Alaia for kitesurf - Advice

Faber · **Posted:** Tue Oct 30, 2012 10:31 am

Hello there,
With winter approaching, I’m about to build an Alaia to kitesurf.
There are tons of video on YouTube about how to build it, but I’d like to understand if it would be better to apply a glass cloth with epoxy, in order to resist to chop and stress caused by surf kiting.

Thanks!
Bye
Faber

BWD · **Joined:** Thu Jun 05, 2003 3:37 am **Posts:** 1864

If you use paulownia or balsa, 12-25 mm thin, or thinner, yes you might want glass, ~150-200 gsm top and bottom. But if you use cedar, pine or another stronger wood, you need no glass at all unless you make the board too thin.
A good length is a little less than your height.
I have one 20cm longer than my height and it's too long, the length is not needed because you have to keep the front half out of the water to avoid stuffing the nose most of the time.

Bille · **Joined:** Sun Sep 04, 2011 5:37 pm **Posts:** 975

Faber wrote:

Hello there,
With winter approaching, I’m about to build an Alaia to kitesurf.
...

Thanks!
Bye
Faber

Faber -- it would be FUN to watch a "Time-Laps" video of your first board-build ;
"a winter of work in 5 minutes".
Could you do that for us please ?

Bille

bgsniper · **Joined:** Wed Mar 28, 2007 11:22 am **Posts:** 11

Alaia is wooden board bro , dont use epoxy , make your board like a Hawaian:) , i made my Alaia board using lime tree.

170smx39sm , 4,7 kg

Faber · **Posted:** Tue Oct 30, 2012 11:23 pm

First of all thanks to everyone for your reply. Lots of good advices.

I'll use a 6'6" x18" pear tree blank, 22 mm thick. It seems a quiet light wood, not as soft as balsa.
Bille,
I hope it shall take some days not the whole winter, otherwise I'll burn everything into the fireplace !

I'll take some picture, just in case of a good result,... :wink:

Bye from Italy :bye:

RalfsB · **Posted:** Wed Oct 31, 2012 8:49 pm

Faber wrote:

I'll use a 6'6" x18" pear tree blank, 22 mm thick. It seems a quiet light wood, not as soft as balsa.

Pear is quite strong, I don't think you really need glassing. I made my alaia from a fir blank; works fine impregnated with linseed oil.

Bille · **Joined:** Sun Sep 04, 2011 5:37 pm **Posts:** 975

Faber wrote:

...
Bille,
I hope it shall take some days not the whole winter,
...

Bye from Italy :bye:

HA !!
I keep forgetting that everyone "Isn't" on Bille time ;
i can & have :
taken almost Forever, to do the simplest of tasks !!

Bille

andrek · **Posted:** Fri Nov 02, 2012 3:28 pm

hello,

that's a great idea for the winter time :naughty:

do you have any template for the outline ?

Andrek

Faber · **Posted:** Sat Nov 03, 2012 12:00 am

It's almost done!!! Now it cames the nice part of rails finish and draw something on it..
I'll post some picture asap.
About the shape, I've checked at Tom Wegner website. He is a Master...
http://tomwegenersurfboards.com/

I love wood works, but this is special as it's going in the water !!! Hooo boy ! :rollgrin:

andrek · **Posted:** Sat Nov 03, 2012 11:18 am

for sure Tom Wegner is The Master :thumb:

can't whait to see some pictures of your alaia.

Can you give me the widht of your alaia ? f.ex every 5 cm ?

andrek

Alaia for kitesurf - Advice

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