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Bodypo New Blank

Posted: Sat Aug 22, 2015 11:34 pm
by Mmanzi1
Shaping the new larger Bodypo blank, longer and wider at 48' long and 24 ' wide. Template pulled off of one of Rod De Stefano's custom bodyboards, thanks again for the stoke Rob! Outline cut out today, rails and sealing tomorrow. Thanks to Dave Hahn of California Surfcraft for getting me the blank. More photos to come....
Torpedo Bodyboard by Rob De Stefano, Rob's work still lives and stokes....
Torpedo Bodyboard by Rob De Stefano, Rob's work still lives and stokes....
Rough outline cut
Rough outline cut
Torpedo Bodyboard by Rob De Stefano, Rob's work still lives and stokes....
Torpedo Bodyboard by Rob De Stefano, Rob's work still lives and stokes....

Re: Bodypo New Blank

Posted: Sun Aug 23, 2015 3:17 am
by krusher74
Never heard of Torpedo Bodyboard whatstheir history?

Looks like a cool oldskool Ben severson template.

Re: Bodypo New Blank

Posted: Sun Aug 23, 2015 9:30 am
by Mmanzi1
Torpedo was the label of a guy named Rob De Stefano from NJ, he made state of the art custom bodyboards with a completely home built rig he built in the basement of his house. The boards were Arcel cores with graphite stringers, 100% custom. They rode great, I still have 3. Rob went on to shape custom soft kneeboards for a while then sold off his equipment to a knee board mfr. In Hawaii. I believe that he now works making custom electric guitars. If you're out there Rob, give us a shout...

Re: Bodypo New Blank

Posted: Sun Aug 23, 2015 9:33 am
by Mmanzi1
The template you see in the photos is a big guy board Rob shaped for my brother, given the size of the new Bodypo blank I used it as a similar size outline. I can always make the Bodypo smaller at a later time, so I chose to start out larger at first.

Re: Bodypo New Blank

Posted: Sun Aug 23, 2015 2:04 pm
by Mmanzi1
Rails profiled and board sanded, sealing with coat of water based polyurethane
20150823_135055.jpg
20150823_135136.jpg

Re: Bodypo New Blank

Posted: Sun Aug 23, 2015 3:38 pm
by krusher74
So you have just put a single bottom 45 degree chine rail?

Re: Bodypo New Blank

Posted: Sun Aug 23, 2015 10:23 pm
by Mmanzi1
No there's also a smaller top rail bevel, I'd say perhaps 80/20 or 70/30

Re: Bodypo New Blank

Posted: Mon Aug 24, 2015 10:22 am
by rodndtube
There is some more information about Rob DiStefano and his boards on the MyPaipoBoards.org home page. Search for "Hybridz" and check the three different links.
http://mypaipoboards.org/

Re: Bodypo New Blank

Posted: Mon Aug 24, 2015 9:44 pm
by Mmanzi1
I'm very familiar with Rob and his work, I was lucky enough to live close to him in NJ for several years so had free access to pick Rob's brain and watch him at work shaping and building some very fine boards. Who knows, maybe Rob will return to the craft some day. For now his work inspired me to build the Bodypo. I do encourage folks to read about Rob and Hybridz. Proof positive of what is possible.....

Re: Bodypo New Blank

Posted: Wed Sep 23, 2015 4:12 pm
by PhillyViking
How did this work out for you? I looked at californiasurfcraft.com/products/bodypo. I like the idea of something that duck dives easily, has more float than wood and at the same time has flex that might give some mat like feel. Can it do a big bottom turn with acceleration when needed?