I was wondering what is the typical density of foam some of you use for longboards? I'm trying to keep the weight down on my next longboard and was contemplating does it make sense to go with a lighter foam density and a stronger glass job or could I even keep my regular glassing schedule? Currently I make my boards out of 1.85lbs/cuft eps block foam. Do you guys think I can go lower to save weight? Thanks
My own experience is that it is difficult to achieve any sort of break through in strength/weight ratio without resorting to some sort of compsand skin over super light core. Once that break through has been achieved, you are faced with the common complaints of "too stiff" or "too corky." It is sometimes hard to tell if those complaints are really valid or just attempts to dismiss new technology and/or outsourced production.
There is a good thread where the issues of core/skins are discussed at length HERE.
I think I know what you are getting at, especially with a longboard, most people want that nice glide which comes with weight. Thanks for the thread, I will give it a read.
I am working on my 4th version of a LB. The first one was a PU blank with a 1/2" stringer and poly resin with 4oz bottom and 2x4oz deck. Worked great but only lasted 1 &1/2 years. The next one Was the same with more glass 6oz with2x 6oz on the deck. Didn't work as good and lasted 3 months. Then I did a full 1lb EPS balsa compsand. It was interesting- best nose rider ever but flexed so much it wasn't very good in big surf. I broke it twice after the first month. Now I am using a PU blank with epoxy resin.
In my opinion any EPS under 1.5lbs is not worth the hassle. Try some cork skins on 1.5lbs EPS if you want light and flexy.
Find somebody that's vacuum-bagging boards near you. It will let you put a ton of glass on the board and save weight. The issue with less dense foam is it's so boyant that its hard to bury a rail. That's why Pop-outs ride so bad in large surf. Firewire uses a 1 lb foam with corecell skins but they have the balsa rails that give it the right boyancy to go on edge. Anyway, I'd stick with the block of foam you have and just change up your glassing process. There are all kinds of different weaves that'll let you dial in the flex of the board.
Had a really light longboard once and HAAAAAAAATED it. Hard to turn and the darn thing chattered like crazy on anything over a chest high wave. It also was not real friendly on hard offshore days. I chalk it up as the single worst surfboard purchase of my life. Unless you want to ride the longboard like a shortboard (which is just plain ugly surfing IMHO) weight is your friend.