Yes ,in a vac this would be good . I got to get one !
But for me taping it all down , would be horribly messy on the edges . I'm leaving a couple inches around the edge where the sand which won't bend , so I'll be then taping on wet glass . Half deck in cork the other half in d, cell .
I work too slow , trying to lign up two decks , wrapping tape underneath the board , before gelling , hoping nothing moves is too scary for me .
I made it just in time with such a big area as it was .
Next board will be more sensible sized

^^^^
Interesting read .
However I have never seen a board designed specifically for heavy riders built purely for early planing .( apart from that Kona prototype ) . SLW boards still have handling in mind and are designed around an 85 kg rider .

I think you are being pretty hard on the SLW.
it's a fantastic design with many manufacturers having boards like that.

I had a similar type of board around 2000 that was what the SLW design is now. It rocked and got me planning in 12 knots. I had so much fun on that board blasting about. did just under 30 knots with the 70cm fin. My opinion 250x90 is right in the pocket if that's what you are chasing.

the kona on the other hand is a very different board. it's for riding waves and cruising and meant to be more like a longboard. the duck tail works so well. planning the kona does feel smaller than it is but you can still feel it's length. it's also narrow. I was surprised at how early the kona planed with small sails. certainly earlier than a SLW setup which uses a bigger sail and fin.

they are both for light winds but are different beasts. ones for fully lit adrenaline sailing and the other is more go anywhere anytime laid back cruising that can be looped.

^^ Sick Graphix! Litres =? 130?

Speaking of longboards. A few of the local guys are using longboards as lightwind solutions but sailing the with centreboard up like fun boards.

Another guy bought an old fun board for 50 bucks and paired it with an 8m ezzy, he is lighter but gets going in real light wind.

Skate is lighter in weight, handles up to 7.5 only. Bigger board can handle bigger sails.

sun fisher said..

Gestalt said..
I think you are being pretty hard on the SLW.
it's a fantastic design with many manufacturers having boards like that.

I had a similar type of board around 2000 that was what the SLW design is now. It rocked and got me planning in 12 knots. I had so much fun on that board blasting about. did just under 30 knots with the 70cm fin. My opinion 250x90 is right in the pocket if that's what you are chasing.

the kona on the other hand is a very different board. it's for riding waves and cruising and meant to be more like a longboard. the duck tail works so well. planning the kona does feel smaller than it is but you can still feel it's length. it's also narrow. I was surprised at how early the kona planed with small sails. certainly earlier than a SLW setup which uses a bigger sail and fin.

they are both for light winds but are different beasts. ones for fully lit adrenaline sailing and the other is more go anywhere anytime laid back cruising that can be looped.

When I said the SLW had two issues, i didn't mean it's not a great board. I love how as soon as you get over the hump, (prob 12-13kts windspeed, with a 10m and 70cm fin) it just takes off, it's awesome.
I was just wondering if there is another design solution which would make it a bit more enjoyable when you're slogging in 12kts and waiting for that extra puff.

Yeah ,hopefully mine

Hey I just remeasured the ofo and its more like 470.

It's been a while lol.

To fill those tiny air pockets just mix epoxy with q cell or baking powder, mix and squeegee the slather at 45 degrees to push in the resin and push out the air bubbles

Deck sandwich . 3 mm D cell , 3 mm cork .


From mast back i used cork , its a bit heavier because it sucks resin , but its a lot harder , good for under feet area .







Mummification . A poor mans vac bag.

Interesting project Imax, your board build is coming together.just out of curiosity what's the significance of the framed wonder women.

gavnwend said..
Interesting project Imax, your board build is coming together.just out of curiosity what's the significance of the framed wonder women.

It's not Wonder Woman . It's my wife , fancy dress , thirty years ago . Still got the outfit .

Tardy said..
LOGO ? FAT CAT SAILBOARDS .

Love it
I think I will .

Imax1 said..

Tardy said..
LOGO ? FAT CAT SAILBOARDS .

Love it
I think I will .

If I called it Fat Kat Designs it would be FKD !
I still got it

tonyk said..
Hi Imax1,
You look like a bit of pro at this building stuff, thanks for sharing the build pics
Would be good if you can keep tab on the cost of the build,
I mean a cost for everything (except labour) to get you on the water as per buying a board at a shop
I read a recent thread on seabreeze where they have built of whole board somehow for less than a pair of good foot straps and fin
Tell us at the end mate
Cheers
Tony

First things first , I'm am not a pro . At best a fifty fifty backyarder .
For the cost of good footstraps and a really , really good fin , possibly .
As a one off , garage special , I'd say around $ 900 to $ 1000, not counting tools.
Your going to need at least a planer , work horses , big bench and an assortment of smaller stuff .
Because of left over stuff from previous builds $ 800 ish Plus foot straps and fin .
If I was to mass produce , still backyard style , I would wire cut blanks and not waste so much foam .
Id guess , five , normal sized boards , $700 ea ??
Its the small things that make it expensive , like a sheet of foot pad foam . $120 for a sheet , but that's enough for five boards .
Don't start me on the amount of tape I use . Ten rolls including painting.
Proper knowlage , vaccing and practice would reduce costs more.