Hey guys, Im shaping my first board and I just did the deck hot coat and I'm kinda confused on what I should be doing next. I'd like to make it a single fin ( the board is a 5' 7" round tail shortboard) but it came with 3 fins to make it a thruster. Is it easier to install the fin box or glass the fins on? When do I put the fins on or box in? What is the best way to sand down the hot coat? Can I use a white spray paint and clear sealing coat to make it look whiter and cleaner?
"it came with three fins" - is this some kind of "kit"?
You have a lot of questions that I don't fully understand. Is there any way you could post some pictures, and maybe tell us a little more about the background story on this board?
Yeah it’s a kit and it came with 3 glass on fins but what is the best way to install the fins.
What do the instructions say? Can you post a picture of the fins?
Where’d you get your kit?
Greenlight surf supply
Take the thruster set and rope back to greenlight and see if they will give you a credit or an exchange. Ask if they know someone or if they can install a single fin box on your board. Hotcoat stage is one step too far but no big deal for a single fin box.
Do a search on sanding. It is a hard earned skill with lots of tricks. Good part is if you screw up you can reapply more sanding resin and start over.
Yes you can paint the board and clear coat it but its your first creation! just wax it up and ride the thing.
Yeah DMP is right. Go with the longer single box for a lot of adjustment front to back. Brian or someone at Greenlight could help you with the install or a least show you how. Way easier than fin rope and glass ons for a thruster. Is your design set up and meant to be a single fin?
Its kind of like a rusty Bali single fin with a round tail because I don’t like fish tails lol but I’m 2 hours away from green light and I’m 13 so I can’t drive.
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Its kind of like a rusty Bali single fin with a round tail because I don't like fish tails lol but I'm 2 hours away from green light and I'm 13 so I can't drive.
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…I like that you have 13 and trying to make not the usual planshape, so I ll try to help you step by step. Please, do more accurate questions, so you do not be confused when I response those.
Example: you want to know how to glass on fins? or want to know how to put a fin box? or do not know what to do with those fins?
I want to get the board finished by Friday because there is a nice swell coming through because of Leslie. Yes so Id like to know how to glass the fins on and when to do it. Or should I make it the way I really want to (single fin) and not surf it until like 3 weeks later and just surf my old shortboard
Oops double post in my own thread
i’d agree with the others…give brian or andrew a call at greenlight. i just did the mentor program with them and from what i remember A2 saying you want to wait 7 days for your board to cure after the hot coat. not sure when you did/are doing this but you may wanna hold off on using it this weekend. it’s your board and you can do what you want; but, i thought i’d throw that out there.
love the fact that you’re getting in on the shaping at 13. hope the ride is sick this weekend.
cheers
jd
Thanks everybody
…ok, first the ride is somewhat different if you put a single fin or if you go with 3 fins.
Normally the 3 fins are intended to perform as what we know as “thrusters”, so your moves (the hip-legs, back foot more rear and pressure to back foot) are done a bit different or with more intensity to enhance the thrust provided by side fins (canted and foiled) working together with the rocker or make it work right.
The ride with 1 fin (but you do not have a right fin for that…) is a bit more faster (intrinsic) and looser; you can slide a bit more to; if you wanna hot doggin you should have some Surfing experience, if not, is more difficult.
And lots of etc but is not about design your interest.
-I recommend to not use the board on Friday, no matter if you use UV resin.
-no White paint onto the outer shell will bring any thing good
-You have the deck hot coat, now the next is put the fins or fin, after that you apply the bottom hot coat; then, you sand all the board.
Get a scrap of plywood and shape a fin.Glass the fin,then glass it on and surf.Never rush a board for a swell,it will never be finished.
…have more time to continue:
-take measurements to mark the dots where the fins will go. One dot for the rear edge of each fin, one dot for the front…
-If you go the thruster way you should put the front dots 3/16-1/4 less from the stringer than the back ones to have toe in. Start with the rear dots at 1 1/8 from rail outer edge (outline)
-set the fins with masking tape. Apply UV resin in the bases; put on the Sun; get rid of the tape and start to glass on the fins.
-How?: cut fiberglass patches bigger than the fin but with the same shape except on the base; there let 2 inches of fiberglass (this part will be onto the bottom lamination). Cut 2 4oz patches per side of each fin and 1 more per side but small only to cover the base, so you have 3 4oz per side on the base of each fin. Cut a few strands of Roving to put between the fin base and the bottom (each side).
-there s couple of ways to do this, so here s one:
prep the lam resin + cat. Wet out the fins (start with one fin at a time) with small brush, submerge (soak) the roving in the bucket, pass them for the bucket edge or with fingers to let the resin drip off, then put each side of one fin; in the front an rear (1/4 outside the fin base), be sure to rise a bit the strands, that will help when you are sanding those curves and to prevent air trapped there. Check that they are smooth follow the base and without bubbles, if you have any, work out with the brush. Apply 1 patch per side, brush more resin, apply second patch per side, check the base, work with the brush; apply the smaller one per side; check the front and rear of the fin to prevent air trapped or bubbles; refill with resin.
Repeat for the other fins.
Let dry; hot coat the fins, sand. Apply gloss resin, polish.
Wow 13 good on ya! Some good advice here for you. While a good set of glass ons is the best, by far in my opinion. It is a somewhat complicated process. Lots to go wrong.
If you are dead set on giving it a go check youtube for videos on glass on fins. Watching someone that can do it in their sleep is pretty entertaining. I can only do it because of UV resin. I’m way too slow for catylized resin. With UV you can take your time and get all the air out, position the patches, etc.
Still I’d go with the single fin box. First board and all so sick to do something different. As someone said take the rope and glass on a single if you don’t have a box. If you are near the beach someone has got to have a broken single fin. The tabs are famous for breaking off and all you need to do is cut the base off and sand it down.