OK, so here’s my first project on swaylocks, about to go ahead. i wanna post every step of it for everyone to use as reference if they wanna try it. Its gonna be an 11 foot standup paddleboard, 25-28’’ wide (not decided yet… anyone’s opinions is welcome). BUT, Here’s the kicker, i wanna make it tom blake style. wood frame with ply skin and then epoxy. Oh, and its gotta be beautiful. lol. i didnt really like sup at first but i had a go on one, and couldn’t do it to save my life, so now i gotta have one and get good on it. Its probably gonna end up a right mess, but here goes.
The plan is this: Redwood and poplar (or somethin similiar) for the rails, laminated etc,
Plywood for the internal frame (no warping twisting etc)
ok, so not sure about using redwood for the rails. anyone know what type of wood is best? straight grained, knotfree wood thats quite stable? and that i can buy in twelve feet lengths?
I’ve got an 11-6 in the works, using 6 mm plywood for the fishbone, and 1/4" redwood planks. On dimensions, I suggest no narrower than 28 inches for an 11-0. Here’s a link to the work I’ve done so far on mine. Check out the Grainsurf forum that it’s published on for lots of information on construction techniques. I would not build it with solid rails, it will be far too heavy. Bead and cove stripped rails are the ticket.
yea, cherrywood sounds like a good idea. i was gonna vertically laminate the rails, like the paul jensen boards, but not sure where to get 12ft long bits of timber (cherrywood / poplar / balsa etc)… can anyone help me out?
You dont really have to use full length wood for the rails. Just but joint 2 pc. and stager the joints. Its easer to get clear wood in 6’ than 12’ and you can use narower wood to fit the rocker.