MyPaipoBoards Forums

Anyone still hand-shaping prone-boards using polyurethane (PU) foam? In my effort to convert from EPS to PU core, I came across this new offering from Millennial Foam (millennialfoam.com). It's a blank designed for use in shaping wake surfboards, and it has the width and thickness needed for prone-b...

David, let me try to clarify...most surfboard CNC machinist are experienced with machining molded surfboard blanks. Occasionally, they will machine a "slab cut" of eps, which is a rectangular shaped blank, with a rocker already cut (imagine a block of eps 4'Hx4'Wx8'-12'L. A hot wire is use...

The first board in this series was 2 1/2 - 2 11/16 - 1 3/4; the board previous to this one was 1 3/4 - 1 3/4 - 1, so changes recently are more subtle and in the distribution. I would estimate that this board is under 22L, and as such it would be way too thin for me. But, it would yield really thin ...

Yes, less volume in the front third of the shape is easier to duck-dive. Less "area" is also easier to submerge, e.g. narrow pointy nose vs. wide blunt nose

Finless?

One other point, I consider rider mass and intended use in determining target volume. So, a larger rider in smaller waves would get more volume than a smaller rider in smaller waves. And nose thickness would vary accordingly; thicker nose for larger rider and vice versa.

This is my latest G5 profile. With no deck concave, and only 3/16" bottom concave, it is an accurate representation of the thickness flow from nose to tail (foil). Keep in mind that this is how the blank will come off the CNC machine and that the extreme ends will be thinned out 1/4" or so...

Bob...I prefer a relatively thin nose and a thin tail, with max thickness at or just above center. thin nose for lighter swingweight and easier duck diving; thin tail to sink into wave face when taking off and making turns. Keith...If it was 10% lighter (less mass) it would be by definition 10% more...

from my understanding of physics two items of 23L will have the same buoyancy, the only differing factor will be weight. So is the PU board going to have that much more weight to make it need 2L more volume to float the same? Actually, weight or "mass" is a critical factor in determining ...

Length based totally on intended rider height. I’m 5-10 and ride a 49”.

Its been almost a year since my last G5 post, so I thought I would provide an update. First off, I continue to enjoy riding the G5, and always leave the water with a smile. I've pretty much settled on the old FCS "H2" Quad fin set as the best choice for all-around California waves. Since t...

Perfect timing, since he wanted to attract a buyer. Nothing like a shop full of blanks in the racks to perpetuate the myth of a booming cottage industry. The harsh reality is a far different story.

Pez --thanks for the tip. I'll keep it in mind

Thumper--I may be forced to do the same. Haven't glassed a board since 1967...ironically, that was a broken LB re-shaped into, you guessed it, a belly board!

Amen...

All of the big players like FCD, Roberts and CI do their own epoxy lams, but not anyone elses. Several months ago, there was a young shaper in the shop from Nor Cal setting up 3 eps LBs for lamination. He told me Lucke's shop was the only shop north of LA doing epoxy lams for the general public. Tha...

Just eps-core boards, of which belly boards make up the majority, followed by my kneeboards. EPS is also a personal preference; 4 of the 6 boards in my quiver are eps...2 prone boards, a kneeboard and a longboard.

I got the disappointing news today that my glasser for the last 10 years, has sold his business, and that the new owner will not be offering lamaniantion services. While there are are plenty of polyester resin laminatinators in my neck of the woods, there are no other epoxy resin laminators. Epoxy l...

Been a while Keith...Probably the most obvious example is holding a high line on a steep face. A finless board can get there, but has difficulty staying there. A properly finned board can get there and stay there. Personal experience and reports from customers support this. I frequently get reports ...

"Regarding the utility of fins..." just depends on where you want to surf on the wave. Finless boards take different lines than finned boards, but either line can be "fun".

The bottom of your board is very similar to how I shape the T-Bellys. What you refer to as "wings" are essentially the sides of what I call "exit concaves". That curved surface presents quite a challenge for mounting fins. The problem is, if the fin-box (or plug) is installed flu...