I finally got done building my first board, 160x48 Door. Hopefully the wind today will work out so I can finally try it, lol. From a distance it looks all right I think but up close the abundant flaws and imperfections are obvious. I tried to put just a little rocker in it, 2 cm, but clamped it down too much to close to the middle so its a little more like a snowboard with a the rocker mostly out at the tips. Hopefully it turns out to be a worthwhile effort overall.

Sweet!!

Been thinking about doing this myself... Plans?

I like the color. You won't loose that one. I don't know why Spleen uses such dark colors.

That was the idea, easy to see in any conditions from far away. It's all just epoxy pigments.

The plans are.... looked a couple different doors and what some other guys had built and drew it out by hand as best I could. I pick the best quarter of the board and traced it then kept shaping and flipping it until all 4 quarters matched. I used Okume marine plywood. I think next one will be cedar strips cause this one turned our pretty heavy.

Here are a couple pics almost before I glassed it. I took some 80 grit sand paper and removed a bunch of material from the top and middle layers near the ends. I perf'ed the board too which I dont think I will do again either, at least not with a wood core.

Did you have to vacuum bag it or do you only do that with glassing?

An old (but not well known trick) is to print an illustration or design on Japanese paper (aka "Rice Paper" or any other thin paper or tissue) using a bubble jet printer.

Put this on the wet epoxy before you lay the fiberglass and the paper will become transparent, but the design will show through the epoxy.

If you're tinting the epoxy with opaque pigments, it's a moot point, but many epoxy pigments will become translucent by adding lesser amounts to the layup.

Here's a page that illustrates what can be done: http://www.grafsnowboards.com/index.php?url=graphics

My other hobby is RC Sailplanes and I've bagged a lot of composite wings over the years.

Another good trick is to use a pre-painted mylar sheet in the vacuum bag layup. The paint will transfer to the part and will become absorbed to the epoxy. The paint won't chip off then.

Thanks for the post. You've inspired me.

-joedy

nice AC, you may want to round off the corners if your edges catch but other than that it looks great......................

Wow - that's beautiful, great work!

Now you've got more gear to bring to SOBB!

Looking forward to flying with you again

Chris

I only clamped it to the table when I was laminating the three layers of 1/8 plywood together. I vacuum bagged it when I glassed it. I did the top and bottom seperately and wrapped the glass over the rail instead of making an epoxy rail. Though wrapping the glass is a little cheaper i learned why people like the epoxy rails. The tint I used is definitely translucent enough to use rice paper with which I might do next time, though probably only to put "reward if returned to.." information on, lol. I like the more plain look like this as opposed to the crazy detailed graphics some boards come with.

I was questioning myself about those corners the whole time Tri, I hope they don't catch, where is some wind so I can find out, lol.

Nicely done

what was the final weight?

I dont know the exact weight, I spent all my spare money on building the board and the vacuum system. Gonna go get a scale soon cause I am curious to its exact weight as well but it feels to be around 6 or 7 lbs.

I built one too and tried to ride it yesterday. I went really cheap and used a foam core with cheap plywood on the outside. I used cheap sandles for the bindings and that is what failed me. I road about 5 feet before I hit a barely submerged rock and I came off the board. Yours looks way better and mine is really heavy. Hopefully it works for you. I went back to my crazyfly and was able to ride for short tacks with downloops down to about 4-6mph. No windmeter for that number just when I was done I could barely feel the breeze. If I ever head up to Sprague to ride I will get in touch.

Defintiely Stetson, Just gotta do it soon before that lake gets low and dirty, lol. Do you go to Roosevelt a lot?

I searched around online and found those Liquid Force Comp pads and straps for $90

I went to Roosevelt once and it was great. It was the first good session on water that I have had. I went to the Wallula gap and had a good session too. The gap is a little closer for me but still about 40 minutes. I am thinking about riding on Monday or Tuesday which are next good days by the forecast. Good I suppose is relative but a forecast of 10mph for me means I can usually ride something.

nice job .

I wish I had a 17 or 19 and a usable launch so I could ride in that low wind.

Quote:

Originally posted by acartier1981 I wish I had a 17 or 19 and a usable launch so I could ride in that low wind.

Right now the forecast for the Gap is 5mph but the windspeed is 12mph. The sensor there is pretty nice it records lulls and gusts too which are 11-12. Pretty smooth wind there sometimes. I bet you wouldn't find the bottom end of you 13m Psycho with your door in that wind.

The low end for my with my 13m is probably around 15mph, that's a maybe if everything else was perfect. Doesn't help weighing 210 lbs, lol.

Try being in at almost 300 but 15 and up I was out on an 11m t3 for my first ever lessons and was fine but defnot powered up at the end of the less was around 20 and I was starting to feel the power check out the wake I am throwing in my avatar

What kind of board were you riding? Hopefully I can get the cash together for another lesson before summer is out.

Quote:

Originally posted by acartier1981 The low end for my with my 13m is probably around 15mph, that's a maybe if everything else was perfect. Doesn't help weighing 210 lbs, lol.

I am kinda suprised. My 11m is very well powered in 15mph and I weigh 210. I am sure lessons would help me too but I do ok as long as the conditions are good. I just need to find days with good conditions when I am not working. I tried yesterday and today with my 19m but the wind died to nothing both times. I am too careful to go out in the river alone so I miss a lot of good days. I just keep trying. Let me know if you are headed down this way.

You working tomorrow Stestson? Winds look pretty good down that way tomorrow

Quote:

Originally posted by acartier1981 You working tomorrow Stestson? Winds look pretty good down that way tomorrow

The wind looks good because I am working. Come down and enjoy it though. Where are you thinking about going? I am not the only rider down here. Maybe someone would like to meet up.

It was a spleen door 154 I think

only place I know that way of Roosevelt but am always up for new places. Who else is out there?

LeoJim but he is waiting till lessons. Pascopastor (Steve) kites at Scootney reservoir, west of Connell on the way down. There are some others, one of which might be able to go to Roosevelt tomorrow. I can ask if you want.

As for locations the closest is probably the Wallula Gap but it isn't better than Roosevelt which is only about 40 minutes farther. I might be able to go to Roosevelt on Friday. I like going but not by myself.

Man I wish I could but I dont know if friday will work for me. Stupid bills to pay and lack of job.....

Correction 159

Those are nice boards, any idea what year it was?