Here is my 9’8" StepDeck in progress…It’s going to be a stub nose, and is almost done shaping. Gotta hit the board with 80 and then 120 and then I’m ready to glass…thinking about trying Epoxy resin this time…I’ll try and update the progress if I can remember…
Looks really clean. I’ve notice that most steps are not straight across to prevent creating a snapping point. Isn’t epoxy resin stiffer than polyester, which is not what you want on a step.
I’ve seen steps in almost every configuration, and the best noserider I ever had was a 9’6" Takayama stepdeck (straight across), so that’s what it was based on…The step is 3.6 inches back from the nose. It’s a 9’8", 2 7/8" thick, 22 1/2" wide, 18" nose, 16" tail. Not sure about the glassing schedule yet…I’m debating whether to try eopxy or just go with poly and do it while the neighbors aren’t home. If I go poly, it’ll be 7.5 Volanx2 on the deck, x1 on the bottom, solid resin tint on entire board.
chacal69, the oldest board that I own is a stepdeck, kicktail bonzer. I have surfed some 2 to 3X overhead waves on that board, and it is still going strong. I’m thinking it is like 12 years old. The step on most boards is to cut down the swing weight, but it seems to also help the nose riding, the idea being that the board flexes so as you walk forward the rocker will get flatter and the flatter board will nose ride better. I have never had any problems with cross stepping on a step deck.
I can set on my stepdecks in the water and push down, and then lift, then push down again, and you can see the nose flex. You can get a little more rocker in the nose to make it easier to catch waves, and then it will flex as you walk up. This board with 2 stringers is kinda working against you as far as flex goes.
And so does the Harbour Cheater, and the Cheater II. Not saying it will not work, I just like mine with more flex.
The other question: What is a step deck? Look at the pic of the board. See the pic of the deck, where the deck is running along at one hight, and then steps down, that is what a step deck is.
Board is laminated (solid resin tinit), hotcoated, and fin boxed. Ready to sand! WooHooo! 48 hours of getting frustrated with gummy sandpaper and sand throughs!
I’m not sure if I will on this board, but usually it’s on the hotcoat. Someone here said I may have my sanderset at too high a speed, which is entirely possible, I’ll find out tonight or tomorrow! This hotcoat came out well though. Flat,no streaks, and solid wax rise on the whole board…We’ll see. Oh, and thanks!