Garage Works - 3/7/2026

I got this modification request pretty close to the finish line.

First I sanded the fill coat down to 400.

Then I looked for any soft spots from the lamination.  I found two and opened them up.

Then I went probing for the insert holes and opened those up.

One the front insert for the back foot, I missed the insert - but that's ok since I had to fill the soft spots I found, I was mixing epoxy anyways.

Black pigment and milled fibers used as fill for the holes/voids.

I'll sand this down tomorrow and get a layer of clear coat on the deck, and this footstrap insert installation request is all pau!!!

I didn't take a picture of this, but I also outlined the cut for the block slot for No.26 (converting to Tow Boogie).  I'll also try to get that cut out and the slot routed tomorrow.

Garage Works - 3/5/2026

I sanded the carbon lamination this afternoon on Roland's board modification job.

Then I used acetone to clean the surface in preparation for a fill coat.

I used 2.5 + 1 ounces of epoxy to get the fill evenly spread

And I let it bake in the sun for a good setup.  It came out pretty nice!

I'll do another sanding and possibly one last fill (tinted???) depending how this fill coat comes out.

And I brought the next project out - this is the prospective tow boogie (Foil Drive based).

I identified the center line and eyeballed where the track block would best fit the rocker line of the board.

This is pretty similar to the footstrap insert installation I just finished - measure and mark where the slot will go, cut out the slot, glue in the block making sure there are no voids in the sides, then do a light sanding and laminate.  From there I'll route out the slot and this old board will have new purpose and will likely see a whole lot of action coming up -

Installing a handle in the back, I can use it to ferry me out to the offshore breaks.  And I can add a bungee net up top - towards the front to pack away a tow rope and a windowpane lead anchor.

I'll have to go through another learning curve, but using it as a tow boogie is an easy call.

I can use it as a powered boogie board also - 

On flat days I can use it to drag me out on a longboard with fishing gear and a cooler.

I am pretty eager to get this upcoming project done and across the finish line.

Garage Works - 3/2/2026

This evening I sanded the excess glue off the inserts.  I also sanded more around the edges to make sure the epoxy would have a good mechanical grip.

The gorilla glue did a great job filling the gaps around the insert blocks.

And I cut out the carbon patches and taped up the insert holes.

I used patches to focus the layers in the areas under Roland's heels.  And patches work just fine since a majority of the carbon will be under deck pad (so you won't see it).

I used 7 ounces of resin - but probably an ounce and a half was on the roller.

Tomorrow I'll sand all the laps flush then add a tinted layer of epoxy to get everything smooth and level.

With that add, this will likely be done Wednesday evening.

Garage Works - 2/28/2026

And after running errands and grabbing lunch with La, I headed into the garage to try and get Roland's board modification closer to the finish line.

First off - I sanded the delamination repair areas and the rest of the top deck where strengthening patches are going to be placed.

Here's all the work completed.

Then I prepped the inserts and the slots

All glued in.

Tomorrow I'll shave off the excess glue, cutout the patches, and laminate.

I'm probably a few days away from being finished.

I've been conversing with Charlie over on Maui - he's been looking for a board to learn to Foil Drive prone with... and to wing with... he may be interested in No.34

Which means I'll have to build a replacement...

Garage Works - 2/21/2026

With all the rain, I figured I would knock out some repair orders.

I broke out the sewing machine and fixed Prayot's Ozone Pocket Rocket 3.5

Three of the baffles -

And one of the leading edge cells...

This was pretty therapeutic -  

And to make sure there was progress on Roland's board (boards take up space, parawings not so much), I cut out the patches for the delamination.

Four layers of 4.8 ounce carbon.

I didn't mix epoxy - I'll do that tomorrow.

Once the epoxy is hard, I'll route out the slots and glue in the insert blocks.

Then I'll roughen up the deck, epoxy on some patches over the blocks, and let that harden.  After that, I'll fair in everything and place a carbon cap sheet.

This should be done this week - then I'll move to finish the tow boogie (placing a new track block), then I'll change out the tracks on the two wingboards that I have here at the house (to modernize them).

Garage Works - 2/18/2026

I got back to work on Roland's old Appletree board modification.

I try and remember to make sure I use my PPE...

I reconfirmed with Roland that he wanted the inserts more centered, and then cut away!

All cut!

And I also identified the delaminated areas -

And also got those cut out.  Here's the board with the offcuts popped off.

The four rectangles were removed from bonded spots.  You can see the delaminated offcuts - the foam separated and the foam is stuck on the offcut.

I'll get the delaminated areas built back up with carbon patches.

After that I'll route out the slots and get the blocks glued in.

Then I'll place carbon patches over the insert blocks.

Then I'll place a cap sheet over those to lock everything in.