Thinking of big waves? It is hard not to imagine large barrels when you get a glimpse of this in-progress 7’6″ racer.
Digging back into this build after a significant delay (caused by priority projects), it seemed a good idea to discuss some particulars that make construction extremely sturdy.
The spark that ignited this plan is a screw that, optionally, reinforces the glue bond of the nose and tail to the rail strips.
The glue bond of wood-to-wood is very strong. But the curve of the rail strips is particularly aggressive at the end points. If the end of the strip were to pop off, it could set in motion a chain of separations at the ribs.
Drilling and inserting a small screw after the glue has cured will ensure those connections remain in tact.
Sometimes you will find the screw angle is such that its head is left protruding beyond the frame, either past the end or jetting outside the perimeter. The extension can be ground to proper fit (flush with the strip) with a belt sander or hand file. As long as a piece of the head remains, the integrity of the screw is safe. Its holding power will survive.
So, this 7’6″ is back on a path to completion. The latest build task—after adding screws—was placement of polystyrene blocks inside of the rail strips. This will trap foam peanuts that will fill the voids in the frame. Of course, that is done to keep the board from being hollow.
That accomplishes two things: 1) when surfing, the board will make no drum-beating sounds as water laps against its skin. Hollow boards play thumping tunes; 2) a sealed hollow board will bloat and could break the frame’s glue joints when air in the voids gets heated by the sun. The hot air expands and puts dangerous pressure on the shell.
Filling the voids with polystyrene peanuts is a lightweight solution to the problems hollow boards harbor.
The foam blocks got stuck to the wood with Well Bond, a multi-surface white liquid glue.
Do-It-Yourself builders soon will be able to acquire a pdf version of the template created for this project. It will be downloadable through the Seawood Longboards website for printing at almost any local copy shop; then a replica of this “gun” can be assembled by following instructions detailed in the book, How To Build The World’s Most Incredible Wooden Surfboard. The 170-page, fully illustrated guide is available in print and digital (Kindle eBook) formats.
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See also:
Build A Beautiful Wooden Stand-Up Paddleboard (and a really cool paddle, too), a 216-page book of detailed instructions, and download a template with three fin designs included. The template is a direct companion to the illustrated guide.
