill levels.  Additional categories such as Womens' Class and age designated classes are also envisioned.  There are currently no watercraft homologated for this category of racing but IJSBA expects this to change soon.  IJSBA requests that the public review the following draft rules for Four Stroke Ski Lites and to send any questions or comments to info@ijsba.com.  

 

FSKL.1 FOUR STROKE SKI LITES CLASS COMPETITION   

Intended to promote interest in contemporary Ski type personal watercraft competition, at a baseline level, on watercraft that are widely sold at through the common retail market.  The focus of this category is to enable individuals to become active competitors with relatively modest investment and maintenance costs. Watercraft competing in these classes must conform to the specifications which follow.  Note: classes may be offered that have greater restrictions than these Stock Class Provisions.  

  Four Stroke Ski Lites is based off of OEM Ski PWC with a maximum displacement of 1100cc as furnished by the manufacturer.  Only SKI originally equipped with Four Stroke Engines are allowed in the Four Stroke Ski Lites Class.  

 FSKL.1.1 All watercraft must remain strictly stock, except where rules allow or require substitutions or modifications. Changes or modifications not listed here are not permitted.  The IJSBA may allow additional modifications to Stock Classified PWC which provide for replacement/reinforcements to parts and components (i.e. brackets, fittings, etc.) that have known failure risks in race conditions. Such changes will only be allowed if the changes allow for no volume or performance gains.  Such allowances are only legal if published by the IJSBA.  Some original equipment components may not comply with IJSBA rules. Hull Identification Numbers must be displayed as furnished by the manufacturer.   NOTE:  When rules permit or require equipment to be installed, replaced, altered or fabricated, it is the sole responsibility of the rider to select components, materials and/or fabricate the same so that the watercraft operates safely in competition.    

FSKL.1.2 Original equipment parts may be updated or backdated  to newer original equipment parts of the same model. The part must be a bolt-on requiring no modifications to that part or any other parts except where rules allow substitutions or modifications.   

FSKL.1.3 Sound level shall not exceed 86 dB(a) at 22.86m (75 ft.). See Section 19.5 (pg. 78).   

FSKL.1.4 Engine fuel must consist of gasoline meeting the criteria defined in Section 19.4.3 (pg. 78).   

FSKL.2 HULL  

FSKL.2.1 All watercraft must have a flexible tow loop attached to the bow. The tow loop should be made of a flexible material (e.g., nylon strap, rope, etc.) so as not to create a hazard. Tow hooks which protrude beyond the plane of the hull must be removed.   

FSKL.2.2 Hull and deck repairs may be made. However, these repairs must not alter the original configuration by more than 2.00mm (0.08 in.). Other than for the use of fasteners and the placement of allowable relocated parts (i.e., ECU), the bulkhead may not be modified.  

FSKL.2.3 All watercraft may be equipped with a maximum of two sponsons. Original equipment sponsons may be modified, aftermarket, repositioned or removed. Overall length of each sponson shall not exceed 91.45cm (36.00 in.). Sponsons shall not protrude from the side of the hull by more than 100.00mm (3.94 in.) when measured in a level horizontal plane. The vertical channel created by the underside of the sponson shall not exceed 63.5mm (2.50in). No part of the sponson shall extend downward below the point at which the side of the hull intersects the bottom surface of the hull by more than 38.00mm (1.50 in.). Aftermarket or modified sponsons must exceed 6mm (0.24 in.) in  thickness. All leading edges must be radiused so as not to create a hazard. Sponsons may not be attached to the planing surfaces of the hull.  Fins, rudders, skegs and other appendages that may create a hazard will not be allowed. (See diagrams in Appendix.)    Sponsons may be attached to the inside of

the bond flange, but no part of the sponson may extend more than 38.00mm (1.500 in.) below the lower part of the bond flange (bumper removed). Sponsons attached to the inside of the bond flange shall not protrude outside the bond flange (bumper removed) when measured in a level horizontal plane. Ski PWC Homologated under.  

FSKL.2.4 Intake grate may be modified or aftermarket. Intake grate is required and must be the full-length type with at least one bar running parallel to the drive shaft. Grates may not extend more than 11.00mm (0.47 in.) below the flat plane of the pump intake area. All leading edges must be radiused so as not to create a hazard.   

FSKL.2.5 Pump cover plate may be modified or aftermarket. An extension may be added to the rear of the pump cover plate but shall not exceed the width of the original equipment plate. Modified and aftermarket plates must not extend more than 100.00mm (3.94 in.) beyond the end of the original equipment plate.  The sides of the extension must be connected to the radiused portion of the pump plate so as not to create a hazard. Fins, rudders, skegs and other appendages that may create a hazard will not be allowed. (See diagram in Appendix.)   

FSKL.2.6 Replacement trim plates may be used. Only replica parts that offer handling characteristics the same as stock are allowed. Material shall not be restricted to original equipment provided a hazard is not created (i.e., aluminum in place of plastic). See Glossary of Terms for definition of Replacement and Replica.   

FSKL.2.7 Replacement bumpers may be used provided a hazard is not created.   

FSKL.2.8 A soft, flexible water-spray deflector may be attached to the hull sides or to the bond flange provided a hazard is not created. No part of the deflector may extend beyond the perimeter of the original equipment bumper or side moldings as measured by a plumb line.   

FSKL.2.9 Handlebar, throttle, throttle cable, and grips may be modified or aftermarket. Handlebar cover may be modified or removed. Aftermarket switches and switch housings may be used. Steering shaft, steering shaft holder and handlebar holder may be aftermarket. The handlebar must be padded at the mounting bracket or, if it has a crossbar, the crossbar must be padded. Quick-turn steering modifications to alter steering ratio are allowed. Aftermarket steering cables will be allowed.   

FHandlepole (and mounting bracket) may be modified or aftermarket provided it functions as originally designed. Handlepole attaching point may be reinforced.   

FSKL.2.10 Padding and/or mat kits may be added and custom painting is allowed. Intrgrated grab handles, within the tray area, may be covered.   The surface finish of any metal component outside the hull area above the bond flange may be polished, shot peened or painted.    

FSKL.2.11 Original bilge pump may be modified or disconnected. Aftermarket bilge draining systems that do not create a hazard are allowed.   

FSKL.2.12 Engine compartment ventilation tubes may be modified, aftermarket, or removed. Inlet and outlet openings may not be enlarged (i.e., when the tube is removed, the opening may not be larger than stock). Vents may be shielded or plugged. No other modifications to the hood will be allowed.   

FSKL.2.13 Ballast weight may be added within the normally exposed areas of the hull to alter the handling of the watercraft provided a hazard is not created. Only weight consisting of constant mass (i.e., water or other fluid is not allowed) that does not require the modification or relocation of any parts will be allowed unless such modification or relocation is specified by other rules.   

  

FSKL.3 ENGINE — FOUR-STROKE   

FSKL.3.1 Engines may be bored. Replacement piston assemblies may be used provided the original compression ratio, dome profile, skirt length and shape and type of material are not changed. Chamfering of cylinder ports must not exceed 1.00mm (0.04 in.) at a 30 degree maximum angle. (See diagram in Appendix.).   Cylinder head combustion chambers may be cleaned by bead blasting with valves seated in place. Intake and exhaust ports may not be bead blasted or cleaned with abrasive material such as steel wool or Scotch-Brite®. Repairs to the cylinder head affecting one cylinder bank are allowed.  

FSKL.3.2 Repairs may be made to cracked or damaged cylinders by installing a cylinder sleeve.  The head gasket surface of the cylinder block may be machined only to allow for the installation of the new sleeves (see appendix for description).  A thicker head gasket must be utilized to return the block deck height to within .155mm (.006in) of original height. The repair must offer no additional performance gains.    

FSKL.3.3 Crankshaft must remain stock. Replacement bearings or bearing shells are allowed, providing they maintain their original type and dimensions.    

FSKL.3.4 Camshaft(s) must remain stock. Replacement bearings or bearing shells are allowed, providing they maintain their original type and dimensions.  Camshaft timing may be changed.   

FSKL.3.5 Engine and Oil Cooler water cooling systems must remain as OEM. Water strainers (filters) may be modified or aftermarket. Intercooler assembly/housing must remain OEM. Existing fittings may be aftermarket or modified so long as the OEM thread diameter is maintained.  Fittings may not be added to the cylinder head, cylinder, or crankcase. Electronically controlled valves or water injections systems are not allowed unless originally equipped. Manually controlled devices (by any means of actuation) that alter the flow of cooling water during operation are not allowed. Cooling system flush kits are allowed.  .    

FSKL.3.6 Replacement of general maintenance parts (e.g., gaskets, seals, spark plugs, spark plug wires, spark plug caps, wiring, water hoses, fuel lines, clamps and fasteners) shall not be restricted to original equipment providing the following:  1)  Replacement gaskets may be used but must be of the same type (e.g., sheet, o-ring, etc.) as their OEM counterparts. With the exception of head gaskets and base gaskets, all replacement gaskets must maintain a thickness of plus or minus 20% of the OEM gasket thickness as furnished by the manufacturer.  Base gasket cannot be thicker than 0.8mm (0.032in).  Head gaskets must be no thinner than .005mm (0.002in) than the OEM thickness as supplied by the manufacturer.  Head gaskets must be no thicker than 1.55mm (0.06in) than the OEM thickness as supplied by the manufacturer. 2) Stripped threads must be repaired to the original size. 3)  Fasteners (e.g., bolts, nuts and washers) may not be substituted with titanium pieces unless originally equipped. Fasteners may integrate locking mechanisms. 4)  Replacement hoses and fuel lines may not provide any other function than original equipment hoses.  Changes in temperature tolerances are allowed.   6.4.6 Exhaust manifolds that have previously been drilled or tapped may be used so long as the holes are filled or capped.   

FSKL.4 AIR/FUEL DELIVERY — FOUR-STROKE    

FSKL.4.1 Electronic fuel-injection systems: Flame arresters that meet USCG, UL-1111 or SAE J-1928 Marine backfire flame arrester  test standards must be installed. If not equipped with an airflow sensor, the ducting between the flame arrestor and throttle body may be modified or aftermarket. If originally equipped with an airflow sensor, the ducting may be modified or aftermarket between the flame arrestor and airflow sensor. Modifications to the airflow downstream of the airflow sensor are not allowed. All portions of the intake manifold, including screens or other filtering or spark suppressing devices, must remain as originally equipped.    

FSKL.4.2 Carbureted induction systems: Flame arrestors that meet USCG, UL-1111 or SAE J-1928 Marine backfire flame arrester test standards must be installed. Carburetor jets (replaceable type), needle valves and needle valve springs may be changed. Choke may be removed provided additional air intake for the engine is not created. Aftermarket primer system may be installed. No other carburetor modifications will be allowed.    

FSKL.4.3 Fuel injectors and fuel pump must remain stock as furnished by the manufacturer.    

FSKL.5 IGNITION AND ELECTRONICS — FOUR-STROKE    

FSKL.5.1  Replacement batteries are allowed but must fit into the original equipment battery box and be securely fastened.   

FSKL.5.2  The original electronic control unit may be reprogramed so long as it does not offer any additional inputs or outputs than the original unit, and it must connect with the original connections. No additional sensors may be added (e.g., exhaust gas temperature, detonation sensors, etc.). Engine temperature sensors may be disabled.    

FSKL.5.3  Aftermarket spark plugs with a different heat rating may be used.       

FSKL.6  DRIVELINE   

FSKL.6.1  Impeller may be modified or aftermarket, providing that the original diameter is maintained. Replacement wear rings that are within OEM internal diameter specifications may be used. Silicone adhesive sealant may be used in addition to original equipment seal to seal pump inlet. Visibility spout must be removed or plugged.   

FSKL.6.2  No internal modifications of any kind, including grinding, surfacing, polishing, machining, shot peening, etc., will be allowed on any driveline components (e.g., pump stator, reduction nozzle, etc.).