This is a 9 foot SUP made from carbon fibre and skinned with paulownia, still a while before it gets surfed.
It's gunna sink with all those holes in it.. 
Just kidding.. Looks great mate.. 
More pics of its progress please.
DJ
Looks good so far. Do you have a pic of the other side?
I also noticed the square end - will you put a solid wood block on this, or is that the final shape?
And one more question...did you design the board, or is it based on a particular plan/design?
Looking forward to see the progress pics.
Regards,
Darren
Yes I plan to use a solid nose and tail made from paulownia. I have used a computer design program to plan the board, I have tried to use the shape of a nine foot mana. I will post some more photos soon.
Now you've got DJ really buzzing Mana mmmmmme
The rails are complete, nose built, and the whole thing sanded down for about eight hours. Just about ready for glassing. It weighs 13 kgs so far, and detoured away from the Mana-like nose shape.
Beautiful looking board Andy, wish I had your skills. Then again, if I did my wife would only use my powers for evil instead of good . Keen to see it glassed
Thanks. I'm looking at getting it glassed next week, not sure I have the skills to do that myself...maybe I will try and glass the next one.
Nice job mate.
It's going to look beautiful when glassed.....will really bring the colours out in the timber.
I can appreciate how much work you have put into it.....I built a hollow balsa 9' mal a couple of years ago.
Glassed it with Botecote epoxy and one layer of 4oz fibreglass,,,,,then spray finished with Botecote's Aquacote water based polyurethane to UV stabilise it.
Check out their products, they are specifically designed for use with timber and there is a non yellowing hardener.
Would be a shame to have it turn yellow on you after surfing it for a while.
What are you planning on doing for non slip on the deck??
You can't put deck grip on it and hide your handywork !!!!!!
Thanks Deano I will investigate that product, I'm thinking I might just leave the glassing to a pro, I would be pretty devastated if I stuff it up now.
I have already purchased a deck grip, its black in color. Will only cover as much as is really necessary so about one third of the deck will still be seen. Also have fibreglass fins, won't bother making my own timber fins for this one.
Very Clever.. That is some nice craftmanship there. I would be very proud of that!Do you use epoxy glue or urethane?
Unfortunately my skills are with metal. Have managed a few projects with timber but that is way beyond me. Awesome Job!
Well I have been trying to get quotes from shapers on the Gold Coast and have been pretty disappointed by the unprofessional service. I have been promised quotes by many and ended up with only one following through. Unfortunately this was for nearly $900, so that's the end of that. I will glass it myself; despite the result I will post photos when it's done.
I'm just a back yard board builder and I reckon glassing is not all that difficult......especially with the long cure times with most epoxies......GO FOR IT!!!!!
Worst thing that could happen is that you stuff it up.....then you can just sand it back to bare timber and have another go at it.....mongrel of a job but doable.
Plenty of info on the net......particularly Swaylocks.
Check out Epoxy glassing 101 by Greg Loehr on youtube.
Follow product directions, mix really well, be really clean and you should be OK.
Probably easiest to do free laps on your rails.....not cut laps.
If you wet out the cloth properly you will barely be able to pick them.
You will get greater satisfaction out of riding a board when you have done the whole lot yourself!!!
I've found Boatcraft Pacific's products to be really user friendly and not as toxic as some other products.....good on timber or foam.
I would recommend their non yellowing hardener and spray painting it with clear Aquacote....tricky to use but great if you get it right.
Alternatively after sanding hot coat take it to your nearest panel beater and have them shoot a couple of coats of two pack clear over it.....or do it yourself if you have the gear......toxic stuff though.
Make sure you vent it!!!.....the goretex vents are pretty good so long as you undo it and clean the membrane occasionaly.
Have fun.....you will learn heaps doing it yourself!!!!
Great looking board! I love the attention to detail.
Have you considered sugar coating the deck when you glass it? That willl give you good traction without having to wax it, but will not hide the beautiful timber.
Gorgeous board you've got going for sure! As others have mentioned, can't wait to see more pics after it gets "wetted", and lets that wood grain show up. Very nice job, you should be proud of that baby!
Finally got around to fibreglassing the board. 6oz glass and an epoxy resin. It doesnt look so yellow in real life, something about the iphone camera I think. Thanks for the advice on the Aquacote, will do a couple coats of it after the epoxy dries.
Wow, love your work...Will you surf it or put it on the wall of the pool room? That's art,
Thanks Supa, I plan to surf on it. If it handles badly or I get sick of carrying it around I suppose I will be back on my Hokua. It's too big for the pool room, so it might end up for sale. The Mrs just wants it off the back deck!
Wow what a fantastic job, the board looks amazing well done you Life is so busy how did you find the time??
Not sure Im finding the time, I started this board in October last year with the plan to have it finished by January. I was planning to be onto my second or third board by now! Bit nervous about attacking the thing with a router to make holes for the fins, leash plugs and carry handle; I've never used a router before. I will post some progress pics in a couple of weeks. Still a while before I get to surf on it, I'm keen to see how it handles compared to a foam sup. I suspect I will be biased due to the personal investment.
