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Kitesurfing waveboard - polyurethane blank & polyester resin

Posted: Tue Mar 16, 2010 12:45 am
by dr.
Hi,

I am hoping to start a design & build project for a kitesurfing waveboard over the next few weeks.

At the moment , i am looking at using a polyurethane surfboard blank with polyester resin, these materials are freely available to me.

My first question is to those who have already used this construction, how much fibreglass top and bottom would be sensible to handle the loadings from the kite? :?:

The template i am using is based on the Naish Retro Fish from 07/08 - 5'5" x 20" x 2.3/8 "
I have never actually seen the board in the flesh so second question, what would the best rocker be to use in a design like this? :?:

I am already using the swaylocks website to help me but i just need a kiteboard builders perspective on things to get started. I'll also be meeting a pro shaper over the next few weeks to get my materials but from our conversations i get the feeling that his experience is confined only to surfing. I would like my designs finalised when i meet him.

Appreciate all help, :thumb:

Re: Kitesurfing waveboard - polyurethane blank & polyester resin

Posted: Tue Mar 16, 2010 11:46 pm
by dr.
After a little research on other forums the glass up job i am propsing to use is:

Top: 1 layer of 6oz + 4oz cloth
Bottom: 1 layer of 6oz cloth only

Any builders have thought on this? :?:

Once the board is glassed i am thinking i will router out any area around my feet for a carbon fibre patch which i will glass over. I am also thinking of using 100mm wide carbon fibre tape on the rails.

I still need a suitable rocker for a kitesurfing retro fish. Anyone? :?:

Re: Kitesurfing waveboard - polyurethane blank & polyester resin

Posted: Wed Mar 17, 2010 12:37 am
by gargan
i tried making a surfboard a few years ago, might give it ago again soon ,I'd maybe go a bit heavier on top. 2 x 6oz and a 4 oz deck patch and leave out the carbon fibre if it's your first time. Don't over complicate it

there are a few things id change about the way i did mine
1 - get a few thumb tacks to hold the fiberglass in place when you're cutting the cloth on the rails.
2 - measure out a couple of batches of resin and catalyst that you can mix together quickly in case you don't have enough in the first one (I didn't and made a mess rushing around trying to mix more before the first lot dried). If you don't use it you can pour it back into the container.
3 - Line up all the layers of glass and pour the resin through them all, I did one layer at a time which made it very heavy and stiff and made sanding a bitch.
4 - when you're putting in the fin boxes make sure you seal around the cutout with string/twine/rope dipped in the resin mix so the excess resin doesn't spread over the board and rails

Re: Kitesurfing waveboard - polyurethane blank & polyester resin

Posted: Tue Mar 23, 2010 6:19 pm
by Ché Morales
Hola Dr.

first u got to figure out what u want from the board ?
1 Free ride
2 Waves

That will determin' the rocker u what &/or need.

as for glassing i would give it to a glass shop if it's your first. try fixing some dings and maybe a broken board first before u go and try to glass your first board that u shaped.

Let the glass shop know what u want for glassing
if only going with fiberglass it should have 2 / 6 oz. bottom & 2 / 6 oz. Full deck with 1 / 6 oz. 3/4 deck patch for straps. If with Carbon same but the 3/4 patch go with Carbon.

Ché