So I am on board #5. I've only made sups because if you screw up it doesn't matter that much. Donald retired so I need to figure out how to make a DT1 and I am practicing making sups for myself, friends and family. After living at the beach for 40 years I am living in the mountains. We have water but not much surf so my sups aren't major offenders in anybodies lineup.
The first 4 were US blanks EPS that somebody else glassed. This blank is 1.5# EPS block 14'x32"x7" that I asked the supplier to cut lengthwise and glue back together. so no stringer but I have a glueline. I am going to attempt my own layup on this one. I'd figure I'd share my experience because I have learned much from others here on sways.
[img_assist|nid=1057323|title=foam for 14 footer|desc=|link=none|align=left|width=640|height=427][img_assist|nid=1057324|title=big ole block of foam|desc=|link=none|align=left|width=640|height=427]
I used a reciprocating saw with a 9 inch blade to get close to my template and then a planer and finally a sanding block to true it up. I made a couple of sanding blocks out of old IKEA dresser drawer fronts. i screwed scrap 2x4 pieces on the back for handles. I actually started with a hand saw which isn’t much fun with this 7 inch blank.
the goal is to get about 1 1/2 inches of nose rocker and an inch in the tail. big square rails and a boat nose. or displacement hull, I guess that’s what they are calling them.
i just want a board to paddle with my wife for the evening glass off on my local stretch of river.
[img_assist|nid=1057327|title=getting started|desc=|link=none|align=left|width=640|height=427][img_assist|nid=1057328|title=rough outline- real rough|desc=|link=none|align=left|width=640|height=480][img_assist|nid=1057329|title=rough template|desc=|link=none|align=left|width=480|height=640][img_assist|nid=1057330|title=rough nose|desc=|link=none|align=left|width=480|height=640]
You are going to need more board stands for support that board when you are shaping and glassing. If you don't it's going to look like a peanut when you are done.
1.5lb foam @ 14 ft with out a stringer = noodle. foam, even if you keep it 5 " thick.
“noodle foam”, North American surfer coloquial term to describe some surfboard foam or blanks without a stringer. Its first known usage on Swaylocks by Resinhead.
I'm almost finished with the shape. I need to smooth out the deck, at the last minute I decided to recess it a bit. The nose was scary to shape. I kept thinking I was going to screw it up but I didn't. at least not yet. These boards are relatively easy to shape compared to a board designed to ride waves other than the fact that they are long. the rails are simple, no complex rocker curves, and no concaves or vee. I'm at 6" in the center so it's one thick noodle.
[img_assist|nid=1057347|title=nose or bow|desc=|link=none|align=left|width=480|height=640]
i popped my laminating cherry tonight. I wish had a horror story to tell but I don’t. yet. maybe in the morning when I go check it and it hasn’t hardened. Hopefully i will have. it’s 30 degrees outside and I left the heat on in the shop. Honestly I would have one to tell if I hadn’t spent many many nights up til 3 am on my laptop in bed reading and re-reading posts here on swaylock’s. If anybody here on swaylock’s makes it to my shop in Bend I will buy you lunch. Thanks.