February Updates - "Ant" finished, Twin Keel glassed, Quad Bomb started!

The "Ant" is finished and I was able to share the maiden session with Jamie on base at Mayport.  We had a clean 2'-4' day and the board treated him well.  Pics from the session will be posted later (Jamie had the GoPro installed during part of the session), but below are a couple of shots of the board after completion.

Also, I added a photo of the Classic Twin Keel Fish that just got the hot coat finished today!

320 wetsand finished product

5 fin plug setup for several fin options!



6'0" Twin Keel Fish after deck hot coat



Next up is a 6'10" Quad Bomb for Fozzy.  This is his first shorter board in his quiver.  The board has a wide, rounded nose, a squash tail, regular rocker, and a quad setup.  This board is very similar to the "Ant"...but with more size.

Quad Bomb after 100 grit drywall screen

6'0" x 15 3/4" x 22" x 16 1/4" x 2 13/16" Classic Twin Keel Fish

This fish is for my neighbor, Matt, and his son, Cameron. 



5'10" Ant

This board is for Jamie Cannon.  It measrues 5'10" x 17.5" x 21.5" x 16" x 2.75" and features a rolled entry into a tri-hull design with vee through the tail.  There were a slew of boards that inspired this one...Fat Arse Wombat, Bottom Feeder, Scorpion, and Slug.  So far it looks super fun!

Sanded out and waiting for UV sealant coat

After the bottom laminate coat

6'2" Gheenoe

I got the inspiration for this one from Larry Mabile's "Larmo Squash" design.  I wanted to shape something that blended the advantages of both a shortboard and fish.  The final dimensions are 6'2" x 13.75" x 21.75" x 15.75" x 2.88".  I pulled in the nose and tail, added a single to double concave with vee through the tail, a five fin setup, very slightly relaxed rocker (~4.5" in the nose), shortboard-style rails blended into a fishy foil distribution with a squared-off tail.

I also wanted to use this opportunity to test out new techniques and materials.  I glassed a resin swirl inlay on the deck and used automotive tape to paint the blue pinline over the cutlap.  The end result wasn't exactly what I had envisioned, but it is turning out pretty good overall!

 Resin swirl inlay with 6oz E-Cloth

 Deck laminate coat setting-up

Bottom after laminate coat



I chose to put the dark resin inlay on the deck because epoxy/EPS boards are more sensitive to extreme heat than the traditional polyester/polyurethane boards.  My personal thoughts are to keep the bottom of the board colored with lighter shades and the deck with the option to be dark.  Boards are usually either face down on the beach or submerged in the relatively cooler water when being used which leaves the deck and wax sheltered from extreme temperatures.  Just some food for thought for people considering color ideas with epoxy/EPS...

Ok, here is the final product.  Sanded hot coat down to 1500 grit.



5'10" Bottom Feeder

The bottom feeder is done too.  I added an FCS fin plug on the nose of the deck to provide "GoPro" compatibility.  Here are the pics:

Kelly's fins match the blue on the deck perfectly.  In person they really look sharp!



5'10" Biscuit

Ok, the Biscuit is done.  This shape came out great and the glass job is nice and tight.  I'm pretty stoked on the new logos too!  Here are the pics:

5'10" Biscuit & 5'10" Bottom Feeder

I am working on a 5'10" x 17" x 22" x 17.25" x 2.7" board for Kelly Repper.  It is inspired by Lost's new "Bottom Feeder" model.  It features a deep double concave, very low rocker, slight belly, and lightly chined rails giving it a tri-hull planing design.  Here is a pic after the bottom laminate coat...

Also, I am working on a 5'10" x 15.25" x 20.5" x 16.5" x 2.8" board for Ed Han.  It is inspired by Channel Islands' popular "Biscuit" model.  This board features relaxed rocker, a lightly beaked nose, double concave with vee through the tail, and five FCS Fusion plugs for a quad, thruster, or twin option.

(taken while bottom laminate coat cured)

(taken just after deck laminate coat cured)

 I spent last weekend reorganizing the workshop and building a storage rack to accommodate more boards at different stages of construction.  I also built taller glassing stands which made tucking the laps much easier!