Top Laminates on Wings, Bottom Laminates on Mast and Fuselage

Last of the work from this weekend.  Got the kids involved to mix the epoxy and get the glass on the parts.

My garage is a total autoclave - the slow hardener actually cures super quick in the heat.  I'm going to have to get creative in assembling the base plate-mast-fuselage...

And here is the post glassing trim for the four pieces addressed (did not glass the base plate yet).

At this rate, I think this foil will be finished by the end of next weekend, or so.  I need to get the boxes prepared for the bottom of the surrogate board (old light wind kite board I made in Gulfport, MS).

Making Base Plates

Put the bench sander to work again - nothing takes off a 1/4" faster (except a full on planer). 

Also drilled in the holes for the mounting bolts.

Cleaning Up the Bottom Laminate on the WIngs

Sunday morning - trimming off the excess with a razor blade.

And sanding down the glass to the finish edge.  I still really like this apron that La made for me - keeps the fiberglass fibers off my skin when sanding.

Next step preparing the base plates (I actually did that on Saturday evening).

The Glassing Begins

I'm dragging Marlon through this process as we build up the first hydrofoil (it will be his - I think I'm going to need bigger wings).

This was Saturday afternoon in my autoclave (also known as my garage).

Starting with small parts and lighter glass is a great way to get used to working with resin.

Here they are laying out for the cure time.

Next post is cleanup.

Friday Afternoon Surf Session

Traffic was kind to me this afternoon - I got home early enough to pick up Marlon and get over to the beach.

The surf was not big, but still really fun.  What a great way to wash off the week and welcome the weekend!

Our beach has a new resident...

Gonna Assemble One This Weekend

Or at least get a few parts glassed

More Sanding - Almost Ready to Glass and Assemble

I had some time this afternoon to get more foil part sanding done.  I got the masts done and fine tuned the front wings and the fuselages.

Now all I have to do is sand the mounting plates and I can start mixing epoxy (I think I no longer like that part - and I can feel myself procrastinating already...)

SUP Surfing the Latest South Swell

Marlon and I did a dawn patrol yesterday.  It was pretty windy and choppy - I brought out the ULI Lopez (but while I was out there I was thinking I should have brought out the Greedy Beaver).

I caught some good ones, but I also tripped up way more than I normally do.  It's harder to make the drop when you are getting blown back up the face, and the chop is bucking you off the board.

Still a good time - Marlon was way over on the Oneula side of the breaks so I didn't get to checkout his rides.

I ended up pulling a muscle near my left shoulder blade.  I'm sidelined for a few days...

Master Blaster from the Past

This guy and I learned to kite together over 20 years ago - and here we are still playing in the water together!

The equipment has changed (for the better), the crowd on the beach is different than when we first started, and we are both grayer, but that's about all that has changed!

Pretty epic session - but an odd thing happened - we both ended our sessions with equipment failures.  I lost the screws on my left foot strap and Nick split his foilboard in two.

Time to break out the sander!!!!

Still Our Favorite Sushi Bar!!!

California Beach Rock'in Sushi now in Pearl City!!!

We still love this place!

Inching Along - Which is Faster than Before

I spent some time with the Random Orbital Sander and pieces of the upcoming surf foils.

I got the tails and one of the two fuselages tweaked in.  Still need to do a fill on some of the pukas and a finer sanding.  Now that I've gotten past the 50% point in shaping, I am starting to feel compelled to finish. 

Lone Papio

Marlon and I opted to go fishing this morning.  I got one to take the bait -

I had a few other follows - a kaku chasing the bubble float, another unidentified - but no other takers.  Still nice to walk the flats and see the sights!