finally got to test my first hollow wooden at Croyde in England, decided last minute to make the 450 mile round trip as the forecast was reasonable. Got up at 4.00 am and drove and drove and drove some more…what a fantastic day, the weather was unbelievable for March in England, 25 in the shade according to the thermometer on my car. The waves were probably the best I’ve had the pleasure of and the board rode superbly. Really heavy to carry from the car but all that disapeared once wet. Being a bit nervous at first, not knowing whether it would sink or swim I just kind of body boarded it in on the first wave, I couldn’t believe the ease with which it caught, I’m used to having to paddle my self stupid. Second wave I got up and fell straight off the side, this kept happening until I figured out that I needed to be about 18 inches further forward than I’m used to, after that every wave was beautiful, it felt like the board had it’s own power source, driving straight through flat spots, supremely stable and sooooo damned pretty with the water and sun on it.
Had one or two wierd looks off the local shortboard crew unloading off the car, and a couple of nice commets from others in the water…no one asked if it was from B&Q (English DIY shop that sells doors etc)
This outing was a week ago now and I’m still grinning. Spurred me on to do a bit more on board number 2. I have now jointed the timber for the deck and bottom (oak and sapele) and will be sticking the deck to the frame tomorrow with a bit of luck. I’m hoping that the rigidity of the deck will sort out the twisting of the frame that occured when I took it out of the jig, we’ll see.
Bitchin board Jason. i know it’s a massive effort on the hollow wood. Not like just buying a clark blank. Good on ya for going the distance, not to mention the drive.
Aye, indeed a labour of leuuuve. Not tried the Clarke foam blank route as I’m too tight to give someone 55.00 of my hard earned for something that I’ll more than likely wreck with the first pass of the planer. £15.00 worth of ply from the local timber geezer is easier to get over screwing up. Maybe next time I’ll go for an EPS blank from the local roofing supplies shop (£12.00) but got some figuring out on the glassing with that, thinking couple of coats of PVA all over and glass with poly for extra cheapness. No idea whether this would work or not, have to try on a spare bit of packing.
Indeed, number 2 has been a while in the planning and budgeting stages but is now well and truly on it’s way, I’ve even taken some piccies to prove my time has not been entirely wasted hoovering windows or washing the lawn. The frame is all but finished and the deck and bottom jointed ready for cutting and fixing to the frame with 6" nails.
Yeah man, totally top feeling, I’m back at Croyde for a few more days next week, doubt I’ll have No 2 ready for testing though.
Yes indeed, where is Mr Murdoch? Not seen anything from him in months. If you see him Ben, ask him about the internals at the fishy end, tell him some pics of how he did this would be interesting.
there IS still his accent on the answering machine , everytime I leave a message ? [maybe he vacuum bagged an android replica of himself , complete with accent ? last I heard , he was experimenting with vacuuming …]
