Small Wave Surfboard
I want to build a surfersteve small wave board.
Craig: weight 175# height 5’8” board 7’8”
(175.0 / 25.0) * 0.5 = 3.5 cu. ft. (99 liters)
Possible blanks
US Blanks 8’2”AX
usblanks.com/catalog US Blanks 8’2”AX
- bottom length 8' 2 1/2
- max width 25"
- max. thickness 4" 7/16
- displacement 3.99 cuft. 113L
Fins
surfer steve comments
On the newer models, for surfers under 160 lbs., the twin fins are modified parallelograms raked at 20 degrees, 3” wide, 6” long (as seen in the green tracing below) - these can be cut from 7” molded cut away fins installed in Fins Unlimited Boxes cut to 5&1/2” long and installed 1&1/8” (or closer) from the rail edge. The boxes are installed with the base higher on the tail end, in order to tilt the fin more towards 20 degrees (more upright, less rake). If over 160 lbs., use 7” molder cutaway fins full size, but do install boxes 1&1/8” from the rail edge, with the base higher on the tail end.
fin box
shapersupply.com Fins Unlimited / Bahne parts
Fins Unlimited
surfsource.net Fins Unlimited - Fin Box Installation Tools
Pro Box
FCS II
9,5,3,0 degrees
youtube FCS FINS - The FCS II Fin System Revealed
youtube FCS FINS - Surfing Australia Presents: FCS-II & FCS Origin
youtube FCS FINS - FCS II Install Video
foamez.com store FCSII Installation Kit (Jig & Fusion Bit)
foamez.com store FCSII Dummy Jig (3) - dummy fins for install
standard fins
youtube surfsource - Standard Fins Installation - by Surf Source
surfersteve wisdom
POLYSTYRENE
I like extruded polystyrene but, it may not be worth the extra effort. Expanded polystyrene is easier to find, can be bought in nearly any thickness and length (blocks), is better suited to a stringerless blank, and is sold in partially pre-shaped blanks. Remember, you can buy polystyrene block (EPS or XPS) in one solid sheet, at the minimum thickness of your board, bend it after shaping, and save about 75% of the cost, of a pre-shaped blank (this is the cheapest and hardest way to make your own blank).
…
To make a board that is almost impossible to dent or delaminate, consider the following: Puncture or drill the blank every 2” (bottom to top) with 1/8” drill bit or 1/8” steel rods. Make a puncture tool by first drilling 1/8” holes in a 6”x 6”x 5/8” piece of wood. Insert 1/8”x 3 - 4” steel rods (9 rods) into holes in wood, and epoxy in place. The holes in the foam will fill with resin when laminating, bridging the top and bottom together (do this only with uscomposites Klear Kote Epoxy, as it is much thicker than most other resins).. On the first lamination, wipe the resin, which will drip out the opposite side of the holes, when it gels. Also; 3/16” holes can be filled with 3/16” bamboo barbeque skewers, available at most grocery stores - this method will work with any resin (see TIPS chapter, DELAMINATIONS section). This has been tested since 2005. Please do not do this in order to reduce cloth amounts.
…
Some people are using 2 lb./cu. ft. polyurethane block foam to build surfboards. My friends and I have tried it numerous times. We are sure you will like 2lb/cu.ft. polystyrene block foam better. It is stronger and less expensive. 2lb extruded polystyrene is 25psi.
…
One more alternative is to use 2lb./cubic foot (25psi - pounds per square inch) extruded polystyrene foam (XPS) - Dow Square Edge, or “blue board”.
…
I like extruded polystyrene but, it may not be worth the extra effort. Expanded polystyrene is easier to find, can be bought in nearly any thickness and length (blocks), is better suited to a stringerless blank, and is sold in partially pre-shaped blanks. Remember, you can buy polystyrene block (EPS or XPS) in one solid sheet, at the minimum thickness of your board, bend it after shaping, and save about 75% of the cost, of a pre-shaped blank (this is the cheapest and hardest way to make your own blank).
…
Some people are using 2 lb./cu. ft. polyurethane block foam to build surfboards. My friends and I have tried it numerous times. We are sure you will like 2lb/cu.ft. polystyrene block foam better. It is stronger and less expensive. 2lb extruded polystyrene is 25psi. This foam is also available in 40, 60, 80, and 100psi. Although the tendency to use lighter foams and thicker laminates is now more prevalent, I believe there is good reason to experiment with the higher psi foam. The 60psi foam is only 3lb/cu.ft (this is about twice as strong as standard polyurethane surfboard foam of the same weight). Those who have tried the 40 and 60psi foam claim this will allow a builder to reduce the cloth approximately by half and have a stronger, and/or lighter stringerless board. This is unlikely to save money - the extra cost of the foam is more than the savings in cloth. and, you will not be able to bend 40 or 60 psi foam. Please use the 2lb. type for your first block foam board.
What is Dow square edge?
building.dow.com/en-us/products STYROFOAM™ Brand Square Edge Insulation
Minimum compressive strength of 25 psi
available in 2x8 and 4x8 thickness: .75,1.0,1.5,2.0,2.5,3.0
misconceptions
surfersteve.com/misconceptions
Recommendation: Ignore the flexibility debate and make a relatively stiff, durable surfboard (minimum 1-6oz. “E”.top and bot.w/ 6oz. deck patch)
Concentrate on finding the length, width, and thickness which is best suited to your weight and waves, then fine tune the rocker and fin set up. After that, experiment with every new idea you fancy.
Although sharp, downturned rails are much better for ripping and carving, for the type of surfing the small wave design was made for, a round rail is preferable.
MONEY QUOTE:
A surfer used to a 9' longboard could transition to an 8'6" x 25.5"
x 3.25" small wave design for a 170 lb. rider.
There is no one optimum board. The optimum design will be different for each person and each type of wave. Allow a suggestion however; a generally wider, thicker shape. Although the small wave design is not optimum for fast, powerful surf, the average surfer may derive some benefit from a modification of the design. With an open mind, the average surfer will find a compromise of the measurements from the SMALL WAVE DESIGN chapter useful. A surfer used to a 9’ longboard could transition to an 8’6” x 25.5” x 3.25” small wave design for a 170 lb. rider. If this is too extreme to accept, consider using the measurements from a favorite longboard shape, changing the length to 8’ 6” and the thickness to 3.25” for a 160 lb. rider). For each 15 lbs. of body weight change, add or subtract 1/4” in total board thickness (through most of the entire board - not just the middle). A thruster could be designed 1/4” thicker and/or 1&1/2” wider. Note: the small wave design measurements (same length and thickness) support a heavier surfer (use 20 lbs. per 1/4” change) because the board (especially the tail) is much wider. Please refer to the DESIGN chapter for more information on how to adjust measurements.
Tips
Do keep it simple on your first board by doing the following:
- Use mostly hand tools.
- Make the rails round and the bottom and top flat - side to side.
- No wood stringer (if possible).
- No artwork.
- No gloss coat.
Do build to last. Do use more cloth than what is on standard production boards. As oil prices, and surfboard prices, continue to rise, so will the desire for a more durable surfboard. Consider 6oz. “E” top and bottom with a 6oz. deck patch as minimum. 4oz. “S” top and bottom with a 4 oz deck patch is an equal minimum.
Do get your hands on the materials (foam, cloth, and resin) as soon as possible, and practice. Surfboard building can not be learned by only reading and listening. Many of the details that are hard to understand will become clear only when you practice. For instance; there is no way to explain how to shape a rail or wrap cloth around a rail – you must get the feel of it. Practice.
Do consider buying a premade board, especially if you want a popular shape. The best reasons to make your own board are: saving money, making a non conventional shape, or enjoyment of the process. It is questionable to buy a popular shape from a custom board building shop. Custom shops are best used for custom designs. The popular models by Surftech, Southpoint, and Bic are usually more durable, and often cheaper than custom shop boards.
- Surftech
- Southpoint
- Bic
Sm Wave Design
A 7’ x 25” x 3” design with the measurements below will float a 120 lb. surfer with the entire top of the board out of the water.
- 14" tail tips
- 20 &3/4" tail - 1' from the end
- 20" nose - 1' from the end
A 8’ x 25.5” x 3.5” design with the measurements below will float a 170 lb. surfer with the entire top the board out of the water.
- 14"tail tips
- 20&3/4" tail - 1' from the end
- 20" nose - 1' from the end
A 8’ x 26” x 4” design design with the measurements below will float a 220 lb. surfer with the entire top of the board out of the water.
- 16" tail tips
- 21&1/2" tail - 1' from the end
- 21&1/2" nose - 1' from the end
Pick a size
7’6 x 27” x 4”
Bic super magnum
length 9’4 width 25”1/2 thickness 3”3/4 volume 118L (4.2 cu. ft.)
Badfish MVP-S
boardworkssurf.com Badfish MVP-S
7’6” x 35” x 5 3/8” 203
$1300
The MVP-S is a combination of the 9’0″ MVP and the 6’11” River Surfer creating a river surfing SUP for larger and/or entry level paddlers, and has river running characteristics that work great for smaller paddlers. The MVP-S takes some of the best features from the larger 9’0″ and puts them in a surfy platform. This board features a LiftSUP carrying handle & EVA deck pad with kick tail & arch-bar.
Bic 8’2” C-TEC Wave Pro x 29”
$1700 - 8’2” C-TEC Wave Pro x 29”
bicsport.com/sup/boards 8’2” C-TEC Wave Pro
Riot Retro
Retro 7’8″ x 30″ x 4.4″ – 113ltr - msrp $1233
Also tips on catching waves and wetsuits
Foam options
Tuf Riverboards
foam-mn.com or Plasti-Fab
info@foam-mn.com
Welcome to Plasti-Fab EPS Product Solutions in MN Your number one Manufacturer & Provider of Expanded Polystyrene (EPS) Foam Products
PFB Corporation acquired PolyFoam Inc. on December 15, 2015 and is now operating as Plasti-Fab® EPS Product Solutions.
Plasti-Fab EPS Product Solutions is a leading supplier of Expanded Polystyrene (EPS) products. Plasti-Fab EPS Product Solutions provides products from its Lester Prairie, MN location for insulation applications, roofing, geofoam, protective packaging, original equipment manufacturers (OEM), and flotation. For more information on our wide variety or products see also plastifab.com
EPS Foam is available in many sizes, shapes, densities and blocks. Whether you need a large block or a small straight cut piece of EPS, we can do it. Here at Poly Foam Inc we off so many different forms of EPS, we can’t even list them all. We can cut, mold and/or laminate EPS into an infinite number of sizes & shapes. When you need corners, curves, slopes or 3-dimensional at different densities, count on us.
email for info
Fri Sep 23 07:38:22 MDT 2016
To: info@foam-mn.com
Subject: Looking for single straight cut EPS block
> http://www.foam-mn.com/Pages/default.aspx
> Whether you need a large block or a small straight cut piece of EPS, we
> can do it.
I'm looking for a source for a single straight cut EPS block to fabricate a surfboard.
requirements are:
* Block density of 2lb./cubic foot (25psi - pounds per square inch)
* Block thickness of the desired board maximum thickness.
25psi is recommended to allow using weights to bend/rocker the nose and tail.
For example a straight cut block (blank) dimensioned 7'6 x 27" x 4".
The length and width could be cut by me, but I'm assuming you can easily cut all 3 dimensions at your facility.
Can you supply this?
What would be the price of the block and shipping?
I live in Pueblo, CO and would be happy to pick up the block at a nearby shipping office, perhaps in Pueblo, Colorado Springs or Denver.
Thank you,
Craig Anderson
wecutfoam.com
Fri Sep 23 08:52:29 MDT 2016
To: sales@wecutfoam.com
Subject: Looking for single straight cut EPS block
I'm looking for a source for a single straight cut EPS block to fabricate a surfboard.
requirements are:
* Block density of 2lb./cubic foot (25psi - pounds per square inch)
* Block thickness of the desired board maximum thickness.
25psi is recommended to allow using weights to bend/rocker the nose and tail.
For example a straight cut block (blank) dimensioned 7'6 x 27" x 4".
The length and width could be cut by me, but I'm assuming you can easily cut all 3 dimensions at your facility.
Can you supply this?
What would be the price of the block and shipping?
I live in Pueblo, CO and would be happy to pick up the block at a nearby shipping office, perhaps in Pueblo, Colorado Springs or Denver.
Thank you,
Craig Anderson
starrfoam.com
univfoam.com
minimum order $250
7’6 x 27” x 4” - 8 for $280 - $35/sheet
Owens Corning Foamular 250
(xps) Extruded polystyrene closed-cell foam 25psi
foamular.com/foam/products Owens Corning FOAMULAR® 250 extruded polystyrene insulation
From the foamular 250 Product Data Sheet at
Quote ============================================
Energy-Saving, Moisture Resistant XPS Insulation
ASTM C578 Type IV, 25 psi minimum
Description
Owens Corning ™ FOAMULAR
250 Extruded Polystyrene (XPS) Rigid Foam Insulation is a closed cell,
moisture-resistant rigid foam board well suited to meet the needs for
a wide variety of building applications.
Quote ============================================
Dow STYROFOAM Brand Square Edge Insulation
(xps) Extruded polystyrene closed-cell foam 25psi
XPS cross section shaping
swaylocks.com/forums stoneburner Dow High Load Styrofoam
painting XPS blue
swaylocks.com/forums gazro New XPS blue foam project and painting?
Foamular 250 build
swaylocks.com/forums LexLuthier First Build Proceedure/Double Check
Bluegrass Board Building Foam Types
This is worthwhile.
Bluegrass Board Building blog Polystyrene Foam Types and Specifications: XPS & EPS
bgboard.blogspot.com
antenocitisworkshop.com on foam
antenocitisworkshop.com Blue Foam, Pink Foam, Foamboard and Styrofoam.
I Need Glue Advise
swaylocks.com/groups Ok, So I’m Not A Total Idiot. Dow Info.
I took Harvard’s suggestion and called Dow direct. They said adhesives that are latex based would work. I was given a small list of recommended adhesive for their extruded polystyrene. Here it is: 1) PL 300 2) Dap Beats The Nail Enviro Line - Made by DAP 3) Sonnoborn 200 4) QB 300 I was told that most of these are available at home depot. Hopefully none of them would cause problems when laminating with epoxy resin. I’m not starting my project for several weeks, but I will post my results if anyone is interested.
xps insulation question
swaylocks.com/groups scoresby Extruded Polystyrene: High-load 60 type
XPS Glue
swaylocks.com/groups Hotcoat XPS Glue
Lets see pictures
swaylocks.com mako224 Lets see pictures of your boards built using Home Depot Foam Blanks.
breathable vent
Envision Breathable Vents
shop.fiberglasssupply.com Sailboard, Surfboard, and Paddleboard Vents
shop.fiberglasssupply.com Envision Breathable Vents
youtube Kendogwilson - Envision Surfboards Membrane Vent Insert.mov
Casica Gore Vent Plug
foamez.com product Casica Gore Tex Glass-In Vent Plug (Self-Venting)
The Casica design has the Gore Tex membrane bonded around the circumference using a very specialized process. This vent is SELF-VENTING, which means it “breathes” constantly alleviating the need to open and close it. Or in worse case, forgetting to close it! The vent will flow 40 ml/minute max, and SUP’s over 10’ or hollow boards should use two (mid-board & near tail). Originally, Gore designed this vent for sealed military electronics, so it meets very stringent spec’s for a saltwater environment. This vent isn’t an immunity to heat problem with EPS, and customers should understand that boards still cannot be left in the sun; especially upside down on roof racks.