I am building a second 5’7" fish to be used for kitesurfing. The 1st attempt I put in way too much rocker, so the board is slow and does not ride upwind too well. My plan is to use an EPS core and strengthen the deck where required, also I will wrap the rails using Kevlar.
After glassing the board, I would like to use 0.6mm wood veneer to sheath the entire board, and was wondering which woods, when using veneer softener, would be suitable to wrap rails. Also, which woods looks best and are suitable for sheating with epoxy/glass? I have been looking at what is easily available to me, and the following are on the list:
Since we’re on the subject of different types of woods, how would that 1/20 poplar stack up next to 1/8 balsa for a deck? If you’re not hugely concerned with weight what other types of woods and thicknesses would make a strong but flexy deck?
I don't think it can be done, because wood just will not bend that far, without splitting. The reasons you want to do it are cosmetic, I assume. Since there are probably going to be some problem areas that will end up looking ugly, (if you can do it at all), the cosmetics will suffer. It is a case of picking witch battles to fight IMHO, the rail work would exceed the work involved in the building the rest of the board. If you are determined, try making a test rail from scraps first, copying the same rail shape at the nose first.
Also, I would skip the Kevlar altogether.
If anyone wants some veneer in the OC Socal area, I have a quantity of 1/20 in. poplar. (sheet with joints), and some prime 1/16 basswood rotary peeled without joints. PM if interested.
unless you use 2-2.5 lp foam underneath, then there's no comparison in strength with out increasing the layers of glass under the veneer.
secondly people forget that in wood working veneer is applied to a solid and flat subrate like a table, door or cabinet.
Pu and especially soft EPS foam don't provide that level of support.
Your just asking for trouble with veneers over soft foam believe me I've done dozens and all have had one type of problem or another with out extra glassing and the extra weight it presents.
Sorry, I should have phrased that better. I was asking the question in relation to a compsand-type build, using 1/8 or 1/16 planks rather than 1/40 veneers. I already know the veneers have additional limitations.
Thanks for the advice. I realise that veneer will not add strength, only weight. It is purely for decoration. I intend to glass the board with bi-axial cloth after putting 1mm ply under heel areas, and kevlar over the high stress areas which I have identified from failures I have seen and repaired for others on varoius production boards when used for kiting. This will leave a messy looking deck, so veneer seemed a neat solution. Some of the local beaches here in the UK are shingle, and can be pretty tough on surfboard rails, especially when using a kite. I managed to wrap the rails on my previous fish with Kevlar. A right pain to do, but I think worth it.
As for using dark woods, I mainly surf/kite in UK and Ireland, and the best season is Autumn/winter, so sun is not such a deal.
Oneula, I do like the look of the Beech/Mahogany Fish you have. Is it veneer over foam, and how are the rails done?
its a full rail wrap using thin veneer and softener and a bag of coarse.
you can do the same with 1/16" balsa not sure about any think else although I did wrap 1/16 maple over the nose and tail of the board below using strapping tape. one of the best riding one I ever made its a Marko core but I thinks the 16" wide of 1/16" thick maple on the deck wrapped around the nose and tail created some type of giant reverse leaf spring. You can feel the effect when you ride it. If you are in Europe look for a wood called Obeche'. It a slight yellow wood but is really strong and has a lot of twang in it more than Bamboo I think. It's used to make those police riot batons they wack people with so it's tough and not too heavy. Might work great for a kite board. CMP used it as deck and bottom springers back in 2004 on his blasa composites(see below).
[img_assist|nid=1045084|title=marko maple balsa flyer|desc=marko+maple+balsa-2004|link=none|align=left|width=0|height=0]