I'm looking for some advice on shaping my first board...I'm 6'1 about 180 lbs, been surfing for 8 years (currently 24 y/o), not a great surfer but I have plenty of fun. I live south of Boston and north of Cape Cod so I rely on E and ESE ground swell or NE wind swell for most of my wave action. I ride a 5'8 Hobie fish with a quad setup on nice days and a 9' Ricky Carroll Localmotion on the knee to waist days. I want to build my own board to occupy some free time, challenge myself, and engage my creative side. I don't expect building my own board to be cheaper nor do I expect to create a work of art. I know it would be easier to go my local shaper and I don't care. That being said, I want a board I can ride on small/choppy/mushy days as an alternative to the longboard. (She's in rough shape so I want to prepare for the day when she snaps in two.) I'm thinking of going for a fun shape around 8' long, fairly wide, with parallel rounded rails, wide (possibly fish) tail...basically a wave catching machine. Any design advice out there? Most of my inspiration is coming from Surfer Steve's website (http://surfersteve.com/smwavedesign.htm). Secondly, does anyone (preferably someone local) have advice on where to get some foam on the cheap? I am leaning towards working with block foam so I can have complete control over the rocker design (minimal in back, decent rocker in front). I am also open to working with a blank but it kind of seems like cheating based on my reasons for building a board (plus they're kinda pricey when you factor in shipping). Third, what about glassing? Most people are telling me to just get a shaper to do it. Is it really that difficult? Again, this seems like cheating. Any advice on designing or building a board is welcome! Thanks!
i disagree with some of your preconceptions First , building your first board should be MUCH cheaper than buying a new board, and most used ones. There is no way you should spend much more than $200 - $250 for your blank, resin, cloth, fin boxes and fins. Ask a local shaper or shop where to get blanks and resin I recommend against buying block foam and making a rocker jig or cutting in all of your rocker first time out. Buying a proper blank will give you plenty of control over rocker. Also, buying a blank isn't going to shortchange your shaping experience...plenty of shaping still has to happen. Even with a relatively close tolerance blank. Definately glass it yourself. Did someone really tell you to shape your board and then get a shaper to glass it? That's nuts. You'll spend at least $200 for that and learn half as much in the process. Its really all about learning, making mistakes, assessing what went wrong, and making corrections. Don't cheat yourself out of that.
spot on. if you going to spend the time to shape and do all this work to make something magical than why not glass it as well?
The only issue with glassing is the fumes and the explosion factor so be careful but yes do it all your self. And also like said above buy a blank.
my advice: DO NOT COPY ANYTHING. don't try and re-invent the wheel. Don't copy railband dimensions or download someone else's outline, don't think about how it will look to a bystander. Only think about function. Build the board that will accelerate your surfing. Don't waste your time doing any artwork on the board.... you'll want to start your next one soon after. It's a very addicting process, and you will never be satisfied. No feeling in the world compares to surfing on the board you made. You picked the wave, you built the board, etc. Its all you. Go for it dude.
Agree with what others have said above. Definitely glass it yourself. It's easier than you think. I recommend the UV cure stuff. It works great kicks super fast. As said above you can get it all from Brian at Greenlight. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BTpq5tsMkMo&feature=related Check out this guys video on glassing. I shaped/glassed 4 boards this summer and I hadn't glassed a board since last summer so I was sure I had forgotten something... I watched these vids and this guy doesn't leave out anything. the videos are totally comprehensive and the guy is so chill.. you can tell he's been doing it a long time. Also if you haven't yet, get on Swaylocks.com and ask some questions. There are some legendary shapers on there who are more than willing to help out! Have fun!
