I’ve been surfing an epoxy Walden CD. I like this board so much as is, but want to try it as single fin. I have a longboard fin box lying around. Is it possible to install it to the board? How is it done? Thanks!
Jack
I haven't added a fin box to an eps/epoxy board, but I did rebuild a GSI Walden Magic that was broken in half. If it was me, I would just router a slot as per usual, then set the fin box using epoxy resin. Be careful of exotherm - heat from the resin melting the foam. Use a small amount of resin to fill the void only partially, and let it set up, before pouring some more to fill the void.
Have you installed fin boxes before?
Nope, I’ve never done it before. But if it’s an “standard” fin box installation, there are many resources over the internet.I have a router and know how to use it, I dont think making the slot would be a problem.
So, do you think no reinforcement is needed? Is there any chance of ending with a major mess? I really like the board and don’t want to screw it…
Jack
There’s plenty of info on setting fin boxes in eps in the archives. Can you screw it up? Yeah, melted foam and/or unaligned box. If you’ve never done this before, nor have the proper tools (you’ll need a disk sander to grind down the box) just take it to a glass shop and it’ll be cheaper and no risk. BTW, Walden CD’s and similar designs as a single fin need a big-area fin like a mini-D set all the way back to get the necessary drive. A typical 7-8" fin in a box about 6" from the tail will just spin out due the high nose volume of the CD.
..... IS it epoxy , Jack ?
I only ask , because my Walden CD is polyurethane foam , and polyester resin ...
cheers !
ben
.... oops .....a double post !
..... so [edit] ....
here's shots of the board , instead , mate !
Jack ,
if you DO go ahead with single finning it , can you please let me know how it goes ?
I have had mine for a few years , now [THANKS , 'Moonfish' ! I LOVE it! ] , and I also have been wanting to try it with a single finbox fin .
PeteC ,
do you own one ?
..... and if so , have YOU ridden YOURS as a singley ??
cheers !
ben
[quote="$1"]
...BTW, Walden CD's and similar designs as a single fin need a big-area fin like a mini-D set all the way back to get the necessary drive. A typical 7-8" fin in a box about 6" from the tail will just spin out due the high nose volume of the CD.
[/quote]
gold
There’s no thing like a “glass shop” here in Mexico. Shipping the board to a builder/glasser will be expensive and am not sure they will do the job. I’ve glassed 2 boards and installed fixed fins before, so know how to route an straight/aligned slot, and also have the tools to do it. How do you think the board will work as 2+1? I understand the polyester CD’s were setup this way and don’t want to narrow my fin choice.
[quote="$1"]
..... IS it epoxy , Jack ?
I only ask , because my Walden CD is polyurethane foam , and polyester resin ...
cheers !
ben
[/quote]
Hi Ben, Yes the board is epoxy, built by global Surf Industries, appliance white, no visible stringer.
Probably is no stringer - there was none in the 9-6 GSI Walden Magic I repaired. There was a bamboo-like composite shell, then large-cell styrofoam (like a beer cooler) inside. Like I said, install box using epoxy resin, and do it in a couple pours. You could mix some white pigment in with the resin, if you have some. Don't whip it to a bubbly froth when you mix the resin, because you want to avoid bubbles. Mask off the surrounding area, then cleaning up the excess resin with sandpaper is a little easier.
jack ,
did you ever end up DOING this , mate ?
if so ,
HOW did it go ?
like the ride ?
I ask ,
because .....
Hey Ben I found it! (bump for Ben…even 'tho the thread never got a proper sense of closure from a final report!)
If you do it to yours Ben, hopefully we’ll get pics and a ride report =)
..... Nathan in the longboard shop has generously loaned me this .
It's his take on a [ homemade ] hybrid of the walden 'CD4' , and 'Magic ' models , I guess ? ....
once some swell re-appears [I hope , SOON ?!] I'm really keen to get it out there as a singley .
If I enjoy how it rides , it will probably tip me in the direction of converting the ' CD4 ' of mine , into a (finboxed) single fin version , too. ....
A further combination of these two boards ...
.... for example , a narrower nose than his [like my Walden 'CD4's nose ] , with the slightly narrower tail of his , and his rocker and foil , plus the lighter weight of his board , would be just the ticket for me , in a single fin model ! [basically , a narrower , shorter , more rockered , and much lighter [thinner] version of the Walden 'CD4' ]
I saw a really nice outline that I liked , on the Jim Banks Surfboards site at 'Facebook' the other day . It would work nicely as a singley for me , in the summer and autumn waves here , I thought .
Around 6'2 x 20 " to 21 " x 2 3/8" would suit me FINE , I reckon !
? to be continued ?
( I just hope that you still come here , J ?)
cheers
ben
[ a thinner foiled version than this would be nice , too ]
[by the way , this is a surprisingly serious head , for me ! haha
.... photo by "n.z. ben" , my neighbour ]
cheers !
ben
Things don't always go as planned....sometimes the guy you think is a jerk turns out to be a good friend.....the photo posted is not what I call a Walden Compact Disc......Epoxy??? or EPS ? What is "epoxy"? What is Walden?
Click this link...I have never met Walden....but I have worked on many Walden surfboards...most signed by Walden....
Plenty of imports...yes....and plenty of customs up and down the California coast!
http://www2.swaylocks.com/forums/how-to-install-longboard-center-fin-box
how ya been stingray man ?
" test pilot " , indeed, soon ... did you notice your shirt ?
hopefully I won't be a "crash test dummy" , instead , for Nathe's fun key board ?
Well, mate , I hope you're getting waves in your neck of the woods , Ray ?
pretty much flaaaat as , here , at the moment . [ But in summer , ya get that here ! ]
cheers !
ben