Wing Foiling Board Progress - Monday

I wanted to get some more work done on the wing foiling board - but I needed to get some errands done as well.  I mowed the lawn, pulled a bunch of weeds, helped La with the hedge trimming, and chipped off some of the old paint on the roof rack door latches (same as the rear set I did last month).  In between all that I did route out the slot for the handle I'm placing on the bottom of the wing foiling board, and set it in with epoxy (mixed with milled fibers).

It set nicely but as I was checking on it, it was exotherming pretty healthily.  I kept checking on it - and it didn't burn through - but the handle was pretty hot.

And after thinking about the glassing schedule and the footstrap inserts, I'm settling on no footstraps on this one and different layers on each side.  The bottom deck will get a carbon layer, topped with a layer of innegra, a carbon patch over the fin boxes, and all capped with fiberglass.  The innegra is supposed to be white, so I should cover up the carbon layer.  The top deck will get 2 layers of innegra and a cap sheet of fiberglass.  With the stringer in place, I shouldn't lose any energy as the bottom carbon will stiffen up the board.  I'm hopeful the innegra is as bulletproof as I've been reading - and that it isn't too hard to work with.

Evening Session - 8/16/2020

Hit WPB again.  Same gear as yesterday.  The wind was down compared to yesterday.  The tide was similar to yesterday.  But the swell was different - on some sets it was bigger than yesterday - but for some reason they would break differently.  I caught some good ones - but not as many as yesterday.

Marlon was catching waves everywhere - even some at the ghost peak (sometimes there - sometimes not - breaks and fades - but not today... he caught some of the bombers and rode them for a long while). 

Sunday Progress

I took a planer to the bottom deck to level out the high points (like the patched area where I knocked out a piece with the straight router bit, and another where the excess resin bubbled out from under the block).  Pretty harmless.  After that I marked the lines where the boxes needed to go and proceeded to cut.

I took my time getting things set up - having had messed up almost ever board before (nevermind I was able to salvage them all - I'm trying to get to the point where I make flawless cuts) I wanted to do this one correctly.  I shimmed the low end and made sure both ends were equally spaced.  Then I placed the box on top of the template and measured that distance.  With the top to bottom distance, I set up the router to make that deep of a cut.  After both cuts, I did notice one thing - I had flipped the shims and the slight height difference actually showed in the boxes when I had them set in place - so I still had to make a salvage (if ever so slight - I'll take this as a win!!!!).

I set the boxes and got them taped off.  I am still pondering/researching the glassing schedule... I've got to figure out what to put where - carbon sheets/tape, fiberglass (on top - th.is one is easiest), and 2oz innegra.  The innegra is the new layer to consider.  Looking online, the innegra seems to be a bulletproof layer - but you can't sand it.  I'll get it figured out tomorrow (so I can keep this going) - bottom deck, then when that is cured flip and route out slots for dcell inserts (I keep thinking I should place imbedded footstrap inserts in - more control at some point and for jumping).  Or I could just use stick ons...

Evening Session - 8/15/2020

Marlon and I headed out to catch the evening surf late yesterday hoping that would thin out the crowd of BOBs.  The plan was to drop me off at PTs, and he could surf where all the pretty girls were (in the middle of the crowd at WPB) - but there were some HPD vehicle roaming around PTs so I figured I'd just suck it up at WPB.  I brought the same setup as yesterday - skinny 4'10", GL180, chopped flat tail.  The wind was present, but it didn't chop things up too bad.  The tide was a dropping high (I kept checking when I was on the inside to make sure I had enough depth to not hit bottom).  And the swell was belly high on the sets.

When we got to the beach, I saw that the "ghost" break was working (way outside peak that breaks and then quick fades - but on a foil you can pump through the flats and ride the unbroken swell until it walls up again further in) so I made the long paddle out.  I picked up a handful of waves and rode them all the way in before the tide changed to the point the ghost break stopped working.  I was mostly just enjoying the super long glides, but during the latter half I tried to get a bunch of turns in.  Lots of torque generation and I didn't breach on any of them.  I really didn't have to deal with the crowd so this WPB session was pretty good.  I didn't even see Marlon - I think he was mixed into the main crowd - but I'm sure he was catching everything.

Wing Foiling Board Work - Saturday

I woke up early on Saturday and got some work done on the Wing Foiling Board. 

I started with sealing/filling the top deck.  4.9 ounces of epoxy and a bunch of aerosil. 

Next I used 5.6 ounces of epoxy (and more aerosil) and sealed/filled the bottom deck.

Lastly I used some excess innegra netting to line the bottom of the reinforcement block slots, then I mixed 4.9 ounces of epoxy with 10 "scoops" of milled fibers and set the blocks.  I didn't burn out the blocks this time, so that in itself is a victory.

I'll grind/sand down the high spots and then route out the slots for the finboxes, set those in place and then go to work on setting the foot strap inserts into the top deck (or I can settle on the stick on inserts... still debating).

Evening Session - 8/14/2020

Marlon and I tried to pickup the tail end of a high tide.  We paddled out at PTs - it was perfect for me - waist high swell that was fairly consistent, light winds and deeper water.  There was no one out!!!  I could tell Marlon would have rather gone to WPB (lots of girls on boards - no one at PTs) - so I told him he could paddle over and that I'd pick him up later.  Off he went....

I had the place to myself until a couple of other surfers came out an hour later.  I caught pretty much every wave I wanted and after a quick recalibration, foiling the GL180 felt natural again.  I was able to pump back out on a third of the waves I caught.  Could have had 2 for 1s on a few (but got greedy and tried to shoot for a an outside wave and ran out of steam).  Eli was winging and got way upwind.  But the wind died and he had to paddle in from way outside (he was on a 5m wing and the GL210).  Note to self - when I get my wing, don't stay out past 4... the evening glass off will drop the wing.  Super fun day!!!

Evening Session - 8/13/2020

Marlon and I hit WPB this evening.  It was mega crowded, but I was able to maneuver through and got several fun waves.  The tide was dropping - so much so that I brought the TJ Everyday to not deal with hitting the bottom with a foil (which drives me insane...).  I really love this board - catches waves easily, turns gracefully off the tail and gives endless glide.  There was a little wind coming out of the east, but it wasn't too bad. And the swell was waist high on the sets - wonderful longboard waves.

We came a little later then we normally would - primarily because I had to clean the garage up from spewing foam particles everywhere - but also to let the crowd thin out.  I caught several and got to ride most of them all the way in - made for some decent exercise getting back out to the lineup.  I've been dealing with a sore left shoulder - but staying out of the water the past few days did give it some time to heal and it felt much better today. 

Fun day of surf for Marlon - he also got in a morning session.

Block Slots Routed Out

I routed out the slots for the reinforcement blocks.  I didn't have access to one of my kids (Noe went sailing and Marlon drove La and Noe) so I did not use a vacuum to grab the offcuts.  There was foam particles everywhere - I looked like a snowman.

These slot were pretty good - a couple of oversized spots, but I think they can help get rid of any excess epoxy.  After I cut the slots, I went surfing with Marlon, so I'll epoxy these in place tomorrow.  That should set me up for cutting out the slots for the finboxes, epoxying those in, fine sanding the rest of the board, and putting on a seal coat. That will leave glassing for early next week and sanding later in the week.  A little bit everyday and this will get done.

Cuts Made, Outline Drawn

After I posted on yesterday's work, I went out to the garage and trimmed down the blocks.

Then I went ahead and drew out the routing lines.  This sets me up for tomorrow and opening up the holes (and if I get ambitious, to set them in with epoxy).

Mast Track Preparations

Yesterday I split the Foil Block in half and started to do the calculations for positioning the tracks.

I'm thinking about trimming another inch off the front of the two pieces - I don't need reinforcement ahead of the fin boxes, and by my calcs the boxes need to be further back on this board - pretty much just forward of where the cut hits the bottom deck. 

I was going to rout out the slots today, but I had to address another issue.  And I wanted to take some additional data from website pictures of other boards (reverse engineering) to get a triple check on the box positions.

Evening Session - 8/9/2020

Marlon and I hit WPB yesterday evening (he went today also - but I passed so I could mow the lawn, cook dinner and get a little time shaping the wing foiling board).  The swell was down to background size.  There was wind and the time was flat at 1.0'.  Marlon took off the side bites and went single fin (with a bigger center fin - the Josh Faberow Flex).

I brought out the Viking to try to get out in front of the crowd.  Unfortunately the crowd was very thick - so I'd have to pull out of a few to avoid any issues - darn BOBs.  As the sun went down, the crowd did thin a little - enough to get a few really fun ones - like one where I took off and dropped straight into the pit (even though it was only stomach high), and another where it lined up all the way to the beach.  We are now in the summer doldrums....

Wing Board Progress

I've been putting a little time each day since Saturday working on the rough shaping of this latest board.  I already posted Saturday's planer work, so for this post I'll start with Sunday's work with the coarse surform and dragon skin.

I got it to probably 85% - but in looking at the pictures, the tail has too much kick in it and there are some high spots in various points.

Here is today's results - I got the tail worked down, the high spots lowered - that's it for the rough shaping.

I'm still debating the use of dcell under foot - I think I'll go easy on myself and just double up on the innegra (patches).  I'll mark up the slots for the higher density foam blocks for the finboxes (mast track) and put a first mark up for the foot strap inserts (I'll have to do some measuring/proportioning to settle in - which is fine - I'll have the time since the foil block has to go in first).  That plus the fine sanding and seal coat will likely take me to the weekend.  Last picture - this was my inspiration for this board - seriously.

Rough Shaping the 5'2" Wing Foiling Board

Marlon as an infection on his leg, so I decided to pass on surfing yesterday.  Not to mention the surf is way down (first time in a while actually).  Instead, I decided to break out the planer and get the WFB further down the path to getting wet.

Most to the trimming was on the bottom of the board - bottom of the rails and the tail.  I had to trim up the nose a bit also - but it was all done in about 45 minutes.  I also worked on the top - rails, nose, tail - then did a pass over the flats top and bottom to get rid of the rough foam (makes sanding way easier even if I am not taking much off - starting everything at the same consistency is always best).

Today the surf is even worse - so I'll get the rails blended in (dragon skin - drywall mud rough sander), and I'll try to get the sanding done.  From there I'll need to cut out holes for the foot strap inserts, the leash plug and the mast tracks.  I was thinking of using dcell under the feet again - but I am also planning on using innegra for the laminate.  I think if I can double up where my heels will go, I can forego the dcell patches (which means less work).

Evening Session - 8/7/2020

The City and County of Honolulu is closing down the beaches again (among other public gathering places) - you can still surf, but no one is allowed to hang out on the beach.  So Noe came out with Marlon and I to get some pictures - these will be the last from the beach for a while. 

The tide was high but only at 1.9'.  The swell came down a lot - there were still some fun ones, but there were lulls between the sets.  The wind was the surprise though - every where but the beach it was down.  It wasn't too bad though.

Marlon actually thought about sitting this session out - but he surfed anyways and ended up catching several.

I brought out the wide 4'10" with the Armstrong HS1850/Uni.  With the tide high, I wasn't worried about grounding, but on one paddle out I did - got some scuffs on the Uni tail.  I caught several waves and a few of them were really long.

Fun session - however the waves are forecasted to drop off even more into the weekend - might be time to shape that Wing Board.