MyPaipoBoards Forums

It's paulownia from a local tree. Around here they call it "princess tree". I picked the plank up last year and never did anything with it. I thought about making an alaia out of it but I prefer prone riding.

There are two possible boards here. One would be around 44x15x1/2, the other 36 (maybe 42+) and 15x1. This board has a bit more room in the aft to work with and it's thicker there.

I've never worked with paulownia before, but if I had your slab, I'd start at the thick end and cut it at 42" - 44" . I'd take advantage of the gradual thinning of the wood, and use the thin end for either the nose or tail. The remaining 1/2" - 5/8" piece could be used for a short paipo/kick board or a bunch of handboards (planes).

15 to 16 wide ok?

I've never worked with it either. It's very light, that board is around 8'x16" and I can hold it up with one hand, no straining.

I am thinking of cutting a small chunk off and sanding it to see how it looks. The person I got it from uses it in inlays on furniture.

I'd say 15-16" wide is fine, unless you're an xl + size person or like to ride with both elbows down on the deck at all times. Some of my ply boards are in that width range.

I know there are several varieties of paulownia. I've read the wood from the ornamental type tree is more suited to making small or decorative objects. If I had a good size piece, I'd definitely try to make a board or 2 from it regardless of tree type. Even if a full size board doesn't hold up, you can still turn it into some handboards.

5'11 and under 200#.

When I first rode a paipo I had both elbows down, which didn't feel right. I then rode how I rode bodyboards, which was one arm down and the other up so the hand is on the rail to control it.

I'm going to make some designs on cardboard sheet then lay them onto the board so I can get a feel of what will work.

Personally, I'd like something a bit wider -18-19". There is always the option of buying an extra piece of wood gluing it to one of the other pieces and not having to worry about squeezing two boards out.

Bob

How about a redwood stringer that's 4" or so wide? That will give me some width. Just glue the hell out of it.

PR,

Why not. I'm sure Mr.Mike has lots of examples of boards like this: http://mypaipoboards.org/interviews/MrM ... 1026.shtml

Bob

FWIW,
After riding it for a few years now, my all time favorite small wave board is still my "Finley" style paulownia alaia.
Having been to NC, I suspect a board similar to this would be an excellent and much enjoyed addition to your quiver.

5'5" X 15" X <¾"
Glide Baby, Glide.

I like mine sortof narrow no more then 16" wide but more like 14" for me narrow boards hold the wave face better and get them in to smaller tubes with out the lip hitting the outside edge of the board

Make one board without any stringers or glue joints. Make the other board with redwood 1/2's glued on each rail. Then compare the flex.