Balsa Twin Fin

What works and what doesn't. Share design ideas, references and contacts for paipo board builders.
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Uncle Grumpy
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Balsa Twin Fin

#1

Unread post by Uncle Grumpy »

This project has taken much longer then it should have but after months of trials, tribulations, deaths and disasters, it finally lacks just a coat of paste wax for the hull and surf wax for the deck.
Balsa, Redwood Stringers, Plywood Fins, 6 oz.top and bottom, glassed with epoxy resin.
I'll post the process in a series.

Balsa left over from another project
IMGP3497.JPG
Much easier to glue up in sections than to try and do it all at once.
Notice the stringer glued up using just tape. Epoxy rocks.
IMGP3498.JPG
A little shorter than I prefer but I'm working with what I have.
The blank is less than 45"
IMGP3516.JPG
Last edited by Uncle Grumpy on Tue Aug 21, 2012 11:19 am, edited 1 time in total.
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Uncle Grumpy
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Re: Balsa Twin Fin

#2

Unread post by Uncle Grumpy »

Plan shape.
This board will be a little Greenough, a little Goddard and a bit 'o Simmons.
IMGP3646.JPG
When I'm working on surfboards I shove my work bench over, cover the skylight and lower my shoplights for the groovy shaping room effect.
You can see my Bosch planer hooked up to the shopvac on the bench at left.
IMGP3693.JPG
After a bit of shaping...
When I glued up the blank there were a couple small checks on the end of two of the boards that ended up being big voids that I had to deal with....
IMGP3724.JPG
Last edited by Uncle Grumpy on Mon Aug 20, 2012 10:18 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Uncle Grumpy
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Re: Balsa Twin Fin

#3

Unread post by Uncle Grumpy »

Thick in the back, thin in the front.
Concave Deck+Parallel Rails+Wide Tail = Fast & Fun
IMGP3727.JPG
The dark line on this side of the right stringer is part of the void I had to fill....
IMGP3729.JPG
I didn't get any pictures during the glassing, my camera went haywire and it's so messy anyway..
This shot's after the intial lamination.
IMGP4063.JPG
Paipo surfer in repose,
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Uncle Grumpy
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Re: Balsa Twin Fin

#4

Unread post by Uncle Grumpy »

I never got to take pics of the fin shaping, due to the camera gone wonky but here's a shot of the initial fin glass job.
IMGP4065.JPG
My SWIMPAL has run off with my new camera so I'll finish this tomorrow with shots of the completed board.........
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Re: Balsa Twin Fin

#5

Unread post by GeoffreyLevens »

Looking good! Very interested in getting your ride report since you usually ride alaia type boards yes? so you have a particular perspective and a feeling/response you are used to that is different from most. Maybe kind of funny to say "most" in terms of paipo riders since the entire world crew isn't really that big of a sample (omitting standard bodyboards as they are just that, standard and dime a dozen)
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Uncle Grumpy
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Re: Balsa Twin Fin

#6

Unread post by Uncle Grumpy »

Yeah the alaia' s are my go to boards because they work so well in our typical small waves.
I'll be using this board for the days when it gets too big or grindy for me to ride an alaia, so you might have to wait a while for a ride report.
Finished pics to follow.
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Re: Balsa Twin Fin

#7

Unread post by GeoffreyLevens »

Just for fun sometime though you might get inspired (ya never know) to take it out on a smaller, "more typical" day, just to see.... ;)
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Re: Balsa Twin Fin

#8

Unread post by Uncle Grumpy »

Finished.
Picture 036.jpg
Picture 039.jpg
43.25" X 18.25" X 1.25"
Picture 040.jpg
Last edited by Uncle Grumpy on Tue Aug 21, 2012 11:18 am, edited 1 time in total.
Paipo surfer in repose,
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No grunting he-man pose.
See how fast he goes!
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Uncle Grumpy
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Re: Balsa Twin Fin

#9

Unread post by Uncle Grumpy »

Details.
Brownie Points to all those who can identify the logo.
Picture 042.jpg
Glassed on leash loop.
Picture 043.jpg
Ready to ride.
Picture 044.jpg
Paipo surfer in repose,
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See how fast he goes!
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Uncle Grumpy
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Re: Balsa Twin Fin

#10

Unread post by Uncle Grumpy »

A couple more pictures.
Shot under the lights of SHF
DSCF1047.jpg
DSCF1051.jpg
Last edited by Uncle Grumpy on Fri Aug 24, 2012 11:42 am, edited 1 time in total.
Paipo surfer in repose,
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See how fast he goes!
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Re: Balsa Twin Fin

#11

Unread post by scrapster »

Sweet. The contours on the deck are beautifully done. As for the logo--it's killing me. I've definitely seen it before. Not the Seabees, but I'm thinking Navy? I remember a cigar in its mouth.
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Re: Balsa Twin Fin

#12

Unread post by Uncle Grumpy »

Here's a big hint.
The symbol is near and dear to a couple wrinkled old guys, one named Abe and another named Monty........... :mrgreen:
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Re: Balsa Twin Fin

#13

Unread post by dr robert »

wondering why the dished out deck..?
performance characteristics..aesthetics..?
what's the template inspiration?
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Uncle Grumpy
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Re: Balsa Twin Fin

#14

Unread post by Uncle Grumpy »

dr robert wrote:wondering why the dished out deck..?
performance characteristics..aesthetics..?
Lowered center of gravity, comfort, less bouyancy for easier duck diving.....
dr robert wrote:what's the template inspiration?
Did you miss the second post in the thread?

a little Greenough, a little Goddard and a bit 'o Simmons
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Re: Balsa Twin Fin

#15

Unread post by ClanB »

Nice Nice. :o Im impressed.
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Uncle Grumpy
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Re: Balsa Twin Fin

#16

Unread post by Uncle Grumpy »

Thanks.
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Re: Balsa Twin Fin

#17

Unread post by dr robert »

hey U.Grumpy,
nice work!
I did see your description on the template..but thought there might be a bit more to it than just generally referencing inspiration from 3 different shaper/designers.
Surf on.
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Re: Balsa Twin Fin

#18

Unread post by Uncle Grumpy »

Again, thanks,
FWIW, this is the first surfboard I've ever made with fins and glass.
I was looking to get the most out of the materials I had on hand.
If you've seen the Goddard Design Sheets http://mypaipoboards.org/interviews/Lar ... humb.shtml
It seems there is just about every iteration of modern style prone boards imaginable.
I took what I thought would work for me and went with it.
Surfboards are much like boats, if it looks good it will probably work; but they are all a compromise. :ugeek:
Paipo surfer in repose,
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No grunting he-man pose.
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Re: Balsa Twin Fin

#19

Unread post by dr robert »

U. Grumpy,
excellent!
how great is it to have the Goddard stuff..many thanks to Bob and Rod for getting this all information together.
everybody benefits.
I'm sure your board is a screamer!
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Uncle Grumpy
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Re: Balsa Twin Fin

#20

Unread post by Uncle Grumpy »

I finished the board at the end of the last swell and have been patiently waiting for some proper waves for the debut.
1-2' onshore junk is not appropriate. I want the first session to be memorable
My good friends at Magic Seaweed are telling me this next week ought to be productive. :mrgreen:
Paipo surfer in repose,
Nose on the nose,
No grunting he-man pose.
See how fast he goes!
What is it he knows?
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