Template Transfer and Cutting Out the Board

Inside every blank is a board waiting to emerge.  Here's this board starting the journey.  This stubby with Duo fin setup (plus a center box for single fin outings) should be really fun.

I took stock of how much blank there was in relation to the template.  I went ahead and extended the template on the board by about 3" (since there was room - I need all the help I can get).

This 5'10" fish blank is thick - the jigsaw with a normal blade was not long enough to get through it.  Might as well get started on this - I don't think the COVID-19 restrictions are going to get lifted anytime soon.

The Next Board

And here is the template for the next board - 5'8" x 20" stubby.  It'll have 3 fin boxes - two lined up to be a "duo" (not a twin), and a third in the middle to function as a single.  Don't look at the dark outline, I drew another one in pencil to the right of it.  Lots of width on this one so it'll paddle my chunky trunk.

I figured I'd get this one ready in case the lockdown keeps going.

Tweaking the Asymmetric Fish

And since I was working in the garage, I felt compelled to dial in the template of the asymmetric fish I'm making.

Here is the nose.

And here is the tail.  I think it looks great now.  It came out at 5'10" and change.  It is fairly wide, but I'm going to have to make it thick so I can ride this thing.

I'll post more pictures of the cut board when there is a sunny day.  Next step is to skin the blank and get the bottom rocker faired in.  I'll show Marlon how to use the planer at the same time.

Template Transferring

Yesterday afternoon I was feeling really tired after work - long week.  Normally where I would be running to get an evening surf, I figured I'd just rest.  I took a nap and Marlon did go out.  After I got up, there was still daylight - I ended up fixing the ding on my 5'2" Foilboard, plugging up the pinholes in the 4'10", and putting a last fill coat on the ama that I'm fixing.  After that - I brought in the 6'5" fish blank and transferred the templates for the asymmetric.  Yes I know this is old school, but to me there is a better connection made with a board the more you handling it at the beginning.  CNC is fast and accurate, but I'll stick with the old school.

Marlon also templated his shortboard.  Trimming fat is next.

Sunday Garage Works

I took a break from the surf on Sunday in favor of BBQing and getting some other projects knocked out.  I got the prone foilboard templates cut out and sanded.

And then I proceeded to get the blank(s) templated and cut out.

Also went to our friendly neighborhood Lowes and grabbed a bunch of lumber to make some plant benches La has been asking for.  I'll also build a new shaping rack (to shape these short foil boards).

As I am writing this entry on Sunday, Marlon and I did go on a dawn patrol this morning - 1.7' tide with a chest high swell pushing in - good fun!!!  I had several long rides - one was tracking along with a wave standing up and just about to pitch a lip.  Another with banking turns back and forth between sections.  A couple of waves I popped up but my feet didn't feel like they were in the right place - I rode out the wave anyways and just compensated with weight shifts.  At the risk of sounding cocky - this is second nature now.  I even had a few green water takeoffs - steeper than I prefer, but too much fun!

Marlon's Longboard

We got Marlon and blank and some fin boxes for Christmas and we are getting ready to shape it.  This weekend we got the template put together and transferred it to the blank (pictures on this to come - too late this evening to take pictures).