Evening Session 8/31/2020

Marlon and I went for a quick session at WPB.  The tide was just coming down from a 2.3' high - it was probably 2.0' while we were out.  The wind was up - so much so that I feel like I could have definitely winged.  There was a guy out on a 6m Ozone (big foil I couldn't place, and a Kalama Performance SUP) - but we didn't have time today because I had to go back to work to sign some documents.  The swell was definitely waist high, but the chop on top made for some challenging (but still fun) conditions. 

We were only out about 50 minutes, but I was able to catch about five really good waves.  The wind was creating havoc when I went right - it was almost like foiling in slow motion.  I had the skinny 4'10" with the GL180 and chopped tail.  I saw Marlon in the lineup, but for some reason I didn't see many of his rides like I normally do.  Fun short session!

#19 (Wing Foiling Board) Done!!!

This board is done!  I got the Marine Grip on the bottom deck, and the traction pads on the top.

I'll let this board sit in my garage (autoclave) for the rest of the week to have everything set in place and let the epoxy cure up some more.  This picture below is showing the handle in the bottom - shapers have recently started adding this so you can carry the foil upwind while carrying the wing downwind.

That time will also have me get out on the Hypernut a couple to several more sessions.  If I can tack and jibe on foil, I'll feel more confident dropping down to this board.  We'll see if I can actually get there or if I can wait.

I wanted to point out the difference in the laminate - the weave you see is the innegra layers.  This stuff is supposed to be bullet proof.  We'll see - considering I'll be starting on my knees most if not all the time.  No. #19 all pau!!!!

Second Session Wing Foiling

The wind was coming more from the east earlier today and it was blowing stronger.  I headed back to Hickam to get another session in.  I set the foil all the way forward this time (since yesterday I was having issues getting up on foil on starboard tack).  After I brought the board/foil to the launch, I took out the wind meter and I was seeing gusts to 25 with steady breeze at 16.  Not knowing what the range of the Duotone 6m is, I have to admit I was a little anxious/excited.

With the wind pulling more east, I was able to launch as soon as I cleared the point - and with the wind strength, I was up on foil pretty quick.  Everything was going better than yesterday.  I noticed once up on foil, everything calmed down - I wasn't having to fight the wing, and the board/foil just "went".  More than windsurfing ever was, Wing Foiling is totally about finesse.  Starboard tack foiling was easy today also - I can't say if it was the foil adjustment or the increased wind speed - probably both.  Most of my runs were up on foil (as opposed to yesterday when I was shlogging on starboard and only flying on port).  According to my watch, I got up to 13.7mph today.  I only overfoiled/breached once.  On most runs I'd have a lot of room to hold the wing out like a windsurfing sail and still had plenty of room below the wing tip.

There were several other wingers out today - the Commodore of Pacific Yacht Club was on a Duotone Echo also; there was someone out on a Slingshot V2 Slingwing; and as I was heading in a guy on a 4.6 Naish Wingsurfer V2 was out.  I'm glad I got the 6m Echo - knowing the winds around here, I'll need the power it has.  I also like the boom a lot - I can make small adjustments to my hand placement and make the wing balanced. I also liked moving my feet around - with no straps on deck, there was nothing to get in the way.  It made turning a little easier not having to step around/over things.  I did get one tack in without crashing and a few jibes - but these were not up on foil - the ones that were ended up being train wrecks.  I could sense the wind was shifting more to the North, so after an hour and a half, I called it and sailed in to the launch point.  I can tell this is going to be a fun addition to foil surfing!

Last of the Sanding and Commencement of the Clear Coating

I went ahead and started sanding the wing foiling board.  I went through the whole regime again (60-120-180-220-320).

After the sanding was done, I installed the vent (using a 3/8" socket - back it out first to get it aligned, then go forward to screw it in - keep going just past finger tight).  Then I cleaned the surface with denatured alcohol so the next step would go smoothly.

I brought the board out into the driveway, closed the garage door and sprayed the top deck of the board with clear coat.  I let that sit in the closed garage for an hour, then flipped it and sprayed the bottom.  And with that the build is pretty much complete.  I got the vent plug in also - using a 3/4" socket.  I'll outfit the board with the deck pads and the Marine Grip after I sign and write in the dimension labels.  And the last thing I'll have to do is place the leash loops.  I'll let this board sit in the garage to let everything cure up.  I want to get better on the Hypernut before dropping down in size to this board - I don't mind taking my time.  When I can tack and jibe on foil, then it'll be time to use this board (I'm actually getting close to making some already - next post).

First Winging Session

And La and I went to Hickam Beach to enjoy the water.  La went SUPing with the Starboard Element and I brought out the Starboard Hypernut, slapped on the Go Foil Maliko 200 (with the 29.5" Mast + 3" track mount).

The tide was dropping from a high of 2.3'.  The wind was blowing 12 to 16 mph, but there was a lot of North to it.  In fact, the longer the session, the more the wind shifted more North.  I actually was holding a line, but I got to a point where I just transferred the wing leash down to my ankle and started paddling in.

Winging is way easier than windsurf wave foiling - I got on foil on port tack and stayed on foil forever.  I was able to get on foil pretty much every time was close to the runway.  On the other hand, I was only able to get up on foil a couple of times.  I think this was mainly due to the north wind and me not wanting to go downwind to build speed.

Today's conditions are definitely at the low end of the Echo.  I never had to drop the wing, but I got close.  During the gusts, the wing felt really good.  Tomorrow is supposed to be better - stronger winds and more from the East.  Great start to winging!!!

Also Fixed a Windsurfing Sail

I pulled battens from a sail that La got from a friend and borrowed a batten tensioner from another sail (I can replace that).  After 30 minutes, the sail was back to top shape!

Marlon was going to go to the beach with me to windsurf (while I wing foiled), but he got a bout of allergies so he took a nap.  Either way - the sail is fixed and ready to go.

Vent Plug and More Divot Filling

I did go down the rabbit hole and chased the small holes.  I was mixing epoxy anyways for the vent plug so why not.

I got the top and bottom coated one last time - just the low spots.  The vent plug went in perfectly - I used the new 7/8" hole saw and it was just right.  Allowed me to use minimal epoxy - focusing just on the sides and under the overhang.  I also cut out the deck pad so everything would fit.

Tomorrow will bring more sanding.  When that is done, I'll wipe down the whole board and start spraying the clear coat on.  After that I'll stick on the deck pad and let everything set for a few days

Wing Shake Down

I recently bought a Duotone 6m Echo Wing.  I've been busy with other things and the wing hasn't been too strong lately so it's been sitting for about a week.  Today the wind forecast called for a little bit stronger trades - and really small surf - so I figured I needed to get the wing out on the water.

Before going to the beach, I needed to dry test everything.  I watched several videos and read the pdf instructions and got everything set up. 

Should be fun!

Done Sanding - Maybe

I got through the 60-120-180-220-320 regime this afternoon. 

I could put another coat of epoxy on and sand again to fill in the last of the low spots and sanded through holes... which I might do anyways since I still have to put in the vent.  But it doesn't need it - that is just the OCD talking.

What is a little bit more sanding when you've sanded this much already???  In either case, I should have the clear coat and the deck pad on by tomorrow evening - then I leave it all to harden up.  I still have to learn on the Hypernut anyways so there is time.

Evening Session - 8/27/2020

After applying the epoxy this afternoon, I set up dinner in the slow cooker and then went back to WPB with Marlon for an evening session.  I knew the tide would be lower so I brought out the Pigfish thinking the inside waves would be the call.

I totally got my share of waves - and some of them were really good!!!  It's been a while since I've surfed this board and I forgot how fun it is to go front side on it.  The crowd was pretty thick - but I just stayed inside of them all and picked up wave after wave of juicy fun!

Last Coat of Epoxy on the Wing Foiling Board (Hopefully)

I got the last fill coat on the wing foiling board this afternoon.

I got the top and the bottom since I was just putting the epoxy where it was needed to fill any small voids or the areas I grinded the innegra fibers out.  I'll sand down the epoxy tomorrow.  If it all turns out well, then I can spray clearcoat on the bottom and let it dry overnight.  That puts me into Saturday - where I'll drill in the vent plug, get it epoxied in, and maybe even get the deck pad on.  All this will be competing with bringing the Wing (Duotone Echo 6m) out (with the Hypernut and the Maliko 200 on the 29.5" mast) - but if I work early, I should be able to get it all done before the wind picks up.

Afternoon Session - 8/27/2020

I pulled an afternoon session at WPB to catch the high tide and go foiling.  The swell was waist high and it was pretty inconsistent.  The wind was surprisingly light.  And the tide was good and deep.

For once the crowd was manageable - all the kids were at school!!!  I caught some long rides and was able to pump back out several times. 

I did notice that the speed recorded by my Garmin watch was similar to both the rides I was getting on the Armstrong Foil and the TJ Everyday - that pretty much told me that the speed I running at is the same speed as the wave I was riding.  I expect that to change when I start wing foiling.

There were a bunch of foilers out also.  Good session at WPB!

La's Laser Focus

La went sailing this morning (while I got groceries).  She was on a Laser!!!

Not sure what's going on with the helmet...

Evening Session - 8/26/2020

I came home from work and took a nap - long enough to get from tired to groggy, but I woke up with enough time to get a session in.  Marlon and I hit WPB with an hour of light left.  The sun is definitely heading south as the summer is drawing to a close (still a month or so before the equinox).  The swell was belly to chest high.  The tide was low - maybe 0.6' - so I brought the TJ Everyday.  I checked the tide charts earlier today - weird because the moon is a waxing gibbous so you think there would be two smaller peaks, but it seemed like there was only a single very large peak.  More like a full moon tide.  The wind was there, but it wasn't strong enough to mess with the texture too much - and definitely not strong enough to drive a wing (which is a good thing because I didn't bring one, or the board to use it with).

I caught a handful of really long waves.  Marlon was catching a bunch also.  The crowd was pretty dense - seems like everyone was getting their last waves before the "stay at home" order goes into effect (tonight at midnight).

Back on the beach, there was a monk seal hanging out.  It definitely knows it has free reign of the place.  Seems like every time I surf, I jump back to the foils but switch it all up - if this holds true (why wouldn't it - I control it), I'll be using the Go Foil again....

Dialing In the Sanding - Wing Foiling Board

I passed on going to the beach today - the wing foiling board was summoning me to get some sanding done.  I have been thinking about using the Dremel with the ca.rbide grinding wheel to get rid of the innegra bitter ends - well that worked really well.

I got the leash plugs ground/sanded down, and even the bulk of the board.  Tomorrow I'm going to get one more layer of epoxy/aerosil on the the spots that need it (I want to do it while I've got a lot of sunlight), then on Thursday go through the sanding regime (60-120-180-200-320).  I corrected issues with the logos (high points got sanded down - went back over it with posca pens) so the epoxy will cover those adds.

I'm going to measure out the distances where footstraps would go - just so I know for later on when I'm doing things with this board that require them.  I'm still debating if the vent plug is going in the back (where the leash plug would normally go), or somewhere up front (just forward of the deck pad).  Getting close!!!

Evening Session - 8/24/2020

Marlon and I hit PTs again.  The swell had dropped - to about half of what it was yesterday (Marlon was staring at it for a while before finally picking up his board and making his way to the water... I thought he was going to go back to the van and take a nap instead).  The tide was also lower that the past several days - even with no transition period - felt like yesterday it was super full and today I was constantly checking to make sure I would not hit bottom.  The wind was the same as yesterday - and so was the gear I brought out (wide 4'10", HS1850, 232 tail).

I caught a bunch - but had a few more wipeouts compared to yesterday - not sure what from though...  Marlon caught several, but the drops weren't there and they would fizzle out sooner than yesterday.  I thought it was good though - pick up the wave on the outside, stabilize on the foil and line up on some long walls.  I got a couple of 2 for 1s and pumped back out about half the time.  My right quad seems to be getting a workout as are my lungs more than anything else.  Fun session!!!

Evening Session - 8/23/2020

Marlon and I hit PTs again.  A new SSW swell was supposed to be showing - it was and it was magnificent!!!  Just overhead on the sets - big enough to close out the normal takeoff zone.  The tide was full and the wind was down.  I got a late start because I got to talking foils with Gary and Bryan (who also has a Duotone Echo 6m).  I also left my leash in the van so I had to grab that. 

During yesterday's session, I had a handful of waves where I would lose lift and eat it.  I decided instead of swapping the front wings out that I would change out the rear stabilizer.  I bolted on the 232 and it made all the difference in the world!!!  Today was definitely in the top 5 sessions I've ever had.  I could take off on the larger sets and still control the lift - and could glide without wondering if I was going to lose lift, and crank turns like I was using a smaller wing.  My first wave was a 2 for 1 and I ended up with five more in this shorter session.  It is amazing what one little change can do - granted this was a change to suite the conditions - so having rear stabs to work with different conditions helps (granted these are for the Go Foil).

Marlon was picking off the bigger waves - he got decapitated by one where he was trying to slide under the lip.  And he had a few others that he rode for a long while.  I had a few that took me from one side of the break all the way to the other side - so much fun!!!!

Deck Pad Hunting and Spreading Icing

We ran errands this morning - I was able to stop into a surf shop and found a SUP deck pad (which is totally unavailable online).  This deck pad had middle inserts to get across a really wide board - but I didn't need those.  No one makes deck pads for this size board yet - but I'll get two boards covered with this SUP deck pad (as I only used half of the parts).

And before Marlon and I took off for an evening session, I got some epoxy mixed with aerosil spread on the low spots across the bottom deck.  I got the epoxy mixed to the consistency of icing - but I still had the stuff cure in the cup on me - super hot today.  I'll do the same to the top deck and then try to get the sanding done.  I'm thinking I'll have to grind down the fibrous spots again with the carbide grit bit - so when I sand they won't puff out - and then I can put one last coat on the resulting low spots and do the final sanding. At the rate I'm going, I think this board could get wet this coming weekend if it needed to (but I'm thinking I can used the Hypernut for a week or so to give this board a little time to cure up).

Evening Session - 8/22/2020

Marlon and I hit PTs (I'm sick of the crowds at WPB).  Swell was bigger than the last session, the wind was almost nil, and the tide was full.  Perfect conditions for the wide 4'10" and the Armstrong.

That said, the bigger sets were a little too much for the HS1850 - if this swell holds, I'll put the HS1550 on for next session.  I had some really long rides along with a few epic wipeouts - all of it was super fun. 

Marlon took off the side bites on his board again.  He caught some bombers and said he could feel the looser tail.  Then he paddled over to WPB to check out the waves there - he said it was not nearly crowded as it has been.  Nice session today!

Grinding and Sanding

Got the work on my least favorite part of the build process.  Used the grinder to clear the mast tracks and the bottom handle.  Then broke out the dremel with a carbide grinder to trim down the high spots.  Finally I used the sander with 60 grit to clear some of the excess resin.  I went ahead and drilled out the holes for the leash cups and got those epoxied in with epoxy/milled fibers.

I'll have to place epoxy and aerosil on the low spots tomorrow - then sand again.

Evening Session - 8/21/2020

Got home and ground down the laps from yesterday's glassing.  Then I went ahead and threw on a logo decal and placed a fill coat of epoxy.  After that, Marlon and I hit WPB to try and get a little surf in.  I brought the wide 4'10" and the Armstrong HS1850 - Marlon brought his longboard.

The surf was definitely set oriented - rolling in periodically.  The tide was full at 2.0' and it was washing up the beach.  The wind was low - all put together it was nice conditions.  Except for the crowd - super thick.  I caught several and I was trying out a new watch I got - Garmin Instinct Solar Surf.  Still need to figure it out.  Fun turns and fast swoopy glides.  I didn't even see Marlon  today because it was so crowded.

When we got home, I placed the bottom deck fill coat on.  I'm going to run into some trouble with the innegra that was sitting under the laps in the tail and the nose.  I'm going to have to think about how to handle this... maybe a light cap sheet?

Glassing the Top Deck of the Wing Foiling Board

I got home and was nuked from work.  I changed my clothes, and decided to take a nap instead of surf/foil.  It was also pretty windy so I figured I wouldn't be missing much (haven't gotten the wing yet).  After a short nap, I did get to grinding the laps from yesterday's work, setting up the glass layers, and laid up the epoxy.

The grinding wasn't bad - especially knowing I was going to add some cover layers today.  I did see what happens to the innegra fibers when you try to sand them - worse than carbon.  The glassing schedule was 2 layers of the 2 ounce innegra, all the 6 ounce fiberglass I had - which covered half the board, and all the remaining 2 ounce fiberglass I had.  These bolts are all 36" width to wrap the rails on this 26" wide board. 

I took my time cutting the laps out.  A cut here, pulls to see how the lap would sit and more cuts to get everything to sit tight.  The splice between the two top sheets was as easy as laying the 2 oz on top of the 6 oz.

I used 1x6 oz and 5x4.9 oz loads of epoxy to glass the top.  I had to use a hammer to get the old roller insert off the new roller - I really like this brand of roller - but I now know to take off the old roller immediately after the glassing job.

I also used some saran wrap on the back corners to get the layers to conform better - it all turned out really nice.  Tomorrow will be lap grinding and possibly fill coating.  Since that goes fairly quickly, I may try to get that done as soon as I get home and then get a session in.  We'll see.

Glassing the Bottom Deck of the Wing Foiling Board

I finally started the glassing - first layer was 4.7 ounce carbon - just kept it to where it needed to be to conserve pumping energy - so it came short of the nose.  Next was a full coverage layer of 2 ounce innegra.  This did not behave the way I thought it was going to - yes it is white, but the weave was space out far enough to see the carbon beneath.  I topped it all with a cover sheet of 6 ounce fiberglass (so I can get a better fill coat and so I can sand down the laps).

I cut slots in the fiber after laying each down.  I had to remove the tape from the finbox slots that I placed earlier - that way I could aim the scissors down in order to cut out a similar slot. 

I ended up using 6x5.6 ounces of epoxy to glass the bottom.  I also used the Home Depot thin knap rollers - these are winners by the way. 

The slots in the fiber layers over the boxes/handle worked really well to let the air bubbles out.  In fact this whole glassing job went surprisingly well (hoping I didn't just jinx myself).  Tomorrow is grinding the laps, setting up the fiber layers for the top deck (2 layers of innegra topped with a layer of 6 ounce fiberglass).  I may actually try doing a cut lap on this one (we'll see how I feel about that tomorrow).

Evening Session - 8/19/2020

Marlon and I hit WPB again - the swell was a little smaller than yesterday - but chest to shoulder high.  Everything else was pretty much the same.  Oh - the crowd seemed to be more dense.

We both brought shortboards out.  I saw Marlon catch a really good one - nice drop with a fun bottom turn and back down off the top.

I had quite a few really good ones - the dually stubby has been quite the fun board!   I tried to just go right today - had one wave where I got lined up with a wall and just went all out (but compared to foiling, it felt like I was stuck in second gear).  A couple were really fun drops with some turns.  Yesterday was definitely better for the shortboard.  The swell is supposed to continue to drop off - if I hit it tomorrow it will be foiling (and possibly at PTs).

Evening Session - 8/18/2020

I checked the report earlier in the day and it said a chest + high swell had set in.  I got home around 4pm and grabbed Marlon to hit the beach. 

I brought the Green Dually Stubby 5'10".  Before leaving the truck I pushed the fins up just a notch - maybe a 1/4" to see what that would do (last time I had the opportunity to take this board out, it just felt a tad sticky - it wasn't flowing). 

The swell would hit just overhead every now and then.  The tide was coming down from a big high so there was some depth.  The wind was up and from the East.  Eli was out on his 6m Wasp (and probably on his GL210).  All I know is every wave I caught was better than the previous one.  The board seemed to come alive and it was definitely "flowing".  No more stickiness!!!  Amazing what a 1/4" will do for a board.

Marlon was sitting out trying to pick off some of the bomber sets - I saw him on one that was just overhead and nothing but face in front of him - was definitely worth the wait.

On my last few waves, the board was working perfectly - nice easy drop on a slightly less than head high wave, front side bottom turn into a wall that let me get 3 or 4 fun turns in - Number 17 was working it today!!!