I'm thinking of shaping myself a board and am curious what the other DIY guys think would be the best board to shape first?? I've played around shaping bits of off cuts and will practice glassing some stuff first.
I will end up shaping the following:
- short surf SUP - maybe 8'3" x 29.5" x 4ish
- Big downwind/fun board for paddling on the bay & for friends - around 11'6" x 92" x 4.25"
- Gun for big waves/ant bombie and beacon - around 10'6" x 28" x 4.25"
Also can anyone think of a good name for my boards? edit..
Before you plan your downwinder board I reckon you have to come out on the bay when it's blowing 30+ knotts - you might find you will want four boards.
I shaped my first boards in April. They were 14 ft downwind boards. My advice, would be shape the downwind board first.
The reason being, you don't need perfect shaping and glassing skills to make a fast board. Downwind boards don't have to surf perfect, they just have to point straight and go.
I'm planning to build more race boards in October. Only after building my next race board, will I feel like my shaping and glassing skills will be good enough to go for a 9 ft surfing shape.
When you do a race board, you can hide all your poor glassing skills with filler, spot putty, and then painting the exterior to make it look like a production pop-out.
For the short board, you'll want a perfect clear glassing job.
Thanks NC Surfer. I was sorta thinking along those lines. If it isn't specifically designed for surfing then as long as the fin is at the back it should work pretty well, at least do the job.
I shaped my first boards in April. They were 14 ft downwind boards. My advice, would be shape the downwind board first.
The reason being, you don't need perfect shaping and glassing skills to make a fast board. Downwind boards don't have to surf perfect, they just have to point straight and go.
I'm thinking of shaping myself a board and am curious what the other DIY guys think would be the best board to shape first?? I've played around shaping bits of off cuts and will practice glassing some stuff first.
I will end up shaping the following:
- short surf SUP - maybe 8'3" x 29.5" x 4ish
- Big downwind/fun board for paddling on the bay & for friends - around 11'6" x 92" x 4.25"
- Gun for big waves/ant bombie and beacon - around 10'6" x 28" x 4.25"
Also can anyone think of a good name for my boards? edit..
Yep- i have almost finished it - 8'8 x29x3 3/4 semi fish -450mm tail tucked in nose with high performance rails as casso calls them. And the name i cant tell u , have to wait until i put some photos up in a week or so, For your board what about " SMASHER 8'8" BRAD
OK, looks like the first board is going to be a 10'4" x 30" or there abouts. Just a cruisy board for the bay/flat water but still should surf ok for the beginner to intermediate.
I would have thought the board you shape first would be the board you want to ride next regardless of length. Your shaping skill will improve with experience. Size or length is just canvis, you put on the paint.
