My brother started on his first surfboard and it wasnt more than a week or so until I of course had to jump into one myself. Ive got the skeleton about done and am going to start on the skin hopefully this weekend, but before I seal it up, was wondering how the hell i am going to set fin plugs/box. I really dont wanna use glass-ons as I have no idea how it will ride and would like to try multiple fin set ups.
attached is a picture of the skeleton, the skin will be made out of strips of a yet uninamed wood, probably 4 inches wide and 1/4" thick. The whole getup will then be glassed with s-glass and RR epoxy. I dont think this is anywhere near the thickness/strength needed to support the fins as the board is hollow.
You can definately install fin boxes/plugs. I believe the method used by most is to figure out in advance where you will put the plugs an then reinforce the area with blocks of balsa or xps or something that wont suck water.
I’m sure someone who builds hollow boards will chime in here soon.
Attach solid blocks on the inside where you think the fins will be positioned. Make sure that they are deep enough and long enough to accomidate your fin system.
thats sort of what i was thinking too guys, perhaps laying the skin on the hull first, cutting out the box/plugs, then attaching something to the inside of the hull to back the plug somehow.
im mixed on EPS, which i have plenty of, solid wood, or the scrap peices of the skin layered and glued. I was also thinking to perhaps fill the entire rear chamber (between the last rub and tail block) completely with EPS. still unsure how i would secure it to the inside of the hull. im sure good ole gorilla glue would do the trick.
ps- can you guys see the pic i posted? it says its getting posted but i cant see it.
I can see the pic,and any blocks large enough to support the fin box will work,I’m sure youv’e got some scraps from the build.Glue em in,keep it simple.