thickness / durability

does a heavyer surfer choose a thicker board only for reasons of flotation or too for durability? what does efect more the durability of a board: glassing foam density thickness stringer? i’m a surfer about 210lbs but prefer a thinner board about 2 1/2 on a 9’longboard. will a thicker board, about 3" last longer? can i take it out at headhigh without risk? thanks a lot!

MRR- IMHO the priority of durable surfboards in your case hinges on foam density, glassing schedule and stringer(s). In that order. It sounds as if you have had some bad experiences in your thinner boards falling apart. Yes, if you prefer a thinner 9’0" then it can certainly be built to these specs. The key is that the builder start with the proper blank to meet your needs and avoid overshaping the deck. As far as avoiding breakage in headhigh surf you will have to add weight in glassing and addtional stringer(s)as a remedy. See the Clark Foam catalog available at FoamEZ.com or FiberglassSupply.com for an idea of what blanks are out there. Tom S.>>> does a heavyer surfer choose a thicker board only for reasons of flotation > or too for durability? what does efect more the durability of a board: > glassing foam density thickness stringer?>>> i’m a surfer about 210lbs but prefer a thinner board about 2 1/2 on a > 9’longboard. will a thicker board, about 3" last longer? can i take > it out at headhigh without risk? thanks a lot!

MRR->>> IMHO the priority of durable surfboards in your case hinges on foam > density, glassing schedule and stringer(s). In that order. It sounds as if > you have had some bad experiences in your thinner boards falling apart. > Yes, if you prefer a thinner 9’0" then it can certainly be built to > these specs. The key is that the builder start with the proper blank to > meet your needs and avoid overshaping the deck. As far as avoiding > breakage in headhigh surf you will have to add weight in glassing and > addtional stringer(s)as a remedy. See the Clark Foam catalog available at > FoamEZ.com or FiberglassSupply.com for an idea of what blanks are out > there.>>> Tom S. If durability is a key concern. you might also whant to check out some epoxy styrofoam composit boards, with the right stringer (s) you can still go thinner & have a very strong board…

I whant to hear more about compost surfboard construction. Pull up a stool

I whant to hear more about compost surfboard construction. Pull up a stool Ware are the spelling police when you need um??? Compost boards are made from dried mid western cow chips with a Earl Schib baked enamel finish. Styrofoam & epoxy have been around for a long time & although it is mabey a little harder to work with, there are some really excelent HAND SHAPED boards being built.

IMHO the priority of durable surfboards in your case hinges on foam > density, glassing schedule and stringer(s). In that order. Check out: http://www.brucejones.com/strength.htm in particular “Bending strengths are a direct function of the thickness of a material. The strength increases in proportion to the square of the thickness of the material.” It has a nice table of thickness vs. strength as well. regards, Håvard