Remember that Aku file I posted a few weeks back, well this is the finished board. Just a few teasers for the clan. I have been just too busy lately, bloody full time work and it has taken its toll. Standing all day long at the work shop is not the same as surfing all day, it is more tiring, working that is.
I have only paddled it for about 30 mins in a light easterly so the water was a bit choppy and managed to catch a couple of 6" waves.
I am really stoked with this board, the past few days I have been feeling that I made a mistake with the size, just tooo small, won't be able to paddle it etc etc.
I did my usual beach start, wade out to just knee deep water, put my right foot on the board at centre of balance and my left hand on the board and jumped up.
The board is as stable as a my 9'4, I didn't wobble or fall off and this was the first paddle for about a week.
I'll be at the Coffs outriggger comp next week, see you there.
Rod
WOW !!!!!
Holy Smokin Joe!! that board looks like it would "rip tear"
Rod the hard work looks to have paid off 
Nice one - you got to love the wood finish. What are the dimensions of it width thickness? Have you considered 2 leash plugs to carry the board with the handle rather than the carry hole?
The width is my usual 29.5" (750mm) and the thickness is 5".
I rarely put skin fittings into straight styrofoam, like leg plugs. The styro foam is not dense enough to hold them with out reinforcement, either with glass or blocks of urethane or PVC foam which are inset into the styro and then the box or plug set into that.
The veneer deck is Hoop pine 2.5mm thick. I call this construction grade veneer not 0.6mm cosmetic veneer. The board weighs 8.5kg and I like the hand hold as this is on centre of balance and allows you to at a glance know where to put your feet. Later when I get used to the board I will widen up the groove under my big toe so I can feel where my feet are.
It is dead flat here and any size surf would be good.
Rod
It looks like a beast Rod
I like the leash plug into the deck though on my boards
I also like the hand hole on my 9 6" for lining up feet positioning
The carry hole in the board is good aid for feet positioning. On my Stonker I've got a visual aid on the side of my board that helps me. But I'm considering doing something with the deck pad - when I get one - to help better identify that spot. I also noticed the slight v in the bottom of your board. My board looks flat on the bottom but as DJ pointed out to me that my board also has a very slight v on the bottom. I'm assuming this helps with maneuvering the board.
Hey,that is one sweet looking board!
Just at a glance(pic) that thing looks like it will rip,you should
be proud of your work,best thing for me is HOME GROWN and
AUSTRALIAN MADE! Outstanding!
mac
Yes it is V in the bottom Oliver, but I use quite a bit, approx 1/4" which is measured off level, this helps to get the wide boards over onto their rails, but not the extreme V of the Plastic Machines. I also put just over 1/8" of concave thru the V to afford a bit more grip and also helps you to pump the board onto plane as well as down the line.
With the amount of glass and timber I have used in the paddle standing area, I reckon and am hoping that I now have a dent free board.
Putting a groove where your big toe wants to be when you have the balance dialled is soo nice.
Thanks 62Mac.
Rod
Oh yeah, the rails are a full epoxy pigment gloss coat. By keeping the same resin thru to the finish (not changing to polyester or painting ) you get a chip free rail.
Rod
Looks sweet. If you didn't know it was an 8' SUP you could confuse it for a 5' knee board.
I think you need both the hand hole and the leash plug insert paddle carry thingy.
The hand hole is great if just want to grab the board and get out of a shore break or something. It is crap for long carries. It needs to bend on the inside so you can curl your fingers and use the strength of your hand and not just your fingers.
The leash plug things let you use your whole hand and give you somewhere to stash the paddle. You could use a standard surfboard bag shoulder strap hooked into the leash plugs.
Even a Naish 9'6" gets heavy on your shoulder after 100 metres or so. Imagine carrying a SUP up from Bells or Southside or Jan Juc.
Very nice. Love the timber veneer. Love the fact that it is 100% Aussie made - even the grip. Well done mate.
Whats even better Casso is that your right in the target weight.
When do you stay at Arakoon ? I'll bring it down and you can sucker cam it.
Rod
Rod I made a post about maybe doing me a board a couple of weeks ago
See if you can find the post, or I will see if i can repost it. Maybe I should just ring you
Hey Rod, I'll be at Arakoon from 10 - 24 Jan 09. It'd be great if you could come down with some boards to demo. Maybe we could organise a full demo day where everybody in the area rocks up with their boards and we can all try each others on those long, long peelers at Trial Bay.
That's going to be quite a quiver of boards you are going to own there Brooko, I think it's great you are supporting our locals while getting a board that is closer to your personal preference. Let us know how you get on.
Sure will oliver, well you got a beautiful Australian board off Stonker, I like Rods ideas about surfing subs, I will have to sell the kalama, so it will mean I will only have the Naish 9 6 and the new ROD 8 6" But I will also be sure to try out Robdogs new psh beast when he gets it in the next week or so Oh I hope your heads feeling better
Hey Brooko,
I have just finished the AKU designs for you to choose from, one is an 8'2 x 29.5 x 5, full nose with 147 ltrs which is just the right volume, this is the same plan as this post. The 8'6 x 29.5 x 5, no nose plan with the same volume of 147 litres. They are done as square tails as Aku does not really let you draw swallows in. The 8'2 has a little less tail rocker. Pm me your email and I'll mail you a couple of PDFs with the designs for you to check out and decide on.
Rod
Keepin it Australian.