New Surfboard

[smedman]

I just finished up a new wakesurfer I made from 2# EPS foam and Resin Research Epoxy resin in the backyard. I have to say this has been one of the most rewarding projects I've worked on in a long time!! To create a board from scratch, and put it in the water to ride was an amazing feeling. Even better was to feel the board perform as hoped!

Here's a few pics of the process

block foam from a local guy who makes foam airplane wings for government UAVs

the outline starting to take shape

[smedman]

the bottom -

i put in an "inset concave" with the idea of giving the board "lift" by creating an air pocket under the back foot.

Edited October 23, 2007 by smedman

[smedman]

the tapered deck

[smedman]

putting in the finboxes

[smedman]

fiberglass and resin on the bottom

[smedman]

ready to ride

[smedman]

out in the water goofing off with a cheater 5.

[SLIM]

fiberglass and resin on the bottom

that is awesome! good job

[smedman]

Final dimensions on the board -

4'7" L x 21"W x 1 3/4" thick.

5lbs 2oz making it about 2lbs lighter than my usual ride.

Can't wait to start the next board -- looking to do a surf-skate design, then a mini longboard for noseriding...

[chathamsolutions]

Niiiice.

I've got a blank I cut out over a year ago that's just sitting in my garage waiting for me to finish it. Our Scout troop started it, I bought in and never got to finish.

What length did you go with?

What are you using as a track top? Wax or a literal tracktop?

[smedman]

Niiiice.

I've got a blank I cut out over a year ago that's just sitting in my garage waiting for me to finish it. Our Scout troop started it, I bought in and never got to finish.

What length did you go with?

What are you using as a track top? Wax or a literal tracktop?

you have a blank? cool - it would be a good winter project for you for sure!

I ended up with 4'7" - I want to do a similar shape at 5'2 as well.

For the tracktop I just put on wax as that was all I had at the time - I love the pina colada smell as it reminds me of the beach, but don't like it the boat so I'll be taking it off soon. There is some roll-on traction for longboards available from surfsource.net that I want to try. Also, I'll probably order some x-track eva traction as well to have for future boards.

[obski]

Great job! Way cool.

[chadwick02]

wicked cool

[sunscapeJeff]

Nice job! The shape is original, and looks great! What are your opinions on how it rides?

I'm still looking for a reasonable source for foam ... Haven't found it yet in DFW.

[malibuwaterdog]

Way to COOL..... What was the time frame on producing this board? I agree with smedman on a great winter project. I too would like to find some foam in the DFW area.

[sunscapeJeff]

Way to COOL..... What was the time frame on producing this board? I agree with smedman on a great winter project. I too would like to find some foam in the DFW area.

If you find it, let me know! I'll do the same.

[malibuwaterdog]

Way to COOL..... What was the time frame on producing this board? I agree with smedman on a great winter project. I too would like to find some foam in the DFW area.

If you find it, let me know! I'll do the same.

Thanks and i will do the same.

[smedman]

Way to COOL..... What was the time frame on producing this board? I agree with smedman on a great winter project. I too would like to find some foam in the DFW area.

Thanks all for the encouraging comments!

As far as time frame -- it took a couple of weeks -- lots of shaping after work, reading surf design websites, trips to homedepot and harbor freight for tools, waiting for the resin and fiberglass to arrive... next one should be much much faster though...

As for a foam source for you guys up in DFW -- try http://www.univfoam.com/epsPricing.php --- from their website it looks like they are located in MD, but it looks like they have warehouse they ship from in DFW area. Maybe you can save cash by picking up.

Or if a few of you get together you can order some blanks from www.foamez.com they are around $80 each blank, plus shipping (around $80 regardless if you order 1 or 4 blanks)

Here's a few more shots from this week

[smedman]

[smedman]

[smedman]

[malibuwaterdog]

Thanks for the tip on foam. i am checking it out now. It would be great if I could pick it up local.

http://www.univfoam.com/epsPricing.php -

[sunscapeJeff]

Matt, seeing your handiwork is really getting me itching to get started on one. I guess I need to give Universal Foam a call.

Man, my wife's going to be PO'd when she finds out that I've started another project!