Howdy all, I have lots of ideas on shaping, but I am looking for some resources to help crystallize my postulations before delving into the art. I have been trying to get some good books on hydrodynamics and naval hull architecture, any ideas??. I have not found a definitive source of surfboard design theory (if there is such a thing), although there are certainly some good (but unscientific) web resources. The Dilemma: My son will be able to surf in a couple of years, (he is currently 18 months [smile] and I want to shape his first board. Being that he will be 40-50 pounds (when he is at an age where it is safe to surf), I am trying to figure out the appropriate amount of material to use for the dimensions of the board. In other words, I am trying to figure out what is the typical buoyancy of a short board and a long board in comparison to the weight of a surfer. Also, regarding board width for smaller people…if a 5-7 year old is 12-16 inches wide at the shoulder (an approximation) how wide should the board be to both be stable and accomodate the smaller frame comfortably? Last question, does anyone know where to find the densitities of materials such as wood (specifically different species like bass verses balsa verses redwood, etc)??? http://www.boardcast.net
Howdy all,>>> I have lots of ideas on shaping, but I am looking for some resources to > help crystallize my postulations before delving into the art. I have been > trying to get some good books on hydrodynamics and naval hull > architecture, any ideas??. I have not found a definitive source of > surfboard design theory (if there is such a thing), although there are > certainly some good (but unscientific) web resources.>>> The Dilemma: My son will be able to surf in a couple of years, (he is > currently 18 months [smile] and I want to shape his first board. Being that he > will be 40-50 pounds (when he is at an age where it is safe to surf), I am > trying to figure out the appropriate amount of material to use for the > dimensions of the board. In other words, I am trying to figure out what is > the typical buoyancy of a short board and a long board in comparison to > the weight of a surfer. Also, regarding board width for smaller > people…if a 5-7 year old is 12-16 inches wide at the shoulder (an > approximation) how wide should the board be to both be stable and > accomodate the smaller frame comfortably? Last question, does anyone know > where to find the densitities of materials such as wood (specifically > different species like bass verses balsa verses redwood, etc)??? Check the Archives. There have been some posts on good books and weblinks as well. The resources section of this site has some excellent links as well-- you have to check out Bruce ‘The Snake’ Gabrielsons’ webpage. I will leave the bouyancy and hydrodynamic questions to the experts of this forum as I am an infant in this craft compared to individuals like Jim Phillips, Dale Solomonson, Herb Spitzer et al. But, I will share with you my personal experience with my eight year old grom. I started him this past April on a 7’6" hybrid thruster. A month later he used my 9’4" Hi Performance Longboard. After a couple of weeks he started using my 5’11" fish. All of this took place over one summer. I work with him at Bolsa Chica and Seal Beach (when bacteria permits) because of the slow safe conditons. He loves to skimboard at Goldenwest. I found that using a stable platform like a hybrid was very effective at getting the stoke lit within him. He was able to stand on his first day and has been fired up ever since. Final note: There is no better feeling than spending time in the water with your offspring. I can’t wait for the day when he is old enough to go to Costa Rica with me. Good luck with your future projects, but I think you are already lucky to have come across this site because the information on the screen is sheer gold. Hittin’ 18 at dawn Sunday. Wonder if any Swayholics will be there? Magoo
(repeat to myself)…I need a new mouse,I need a new mouse… 18 H.B. OR BOLSA ? Herb.
(repeat to myself)…I need a new mouse,I need a new mouse…>>> 18 H.B. OR BOLSA ? Herb. HB. It would be good to see you out there Herb. It was very nice out there this morning. The Fog stayed North of Surfside. I hope it is as good tomorrow as it was today… Magoo
I assume you park on PCH in the metered parking?Herb.
I assume you park on PCH in the metered parking?Herb. Bada Bing! I’ve got an annual pass… Had to bail after my last post – sorry about the late resonse. Magoo