I picked
up my first shape from the glasser a few days ago… Glassing & fins
by Island Inspired Surfboard Company in Myrtle Beach, SC.
Dims:
5’10" x 21" x 1-5/8"
6/4oz on top & 4oz on the bottom
It’s
been in the water once so far. There werent really any waves but i did
paddle around a bit and caught a few. It paddles and catches great. This
is my first time even riding a fish so it’s hard to tell how it rides
but i will find out whevener we get some waves. My first instinct is
that it seems like i made the rails too thin/hard… i’m not sure
though. I need to pass it to some of the resident fish riders for some
feedback.
It’s funny that my first session on it wasn’t quite what
i thought it would be. Just the idea of paddling out on one of my own
shapes seemed like it be some great experience but i found that i was
concentrating too much on the details of the board and how it works
other than enjoying the novelty of it. That’ll come later i guess. I’ll
probably give this one a few good runs, sell it, and start over again.
While
i am aware that alot of the design apects of this board could be
improved, i am EXTREMELY happy with the outcome as it is.
Good job. Looks fun. Now the next one you gotta glass yourself. A whole new world will open up for you- colors, swirls, cut laps, pinlines, gloss coating…the fun will never end.
"My first instinct is that it seems like i made the rails too thin/hard..."
Fortunately you have fin boxes in that baby. If the problem persists you have an option as far as downsizing the fins. Fins that are too big might give that kind of ride...
Glassing is next on my list… I originally planned to glass the first one but, after the shape coming out better than i expected, i kinda psyched myself out of doing the work myself. It worked out good though because i got to watch my board get
laminated
hot coated and sanded (which i had only seen on video before). It’s alot different when you can look around, ask questions, and smell the resin. The guy was cool and answered my questions. The
only thing i missed was him setting the fin boxes.
It helped to
be able to trade some graphics knowledge and some photoshop plug-ins for
him letting me shadow him while he worked.
I’m working on a
re-shape from an old beat up single fin that a friend gave me. I chopped it down and I’ve had
to patch the foam here and there and i figured that would be a good one
to start on. The board is going to be for when my daughters get a little
older.
Here is a pic of the rough shape… PLENTY of foam to work with =)
It’s easy to get caught up on your first ride. I built a 5’8" Mini Simm that did not ride/paddle like I “felt” it would. You never stop thinking about it, you just have to give it time. I highly recommend letting your friends ride it, see what they think.
So begins the addiction. If you decide to glass your next one, which I highly recommend, take notes along the way (room temp, resin/catalyst ratios, time it takes to lam, etc.). You will have screw ups but your next go will be easier and maybe even better than the first.
At least you took the plunge and decided to give the experience a go, enjoy.
Most Important: If you are married or have a girlfriend, start being extra nice, buying flowers and shit like that. You’ve made it through the foam phase, the glassing-at home phase bends the reed a bit more. Sometimes our wives and girlfriends don’t completely understand that these boards have to be built, and they have to be built at home, and that we have to buy new tools, and we have to devote extra time to being in the garage, and eventually we need to go to the ocean where the waves are because we have to take the surfboard home to wear it belongs, because we are good people, this is what we must do.