DIy SUP in South Africa

General Discussion
1

Hello All

 

I just recently tried out a SUp and loved it.  I do quote a lot of sports (more for recreation than competion) and would like to get into SUP.  I South Africa we do not have many second hand boards available and the new boards are almost more expensive that a new surfski.

 

I have read quite a few post on this forum regarding building your own SUP and have been refurbing boats, ec for a long time, so do have the knowledge and skill set to succeed, but need some advice.

 

Since me and the wife do every sport together it equals double the cost, hence trying to save some money on boards.  

 

1 x 11’ , 30", 4 3/4" all rounder board

1 x 10.2’ , 29" , 4 1/4" all rounder board

 

I can get blocsk of 1.5Lb EPS cut a bit bigger than the sizes above and then start shaping.   I will use a cedar or basswood strigner for both (what thickness does it need to be?).

Epoxy I am clued up on, but I am not sure what cloth to use and how many layers, what do you suggest?  

let the comments and advice come.

 

cheers

 

J

2

If you will be using the boards only in flat water you can skip the stringers.  Double 6oz fiberglass cloth with staggered overlaps on each side should do it IF you use a deck pad.  Otherwise, you will likely get some deck dents.  1.5 EPS is pretty soft stuff.  Peel & stick deck pad material is available via Hydroturf.com.

If you plan to use them in surf, 1/4" stringer width is about right.

On SUPs I’ve made, weight always seems to add up.

3

Thanks for the input John

 

Very small waves where I am.  I am looking at putting a stringer in and then using bamboom sheet as deckpad, will than along with the 2x6 oz glass do the trick?

4

Hi -

I think with the bamboo deck pad you should be good to go.  If I recall correctly, Greg Loehr said at one of the Cerrito College presentations that a single layer of bamboo veneer is as strong as a single 6 oz layer of fiberglass.  To do the bamboo deck pad you’ll need to think about how you will clamp it down while the epoxy cures… do you have a vacuum bag set up?  If not, maybe exposed corecork attached with waterproof contact cement would be a good alternative?