Are there any such things as “rigid hull” inflatables for surfing? Has anyone here done any experiments with this idea on surfboards or kneeboards? My buddie and I figured if anyone knew or had done anything they`d be here in Swaylocks! GREAT WEBSITE!!!
good semantic call …ridgid hull inflatables… I like it…RHI … YUP GOOD CALL…INFLATABLE BOARD HAS ALWAYS SOUNDED STOOPID… INSTANT POINTS …thanks for clarification now the concept can proceed at speed.without confusing conotations…ambrose… wheres the baffles
The ULI boards aren`t rigid hull inflatables. Ever see one of those things? The friggin tip of the nose is like 6" thick! I think the Bill Rogers guy meant something like a rigid hull (fiberglass shell) inflatable boat, but on surfboards. http://www.deltapower.co.uk/
I vaguely remember reading about a hollow wooden surfboard in the seventies. It was made with veneer and was completely hollow inside, with no cross joists. It had an air valve, like on a tire, located at the tail. The idea was that it had to be inflated or it would be too delicate and flimsy, but inflated to a certain psi, it was very rigid and strong. You could even dial in a certain amount of flex by adjusting the psi.I never heard how those boards rode, or if they had any problems with leakage. This might not be a bad idea, if you could keep it completely air tight. Can you imagine a board like this filled with helium or hydrogen?
Helium, while light, will add up if compressed. This is why the more helium you squeeze into a tank, the heavier it becomes.