I am in the process of shaping a 6’4 mini (or middie) simmons type board and want to glass on the keels. I have know idea what fin placement to use or how to glass on fins. Would anyone help point me in the right direction? How far from the tail and rails should I put the fins, what cant on the fins, and how to glass them on? Thanks for any help!
Single or double foiled fins? Wood, glass, or other? How wide is the tail?
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I am in the process of shaping a 6'4 mini (or middie) simmons type board and want to glass on the keels. I have know idea what fin placement to use or how to glass on fins. Would anyone help point me in the right direction? How far from the tail and rails should I put the fins, what cant on the fins, and how to glass them on? Thanks for any help!
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There's a book called "The Ding Repair Scriptures" by George Colendich. If your local surf shop does not have the book you can order it from FoamEZ.com.It will be the best $12 you ever spend on surfoards....Update your user profile so we know your location.....Maybe the guy next door lurks on Swaylock's .............you never know.....
The tail is 19" wide and the fins are the Hobie keels from True Ames in the bamboo over the hex lite. I'm guessing single foil but I don't know for sure. I think my local shop has the ding repair book so I'll look for it. Thanks for the help in advance. Also, I'm going to glass the board with the sun cure UV laminating resin. I'm in Ocean City, MD.
Thanks doc. How much of the fin should the football cover? Any advise on how to measure fin placement…distance from the rails and tail?
Wayull- for placement, I'd take measurements off successful twin fins, as there's no ironclad rule that I'm aware of.
Now, let me go through how I do it.
First off, you want to set one of said 'footballs' of glass on the bottom, to reinforce said bottom. Maybe it's me, but I think that you want to beef it up some.
Next, make your marks for setting the fins. Rather than distance from the rails, by the way, I'd go with distance from the centerline, just 'cos it's easier to get it smack on. Rails are curves, centerlines are straight. Make a pencil mark where the front and back of the fins go Use hot glue to tack the fins in place.
Awright, then it's time for the fin rope. What that actually is is strands of fiberglass that act to fillet out the corner between fin and bottom. Cut them the length of the fin base, then set them in place, applying resin with a throwaway brush. I find that this is a good time to be wearing some of the cheap hardware store vinyl gloves, as otherwise it gets gooey on the fingertips. And a fingertip will do nicely for making things concave.
Sand as need be, to get it fairly smooth and deal with any wee ends of strands sticking up. Which they will, they do it just to annoy you.
Now, for the cloth. I do one that goes well up the fin, maybe 2/3, then another that goes 1/3 or so. And maybe another. They are oversized, longer than the fin base, I cut off the excess when the resin gels. I do one side at a time, then the other. Again, gloves are good, plus a throwaway brush. Beware of drips, drops and pools of resin on the bottom, it's a pain to deal with 'em. Instead, I put the resin on light, just enough to wet out the cloth but leave the weave, like a well-squeegeed lamination.
Sand the edges, hotcoat, gloss, have a beer.
Hope that's of use
doc...
Doc that’s perfect! Good call on measuring from the stringer for the fins…works for everything else. Thanks again. I’ll post some pics. when I finish.
glider, if i’m not mistaken you can find the ‘ding repair scripture’ at k-coast.
brasco