Glassing

Started glassing the deck today. Will be going with a single layer of 4 oz. cloth all around; the board itself is really strong as is, so a heavy glass job is not going to be necessary. The paulownia and cedar are coming out really nicely, good contrast and the grains in the paulownia really jump out.

Rode wood board #1 in some fun, but windy, chest high waves this morning. It really cuts through the wind chop well, really fun for down-the-line surfing in those types of conditions. Stalls big time on cut backs, but if you keep it going horitizontally it can be a lot of fun.

Next update when the glassing's done... 

Gluing up the bottom

About time for an update...got the bottom skin glued on, so now have a proper blank to work with. I shaped the rails, and have been sanding this week. It's not as light as I hoped, but due to nature of the build it has a lot of volume carried out to the rails so should float pretty well for its size. I just got my shipment of System Three epoxy and varnish, so should be ready to glass in a week or so.

 It's been beautiful here, and we've had good waves over the last couple weeks. Here's a pic of the homestead and my "shaping shed"... gotta love that Hokkaido greenery...not your typical image of life in Japan.

Internal frame

Things are moving along on board #2. I put down a layer of 4 oz fiberglass and epoxy on the inside of the top deck and placed the frame cross pieces in. I was going to do a spine up the middle, but it doesn't look necessary. Placed a block inside for the center fin, which will also provide support under my back foot. Just finishing up the bottom skin, and will lay it up over the weekend. Still lighter than the first board, but is getting heavier...hopefully, when I shape the rails I'll be able to take some weight off.

Board update etc.

Really busy at the moment, but am taking some time to throw up some progress pics (and few other seasonal snaps). I built up the rails of the board and planed them down into a rough foil. I have some adjustments to make, but it's looking OK so far. I am now putting together the pieces for the internal frame. 

The waves have been great, nice swell and sunny conditions. Caught some fun ones over the last week, and must say it's been a great stress release from a busy work schedule. The pics below are from Kako, my local spot here in Noboribetsu (3 minutes from my door). Didn't take the wood board on the big days, didn't want kill myself or anyone else with it (rode my Chronic instead). Hopefully this one will be light enough to take out in the bigger surf.  

The flowers are out in the yard...it's starting to feel like summer. 

Board #2

I've got board #2 under way. I wanted to try a different building approach than the chambered design I used on the first board. Hopefully I can get the weight down on this one. I drew up a plan for a framed hollow board, but then ran across this link at Swaylocks:
http://www.flamasurf.com/eng/index.html

Here's a pic of the basic Flama approach which I'm going to use for this board.

So, I've already got my wood (Japanese kirizai and western red cedar), and have laid out and glued up the deck. I am now building the rails up, and will gradually add an internal frame. When that's done I'll build the bottom skin and press and glue it all together and shape the rails...at least that's the plan. I'm planning a diamond tail single fin, just under 7'...here some pics of my progress so far.

 The wood: Japanese Kirizai (Paulownia), and western red cedar.

 From the back

 From the nose

Building up the rails (5 cm wide to allow for shaping)

Test run

Here's a couple of pics from the parking lot before my first test run (sorry, no action shots). I had no idea whether or not it would even float...must say I was pretty anxious lugging it down to the water. But, after the paddle out to the line up, I could feel it would probably work, and it did. Stroked into a few nice little ones that first morning, and have since had it out half a dozen times. Overall,  I'm quite happy with how it goes. It rides pretty well considering the weight, although you wouldn't want to get hit by the thing. It picks up speed really well down the line, and rides smaller waves decently even at a smaller length (6'10") than I usually ride. If I can get the weight down 3 or 4 kilos, I think I may never have to buy a board again. Unbelievable feeling making something like this and riding it...

Board Completed

Finished! My first wood surfboard...actually my first surfboard build of any kind.

Just put the FCS plugs in and am putting a few coats of varnish on the area around where the plugs were sanded down. It finished up at 10 kilos, a bit on the heavy side, but I guess we'll have to see how she rides. Overall, pretty satisfied with it, The MR fins really suit the shape. The finish is pretty hit and miss, next time I'll go with satin varnish instead of the gloss. There are some runs and uneven areas in the finish, but after a bit of wax and few rides I'll probably look past those.

It's been a cool experience, learned a lot, already got the wood for the next one.  

Here she is: 6'10" x 22 x 3 1/4 Green Surfboards Hokkaido (第一号)、chambered fulcata