I am on the east coast (VB) and when asking about getting custom blanks with increased rocker from the local blank distributor, they acted like I was sprouting another head on my shoulders right before there eyes! What I need is to increase nose rocker by about 3/4" and tail rocker by about 1/2" on the standard fish blanks. I want more rocker but be able to keep the thickness.
Do I have any reasonable options such as cutting the stringer out and bending the foam and gluing up another stringer? Is there an option to get custom blanks on the EC?
You’d could go the EPS route. Get a block of EPS foam, 24" wide x as much length as you need x what ever height will hold your rocker. Build your stringer with your desired rocker and make two copies out of cheap wood. Glue the copies to the side of the foam block. Then hot wire the foam matching your rocker by using the glued on rocker templates as guides.
Cutting the blank in half, accurately, is the hard part.
Once done, glue it up and shape it.
I know this isn’t a stock blank solution, but it works really well.
First - Love your stuff Barry!! Sharing also builds knowledge and stoke!
The problem is not being able to order the blanks I want. The local blank supplier will not order the blanks for me - only stock. If I order from CA, then I will be hammered on shipping charges - more to ship than it costs for the blanks.
I use EPS quite often but for these thicker more rockered boards, EPS doesn’t provide the ride I want. PU provides a smoother ride, not quite so twitchy. Even at the same weight, EPS feels lighter in the water - my take would be CoG of the board.
ANy more suggestions or directions on how to change the rocker on the stock blanks which I have available? Or a realistic way to get custom blank orders to VB?
Google the Ben Aipa shaping video and watch closely his method for increasing rocker. He took a stock Fish blank and shaped a high performance short board out of it. I think you could easily increase your nose and tail rockets by shaping it in using Aip’s method. Lowel
I have see this video previously, but it was well worth it to watch again. In fact, I might watch it a few more times and see what else I can pick up.
Unfortunately, this does not solve my dilemma. There is not enough foam to have the rocker and thickness I am looking for. Without a plan for getting a custom blank to the EC, I will have to take the previous advise and cut out the stringer and bend the foam to my needs.
If anyone has some helpful hints, please add so I can reduce the drama! I will take some pics and add. You know what they say about learning from both sages and fools!! (not saying which I consider myself but I wouldn’t be asking for help on a forum if I thought myself a sage)
…like Barry said , get a split blank and glue up with your own stringer. …if you don’t want to do the glue-up yourself , just send your profiled stringer (deck-line accurate ) to the blank supplier…if they won’t do it , find a company that will… most will.