Materials

Surfboard Blanks

I am currently using US Blanks blanks from California USA and via Fiberglass Hawaii.

Stringer material is spruce, cedar or redwood in 1/18" - 1/4" in thickness. . All the blanks are glued up with my own custom rocker especially designed for this these designs.

Fabric

Fabric is 6 oz. flat weave volan and 6 oz. flat weave silene in combination. The flat weave holds less resin and gives the board more flexibility and life. The fabric also has higher tensile strength that twist weave fabric of the same weight. In small surf this is particularly important to access the sensation of power, particularly in weak surf.

Resin

Because I am somewhat isolated I cannot use the material that I used for 20 years in California. The Dion isothalic 6908 resin which added longevity and flexibility to the California produced boards is simply not available here to me. I am using an iso/ortho laminating resin that has some of the properties of the Dion as opposed to the standard laminating resin used by many manufacturers.

Finish Coat

My personal boards do not have a finish coat on top or bottom to keep the save weight. A more practical approach to maximize longevity is to finish coat the bottom and leave the deck unfinished. The deck has the extra protection of the wax buildup and double layer of 6/6 or 6/4 oz favric one coat of dead weight finishing resin is eliminated. Finish coat deck and bottom is always available as an alternative....most stock boards are finished deck and bottom.

Wet sanding

I will always suggest that the finish coated bottom be wet sanded with #320 or #400 wet /dry sandpaper. Use water and sand in same direction as the stringer from nose to tail, tail to nose, do the fins and rails too. You will notice that the water will stick to the wetsanded bottom and feel very different from the finish/polished bottom. The result feels faster to me, more under control and more conected to the wave. You can try it on any board you are used to. Ride it glossed first, wet sand the bottom and try it again to feel the difference. The board can be freshened periodically in this way if it becomes dead and sluggish.

Fins

The fins I use are all flexible and adjustable. They are made from the same volan fabric which enhances their flex and longevity. The adjustment is necessary to get the correct release from the fins when changing direction or during particularly long turns. The position seems to be a bit different for everyone so adjustment is an absolute necessity.

Fin Boxes

The fin boxes are from Fins Unlimited aka Bahne.They are reinforced with two layers of 6 oz. fiberglass fabric layered over the top and onto the bottom of the surfboard. They are quite secure. It is essential to be able to adjust the fins to the feeling and reaction you want from the board.