I have been asked by a friend to build him a 9’ quad longboard. It will be my first quad build. I have done some research,put some info together and ordered the materials but would like some experienced feedback and constructive criticism before I start shaping.
My friend has only been surfing for 2 to 3 years but he has shown impressive progression and determination. He weighs approximately 14 stone / 196 lbs. He learnt to surf on a SUP and spent much time on 9’7" x 28" x very thick SUP. He then progressed to a 10’ single fin nose rider which I think has bit of volume to it. Now he is no longer content to just glide in a straight line but wants to go shorter and looser. He has now set his heart on a 9’ quad that will enable him to explore the wonders of radical turning. However due to his experience of SUPs he is still a bit dependent on volume especially as it enables him to knee paddle and generally paddle easily. He had initially wanted to buy himself another SUP - a Surftech Gerry Lopez 8’11" Lil Darlin but fortunately I convinced him that all that width and thickness was a waste and a hinderance to ones surfing and pocket unless you plan to buy a paddle to go with it and stand up on it, and also that handmade custom built is far better for all concerned.
MATERIALS
US Blank 903Y - 9’3" x 25 1/8" x 3.5" Nose rocker 4 3/8" Tail rocker 3 1/2"
2 layers of 6 oz cloth on deck, single 6 oz on bottom ; RR Epoxy Resin
Fins: Futures Stretch Quad Set(for mushy surf)
Height: 4.39 in
Base: 4.34 in
Area: 14.52 sq in
Rear Fins: 400 Quad Rear
Height: 4.00 in
Base: 3.89 in
Area: 12.41 sq in
Location, toe and cant to be determined
PROPOSED DIMENSIONS
Length 9’
Width - widest point (centre?) 23 - 23.5"
Nose width - 18"?
Tail width - 15"?
Tail block - 7"? - Square?
Thickness - centre 3.25" min.
Thickness - nose ?
Thickness - tail?
Nose flip
BOTTOM DESIGN
Single concave to double concave to vee -
Slight roll in first 12 to 20 inches of entry; shallow single concave increasing in depth to maximum depth (what depth?) about halfway from wide point to rail fins (front rails); double concave (what depth?) begins at or near this spot and carries through rail fins; double concave decreases quickly through the fins; double concave transitions to vee in
last 6 to 10 inches of tail (How much exit vee at tail block?)
RAIL DESIGN
Sharp downturned rails - upturned in nose progressing to 80/20 downturned mid to full sharp edge (tucked in edge?) from rails through to tail.
Chines? Would these on the outside of the concave enhance water release and speed and if so what width and angle?
FOILING
In order to provide extra volume dome the deck down to the rails, keep some thickness in centre of tail (but thickness at the tail rails but enhance bite on turns, and nose (a bit less in the nose to reduce swing weight?)
There are no doubt different points of view but my main focus is for my first experience is to make sure that I get the concaves right because it is my understanding is that if I dont it will kill the board. (all this is presuming that single to double concave in a quad is they way to get to increase lift and speed.)
I realise I have put a lot of information here and I have asked a lot of questions but if I am generally straying off the track and someone can point me in the right direction I would be grateful. I will continue to do research. As I said I dont want to leap in and make mistakes but I need to start shaping in the next week or so.
Many thanks